Tag: forests

Posted on in Travel

God’s own Country

Munaar

Munnar is a small town in the Idukki district along the Western Ghats. In Tamil, Munnar means three rivers. There are many other villages and towns around the area, people residing here are mostly Tamilians and Malayalees. With an elevation of 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) above sea level, Munnar is located at the Western Ghats and is one of the finest hill stations in Kerala. If you are interested in flora and fauna, Munnar will offer a plenty of exciting species to look for. Munnar is rich with exotic flora and fauna because of its climate. The Neelakkurinji flowers are most famous among them as they bloom once every 12 years. The whole valley turns violet ,and offer tourists to witness this nature’s one of most elegant gifts

This hill station is famous for trekking and the favorite trekking spot is the Aanamudi, which is the highest peak in the Western Ghats. The Munnar hill station was once a summer resort for British Officials at the era of pre-Independence. They played an important role in developing the tea-estates there.

Interesting Facts:

  • Munnar Echo Point is a scenic location which is lapped amidst the picturesque mountains of Munnar.  Listen to your own voices hitting the ravines and coming back to you, it is a magical experience and the beautiful clean lake formed just beside the hillock, makes the place even more splendid.Located close to the Top Station is another must-see spot, the Echo Point, known for its natural resonance. The echoes are not all that this point is popular for, the beautiful river flowing through the green grassy valley with tea and coffee plantations makes it a perfect spot for nature lovers. This is an amazing spot for photography.
  • Munnar is considered as the hill station which was once the summer resort for the British Government Elites.
  • Munnar has the highest peak of the Southern part of India called Anamudi Peak, which makes for an ideal spot for trekking. So, if you are a trekking enthusiastic, put your shoes on and trek away!
  • Munnar, today is the commercial centre for some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates.

Munnar has a wide range of adventurous sports to offer including rock-climbing, paragliding, trekking, cycling is just to name a few. Because of the natural beauty of the hills, these activities become more enjoyable.

Munnar is famous for the wild Neelakurinji orchids, which bloom once in twelve years when the entire valley turns violet.

You must not miss the Top Station. This is the highest point in Munnar, offers gleaming views of the hills, rivers and valleys surrounding the Western Ghats.

Munnar is a food haven for food lovers! All dishes here are cooked in coconut oil and garnished with crushed coconut.From puttu and kadala curry to appams with stew, Munnar offers a variety of food.

  • Best time to visit Munaar
  • Munnar enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. It is a perfect place to visit between April and mid-June for a summer vacation and October and February for winter holiday. In the monsoon season, due to rains, Munnar’s landscape comes to life.

How to reach Munaar:

  • Via Air:

The closest air terminal is Cochin International Airport, which is around 125 km far from Munnar.Once you arrive at Cochin airport, you can hire a cab to Munnar.

  • Via Train:

The closest railway station from Munnar is situated in Kochi or Ernakulam. You can book a train from any part of the country to this railway station in Kerala. There is also Aluva Railway Station which is closer to Munnar. Once you reach either of this station, book a cab and journey by road to the beautiful hill station of Munnar.

  • By Road:

The final journey to Munnar can only be completed by road. State-run or private transports, handling from different towns in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, are the most ideal approach to get to Munnar by street.

Picturesque landscape, refreshing lush green tea plantations, wonderful climate with a Misty clouds , rich abundant flora and fauna. If you are looking for a peaceful and rejuvenating holiday in the hills, then book yourself a hotel in munnar right away! Munnar is the ultimate destination for the most relaxing time ever. There are plenty of interesting activities to do and absorb the beauty of the lush green scenery everywhere with a steaming hot cup of freshly brewed tea! We bet the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word Munnar is the tea estates, sprawling across the town .

We went to Munaar from by Car. The distance from Bangalore to Munaar is around 480 kms . There is a good connectivity of roads.

It will take around 10 hours to reach Munnar if one begins early in the morning ,We started our journey at 3 am to avoid the traffic . The journey will go via

Bangalore → Hosur → Krishnagiri → Salem → Avinashi → Udumalpet → Marayoor → Munnar

We packed a lot of food and water to avoid unnecessary breaks ,as the journey is long ,Roads are in a very good condition and once you enter the chinnar wildlife , the adventure begins. Breathtaking views narrow roads and the steep mountains is how I can describe the distance from Chinnar wildlife to Munaar .

It is definitely a place of tranquility and peace. You will find neverending tea plantations, pristine valleys, hill ranges, forests, waterfalls, rare flora, and fauna. I had an incredibly wonderful time in Munnar not just because of its breathtaking landscape but because people are so nice in the region.

