Top Local Tips for Munnar

Visit a tea estate You need to visit a tea estate in order to get the flavor of munnar

In and around Chinakanal For nature lovers, Chinnakanal is an excellent place to stay. Barely 500m after the Siena Village resort is a private road which goes all the way up the mountain passing through grasslands, ferns then plantation trees followed by endemic shola forest and the rock line. It is also possible to visit nearby Lake Anaiyerangal, literally where the elephants descend ! Kolukumalai tea estate is also 5km away involving a jeep ride up steep gravel roads. The fog bound Lockhart Gap road is also a treat to walk on. When the clouds lift, you can see Bison valley below and all the way upto Thekkady. There is a natural cave on Lockhart Gap road near the rock face.

Must see sights Visit the prehistoric dolmen burial sites [Muniyaras] at Maraiyur which is a very scenic drive along the Munnar Coimbatore road. The dolmens are at Kovilkadavu village at a place called Pious Nagar. If the weather is dry, do walk all along the rock face to discover many more dolmens that the ones right at the beginning of the site. After this, do visit the Chinnar Sanctuary which starts from Marayur. You can go on short treks to Thoovanam falls in the forest or to more dolmens, accompanied by a local guide from the forest check post at Alampetty. Another nice activity is to walk through tea estates. Find any that is not fenced and go ahead. Make sure not to lose your way in the tea maze. Serious nature lovers can also go for guided treks to the dense, vast Pambadum Shola forest. Entry point is at Top Station. Book this at the District Tourist office at Munnar or at Top Station.