What is Munnar famous for?

For starters, this breathtaking colonial-era town set at an elevation of 5,300 feet in the Western Ghats lures people with its picture-perfect landscapes, resplendent greenery, misty tea gardens, milky white waterfalls, and cool climate! Read on to find more reasons!

Know what is Munnar famous for before you plan a trip!

Often called the “Kashmir of South India”, Munnar is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. It’s a treasure trove of natural beauty, scenic views, adventure, and culture.

Every year, couples, families, adventure seekers, and nature lovers flock to Munnar in droves and find themselves wishing they could stay there forever!

Scroll down to find some major reasons that make Munnar famous and lovable before you browse our Munnar tour packages.

ALSO SEE – 10 Most Famous Spice Gardens In Munnar For A Stimulating Experience!

1. Tea plantations & spice gardens

Boasting a rich history and legacy of tea production courtesy of the British colonial era, Munnar is synonymous with rolling tea plantations covering over 24,000 hectares of this region’s surface in Idukki.

You can visit the Tata Tea Museum (KDHP Museum) to learn about Munnar’s tea production heritage, see the original tea roller of 1905, and learn how they turn these dewy leaves into the flavourful cuppa you love so much!

If you’re looking for what is famous in Munnar to buy, we’d suggest you start with its tea and spices by heading to KDHP’s factory outlet!

Other notable tea estates you should visit:

• Kolukkumalai Tea Estate: Perched at 7,900 feet in Munnar, it’s the world’s highest tea plantation famous for its traditional tea-processing methods, thrilling jeep rides to the top, and breathtaking views of the cloud-kissed Western Ghats!
• Kanan Devan Hills Plantations: This enormous expanse of tea estates and rolling hills is among India’s leading tea producers known for eco-friendly cultivation practices, premium quality tea, special factory tours, and tea tasting sessions.

Other than tea estates, Munnar also has a few spice gardens where cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, black pepper, long pepper, turmeric, and nutmeg are grown. In fact, Munnar is often referred to as the “Cardamom Capital of the World” that is grown here in abundance!

Anakkara Spice Tourism Circuit, Kannan Devan Hills Plantation, and Elephant Valley Spice Plantation are some of the most notable spice gardens you can visit to see their vivid vegetation of spices and purchase fresh organic produce from their outlets.

ALSO SEE – Top 5 Munnar Tea Estates

2. Eravikulam National Park

The unique wildlife reserve and biodiversity hotspot tucked in the Nilgiris is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the official home of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr in India!

ALSO SEE- Eravikulam National Park- Entry Fee, Timings & Best Time to Visit 

Spanning 97 sq km, this reserve is also popular for the vividly colored Neelakurinji flowers which bloom once every 12 years, drawing in nature lovers and photographers from around the world!

ALSO  SEE- Neelakurinji Flowering Season-When Munnar Blooms Blue

Close to 800,000 people visited Eravikulam the last time these bluish-purple flowers bloomed in 2018!

The third reason for this park’s popularity is the Anamudi Peak, the highest mountain peak in South India at a height of 8,840 feet and a true delight for trekking and camping enthusiasts!

ALSO SEE- Trekking at Anamudi Peak-The Everest of South India

3. Waterfalls in Munnar

We cannot talk about what is Munnar famous for without mentioning its exquisite waterfalls that have forever dazzled photographers and nature fanatics!

Three of the most scenic and serene waterfalls you can visit in and around Munnar include:

• Attukad Waterfalls: A refreshing cascade set in a dense forest amid rolling hills 9 km from Munnar. It’s a great spot for trekking and picnics and can be reached via a scenic drive from Munnar town!
• Lakkam Waterfalls: Located near Marayoor 25 km from Munnar, the idyllic Lakkam originates from the Eravikulam Plateau and its surrounding forests, bridges, and rivers make it great for trekking, picnics, and photography.
• Nyayamakad Waterfalls: This waterfall at 5,300 feet is tucked 10 km from Munnar amid serene tea plantations and tribal forests. It’s easily accessible by road and a favorite spot for trekkers and families.

ALSO SEE – Top 8 Munnar Waterfalls

4. Dams & reservoirs

Though it sounds peculiar, Munnar’s hydel projects have actually boosted tourism in the area. Its dams and reservoirs set amid scenic landscapes offer plenty of activities for families, couples, and adventure seekers.

