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Munnar & around Q&A

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Munnar & around

Posted by Bala | Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:41 pm

Hi,

I am planning to drive down to Munnar during X'mas holidys i.e. 27 - 29 Dec. Can any one suggest me the best and nearby locations I can visit from munnar. Also I am looking for a Day House boat and economy hotel near Periyar wild life sanctuary. My Budget for Boating and Hotel for 02 family is around Rs. 5000/-

reagrds

Bala

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Re: Munnar & around

Posted by Snonymous | Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:58 pm

Locations near Munnar worth seeing:
Eravikulam NP at Rajamalai - home of the Nilgiri tahr. But go early as long queues form to buy tickets during holiday season, and you are going in peak Xmas vacation time!

Madupetty lake, Kundala lake and Top Slip view point: All in the same route. Boating possible at both lakes. You will get excellent views of tea gardens, sholas etc from and near TS. Short guided trek through forest dept. also possible at Pambadum Shola sanctuary at Top Slip.

Marayoor region: Between Munnar and Udumalpet in TN. You will pass Rajamalai en route. From here to Chinnar WLS at the TN border the scenery is stunning with very deep valleys surrounded by high mountains and several tea estates, sholas, Lukkom falls, natural sandalwood forest at Marayoor, prehistoric Muniyara dolmens at Kovilkadavu, dry deciduous forest at Chinnar, Thoovanam horseshoe shaped falls and prehistoric cave paintings at Chinnar - short trek possible to the latter two at Alampetty forest check post where you can engage the compulsory guide at reasonable rates. Keep one whole day at least for this region. If you are driving from Coimbatore, you will enter this area after Udumalpet upto Munnar.

Athukad, Cheeyapara, Vallara, Power House falls: on the route going to Cochin upto Neriamangalam, Athukad near Pothamedu is very big and worth seeing, you can drive down to the base.

Devikulam, Chinnakanal, Kolukumalai region: On the Periyar route. Very scenic with tea estates, misty roads like Lockhart Gap, visit possible to high alt Kolukumalai estate through jeep ride [compulsory].

Dont waste time at the Tea Museum which is rather boring and a rip off.

You dont have much time, so decide what interests you more and do that.

At Periyar, it is worthwhile staying inside the sanctuary at Periyar House hotel check ktdc.com, and you can do the first morning boat ride from which you will definitely see wildlife.

For houseboat, you will have to take the Periyar Kottayam road, I dont think there is any houseboat near Periyar, perhaps someone else can shed some light on this.

With such little time, how will you see all three places? Spend quality time at one place instead.

Re: Munnar & around

Posted by Sharad | Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:34 pm

Hi Bala,

I think for places near Munnar you have already got a reply from other Holiday IQ friends. Hotels are not a problem there, but the only issue is the dates that you are planning to . It is peak season and the room tariffs would be double the off-season rates. However, hotels are available from Rs.400/- to Rs.15,000/-. Try to look for options which are out of the city as the chances for getting rooms here are high. As far as Boat House goes, i don't think you have any near Periyar Sanctuary. You might have to go to Alleppy/Kumaragaon if you are very particular about it. Am sure you must have browsed Holiday IQ itself for various options... if not you can look out for more information in any of the Kerala websites....

Anyways, Enjoy, wish you a very happy journey & a very Happy New Year!

Cheers!
Sharad Kumar