Eravikulam National Park is located in the southern Western Ghats near Idukki, Kerala. The park is home to the now highly endangered Nilgiri Tahr, which was placed under protection in this habitat in 1975. The park is also the famous habitat of Neelakurunji, which blooms only once every 12 years, and is home to Nilgiri martens, ruddy mongooses, small clawed otters, and dusky striped squirrels.

Munnar is best known for its tea gardens and contains more than 50 tea estates. Harison Malayalam, Michael’s Tea, Brooke Bond, and AVT Tea are the more well-known tea gardens in the district. Munnar’s climate and topography are ideal for tea plantations, which use various techniques (such as terraces) to prevent soil erosion and improve irrigation.

There are several ways to explore Munnar Tea Estates. Many private tea plantations provide guided tours to learn about the stages of tea production. The tour usually includes a walk around the plantation and a visit to the tea factory. Some travel companies offer sunrise treks in Munnar wherein people can hike to vantage points to witness a magnificent sunrise while walking around the plantation. If you plan to visit a tea plantation, it is best to hire a jeep or 4×4 as the roads can be bumpy.

The misty weather and lush greenery of the hiking trails in Munnar promise some of the most breathtakingly scenic views for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Some hiking trails in Munnar are: Chokramudi, Idduki, Chummar, Kannan Devan Hills, Chithirapuram, and Lakshmi Hill Trek.

Nestled in the hills of Munnar lies Mattupetty, a hill station at a height of 1,700m. The main attraction of Mattupetty is the Mattupetty dam and lake. The dam was constructed under the Pallivasal Hydro-electric project in the late 1940s for the purpose of water conservation and power generation. Now, the dam is a vital source of electricity in Munnar and is also a haven for many wild animals and birds.

Kalari Kshetra is a cultural center located in Chithirapuram, near Munnar. It is one of the best places to witness the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.

Known as the mother of all martial arts, Kalaripayattu is the traditional martial art practiced in Kerala. The martial art is said to be more than 3,000 years old. This ancient art-form is believed to have been adapted into various martial art forms like karate, kung-fu, and judo. The one-hour evening performance show of Kalaripayattu demonstrates body control, flexibility, and various forms of exercises. Performed by skilled and trained artists, this show exhibits their fighting skills with both bare hands and weapons (such as, swords, spears, and shields).

Kathakali, Kerala's iconic dance form, is another reason to visit the Kalari Kshethra in Munnar. The history of this vibrant dance form can be traced back to the 17th century and was originated in Kerala. The traditional folk dance, with its colorful costumes, mesmerizing music, and hypnotic sounds of percussion, transform the Kalari Kshetra into a spectacular theatre. The show mainly features episodes from the ancient epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

About 20 km from Munnar, Kundala Dam is a picturesque tourist spot. The dam is built on River Periyar and is surrounded by the green Western Ghats mountain range. The area also has Cherry Blossom trees, which flower twice a year. Some lucky visitors are able to witness the blooming of Neela Kurunji, a flower that blooms once every 12 years.

The adjacent Kundala Lake offers visitors the opportunity to rent pedal boats, rowboats, and Kashmiri shikara boats to explore the scenic beauty of the lake.

Attukad or Attukal Waterfalls are a stunning waterfall located 9 kilometers from Munnar. It is surrounded by lush greenery and seasonal flowers, and the hike up the waterfalls is an additional attraction for tourists.

Lockhart (or Lock Heart) Gap is a gap between two mountains near Munnar that looks similar to the shape of a heart. The Lockhart Gap ViewPoint is located about 12 km from Munnar and offers an expansive view of the tea-covered slopes, mist-clad blue hills, and the winding roads in the valley. It is also a popular picnic spot, a haven for hikers, and a quiet recess for anyone who’s looking for some solitude.