Munnar itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Munnar

1. 01

   Day 1: Tea gardens and a viewpoint

   Start with a morning tea estate walk through Kannan Devan Hills tea gardens, watching the pickers at work and learning how leaves are processed at a small factory stop. Return for lunch and rest through the hottest part of the day. In the late afternoon, drive to Echo Point or Top Station for views of the plantations and the Ghats. If the light is good, end with a sunset photograph. Dinner can be at a simple Kerala-style restaurant serving puttu and stew, or dosa and sambar.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Munnar

1. 01

   Day 1: Tea and museums

   Morning tea estate walk through Kannan Devan Hills, stopping at a small factory if you want to see the processing. Visit KDHP Tea Museum or Lockhart Tea Museum in the late morning to learn the history of the plantations and the British planters who built this place. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, rest or visit Echo Point for the first views toward sunset. Dinner at your hotel or at a restaurant serving Kerala specialities.

2. 02

   Day 2: The national park and high altitude

   Early start to Eravikulam National Park to see Anamudi (2,695 metres, the highest peak in South India) and the Nilgiri Tahr (endemic mountain goat). The path is steep for the first half-hour but rewarding; if you prefer not to climb, the lower areas and viewpoint are accessible by a gentler walk. Bring water and wear layers, as it is cool and windy at altitude. Return by midday for lunch and rest. Late afternoon: visit Mattupetty Lake or Kundala Lake, a calm drive through plantations. End with a quiet evening and dinner.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Munnar

1. 01

   Day 1: Tea estate immersion

   Begin with a guided morning walk through Kannan Devan Hills tea gardens, stopping at a small factory to see the withering, rolling and drying process. Most visitors do not step into the gardens themselves, so this walk is a real taste of how Munnar lives. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then rest. In the late afternoon, explore Munnar town if you want to shop for tea and spices, or take a gentler second walk through a different tea estate section. Dinner at your hotel.

2. 02

   Day 2: The national park

   Early start (dawn) to Eravikulam National Park. The Anamudi trail is steep and is better done early when it is cool and you have energy. Allow 3–4 hours round trip if you walk to the viewpoint; if the climb feels too much, the lower areas are rewarding enough. Bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protection and a warm layer. Return by early afternoon, rest and have a late lunch. Afternoon: visit Mattupetty Lake and Dam for a quieter, easy lakeside walk. Dinner at your hotel or at a restaurant trying Kerala cuisine.

3. 03

   Day 3: Viewpoints and nearby temples

   Start the day with a drive to Top Station, the highest point in the Munnar area, for 360-degree views if the weather is clear (can be misty even in good seasons). Stop at Echo Point and other small viewpoints on the way back. Have lunch at a roadside teahouse or your hotel. In the late afternoon, visit Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary if you want to see dry-zone wildlife (sambar, grizzled squirrels, birds), or spend the time at leisure—visiting a local market to buy tea or stopping at a café. If you prefer spirituality, small temples such as Munnar CSI Church are in town; these are peaceful rather than crowded. Dinner and a quiet evening to close your stay.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Altitude of 1,600m means some people feel light-headed or short of breath for the first day or two. Consult your doctor before travelling if you have heart or breathing concerns. Drink water and move slowly on arrival.
• Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi involve a steep half-hour climb for the full experience. If this is too much, the lower tea-garden walks and viewpoints are equally rewarding and entirely level.
• Tea estate walks are on uneven ground but flat. Wear proper walking shoes with grip, not flip-flops. The trails are easy if you take them slowly.
• Choose a hotel with a lift if mobility is a concern. Central Munnar has smaller buildings with stairs; resorts are more likely to have ground-floor rooms or lifts.
• Hire a car and driver for the entire stay. Munnar is spread across steep roads, and taxis are unpredictable in the hills. A car costs roughly ₹1,500–₹2,500 per day.
• Afternoons are warm even at altitude. Rest between 1pm and 4pm, and do your drives and walks in the morning or late afternoon.