We have been to Munnar in the first week of July'2010. My close friend Vijay with his family joined with me. Just thought of sharing the trip glimpses with you all.
We booked tickets in raptisagar express to reach Erode. There are several ways to reach Munnar and we choose Erode as we found this is the most convenient for us to reach Munnar. How ever there are several other ways like Coimbatore, Cochin.
Raptisagar express reached Erode junction at 8:30 AM (2.5 hrs late), and we all immediately get into the taxi (Qualis) which was already hired through one of my friend Ashok. From there we started to munnar and in the way we had our breakfast at chanimalai. This was preferred by driver as he is from this town. We reached Ududumulpet by 11:30 AM. This is the starting point of GHAT. From here it will take another 30 mins to reach forest check post and there to Marayoor which is the foot of hill station. To my surprise there are 5 checkposts at the Tamilnadu - Kerala border and we have to pay twenty rupees at each check post. After Marayoor we will pass through sandal wood trees on the both sides of the road. We cannot enter these sandal wood forest as it requires special permission from forest department. Later, we moved and stopped at Lakkom water falls.
Lakkom Water Falls:
Everyone has to pay 5 rupees each to go to these falls (But, there is no one to check this ticket and I found people ignoring this ticket). You have to walk for 2 mins to reach these falls. These are breath taking falls and excellent. We crossed the water flow to go more close to this. Be careful while crossing. Water will be very chilled. We spent nearly 90 mins there coz every one loved tht and kids(Akshaya & Chanakya) enjoyed very much.
We can find some hotels opposite to this lakkom water falls and one can find some bread omlete, bajji and some snacks there. We satisfied our hunger there and moved to Erivakulam Wild life sanctuary. Dont miss this exciting place and it will be one of the cherishful moments in life.
Entry cost: Rupees Five
Other Facilities: Locker, Pay & Use toilet
Hotels: Road side hotels
Authors choice: Bread omlete in these hotels
Erivakulam Wildlife Sanctuary:
Erivakulam wild life sanctuary is situated at nearly 1800 m above the sea level. We have to pay fifteen rupees per head to take up the bus for up and down(only sanctuary buses are allowed, personal vehicles are not allowed). Still camera costs 25 rupees. The way to the sanctuary trekking point in bus is awful and one will feel the chillness in weather. On the way to this sanctuary, we can find some water falls very close to us. Bus driver will stop at these falls for 2 mins to take snaps from bus. They will not allow to get down from the bus. Bus will take us to starting point of the trekking path. From there we have to walk for a kilometer in the forest to find animals. But mostly forest deer will be found as per sources there. Of course, we didn't find even that also, coz, its raining when we reach there.
At the trek point of this sanctuary, we can also find one museum to describe all the animals in the forest. Entry cost is five rupees each. We didnt find this museum interesting. We just spent some time there and again came in queue to board the return bus. Erivakulam sanctuary is running bus for every 15 minutes. Its not like we have to board the same bus. One can take any bus to come back. No need to wait for the same bus. And there is no restriction time for trekking. But, one cannot spend more than 1 hour / 2 hours here.
Entry Cost: 5 Rupees per head
Stil camera cost: 25 Rupees
Museum cost: 5 rupees per head
Other Facilities: Locker, Pay & Use toilet
Hotels: Only at Bus starting point
Authors Choice: Hot Corn minced in salt and mirchi powder at this point
From there, we started to Munnar.
MUNNAR is a small town and is like a junction for traffic coming from four ways (Coimbatore/Erode, Cochin, Thekkady, Kodaikanal). It is located at nearly 1500 M high above the sea level. It is also a normal crowded place as we see in most of the cities/towns. Even it is dificult to find a vehicle parking place here. We can find so many hotels / lodges in munnar. But, if not interested in the busy roads and want to relax, I prefer them to stay away from the town. Yes, what you heard is correct only. STAY AWAY FROM MUNNAR TOWN. Actually, it is not like other hill stations where we can find some decent resorts or peaceful atmosphere with in the town. In fact, it is the good idea to stay away from the crowded munnar town. We booked AYUR COUNTY RESORTS prior and we headed towards this.
AYUR COUNTY RESORTS:
Ayur County Resorts is located in Chinnakannal village which is 22 kms from Munnar. I believe this is located more above the sea level compared to munnar. This resort is echo-friendly, very calm and peace to stay. Initially, we thought 22 kms away from munnar might be too far and am in swinging situation of my booking at this resort until I saw this resort. After entering into this resort and staying there for 3 days, I can now say I have gone to the correct destiny for which I am looking for. Resort staff are also very supportive. Any way, I booked this hotel through their resort site.
We have taken 2 bed room economy suite bungalow for us. We paid Rs.2300/- per day for this bungalow. Note the price may vary from time to time and we went in OFF Season. I also thought I would have demanded for two thousand. Two families can stay in this bungalow. Its a duplex house with two bed rooms (one in the ground floor and other in lower ground floor), one hall, one dining room and four balconies (two balconies attached to one bed room and other two balconies attached to hall and dining room). The view from the bed room balcony is breath taking and one will feel the real taste of nature from there The room we booked was number 328. We can take breakfast in this hotel and I suggest to go for buffet breakfast since it cost Rs.160/- and even a single puri also costs 60 rupees. And in the breakfast menu we can find so many items like idly, dosa, puri, fruits, omletes, tea, coffee, milk and so on ..
Our Munnar trip extended to one more day since we are not able to climb down the hill due to some bandh on the same day of planned return. We extended for a day more and enjoyed a lot. Especially, our Kids (My kid -- Akshaya and Vijay's kid --> Chanu) enjoyed a lot.
There is nothing to much to see in Munnar. But one who wants to enjoy the nature should defenitely visit this place. Munnar town is crowdy. Try to avoid staying in Munnar town.
