Attractions in Munnar

3 places to see, with what each one is and how long it takes.

Eravikulam National Park

Attraction

The protected high-altitude sanctuary famous for hosting the largest surviving population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr mountain goat.

Lockhart Tea Factory

Experience

A historic operational tea estate where visitors can view traditional processing methods and buy premium orthodox leaves.

Top Station Viewpoint

Viewpoint

On the state border above Munnar, looking down into Tamil Nadu, and the cloud usually arrives by mid-morning, so go early. The slopes below are Neelakurinji country, which flowers once every twelve years.

Elsewhere in Kerala

Not in Munnar — these are in other towns across the state.

North Cliff Ledge

Viewpoint

Varkala Beach

The paved path along the cliff top, cafes on one side and a long drop on the other. Sections have been fenced off after collapses and the fencing moves — take it seriously. Steps down to the beach at either end.

Edakkal Caves

Attraction

Wayanad

Two natural stone caves on Ambukuthi Hill housing rare, multi-century old Neolithic rock carvings and petroglyphs.

Chinese Fishing Nets

Attraction

Kochi (Fort Kochi)

Cantilevered nets worked by four to six men on a counterweight, along the Fort Kochi seafront. Fewer operate every year and some are now only frames. They are lowered at sunset, which is also when the crowd arrives.

Kumily Spice Market

Market

Thekkady (Periyar)

A street of spice shops at the Tamil Nadu border, where quality varies enormously. Buy cardamom by smell rather than by label, and be sceptical of anything sold cheaply as vanilla or saffron.

Papanasam Beach

Attraction

Varkala Beach

The golden sand stretch below the cliffs, popular for swimming, surfing, and historic ritual sunset cleansing baths.

Kuttanad Region

Experience

Alleppey (Backwaters)

Rice grown a metre or two below sea level behind earth bunds, one of very few places in the world where that is done. You see it from the boat: the fields sit lower than the water you are on.

Banasura Sagar Dam

Experience

Wayanad

The largest earth dam in India, and the islands in the reservoir are hilltops left standing when the water rose. Speedboats run from the shore. There is a long uphill walk from the car park that nobody warns you about.