Magnificent Munnar lies in the calm Kannan Devan Hills, 1524m above the sea level. 136kms from Kochi, Munnar offers you breathtaking sights of low lying clouds and mist filled green valleys. In the vicinity of Munnar, there are several places of interest to the serious researcher, genuine naturalist and the wandering tourist.
Important places:
Anamudi
20 Kms, The highest peak in South India. 8853 ft. Rising to a height of 2695 metres, this is the highest mountain peak south of the Himalayas. For those who like mountaineering and related adventures and for the researchers in rare plants, this is one of the finest places to visit.
Rajamala
17 Kms Home to the last of the Nilgiri Tahr. The Nilgiri tahr, a very rare type of mountain goat (Hemitragas bylocres) , on the verge of extinction. Half the world population of this rare goat is seen in and around Rajamala. The kurinji flowers blooming once in twelve years abound here. The combination of these two rare sights will make any visitor come again and again to this place.
Chinnar
70 kms, Wildlife Sanctuary, Rich in wildlife, Chinnar is at a short distance from the Eravikulam National Park and the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Major animals include elephants, gaur, leopards, chital, samba, and hanuman langurs. The sanctuary is also a haven for two highly endangered species - the grizzled giant squirrel and the star tortoise. Another attraction is the massive Thoovanam falls on the river Chinnar.
Mattupetty Dam
15 kms 5610 ft high, Indo swiss live stoke project and famous for its breed of cattle, taking care of over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle is one of the largest of such ventures in India. The visitors are allowed into 3 of the 11 cattle sheds in the farm. The Mattupetty Lake and dam nearby is a popular picnic spot. The boating facilities, includin speed launch, motorboats and the sight of the sprawling tea plantations, besides the farm, make this place a must-see destination to the Munnar tourist. A beautiful garden with over 250 varieties of roses, 64 varieties of dianthus, innumerable dahlias etc, is an added attraction.