If you do a Google search on the ‘best places for a honeymoon in India’, chances are that Munnar in Idukki, Kerala will feature prominently there. Touted as one of the best spots in South India for a holiday with loved ones and especially for couples, you’ll understand why Munnar is this raved about by travel lovers. The word ‘Munnar’ itself is believed to be derived from the Malayalam word ‘Moone’ which is used to denote the number ‘three’. Thus ‘Munnar’ actually refers to the unique meeting place of three mountain streams.
Thanks to the lovely cool climate and misty mornings, Munnar was a favourite with the British and was both a much loved getaway from the scorching heat of Delhi as well as a fertile spot for tea plant cultivation. Even today, the presence of neat green tea bush carpets is a wonderful sight to behold.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind, relax the senses and be one with nature, then it doesn’t get any better than Munnar. With plenty of greenery to soothe your eyes, fresh cool breeze on your skin and unpolluted air to breathe in, this hill station rejuvenates you inside out. Plus, with plenty of accommodation options for guests to choose from to suit all budgets, a trip to Munnar will not be hard on your wallet either.
If long serene walks in the hills or cosy campfires at night don’t satisfy the traveller in you, then head to these spots:
The Eravikulam National Park: A short distance from Munnar, this huge park is rich in fauna such as the Nilgiri Tahr and Sambar Deer among others. Wild animals such as leopards, elephants and even a stray tiger can be spotted here as well.
Mattupetty Dam: A popular tourist spot which is again a short drive from Munnar, this dam is surrounded by hills and is certain to thrill any nature lover. In fact, if you are an ardent trekker, then this is one opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Tourists also get to go on a 15 minute boat ride which heightens the overall experience.
The Town: If you enjoy picking up a thing or two, then you’ll enjoy browsing through the shops here. You’ll come across plenty of fresh spices like cardamom and pepper besides fresh dried tea leaves as well. Home-made chocolates and flavoured coffee powder are also quite popular with tourists.
Tea Museum: Since you are in a hill station that is quite renowned for the tea produced here, why not take a few hours off to visit the Tea Museum where you can learn all about how tea is produced and even watch a live demonstration of tea tasting as well. This museum is a wonderful tribute to all the hard work that goes into making the perfect cuppa.
If you’re lucky, you may even be able to spot the lovely ‘Neelakurinji’, which blooms just once every twelve years. And if get to see for yourself how the landscape changes from green to blue, then that alone is a precious memory for a lifetime.
