Munnar
Its the gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala and an adjoining parts of Tamilnadu. Munnar is a town located in the Idduki district of Kerala, situated in Western Ghats of India. The name 'Munnar' means three rivers and there are actually three of them, 5000ft above sea level, confluence the three mountain streams -


Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala

Munnar has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2695 m. It consists of vast sloping areas of tea, most of which mostly are owned by Tata Tea. The plantation was leased earlier to Tata Finlay Company by Poonjar Royal Family and now it is Kannan Devan Hill Producers Company. The present form of Munnar is really the work of Kannan Devan Company.
Most of the native flora and fauna of Munnar have disappeared due to severe habitat fragmentation resultant from the creation of the plantations. However, some species continue to survive and thrive in several protected areas nearby, including the new

1. Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east,
2. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti valley and the Amaravati reserve forest of Indra Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east,
3. Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park to the north,
4. Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and
5. proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east. These protected areas are especially known for several endemic species.

Altitude - 5000 - 8000 ft above sea level
Area - 26. 2 sq Kms.
Best time to visit - September - May
Languages spoken - Malayalam, Tamil, English, Hindi

Flora

The neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region. It bloomed last in December 2006.

Fauna

1. Nigiri Thar,
2. Grizzled Giant Squirrel,
3. Nirgiri Wood-Pigeon,
4. Elephant,
5. Gaur and
6. Sambar

Attractions in and around
There are 4 different directions from Munnar where the places to see are located and the Kms from Munnar (I got this when I visited Munnar). I hope this will be helpful for people who go to Munnar.

Madupatty Direction
Place --------------------------------------- Kms
Flower Garden------------------------------ 2
Photo Point (Tea Garden)---------------- 4
Jungle Honey Bee Nest ------------------ 5
Madupatty Dam Boating ---------------- 12
Film Shooting Point --------------------- 13

Elephant Arrival Spot ------------------ 14

Echo-Point --------------------------------- 20
Kundaly Lake ----------------------------- 26
Top station View (End in that direction) - 36
Coimbatore Direction
Tata Tea Meusium ------------------------ 1
Nyamakad Water Falls ------------------ 8
Anaimudi View --------------------------- 12
Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai) - 15
Greenvalley view -------------------------- 20
Luckom Water Falls --------------------- 26
Sandalwood & Bamboo forest ---------- 36
Muniyara (Padavas cave) ---------------- 47
Thoovanam Water Falls View ---------- 52
Wild Life Sanctuary, Chinnar --------- 63
Cochin Direction
Blossom Park ------------------------------ 2.5
Pothamedu view point (Sunset View) - 4
Cardamon, coffee & Pepper Plantations -- 6
Athukad Water Falls ------------------- 13
Thekkady Direction
Lockhart Gap & Rock Cave ------------ 14
Power House Water Falls --------------- 17
Resort Village View --------------------- 22
Anaiyirangal Dam View ----------------- 26
Spice Plantation Tour -------------------- 29

Getting to Munnar
Railway Station
Cochin - 135 Km
Kottayam - 147 Km
Madurai - 160 Km
Coimbatore - 160 Km
Airport
Cochin - 115 Km
Madurai - 180 Km
Coimbatore - 170 Km