Some of the most popular dams to visit in Munnar include:

• Mattupetty Dam: Set at an altitude of 5,570 feet, this picture-perfect hydroelectric project sits amid lush hills. Apart from generating clean electricity and facilitating irrigation, it’s great for paddle boating, speed boating, birdwatching, and hiking.
• Kundala Lake: This unique artificial reservoir is set 5,800 feet above sea level. It attracts visitors with its stunning surroundings of tea gardens and forests, boating, blooming cherry blossoms, picnic area, and Asia’s first arch dam!
• Anayirangal Dam: At an elevation of 4,300 feet, this dam sits amid postcard-perfect surroundings of lush tea gardens, spice plantations, evergreen forests, and misty hills. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic picnic, boating, hiking, and spotting herds of wild elephants grazing nearby!

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5. Flora & fauna

Munnar’s unique biodiversity has been the subject of study for many botanists and zoologists over the years! If you google “what is Munnar famous for”, its rich biodiversity is among the first things that’ll pop up!

This region is home to several rare and endemic species of animals including the Nilgiri Tahr, Indian gaur, lion-tailed macaques, leopards, and Grizzled Giant Squirrels. It has over 220 bird species including the Malabar Whistling Thrush, Nilgiri Flycatcher, and Laughing Thrush.

In addition to tea plantations, Munnar’s endemic flora includes the rare Neelakurinjis (Strobilanthes Kunthiana) which bloom every 12 years, Shola’s evergreen forests, Eucalyptus shrubs, Wattle trees, exotic species of orchids, and the famous Sandalwood forests of Marayoor!

Munnar is also known for its exotic and vivid species of butterflies including the Malabar Banded Peacock and Southern Birdwing!

You can find a combination of these exquisite flora and fauna species in the many wildlife reserves of Munnar including:

• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: Located 60 km from Munnar, this sanctuary is known for its wide variety of bird species, dry deciduous forests, and the Grizzled Giant Squirrel!
• Eravikulam National Park: The home of the Nilgiri Tahr, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Neelakurinjis, wild orchids, and rhododendrons spread across vast evergreen forests and grasslands.
• Anamudi Shola National Park: A unique shola-grassland ecosystem with bamboo, wild orchids, Indian Gaur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, and Nilgiri Flycatchers.
• Kurinjimala Sanctuary: A separate nature reserve dedicated to protecting the rare Neelakurinji flowers 20 km away from Eravikulam sanctuary. The park also has shola forests, grasslands, the Nilgiri Tahr, and Malabar Giant Squirrels.
• Mathikettan Shola National Park: This eminent elephant corridor is tasked with protecting Kerala’s Asian elephant populace. You can also find dense shola forests, grasslands, orchids, rhododendrons, eucalyptus, Nilgiri Tahr, Indian Gaur, Malabar Whistling Thrush, King Cobra, and several butterflies.
• Pampadum Shola National Park: Kerala’s smallest and most pristine national park features evergreen vegetation, orchids, ferns, Indian Bison, and Indian Pitta thriving amid dense shola jungles.

6. Adventure activities

If you’re wondering what is Munnar famous for in terms of activities and if it has any adventures for you and your buddies to try, you’re in luck!

From trekking in the second-highest peak of the Western Ghats (Meesapulimala) to riding Jeeps in its dense jungles, Munnar offers myriad activities for adventure seekers and families with kids, including, but not limited to:

• Trekking in Anamudi Peak, Meesapulimala peak, and Eravikulam National Park.
• Rock climbing and rappelling in Pothamedu and Chokramudi Peak.
• Various types of boating in Mattupetty Lake, Kundala Lake, and near Echo Point.
• Wildlife safari, including Jeep safari, canter safari, and nature walks, in Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Anakulam Elephant Village.
• Ziplining near Kolukkumalai Tea Estate and Valara Waterfalls.
• Camping near Attukal Waterfalls, Echo Point, Top Station, and Suryanelli Hills.
• Cycling around Munnar town and near Kannan Devan Hills tea gardens.
• Fishing at Mattupetty Lake and Kundala Lake.
• ATV rides at Pothamedu Viewpoint, Anakulam Elephant Village, and around several tea estates.
• Tandem paragliding through various local tour operators that take you to designated locations in Pallivasal Hills, near Mattupetty Dam, and Anamudi Shola National Park for take-off.

