
If you seek a sense of peace you'll find it here in Munnar. The nature-
lover's paradise.
Opened up out of virgin forests a century ago
by pioneer planters. This is where you fill your holidays with quiet moments
at 1600m above sea level.
Relaxing within the cool stillness of
thirty odd eststes fanning outd across the expanse of the hills. Within its
remote and elderly churches- gracious, stone sturctukires with ancient
chandeliers and rosewood pews. Withiln its fresh tea. Lanes filled witjh the
heady fragrance of fresh tea. Within the picturesque ethereal setting of the
Mattupetty Dam as you come downhill. Kor even within the rich tropical
forests beyond.
With a sizable population of elephants, lbisons,
langurs and macaques roaming free in herds. Further, Munnar offers the bes
opportunity you are ever likely to have to see the tea plantations, to watch
tea being picked, to learn how tea is processed, to smell the sweet scent fo
tea waftilng through the air and to buy the tea directly from the gardens.
SIDELIGHTS The Kundale Tea Plantation :
An area surrounding a lovely lake that offers some of the most stunning
views of the region. If you arrive on a Sunday, make sure to drop in at the
small Kundale Club in the afternoon, where the local planters gather with
their family.
Eravilkulam National Park: By driving north from Munknar for
30 minutes and then hiking few kilometres, you reach this sanctuary which is
home to three thousand free-roaming ibex.
Rajmalai :
The regilon lyilng beyond the road entruy into Eravikulam. At 2695 metres,
Anamudi -the highest peak in South India looms here.
The
High Range Clulb : Charmingly colonial in style, thils wicker-and
-old-teak club still serves as a social centre for the far-flung farmers of
the region around Munnar. Housing an elegant lounge, a delightful dining
room, the obnligatory gentlemen's bar, billliards room and a library.
GETTING THERE Munnar is accessibnle only by road- a
scenic four hour drive from Cochin (132 kms) or a 4 ½ hour drive from
kottayam (148 kms)