Kerala Activities

Munnar is known all over India for its endless tea gardens, and this trail lets you walk right through them instead of just seeing them from the car window. Your local guide leads you along the quiet estate paths, between neat rows of tea bushes, with cool air, mist, and hills all around you. You will learn how the leaves are picked, why only the top two leaves and a bud are plucked, and meet the pickers who work these hills every day. The visit then moves into a tea factory, where you can see the whole process, from withering and rolling to drying and grading, and enjoy a cup of freshly made tea. The walk is easy and slow, with plenty of time for photos, so it suits families with children, seniors, couples, and first-time visitors. The best time to go is September to March, when the weather is cool and clear, though the hills look magical in the monsoon mist too. It is one of the best things to do in Munnar, and a lovely way to feel the quiet side of Kerala’s hills.

Eravikulam National Park is one of the prime wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, and a visit to this place turns out to be an integral part of any Munnar-bound tour. The national park situated in the Western Ghat hills is famous for its vast expanses of grasslands, interspersed with patches of sholas and lovely mists that envelope the region in hues of mysticism. The easiest way to experience the park is by embarking on a safari that starts from the main entrance and proceeds towards the Rajamala. The safari offers a short nature walk with lots of photo opportunities and chances to spot some of the region’s most elusive endemic species. On a clear day, you can also catch a glimpse of South India’s highest peak, Anamudi, which towers over the grassland landscape. A local guide can help you with the tickets and other formalities, allowing you to relax and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of Eravikulam without having to worry about the little things. The best time to visit Eravikulam National Park is between April and January, because it is closed during the calving season. The national park is at its peak of pictorial beauty and magic outside the monsoon season, so it is best to visit it in this time.