Munnar, Idukki district, Kerala, is around 580 Km drive from Chennai via Trichy, Dindigul, Theni, Bodi, Devikulam. There are 2 routes to make it to Munnar, the first and the most preferred being the above and the other being the Chennai, Trichy, Dindigul, Palani, Udumalaipet, Chinnar, Maraiyoor. The forest drive starts at Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Udumalaipet and the drive will be across the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary till Maraiyoor.
When taking the Theni route, the ghat road starts from Kurangani (a scenic village at the foothills, a right turn from the Theni - Cumbum road) and its a pretty long hill drive (around 3.5 hours) covering both uphill and downhill in a single way, since you drive across mountain ranges.
Munnar has a number of scenic spots, which keeps busy the photographer within you. The misty mountain ranges covered with a green carpet of tea estates, the blue sky above and the silver like waterfalls, definitely make this place as God's own country. The chill breeze and the greenery of the hills leave behind unforgettable memories.
Anayirankal Dam is enroute to Munnar (on the Theni, Bodi route) after Devikulam.
Chinnakanal Falls or the Power House Falls is also enroute next to Devikulam. The scenic high waterfalls is prohibited for bathing, but a perfect spot for a photograph.
Attukadu Falls is on the Munnar-Kochi road from the Munnar town. The falls can be seen only from a distance and it's the only spot in this route.
There are 2 routes from the Munnar town for the day tours. One being the Madupetty route and the other is the Chinnar route.
Madupetty Route:
Floriculture Garden - Photo Point - Madupetty Dam - Echo point - Kundala Dam - Top Station
Chinnar Route:
Rajamalai - Lakhom Falls - Maraiyoor Sandalwood Forest - Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary
Madupetty Route:
Floriculture Garden is a flower garden for plant lovers - the first spot en route from the Munnar town.
Photo Point is a pitstop for photograph with the lush green Kannan Devan Tea estate on the back drop.
Madupetty Dam, a scenic dam with boating and elephant ride.
Echo Point is known for the echo of your voice heard from the forest across the waters.
Kundala Dam, another dam enroute
Top Station is known for the 180 degree view of the hills with the Tamilnadu & Kerala states' border line (visibility highly dependant on the weather). An enjoybale place, tho' it requires a bit of steep climbing tof he steps.
Chinnar Route:
Rajamalai also popularly known as Eravikulam National Park, is known for sighting the Nilgiri Tahr (Varai Aadu, rare species of mountain goat) and with good views. The spot is operated via battery buses from the car parking lot and the queues get longer as the day goes by, as much as even 4 hour wait time on a peak season day.
Lakhom Falls, an enjoyable waterfalls en route with more of rocks and pebbles.
Marayoor Sandalwood Forest is a drive thro' fenced Sandal wood forest.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect place for forest trekking and for wild life sighting.
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