Photo Story: These Breathtaking Photographs Of Munnar Will Make You Want To Travel Immediately

South India’s most scenic hill station, Munnar takes you through the winding roads, encircled by the unending stretch of carpeted tea gardens, rolling hills, and picturesque tiny villages. For nature lovers, this hill station is nothing less than a paradise. The inviting aroma of spices, filter coffee, and scrumptious local-flavored snacks dominate your senses. The vaguely visible houses from a distance, the sound of temple bells, when the alleys are filled with the locals and tourists in the evening, you just feel like sitting back, soaking in the moment and seeing the world pass by.

The winding road in Munnar 

The different shades of green in the Tea Estates 

Located at an altitude of 6000 ft. in Idukki district, Munnar used to be one of the summer destinations of the erstwhile British rulers during the colonial days. While strolling around the charming hill station, I got transported back to my homeland, Assam where I grew up in a similar kind of colonial tea environment. The manicured tea gardens, tea factory, and museum did not satiate my interest as I wanted to take the road towards the unknown or unexplored. While driving through the curvaceous roads, the tiny hut in the middle of nowhere, rising smoke from a distant village, the smiling faces of some locals, and the sprawling tea gardens became my constant companions. I was amazed to see the tea plantations, stretching endlessly through the terrain that looked like a painting.

The sun peeping through the trees 

Kundala Dam Lake on my way

Perfect for a calendar with pictures, South India’s most scenic hill station, Munnar, showcases winding roads, carpeted tea gardens, rolling hills, and picturesque villages.

The twisted roads

I had not seen an entire place with such vast plantations, spice gardens, and national parks. After driving on those twisted roads, the landscape changed, and opened up to the large agricultural farms, where I met a family selling fresh organic vegetables.

The joy of traveling to the unknown is not just discovering the unseen, but meeting new people, who not only greet you with a big smile but also welcome you with open arms to have a cup of coffee; kids jumping with joy to be in front of the camera and you unwittingly end up loading your car with a bag full of fresh vegetables.

When  you get a hot cup of coffee in the middle of nowhere

The vegetable farms

The excited kids were happily posing for my lens

My face brightened up suddenly when I saw the descending clouds engulfing the road, leaving it with a blurry effect. As I rolled down the window, the raindrops kissed my face and I let my hair down to dance with the wind.

The blurry road

When the mist covers the tea plantation

The mystic weather played perfectly till I reached the end of Munnar at a height of 1700 m above sea level to visit the Top Station.

You will get a variety of fruits and corn at Top Station

This is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road, from where one can have an unparalleled view of the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.

The entire view was interrupted by the floating mist, leaving it to your imagination.


Getting there 

Munnar is well connected by road from different cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It does not have an Airport or Railhead.

By Air : The Cochin International Airport (CIAL) at Nedumbassery is the nearest airport. It is 125 KM away from Munnar. It has both Domestic and International terminals. From Cochin, you can hire a cab to get to Munnar. It will take more than three hours to reach the place from the airport.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Aluva, which is at a distance of 110 kilometers from Munnar. Apart from that, there are two more railway stations named Ernakulam Railway Station, which is 130 kilometers away, and the Madurai Railway Station, which is at a distance of 135 kilometers. From these points, one can hire a cab or board the state transport or private buses to reach Munnar.

By Bus: There are State-run or private buses from various towns in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. One can take a bus ride to Munnar if you are on a budget trip.

Where to Stay

There are numerous hotels, resorts, and homestays in Munnar ranging from budget to high-end accommodations. I personally recommend Tea County Resort for your luxurious stay, amidst the beautifully crafted tea plantation. I loved my stay at this resort.

For More details, visit www.teacountymunnar.com



Disclaimer :

The Watermarked photographs are owned by the writer and are copyright-protected. Reproduction of any of the contents, including the photographs without prior consent/permission of the writer is strictly prohibited and a violation of the same will attract legal action.


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24 Comments

  1. Chitra

    I went to munnar a couple of months before..Munnar the climate is extraordinary i still get goosebumps when i think of that…So reminiscing to look at the pictures and the article took me back to munnar once again…Thankyou Pranashree

    Reply
  2. Usama V

    Hey, It is great to see you and Exploring the beauty of Munnara Using your Writing and Photography skills. Really loved your Photographs 🙂 . Kerala is Famous for its Natural beauty, Museums and some other traditional things. So people must visit once in life here. People visiting Munnar Can Include 4 other nearby places.. Cochin, Thekkady, Alleppey and Trivandrum. And if you have time I may prefer nelliyampathy in Palakkad District. 🙂

    Madam, Go Ahead 🙂 All the Best 🙂

    Reply
  3. Radhika Nair

    Nice Blog…Well written about Munnar…Munnar, the heaven of South India is back after flood…Now Munnar is witnessing the Neelakurinji flowers which blooms once in 12 years…Munnar resorts are arranging special facilities to view this…Visited last week with my family and we got nice stay at one of the best Resort in Munnar, http://devonshiregreens.com/

    Reply
  4. Carla Durham

    You didn’t just describe being in Munnar. You made me feel what it was like to be there. I love that your photographs showed off the lush landscape, the local people and the animals.

    Reply
  5. Karen Akpan

    Vast vegetation for sure. Reminds me Japan when we took the bullet train. There is so much to see in India. Thanks for sharing this part of India. And the cooking and food pictures are amazing.

    Reply
  6. Kevin Wagar

    What a gorgeous place! Those views are absolutely stunning. And I bet that coffee was delicious!

    Reply
  7. Only By Land

    Munnar is such a photogenic place, I’d love to photograph the greenery up there. It is perfect for escaping the heat, the perfect hill station. The coffee and food must be delicious in the clean atmosphere.

    Reply
  8. Lyf&Spice

    I have heard so much about Munnar. I had planned last year, but couldn’t make it. Would love to have tea and corn in the middle of nowhere, amidst the tea plantations. Cheers!!

    Reply
  9. Carol Colborn

    Wow, all your photos look like paintings…even the backlighted ones. They really invite gazers to the place!

    Reply
  10. Indrani

    I am reminded of my trip there. Very beautiful captures. I think no photographer can go wrong there. And happy kids add to it. You got elephants too!!!

    Reply
  11. Maggie

    That lush greenery! We lack that here in SoCal due to the lack of rain. Everything is so brown! I would love to visit there and take some photos, the scenery is just stunning.

    Reply
  12. Randip Saha

    I LOVE MUNNAR, MY NEXT TRIP WILL BE MUNNAR, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR POST

    Reply
  13. Bharat Singh Rawat

    Everytime I visit your blog it reduces my stress as your photographers and writing style take me to another world!.

    Reply
  14. The Untourists

    So so so beautiful! I love all of the western ghats!

    Reply
  15. Nina Danielle

    It worked, I do want to travel here immediately!!

    Reply
  16. Prasad Np

    Indeed Munnar is so photogenic each frame wants you to go back to Munnar. The Elephants pic is so good.For a long time, the cover pic of desi Traveler on Facebook was an image I clicked in Munnar in Kerala
    Prasad Np recently posted…Dubai with flydubai Business ClassMy Profile

    Reply
    • Parnashree Devi

      Thank you Prasad Sir. I still remember that cover shot. Munnar is simply one picturesque location.

      Reply
  17. Saakshi

    Loved the pictures! Transported me to my favorite Hill station of south India 🙂

    Reply
    • Parnashree Devi

      Thanks Saakshi. You must visit Munnar. I was mesmerized.

      Reply
  18. Harish

    Great captures of Munnar.. Amazed by its beauty.

    Reply

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