At Munnar, a walk can easily turn into a walk in the clouds. Deep gorges cohabit with towring mountain tops, and the landscape offers many glimpses of true beauty. In the afternoons, the silvery mist is in stark contrast with vivid green gorges, and the sheer beauty of Nature sends the heart fluttering.

Munnar is a relatively ‘new’ hill station: in large part, it is the result of plantation-owners who forayed to clear the stretch of land from out of forested areas.

Munnar offers breathtaking views of Anaimudi, the highest peak in southern India. Anaimudi offers several excellent trekking trails, and the views from the peak are guaranteed to stay with you for a long, long time. Some parts of Anaimudi are also ideal for rock climbing, jumarring and rappelling. When you’re down, remember to visit the Echo Point. On a good day you can hear four to five echoes of your voice!

The Munnar lake is an excellent boating zone. Seasoned swimmers can also set out to discover isolated mountain streams. A tea planation trek is highly recommended. You can watch tea leaves being plucked, proccssed and packed. Many who visit buy a bag of tea right from the plantation as a sort of souvenir. Pothamedu is an excellent place for basking in nature and for long treks and picnics. At Munnar town, Colonial buildings and wayside hawkers with their droll wares add to the old-world charm.

The Eravikulam wild life sanctuary lies at the crest of the Anamali ranges near Munnar, spreading over 95 kms. of rolling grass hills. Anaimudi peak, the highest peak in Southern India is in this park. The sanctuary is accessible by road, just 4 km. from the Munnar-Udumalpet Road and can be reached within 15 minutes from Munnar.

The Chinnar wildlife sanctuary bordering Tamilnadu, is located 70 kms away from Munnar.Spread over an area of 93 kms, it is the habitat of elephants, leopards, bears, sambar, porcupines, lion-tailed monkey etc.

Marayoor is about 40kms away from Munnar Town. It is the only place in Kerala where Sandalwood trees grow naturally. The sandalwood factory run by the forest department can be seen by visitors. It is also famous for its hermitages.

The Thattekad bird sanctuary in Devikulam taluk lies on the northern bank of Periyar River. The area of the sanctuary is 25 km and boasts of around 200 variety of birds. The vegetation in this area consists of tropical evergreen moist deciduous forests and plantations of Teak, Rosewood, Mahagony etc. Further, 28 species of animals and 9 varieties of reptiles have made this area their natural habitat.

Devikulam, a gracious hill station 16 kms away from Munnar, offers a rare experience to the visitors. Spread over an area of 1800 meters, velvet lawns, rare Flora and Fauna make Devikulam a nature-lover's retreat.

The placid Sita Devi Lake, situated in picturesque surroundings and filled with Mineral water is an ideal picnic spot.The District Tourism Promotion council has a nursery of spices. Hundreds of varieties of spices from all over India are planted and nurtured here.

In sum, Munnar is an outdoor lover’s paradise. With its variegated offerings, there’s something to do for everybody. Whether is is just an idyllic mountain picnic spot that you seek, or hardboiled, daredevil adventure sport or adventurous mountain treks, Munnar has it all.

To enjoy your holiday at Munnar to the fullest, here’s a checklist of what to pack : sunglasses, caps, cameras, sunscreen lotion, mobile phone chargers, contact lens solutions. The Lakeview resort is located a little away from the usual tourist homes. The Tea Room, located atop a hill, offers a spectacular view of the hillscapes and the restaurant overlooks the lake. The resort stocks basic First Aid medicines but guests with particular medical requirements should take care to bring their own medicines. A doctor on call is available. Pharmacies are open during the day. Grocery shop stocks necessary items; other groceries can be bought on the Munnar city trip. Do remember to bring warm clothes. In general, hard-to-find items are best brought along.

If you’re planning to visit Munnar in the next three seasons, you’d do well to make plans well in advance. The much anticipated blooming of the Neelakurinji in 2006 (for the first time since 1994) is bound to have innumerable aficionados pouring in!