On 5áµ—Ê° March 2015, we went for a four-day trip to Munnar, a picturesque town at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level. Located in the Idukki district of Kerala, India, it is known for its lush green tea plantations, misty hills, and serene atmosphere, making it a popular tourist destination. While Munnar is often part of a larger tour that includes Thekkady and Alleppey, we focused solely on this lush green haven.
After landing in Cochin, we took a taxi to Sterling Resort, Munnar. Located about 15-20 km from Munnar town, it is situated on the outskirts of a forest, with the valley just a stone's throw away. Including lunch break, it was a 5 hours journey. We spent our first day exploring the resort and neighboring areas. The resort offered spectacular view of the valley and neighboring mountains. We were pleased to find a taxi stand outside the resort. The driver's association had designed a variety of local sightseeing packages at fixed rates, so we chose to explore the town the following day.
Our local sightseeing tour on the second day was filled with scenic beauty and new experiences. We started at the Munnar Rose Garden, home to a wide range of flowering plants. On the way to the rose garden, we saw numerous tea plantations on one side and green lush valleys on other side.
After indulging in the garden's beauty, we even bought some seeds to take home.
Later, we visited Kundala Boating Point, where we enjoyed pedal boating while taking in the stunning views of the hills and dense forests.
The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the third day when we visited the Kolukkumalai tea estate. We hired a jeep to take us along the rocky roads leading to the estate, which offered incredible views of tea gardens and small villages. As the world's highest organic tea garden, the tea factory boasts its orthodox tea processing. We were lucky to witness the entire process firsthand and even participate in some tea-making steps.
The weather changed rapidly due to the estate's elevation, and we experienced rain and sunshine within a matter of minutes. Mani Karthik, our guide and driver, told us that if we were lucky, we could see wild elephants in the nearby forests. Although we didn't spot wild elephants in the nearby forests, the journey was still unforgettable.
After returning from the tea estate, we visited the local market to buy some dry fruits, spices, souvenirs, and local tea. We also explored Mattupetty dam and a spice garden, which was a unique experience, as spice plantations are rarely seen. We bought some spices that were grown in that garden.
Overall, our trip to Munnar was a unique and unforgettable experience. We highly recommend it to anyone seeking to explore South India's lush greenery and natural beauty.
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