Team Trip - Munnar - Feb 18-19, 2007

It was more than 6 months since we went on a trip as a team, and so we thought it is high time that we go. After numerous admissions and cancellations, we came down to 15 people. Before that we got a shock that Top Slip (where we had planned) was closed, and so we had to change our plans and decided on Munnar, a decision which we never regretted. Because it was a team trip, I had to behave very mature, which was most difficult.

We left on 18th morning by van. The onward journey was fairly uneventful except for the sighting of an elephant. There is a small waterfall around 25 km before Munnar called Vaguvaarai. We stopped there for a bath and lunch, where our team created the record of highest-ever bill. There is a place called Rajamalai some 15 km before Munnar, which is famous for lush green landscapes and Nilgiri Thar, but it was closed as it was the breeding season.

We reached Munnar by evening. Lodging was at a place called Munnar Dream Palace, though only the name resembled a palace, but it was pretty decent and clean. After that we left to Blossom Park (Hydel Park) which is around 3 km from the city and spent an hour there. By that time, it was late evening and we left to our hotel.

If you planning for Tamil Nadu style food, then Hotel Saravana Bhavan is the place to eat. After having breakfast the following morning, we started our sightseeing. Below is the list of some of the places to visit.

Matupatty Direction, with distance from Munnar town

1. Photo point - 3 km
2. Matupatty dam - 11 km (Boating)
3. Indo-Swiss project - 13 km
4. Echo point - 18 km
5. Shooting point - 14
6. Kundala lake - 25 km (Boating)
7. Top Station viewpoint - 33 km

All the above places can be easily covered in 1 day. Boating can be done both in Matupatty dam (2- and 4-seat power boat and family boat) and Kundala lake (pedal and row boat).

The final visit was to a place called Top Station, which is the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It has a great view of the valley. You have to trek around 400 meters to get the full view, but it is pretty safe.

Language won't be a problem as people speak both Tamil and Malayalam. Make sure you take a good camera with you as there are a lot of places to be captured. September to May is the season in Munnar, but the post-monsoon season beginning October is the best. Accommodation is very costly in Munnar, and so going a little before or a little after season time is advisable. A lot of good, budget accommodation is also available with dormitory-style accommodations too. A good number resorts are also available on the outskirts, but all are pretty costly. Make sure that you book the rooms in advance as there is always a good flow of tourists year round.

Route: Coimbatore = Pollachi = Udumalpet = Munnar

Expenses: Rs. 850/= per head including travel, food, and staying.















The Team at Top Station














Misty Munnar














Misty Munnar














Misty Munnar














Misty Munnar