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Munnar tea gardens

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Munnar tea gardens

Rolling green hills covered in neatly clipped tea bushes, high in the Western Ghats.

Tickets & tours Open in Google Maps
Time needed
Full day
Entry
Free (museums paid)
Best time
September to March
Area
Munnar

Rolling hills covered in tea bushes.

Where it is & how to get there

Address: Munnar, Idukki, Kerala

  • From Kochi: About 4 hours by car through hill roads.
  • Getting around: Hire a driver for viewpoints and estates.
  • Tea Museum: Learn how tea is made at the KDHP Tea Museum.

The story of Munnar

British planters began growing tea around Munnar in the late 19th century. Today the hills are among the highest tea estates in South India, at around 1,600 metres.

The hills are also home to Eravikulam National Park, where the rare Nilgiri tahr mountain goat lives, and to the neelakurinji flower that turns slopes blue once every 12 years.

Best time to visit

Best season

September to March.

Best time of day

Early morning, when mist lies in the valleys.

Monsoon

Heavy rain from June to August.

Tips before you go

  • Visit the Tea Museum.
  • Bring a jacket; nights are cool.
  • Buy fresh tea and spices from estate shops.

Best hotels near Munnar

Well-known hotels within easy reach. Check prices and availability for your dates.

Kumarakom Lake Resort

Heritage resort on Vembanad Lake.

See prices

Brunton Boatyard

Heritage hotel in Fort Kochi.

See prices

Houseboats in Alleppey

Sleep on the backwaters.

See prices
All hotels near Munnar

What's around Munnar

  • Eravikulam National ParkHome of the Nilgiri tahr.
  • Top StationViewpoint over the Western Ghats.
  • Mattupetty DamLake and boating.
  • Tea MuseumHistory of tea in Munnar.

Questions travellers ask

How far is Munnar from Kochi?

About 4 hours by road.

What is the best time to visit?

September to March.

Can I visit a tea factory?

Yes, at the Tea Museum and some estates.

More in Kerala

Alleppey houseboat

Alleppey houseboat

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Travel Plan · Munnar tea gardens Travel times, prices and opening hours change. Check official sites before you go. Photos: Unsplash. Privacy & disclosure · Contact us