Location

Munnar, located about 5200 ft. above sea level, is originally a comfort station among the hills built by the British planters. Munnar is only a three hour journey from the most happening city of Kerala, Kochi.It is located in the Western Ghats in the eastern part of central Kerala and an adjoining part of Tamilnadu.

Munnar is usually known as the Kannan Devan hills or the High Ranges. The plantations in these high ranges are clustered around the town of Munnar (10 N 77 E) which is about 130 km from Cochin. Kodaikanal, another famous hill-station, is just 90kms from Munnar.

The tea estates add a heavenly charm to the serene landscape. These estates lie at elevations varying from about 1300m (4300 ft.) to 1900 m(6200 ft.) above mean sea level.Some of the tea fields at 2100 m (7000 ft.), are among the highest in the world. The highest peak in South India,the Anamudi(2695 m/8841 ft.), is situated in the high ranges

History of Munnar

Nestled among the mountains and evergreen forests of the western ghat, Munnar is located at the confluence of three rivers-the Mattupetty river, the Kannimala river and the Nallathanny river.The name means “three rivers”, as it is the merging place of three mountain streams and a jewel in the crown of Kerala.The spicy fragrance of the wind,the virgin beauty of wooded valleys and the seductive landscape make her a lovers' paradise.Munnar is a part of the high range district of Idukki that shares her boundaries with Tamil Nadu and the districts of Ernakulam and Thrissur.

The history of Munnar begins in the middle of the 19th century. Mr. Munroe and his companion were the first persons to visit the misty mountains and hillside of of Munnar.Realising that the place is best suited for plantation,they started cultivating cardamom,coffee and zinchona. The Englishmen named the plantation as Kannan Devan Tea Company in honour of the tribal chief whose assistance was invaluable. Later it was sold to Tata Finlay Company and from 1983 onwards,the sole right of the property is with Tata Tea Company.The Panniar and the Suryanelli estates have already been taken over by the Harrison Malayalam Ltd. Tata Tea Ltd. is really instrumental in moulding Munnar to its present form.

Munnar is the right place for those who look for natural beauty.In March, April and May the climate here is quite comfortable.