ALSO SEE – Meesapulimala Trekking – Best Tips on Booking, Stay , Tour and Route

7. Kanthalloor, the ‘Fruit Bowl of Kerala’!

Kanthalloor is a small village near Munnar popular for its colorful fruit orchards thriving in the cool, temperate climate of this region.

Unlike anywhere else in Kerala, a wide variety of fruits grow in this region! Some of the major fruit crops that are grown over the fertile soils of Kanthalloor include apples, custard apples, strawberries, peaches, oranges, plums, pears, avocados, cherries, pomegranates, guavas, kiwis, blackberries, passion fruits, gooseberries, figs, and lemons.

Vegetables like eggplants, cauliflowers, carrots, beetroots, potatoes, bell peppers, cabbages, beans, and peas are also cultivated here in abundance in addition to seasonal flowers and exotic herbs.

In addition to growing a variety of fruits and veggies, Kanthalloor is also known for producing fresh, organic fruit products in an eco-friendly manner!

You can buy everything from fresh jams to squashes, juices, spicy pickles, dried fruits, fruit candies, toffees, syrups, mocktail mixes, sauces, and vegetable chutneys here, all prepared by the locals using traditional methods.

Kanthalloor’s rising popularity courtesy of its fruit orchards and vegetable gardens has led to a rise in its number of homestays and hotels. It’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a quiet place near Munnar with the same pleasing weather and juicy fruits surrounding you!

ALSO SEE – Kanthalloor- The Land of Fruits in Munnar

8. Unique tourist attractions

Munnar is home to several unique and intriguing places that you must visit during your trip. Some of these include:

• Top Station: For panoramic views of Kerala’s Western Ghats and Tamil Nadu’s Theni Valley from a single spot located 6,100 feet above sea level!
• Kolukkumalai Tea Estate: For being the highest tea estate in the world at 7,900 feet overlooking the Western Ghats bathed in wisps of clouds!
• Eravikulam National Park: For the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the rare Neelakurinji flowers, and the mighty Anamudi peak, South India’s highest mountain peak!
• Kundala Lake: For Asia’s first arch dam, cruises in colorful shikaras, lush green surroundings, and pink cherry blossoms!
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: For its peculiar Grizzled Giant Squirrels living amid dry deciduous forests and sandalwood trees.
• Marayoor Sandalwood Forests: For Kerala’s only natural sandalwood forest that is rich in nature, culture, and history courtesy of its ancient dolmens, rock cave paintings, and Marayoor jaggery!
• Lockhart Gap: For sweeping panoramic views of mist-laced valleys, mountains, and tea gardens from the middle of a heart-shaped gap between two hills.
• Cheeyappara Waterfalls: For a gorgeous waterfall cascading down in seven steps from a height of over 1,000 feet inside a dense forest.
• Gap Road: For its sharp winding roads offering dramatic views of Munnar’s lush valleys, tea plantations, and misty mountains.

ALSO SEE – Beaches Near Munnar-The Complete List

9. Year-round pleasant weather

When people are looking for what is Munnar famous for, they’re instantly drawn to its cool climate and misty weather above other things!

Munnar’s pleasing weather in all seasons is a major crowd-puller, making it a year-round destination for most.

Owing to Munnar’s high altitude, its temperature ranges between 6°C in peak winters and doesn’t go above 25°C even on the hottest afternoon in summer. It’s the ideal weekend getaway for most travelers in South India, especially those in the scorching plains of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh!

• In the winter season from November to February, the temperature remains between 6°C and 16°C with chilly mornings, cool afternoons, and foggy evenings.
• Summertime from March to May is just as pleasant with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C, balmy afternoons, and cool mornings and nights.
• In the monsoon season from June to September, you’ll be met with heavy rains that turn this region into a lush green paradise, cover its hills with thick mist, add drama to its waterfalls, and keep the temperature between 10°C and 18°C!

ALSO SEE – Munnar Temperature, Weather, Season & Climate For Each Month

Now you know what is Munnar famous for. The next question is – How can you book a trip? Simple! Reach out to our team at Munnar Holidays, and let us craft you a customized Munnar tour itinerary as per your preferences and budget so that you experience all that Munnar has to offer! Happy tripping!