Have you ever gone to the honeymoon destination of Kerala to explore Munnar? If not, you must go there once at least in your life. Affectionately referred to as the 'Kashmir of South India', this hill station is considered as one of the top tourist places in the southern Indian state of Kerala. For making the tour of this breathtaking hill station easy, comfortable and convenient, Kerala Holiday Packages with Best Deals are specially designed by ARV Holidays, one of the leading tour and travel operators of India.
Munnar – the 'Kashmir of South India'
Situated in the Idukki district in the southern Indian state of Kerala at an average altitude of approx 1,700 m (5,600 ft) above sea level, Munnar is a town and hill station, which is counted among the most visited tourist places in Kerala. Believed to have its literal meaning 'three rivers' correlating its location at the confluence of the Nallathanni, Mudhirapuzha and Kundaly rivers, the Munnar Hill Station, which is nestled in the Western Ghats range of mountains, is world famous for its tourist attractions.
Being a former resort for the British Raj elite, this charming hill station, which is nicknamed the 'Kashmir of South India', is covered by rolling hills dispersed with tea plantations founded in the late 19th century. Here, tourists get the chance of visiting the Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Tahr, is endowed with the Lakkam Waterfalls, the 2,695 m high Anamudi Summit and hiking trails.
If you want to get the region's history of tea production, you can head to the Nallathanni Estate to explore the Tea Museum. Conserving several animal species, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is an eco-tourism site in this hill station. Top Station, which is the northeastern part of this town, is a 1,700 m high trekking and overlook site with glimpses over the mountains. Fields of Top Station boast of being home to blue Neelakurinji flowers, blooming here once every 12 years. During the tour of Munnar, if you want to take the enjoyment of picnicking and boating, you can proceed to the reservoirs at the Kundala Dam and Mattaupetty Dam, falling along the way to Top Station. During the tour of this hill station, you can explore several scenic waterfalls such as Chinnakanal and Attuakal.
Most of the native flora and fauna of Munnar have vanished because of the creation of the plantations. This breathtaking hill station is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. These protected regions are particularly famous for numerous endemic and threatened species comprising Nilgiri Tahr, the Nilgiri wood pigeon, the grizzled giant squirrel, elephant, the Nilgiri Langur, the Gaur, the Sambar, the Neelakurinji, and much more.
Martin Wynn
