Tea Garden |
Kolukkumalai in Munnar is the highest Tea Garden in the country at 7900 ft. Accessible only by jeep, a visit to the estate includes a drive around the tea fields and a tour of its factory. What gives Kolukkumalai tea its special flavour is presumably the high altitude. The Munnar Tea Gardens are a must visit if you are in Kerala. Until 1760, Munnar and its surrounding area were covered by forests. The place was first recognized by a European known as Duke of Wellington. A first sapling of tea plant was planted and today one can see miles and miles of lush green tea gardens. One can walk through these picturesque tea gardens which are filled with rich and scented fragrance of tea. You can also spot Neelakurinji, a flower that blooms every 12 years while taking a walk through these tea gardens. One also gets an opportunity to see the picking of the tea leaves and its processing in the factories on the visit. Tourist can also pick these leaves and take them back home as a souvenir of wonderful memories.
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Kolukkumalai Tea Estate |
Kolukkumalai is a small village/hamlet in Bodinayakanur Taluk in the Theni district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu bordering Idukki district of Kerala. It is home to the highest tea plantations in the world with the tea grown here possessing a special flavour and freshness because of the high altitude. Kolukkumalai is about 7,130 feet (2,170 m) above sea level and lies some 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Munnar. The hill top village is accessible only by jeep due to rugged and rain drenched roads covering upto 17 km. It is about a one and a half hour journey from Munnar town. The exact location of kolukkumalai is in Theni district (Tamil Nadu). The approach road is via Suryanelli near Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala.
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Top Station |
Top Station is tourist destination in the Kannan Devan hills of Munnar. It is part of Theni District in the state of Tamil Nadu Top Station is notable as the historic transshippment location for Kannan Devan tea delivered up here from Munnar and Madupatty by railway and then down by ropeway to Kottagudi. This area is popular for the rare Neelakurinji flowers. The Kurinjimala Sanctuary is nearby. Top Station is the western entrance to the planned Palani Hills National Park.Top Station was a transshipment point for delivery of tea from Munnar to Bodinayakkanur. Top Station derived its name from its being the upper terminus of the Kottagudi Aerial Ropeway. It was also the location of the terminal railway station on the Kundala Valley Railway, built in 1902 between Munnar, Kundalai and this low point in the crest of the hills above steep cliffs. A monorail goods carriage system was initially installed along this cart route.[2] In 1908 the monorail was replaced by a 24 inch gauge railway. Kundalai is 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) west from Top Station on the way from Munnar station.[1] Some remains of Kundala Valley Railway can be seen at the Munnar Tea Museum.
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Photo Point |
Photo point is situated at a distance of 3 kms from Munnar on the way to Mattupetty. Dense tea plantations, woods and small rivulets and rolling hills make this spot ideal for leisure travellers and nature lovers. Photo point as the name states is the most photogenic place situated near Munnar. Photo point is also known as “Shooting Point” because of its ideal scenic beauty created by silver oak trees and green tea plantations. Photo point is an ideal spot for amateur as well as professional photographers. Surrounded by gardens, tea plantations and streams Photo point in itself appeals to be heavenly. Being located in a heavy rainfall area the Photo point also has an atmospheric charm to it. Tea, coffee, spices, cloves, cardamom and pepper and homemade chocolates are a few things one can buy near the Photo point. Being such a mesmerizing spot the Photo Point is also an ideal spot for picnics.
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Mattupetty Dam |
Mattupetty Dam (Madupetty Dam), near Munnar in Idukki District, is a storage Concrete Gravity dam built in the mountains of Kerala, India to conserve water for hydroelectricity. It has been a vital source of power, yielding along with other such dams, huge revenue to the states. The large amount of perennially available water allows wild animals and birds to flourish. However salinity caused by irrigation and water-logging are of concern to environmentalists. Munnar is located near the confluence of the mountain streams of Muthirappuzha River, Chanduvarai River and Kundale River. The reservoir is also known to be one of the visiting grounds of elephants in the region.
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