The short answer
Munnar is a hill town in Kerala's Western Ghats, surrounded by tea estates. It is cooler than the coast, around four hours' drive from Kochi, and two or three nights is the right amount of time. Come for walks through the tea gardens, Eravikulam National Park and the views.
What is Munnar like?
The town itself is busy and functional. The reason to come is the countryside: miles of clipped tea bushes on steep hills, with estate bungalows and small villages in between. Mornings are fresh and often misty, and evenings can be cool, so bring a jumper.
What to do in Munnar
Walk the tea estates
A guided walk with a local is the best way to see the hills. Routes range from easy lanes to longer climbs.
Eravikulam National Park
Home to the Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat found only in this part of India. The park usually closes for a period early in the year for the calving season, so check dates.
Visit a tea factory
See how leaf is withered, rolled and dried, then taste the result.
How long to stay and when to go
Two nights is the minimum, three is better because the drive up takes most of a day. Munnar is good from September to May. During the monsoon the hills are very green but views can disappear in cloud.
Local tipStay outside town on an estate. You wake up in the tea gardens rather than in traffic.
Our Kerala expert
Based in Cochin
Our Kerala office has been planning trips from Cochin for 20 years. This guide reflects what we tell travellers who call us.
Ready to plan your Kerala trip?
Munnar fits into most of our Kerala itineraries.
Frequently asked questions
Around four hours by road, depending on traffic and stops.
It is cooler than the coast. Days are mild and nights can be chilly, especially from December to February.
If you have time, both. Munnar is for tea and walking, Thekkady for spice gardens and Periyar. They are about three hours apart.
