Places to visit in Munnar in 3 days
By Ganesh ·
The best places to visit in Munnar: Eravikulam National Park, the tea estates, Mattupetty, Kundala, Top Station, waterfalls and Marayoor, with a 3-day plan, costs, how to reach and the best time to go.
The short answer: the best places to visit in Munnar are Eravikulam National Park (home of the Nilgiri tahr), the tea estates and the Tata Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Top Station on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border, the Attukal and Lakkam waterfalls, and the drive over the Gap Road to Anayirangal Dam. Two days covers the main sights; three lets you add Marayoor and Chinnar or a trek.
Prices and timings below are approximate. Check before you go.
Munnar at a glance
Munnar is a hill station in Kerala's Idukki district, at about 1,600 m, where three rivers meet. Rolling tea gardens cover the hills in every direction, which is why most of the sightseeing is along two roads out of town: the Top Station road to the east (Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala, Top Station) and the Rajamala road to the north (Eravikulam, Lakkam falls, Marayoor).
Top places to visit in Munnar
1. Eravikulam National Park (Rajamala)
The park protects the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat you can often see at close range near the visitor zone. Forest department buses take visitors up from the entry point; book tickets online in season. The park usually closes for a few weeks around February–March for the tahr calving season. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India, rises behind it.
2. Tea estates and the Tea Museum
The Kanan Devan hills are covered in tea. The Tata Tea Museum in Nallathanni shows how tea is processed, with a tasting at the end. Many homestays can arrange a walk through a working estate.
3. Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point
About 13 km from town, with boating on the reservoir. Echo Point, a little further on, is a lakeside stop where shouts echo back from the hills. Indo-Swiss dairy farm is on the same road.
4. Kundala Lake
A reservoir surrounded by eucalyptus and cherry trees, with pedal boats and Kashmiri-style shikaras.
5. Top Station
At around 1,700 m on the Tamil Nadu border, this viewpoint looks down over the Western Ghats into Theni. Arrive early: mist often rolls in by late morning.
6. Attukal and Lakkam waterfalls
Attukal is a short drive from town and best after the monsoon; Lakkam, on the Marayoor road, has a pool where bathing is allowed in a marked area.
7. Gap Road and Anayirangal Dam
The road towards Bodimettu cuts through a mountain pass with sweeping views. It is sometimes closed after heavy rain, so check before going. Anayirangal Dam is surrounded by tea gardens and is good for a quiet stop.
8. Marayoor and Chinnar
About 40 km north, Marayoor is known for natural sandalwood forests, jaggery-making and ancient dolmens; Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary beyond it is in the rain shadow, dry and home to the grizzled giant squirrel.
9. Neelakurinji
The hills turn blue when the Neelakurinji shrub flowers, but only once every twelve years. The last mass bloom was in 2018, so the next is expected around 2030.
A sample 3-day plan
- Day 1: Drive from Kochi (about 4 hours via Adimali, stopping at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls). Tea Museum and town in the evening.
- Day 2: Eravikulam at opening time, Lakkam falls; afternoon on the Top Station road: Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala, Top Station.
- Day 3: Marayoor and Chinnar, or a guided trek; leave for Thekkady (about 3 hours) or Kochi.
What it costs (approximate)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay per night (double room) | ₹1,500–3,000 | ₹4,000–10,000 |
| Taxi for sightseeing per day | ₹2,500–3,500 | |
| Kochi–Munnar taxi (one way) | ₹3,500–5,000 | |
| KSRTC bus Kochi–Munnar | ₹150–300 | |
| Eravikulam entry (Indian adults, incl. bus) | around ₹200–250 | |
How to reach Munnar
- By air: Cochin International Airport is about 110 km (3.5–4 hours).
- By train: Aluva or Ernakulam stations, then bus or taxi.
- By road: KSRTC and private buses from Kochi, Kottayam, Thekkady and Madurai.
Best time to visit Munnar
September to March is cool and clear. December and January nights can drop close to freezing in places. April and May are pleasant when the plains are hot, and are the busiest months for Indian families. June to August is the monsoon: lush and misty, with waterfalls at their best but some landslide-prone road closures.
Practical tips
- Carry a light jacket year-round.
- Book Eravikulam tickets online on weekends and holidays.
- Drive the ghat roads in daylight; mist and narrow bends make night driving slow.
- Combine Munnar with Thekkady, Alleppey and Kochi for a classic week in Kerala. Plan the route in Sancharees to see drive times between stops.
FAQ
How many days are enough for Munnar?
Two days for the main sights, three to add Marayoor or trekking.
Is Munnar good in the monsoon?
Yes, if you like rain and mist, but allow extra time for roads, and check for closures.
Munnar or Ooty?
Munnar is greener and quieter with more tea country; Ooty has the toy train and more town attractions.
When is Eravikulam closed?
Usually for a few weeks around February–March for the tahr calving season; check the park's official booking site for exact dates.
Photo: Munnar - Lockhart tea plantation by Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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