Munnar

Munnar is Kerala's tea country, a stretch of misty hills in the Western Ghats given over almost entirely to tea estates, with a noticeably cooler climate than the coast below and some of the state's best short walks.

It's a good early stop on a Kerala route — the change of altitude and scenery from the coast is dramatic, and the hills offer a genuine change of pace before the backwaters and beach stages later in the trip.

Highlights

• Rolling tea-estate landscapes across the hills
• Cool evenings after the coastal heat
• A tea museum on the region's plantation history
• Short hikes with Western Ghats viewpoints

Best Time to Visit

September to March for the clearest views.

Getting There

A 4–4.5 hour drive from Kochi, typically the first hill stop after arrival.