Love to travel? We continue our reader-driven getaway series.
Karthik K, a software engineer from Chennai recommends the Coimbatore route if you are driving to Munnar. Here's why.
Want to beat the heat or just out of the city? Then Munnar and the places around are the perfect getaways.
How to get there
By air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (121 kms)
By train: The nearest railway station is Ernakulum Junction (127 kms)
By road: Usually people go to Munnar from Madurai or Theni (southern part of Tamil Nadu). But I feel the Coimbatore route is an unspoiled and unexplored paradise. The distance between Coimbatore and Munnar is about 150 kms.
An early morning drive through Pollachi and Udumalaipettai towns is an excellent start to your trip. These picturesque towns are part of most Tamil films.
You can have a good breakfast at Udumalaipettai.
The ghats start after Udumalaipettai and you go through preserved forests of Chennimalai, which also has a wildlife sanctuary. This is where the Kerala border starts. Once you pass through the check post, you need to be careful as you may see elephants, wild bulls and sometimes even leopards crossing your path.
On the way you see small cascades of water. The view is picture perfect! And the smell of fresh tea along the way just adds to the thrill.
After another hour on the ghats, you see the Annamudi and Rajamalai hills. Annamudi is the highest peak in South India. Here you will always find clouds passing through you. About 15 kms from Rajamalai hills is the sleepy hill station of Munnar.
Around Munnar
Mattupatty dam and lake is about 10 kms from Munnar. You can go boating here if the weather permits.
About 30 kms away is Top Station from where the view of the valleys is breathtaking. Do visit this place if you get the chance.
Where to eat
Saravana Bhavan offers delicious south Indian food. This is one of the best places to eat in Munnar.
Overall, we had a wonderful trip and I am sure that you too will enjoy the drive and the trip to Munnar, just like we did.
Note: Beware of adulterated tea and spices.
Information
Tourist office
District Tourism Promotion Council
SN Tourist Home
Old Munnar
Phone: (04865) 231516
e-mail: munnerdtpc@sancharnet.in
Web site: http://www.munnartourism.com/.
Where to stay
KTDC's Tea County
Phone: (04865) 230969
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Club Mahindra Lakeview
Phone: (04868) 249224
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Copper Castle
Phone: (04868) 230633
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Edassery East End Hotel
Phone: (04865) 230191
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Sterling Resorts
Phones: (04868) 249206, 249208
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BlackBerry Hills Mountain Lodges
Phones: (04865) 232978, 232979
Web site: http://www.blackberryhillsindia.com/
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