Munnar offers visitors rolling hills, tea estates with colonial bungalows and misty evenings. Perched on the Northern edge of Kerala, Munnar is a popular spot for honeymooners, people seeking a quiet corner for the weekend, and just those who want to escape busy life.Though Munnar urges you to relax, pick up a hot cup of tea and sip calmly for hours, there is an array of sightseeing in Munnar to add to your itinerary. Our sightseeing in Munnar guide takes you through the top 10 highlights.

1. Cheeyappara Falls: On the way to Munnar, you come across the torrid cascades of the Cheeyappara Falls. Surrounded by dense greenery, they could lead anyone to believe that they’re looking straight at a thick rainforest. This is a popular sightseeing stop in Munnar and a great place to get some photographs. Other waterfalls worth seeing are the 2. Atukkad Waterfalls and 3. Lakkam Water Falls.

4. Tea Estates: Munnar is traditionally dependant on tea plantation. And rolling, emerald green hills are visible as far as the eye can see. Teas in many peculiar or popular flavours can be bought here. Also widely grown here are various spices like cardamom and pepper. These freshly grown and premier quality spices make excellent souvenirs.

A popular sightseeing attraction is the 5. Tata Tea Museum is yet another great spot to visit, you will find a collection of old bits and pieces from the colonial era, including photographsand a 1905 tea-roller. This is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar. Tea lovers are often seen strolling past the factory and the museum to take in the details of their favourite beverage. The museum traverses over time from 1880s when the tea industry made its foray into this lush town. The museum is open 10.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m, closed on Mondays. There is an entry fee of Rs.75/- adults and Rs.35/- for children. There are additional charges for photography.

6. Mattupetty Dam: The dam not only created a beautiful reservoir, engulfed by greenery but also Munnar’s most popular sightseeing spot. Visitors come here for photography, the evening market and most importantly the boating. You can take a speedboat on the lake for around Rs. 300/- the ride is for 15 min and the maximum capacity is 5 persons. An alternative place to visit for those interested in boating is 7. Kundala Lake which is 23 km from Munnar. This lake is very beautiful and you can hire a pedal boat to explore the lake and its surroundings. Each trip lasts around 30 min and closes at 4:30PM.

8. Eravikulam National Park: This wildlife sanctuary is spread in almost 100 sq kms and is 13 kms from Munnar. Wildlife enthusiasts and families with children go there to find the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The Nilgiri marten and small clawed otter are other rare animals that call it home. From Munnar, an autorickshaw/taxi costs in the region of Rs. 250/500 return.

Entry fees:
For Indian nationals Rs. 15/- per head
Entry fee for foreigners Rs. 200/- per head
Entry fee for children below 12 years and students on tour Rs. 5/- per head
Fee for cameras Rs. 25/-
Four wheeler vehicles Rs. 50/- per day
Two and three wheelers Rs. Rs. 20/- per day

9. Anamudi Peak inside Eravikulam National Park is the highest peak (2,695 m) south of the Himalayas. The slopes of the hills are home to all kinds of rare flora and fauna. It is an ideal place for trekking and there are facilities are provided for tourists who are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi. For wildlife lovers 10. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary has a large number of plants and animals and is one of the protected areas in the western ghats.

Mahindra Homestays has a variety of stunning homestays to choose from in the Munnar region of Kerala. Take a look at our Munnar homestays, choose your favourite and book now to see this beautiful part of India.

Many thanks to the photographers who share their images under the Creative Commons licence. All images link back to the original source.