.’Road trips are always fun. You can play your favourite music and enjoy the magnificent views outside your window. Take short stops to admire scenic spots and taste the local cuisine. The overall experience can be refreshing and lift your spirits.The route goes through the thrilling Chinar wildlife sanctuary with narrow and steep roads ,one can enjoy the nature at its fullest .Once you cross the wildlife Sanctuary you will be surprised to see the tranquillity of Munaar,truly a ‘God’s own Country

Thankyou

Posted on in Travel, Trips and Travel

Hill Stations of India

Let’s Gather some facts about the places located at the higher elevation.

A Hill station is a village or a town high up in the hills,mostly located at the higher elevation than the nearby plain or valley.Mostly Hill stations are at an altitude of approximately 1000 metre to 3000 metres.The climate is usually cold and the hill stations have a low temperature.Visiting a hill station in the summers is the best getaway to beat the scorching heat of the city you live in. In addition to that, the pleasant weather and temperature are suitable for meditation and health curing activities. India is a hot country with very high temperatures during April, May, and June. A short trip to a hill station every summer is exciting and quite alluring. Everybody wants to escape the blistering heat to refresh and rejuvenate. It is a great escape for people from the blazing heat of Summers. Majority of the highest hill stations are located in India, Asia. They are the most popular ones in the world with thousands of foreign tourists flocking to witness the beauty of Hills .

Let’s explore few of the India’s most beautiful and highest hill stations.

Leh
  • Situated at an altitude of 3,505 metres, amidst the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges, Leh, the headquarters of the Ladakh region in Kashmir is the highest hill station in India.
  • Doodhpathri lies in a bowl shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 2,730 m above sea level. The natural meadows, which are covered with snow in winter, allow the growth of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and butter cups during spring and summer.
  • Gulmarg is very famous for its skiing scenes in India. This town is located on the Pir Panjal Range, which is a part of the western Himalayas at an altitude of 2,650 metres.
  • Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and a popular hill-station among Indian tourists. Situated at the height of 2276m, Shimla was the summer capital of British India. Shimla still retains its old-world charm with beautiful colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road and the ridge queued up with multiple shops, cafes and restaurants.
  • Udhagamandalam ( Ooty) -located an an altitude of 2240m , is situated in Tamil Nadu’s famous Nilgiri Hills. Originally known as Ootacamund, Ooty literally means, ‘a house in the mountains’One of the most visited hill stations in South India, It has been a popular tourist  destination. The Ooty Lake, Nilgiri Mountain Railways, Fern Hill Garden, Pine forests, and the Pykara falls make up the most loved sights in this town.
  • Nainital is a hill town located in Uttrakhand with an elevation of 2084 m . One of the most famous hill stations in India, Nainital is known widely for its stunning lakes and hill tops which provide a view of the valleys. The three summer months of May to July are the peak season at Nainital because while the rest of the country burns with the summer heat, this town gets almost perfectly favorable temperatures and weather conditions.
  • Located in the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, and an altitude of 2050 m Manali offers adventure lovers with River rafting, skiing, trekking, paragliding, rock-climbing.
  • Small city in West Bengal, Darjeeling located at an elevation of 2042 m has emerged as one of the most visited hill stations in the country. The population of Tibetan monks in Darjeeling somehow makes it a very peaceful place to be in.The beautiful views of Mount Kanchenjunga are truly breath-taking. Also, known as ‘the Queen of the Hills’, Darjeeling provides visitors with a number of places to visit and events to experience. The Buddhist Monasteries, Tiger Hill, Observatory Hill, and famous Darjeeling Toy Train are among the must-see sights in this city.
  • Mussoorie spreads across at a height of 2,000 m above sea level.Home to numerous trekking trails, Mussoorie would be a perfect destination if you are planning for an ideal summer or winter trip in Uttarakhand.
  • Known for its evergreen tea plantation, the hills of Munnar stands at an elevation of 1532 m with their rolling beauty and charm can cast a magical spell on the visitors! While most of the hills are adorned with tea plantations, some are enchanted by mesmerising waterfalls, lush vegetation and lot more.

Few Shots from my Camera:

The Ridge Shimla
Shimla
Mussoorie
Pykara falls Ooty
A view from Sinclair Retreat Ooty

Travelling to a Hill station that offers serene and lush green surroundings ,a calm and peaceful environment ,misty landscapes usually takes away all our stress and rejuvenates us while landing us to a fairyworld .

Thankyou