AIR
Daily IA flights to Nedumbassery Airport near Ernakulam from Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Goa and four flights from Chennai. Jet has daily flights from Mumbai. Munnar can also be accessed from Madurai (142 km) and Coimbatore (167 km). From here, one must take the road to Munnar by bus or taxi/ car.

Airport
The nearest airport to Munnar is at Ernakulam, Kochi, 130 km away.

RAIL
The nearest railhead is also at Kochi. There are numerous trains that connect Kochi with important cities and tourist destinations in the country. These include the Kerala Express, Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Express, Trivandrum-Chennai Mail and the Trivandrum Rajdhani Express.

Railway station
Kochi also serves as the railhead for Munnar.

ROAD
Buses run by the KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) start from the Central Bus Stand in Ernakulam. There are eight buses daily and the journey takes 4½ hours.One can access Munnar by road from Kottayam (147 km), Thekkady (110 km), Madurai (160 km) and Thrissur (158 km). Bus terminus: The KSRTDC (Kerala State Road Tourist Development Corporation) bus stand is on Alwaye Munnar Road.

CLIMATE
Summer temperatures range between 15.2°C and 25.8°C. In winters the temperatures vary from 0°C to 10°C.

STD CODE
04865

Language
Malayalam and English

High Range Club
The recreational lives of the residents of Munnar centre around this old colonial-style club built during the Raj. The club has a dining room, a gentleman s bar, a billiards room and a library. There is also a 9-hole golf club and the river around the course has some trout. Permission for fishing can be obtained from the Chairman of the High Range Angling Association.

Eravikulam National Park
About one-third of the world s population of Nilgiri Thar (ibex) is in Eravikulam. The park is about 15 km from Munnar and the entrance is from Vaguvarai (auto fare is Rs 75 one way and Rs 150 for a round trip). Elephants, gaurs, sambars, mountain goats and tigers can also be seen here. The park is open from 7 am to 6 pm; entry passes are for Rs 10 for adults and Rs 5 for children below 12 years in age (foreign nationals are charged Rs 50). Anamudi, the highest peak in south India, is located in the southern region of the park. One can trek up to the foot of the peak. Permission for trekking can be obtained from the District Forest Officer in Munnar (Tel: 530 487). Another trekking area is Rajamala - the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Thar (1,000 at last count).

Pothamedu
This is an excellent place not only because of the view it offers of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations, but also because of its walks and long treks. If you want some spectacular views of the valley and the tea estates, trek up to the Lock Heart Gap and Echo Point.

Top Station
Top Station is known for the Neelkurinji plant that flowers only once in 12 years. It is at a distance of 37 km on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road at an altitude of 1,700 m. Top Station also has a panoramic view of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. A round trip to this place by jeep would cost about Rs 400.

Mattupetty
Situated at a distance of 13 km at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is famous for the Indo Swiss Livestock Project (specialised dairy farm). Visitors are allowed to three of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. Visiting time: 9 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 3:30 pm. Entry costs Rs 5 per head. The Mattupetty Lake and Reservoir is just a short distance from the farm.

Power House Waterfalls
This waterfall, cascading down a steep rock, is 18 km from Munnar on the way to Thekkady.

Kundala
Kundala town is 29 km from Munnar on the way to Top Station. There is a golf course here, owned by the Tatas. An artificial dam and Aruvikkad waterfall are other places to see in the area.

Devikulam
Located 15 km from Munnar. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a beautiful picnic spot. The lake also offers good trout fishing opportunities.

Tea Factory
A visit to the tea factory is a must during your visit to Munnar. Permission to visit any of the 26 factories of Tata Tea Ltd can be obtained from their Regional Office in the centre of Munnar town.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
On the border with Tamil Nadu, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 90 sq km. Animals like the grizzled giant and the champal squirrels, elephants, sambars, gaurs, and birds like the jungle fowls, mynas, laughing thrush, black bulbuls, peafowls and many others can be seen here. One can access Chinnar from the Munnar-Udumelpetta Road (60 km). Visiting time is between 7 am and 6 pm. Entry passes are available at the office of the Assistant Conservator of Forests. Some of the trekking routes here include Palapetty-Champakad, Okarimutty-Inchapetty and Karimutty-Alampetty.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
The Malabar gray hornbill, woodpecker, Ceylon frogmouth and rose-billed rollers are some birds that can be seen here. The sanctuary is 20 km from Kothamangalam. One can also take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu.

Handicrafts can be bought at the Leo Gift Shop or the DMS Shopping Centre. You can buy spices at the DTPC Stall. If you want to purchase tea packets, go to Sunny Traders, Green Fields and Abbas Tea in the town.