With Hyderabad roasting at a sweltering 45 degrees Celsius, we desperately needed a quick escape to somewhere cooler. An irresistible offer for a serene bungalow in Munnar caught our eye, and we decided it was the perfect destination to go to before the start of the school year. Our plan was simple: enjoy the rains, savour delicious Kerala cuisine, and spend quality family time without a packed itinerary. We succeeded in doing just that, even managing to squeeze in some sightseeing.

Cochin to Munnar Road Trip

Our journey began at Cochin International Airport, a beautifully designed hub that reflects local architecture and boasts the distinction of being the world’s first fully solar-powered airport. The sight of the solar farm next to the charming old-world airport complex was impressive.

We booked a self-drive car through EVMWheels, opting for a new Tata Safari, which they conveniently dropped off and picked up at the airport. After a quick lunch stop at a small roadside restaurant, we headed to Munnar.

Travel tip: In this region, don’t be fooled by the distance in kilometres; instead, check the travel time on the map. Narrow, winding roads and constant oncoming traffic can make a 5 km journey take 15 minutes. If you get stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle, it is very difficult to overtake it. Overtaking during rains becomes even more dangerous, especially since there are bigger tourist vehicles taking up much space. 

The roughly 100 km drive from Kochi to Munnar typically takes about 4 hours without stops, longer during peak times. It took us 5 hours with a break for lunch. Plan your journey accordingly, especially if you have a flight or train to catch.

Despite the long drive, the cooler temperatures and stunning views as we approached Munnar were a welcome relief. The gorgeous green Shola forests were a sight for sore eyes, and smaller waterfalls along the way added to the charm. Keep an eye out for Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, marked by rows of small food shacks signalling a nearby viewpoint.

What to do in Munnar

Munnar offers various tourist spots with activities like horse riding, ziplining, boating, and elephant rides, which we chose to skip due to safety concerns. Instead, we visited the Ripple Tea Factory, where a short tour detailed the tea-making process, and we picked up some local tea and coffee. There are also spice and honey tours, which we didn’t go for.

We also explored the local market, picking up South cotton sarees at reasonable rates from a shop (Selection Hall) catering to locals. 

Another highlight was the Srishti Charitable Trust, an admirable initiative by the Tatas. For a small entry fee, we toured their paper-making and garment factories and bought some scarves and notebooks. Their bakery’s delicious sponge cakes made for a perfect snack break. Their school for the differently-abled, DARE, is also on this campus.

What to see in Munnar

Tea estates blanket Munnar, and it’s easy to walk into one. Numerous viewpoints around town offer stunning valley views during sunrise or sunset. We visited Echo Point but avoided the busy boating spot, opting instead for a quiet area near Madupatty Lake. It was practically empty and we could spend some time sitting there enjoying the beautiful view. Our son loved collecting sticks and stones to play with. It is not advisable to go into the water as the incline is quite steep.

With daily rains, we chose to explore the trails near our stay, read, play board games, and have an impromptu photoshoot with our newly purchased saree.

Where to stay in Munnar

Munnar boasts numerous hotels and homestays with spectacular views of the hills, forests, or tea estates. We stayed at the Madupatty bungalow by Amã Stays & Trails, a restored 3-bedroom bungalow on a tea estate. Built in 1947 for engineers working on the Madupatty Dam, the bungalow later housed estate planters and officers.

The house, with its beautiful garden and breathtaking view of the Kannan Devan hills and Madupatty Lake, was perfect. The large rooms overlooked the garden and mountains, and the drawing room felt like an English cottage lounge. Each window offered a picturesque view. The exceptional staff prepared delicious local cuisine, and with the whole bungalow to ourselves, we enjoyed complete privacy.

What to eat in Munnar

The fresh produce in Munnar’s markets was tempting, with roadside stalls selling pineapples, mangoes, boiled corn, carrots, ice apples, and local tea. South Indian fare, especially idli, dosas, and idiyappam with local curries or sambar, was delightful. Seafood was our preference, though meat is also widely consumed here. Banana and tapioca chips can be found everywhere. Look for shops that make it fresh right at the store.

All our meals at the bungalow were a treat, with each dish being finger-licking good. We inevitably overate, but the garden provided a perfect place for post-meal walks, and the spacious house allowed for indoor strolls when it rained.

Munnar for the Naturalist

Keep an eye out for the local flora and fauna…from the tiny beetles to the large elephants (which we didn’t see), to the sneaky snakes that come out in the rains.

Our trip was nearly perfect, marred only by our decision to visit the mall in Kochi since we had half a day to spare before our flight. The mall was overcrowded, and it took us almost an hour just to exit the parking area. This left us with barely enough time to grab some lunch and a coffee. In hindsight, we should have opted for a restaurant closer to the airport instead.