MUNNAR

Munnar is a small hill station at an altitude ranging from 5000 to over 7000 feet above sea level. Some of the largest tea estates can be seen around Munnar. Beyond the estates are rich tropical forests. Anaimudi, the highest peak of South India is at a short distance from here.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Tea Estates: Tea Factory, Regional Office, Tel:536561-5;

EXCURSIONS

Indo-Swiss Project(13 Km.) : A highly specialised dairy farm. Timings: 0900 hrs. to 1100 hrs. 1400 hrs to 1530 hrs. Entry Fee: Rs.5/- per head. Tel : 530389;

Mattupetty (13 Km.) :This Lake and Dam is a very scenic picnic spot. The Kerala State Electricity Board provides rowing boats for cruises.Timings: 0900 hrs. to 1700 hrs. Entrance: Rs.10/- ;

Devikulam (16 Km.) : A nature lovers' retreat. Here, in picturesque surroundings, the Sita Devi Lake with its mineral water, is an ideal picnic spot. The District Tourism Promotion Council has also started a nursery of spices at Devikulam;

Lockhart Gap (19 Km.) : It provides a panoramic view of the valley and plantations;

Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project (19 Km.): One of the most important electric projects in Kerala. Visitors are allowed on working days only. Permission for a visit can be obtained from the Exec. Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board, Chittirapuram, Munnar;

Rajamalai Estate (20 Km.):The estate is situated almost 6000 ft. above sea level. It is one of the most scenic tea estates in the High Ranges. It is also the base to visit the Eravikulam National Park. Permission to visit should be obtained from the Estate Manager, Rajamalai Estate.;

Eravikulam National Park (33 Km.):This National Park lies at the crest of the Anamalai ranges near Munnar spreading over 97 sq.km. of evergreen tropical forest. The Nilgiri Tahr, a rare breed of mountain goat can be seen at Eravikulam. Eravikulam is accessible by foot from Rajamalai (13 Km.) which is approximately 20 Km. from Munnar town. Timings: 0700hrs. to 1800hrs. Permitting Authority: Wildife DFO, Tel:530487. Visitors are not allowed during the monsoons. Entrance Fee: Rs. 10/-(Adult) & Rs. 5/-(Child)- for Indians, Rs. 50/- for foreigners. Vehicle Fee: Rs.100/- Heavy Vehicles. & Rs. 10/- Light Vehicle. Camera Fee: Rs.100/- for video camera.

Top Station (34 Km.) : Situated on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, it commands a breath taking view of the surrounding areas;

Anaimudi (40 Km.): The highest peak in South India (2695 Mts.), ideal for trekking;

Marayoor (40 Km.): The nearest town to the Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary, it has a natural growth and garden of sandalwood trees & a sandalwood factory run by the Forest Dept;

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (60 Km.): The sanctuary bordering Tamil Nadu, is inhabited by wild animals like elephants, tigers, etc. Visiting hours :0700-1800 hrs. Entry passes: Asst. Conservator of Forest (ACF) or Check Post Inf. Counter, Tel:530487.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area : 261 Sq. km. Altitude : 5000 to 7000 feet.

Temperature : Summer Max: 25 Deg.C. Min: 15.2 Deg.C.

Winter Max: 11 Deg.C. Min: 0.2 Deg..

Rainfall : 275 Cm. Season : October to May. STD Code : 0486.

TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION

Air : The nearest airport is Kochi(135 Km.) connected with major cities.

Fare : Mumbai - Kochi : Rs.5990/-

Rail : The nearest railhead is Bodinayakanur(connected via Chennai and

Madurai). However the most convenient railhead is Kochi(135 km.)

Fare : Mumbai - Kochi : IInd A/c : Rs.1907/- ; IInd : Rs.441/-

Road : Munnar is well connected by road with Coimbatore 163 Km., Idukki

56 km., Kochi 135 Km., Kodaikanal 180 Km. , Kottayam 148 Km., Madurai

167 Km., Palani 126 km. Periyar 113 km.,Thiruvananthapuram 310 Km.

ACCOMMODATION ( * Hotels approved by the Dept. of Tourism , Govt. of India.)

Single Double

*Club Mahendra Lake View, *****Tel : 849224/6/8 -- Rs.5500-6000/-

Mumbai Contact Tel : 2350800/01 (Club Mahendra office number)

*Best Western Fort Munnar*** Tel:849311/2 Rs.2700-3700/- Rs.2900-3700/-

*Hotel Edassery East End*** Cottage -- Rs.1250-1500/-

Temple Rd, Tel: 530451-53, Deluxe -- Rs.850/-

*Hotel Hill View**, Tel: 530567 Rs.350/- Rs.600-1000/-

*Hotel Residency** A/c -- Rs.1200 -2000/-

Top Station Rd, Tel: 530501, 502503 Non A/c -- Rs.1100/-

Other Hotels

*Abad Copper Castle Resorts, Tel:531201(Rs.2000-2500/-) ; B-Six Holiday Resorts, near Lechmi Estate,Tel:530527(Rs.1500-3000/-); Chancellor Resorts, Tel:849218 (Rs.1200-2200/-); Elysium Gardens, Tel:530510,(Rs.450-1500/-); Misha Tourist Home, Tel : 530376 (Rs.200-900/-); Poopada Tourist Home, Tel:530223 (Rs.500-600/-); Royal Retreat, Tel: 530240(Rs.950-1950/-); Siena Village, Tel:849261, (Rs.950-1950/-); Spring Dale Resort, Tel:564268 (Rs.400-750/-); Star Homes Igloo, Tel:563207(Rs.1200-1800/-); Status Resorts, Tel : 530688, (Rs.3500-4500/-) ; Sterling Resorts, Tel : 849207, (Rs.1700-2395/-) ; Windermere Estate, Tel : 530512, (Rs. 2100 -3500/-) ; Ambat Lodge, Market View, Tel : 530661; Hill Top Lodge, Tel: 530655 (Rs.150-250/-); Marthoma Rest House, Tel:530313 (Rs.150-1000/-).

Other Accommodation

Tea County Hill Resort (KTDC), Tel : 530460 / 530969 (Rs.2000-4000/-)

Govt. Guest House, Munnar, Tel: 530385. (Rs.100-500/-), Resvn: The Secy., General Administration Dept., Govt. of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram.

Club Accommodation

High Range Club, Munnar, Tel: 530253/724. ( Rs.1600-2300/-), Resvn: The Secretary, High Range Club, Munnar-685612. Tel: 530253. ; Kanan Devan Hills Club, Munnar-685612. Tel : 530252. (Rs.300-400/-), Resvn: The Hon.General Secy., Kanan Devan Hills Club,Munnar-685612 Tel: 530252. First priority for reservation of accommodation at the clubs is given to members, if rooms are available, only then given to tourists;

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES

The Manager, Hotel Aranya Niwas,Thekkady, Tel:322032; The Wildlife Preservation Officer, Forest Information Office,Thekkady, Tel:322028; District Tourism Promotion Council Information Counter, Old Munnar; KTDC Central Reservation, Mascot Square, Thiruvanathapuram, Tel:0471-316736. Fax : 314406. E-mail: ktdc@vsnl.com. Website : www.ktdc.com.Toll Free No.1600444747; KTDC, "Kairali", Nirmal Building, Nariman Point, Mumbai: Tel: C/o.2026817.