Move over Darjeeling: Kerala has a tea capital all its own. Deep in the Western Ghats region of South India, Munnar is a celebrated hill station and tea-growing town characterized by rolling hills and relatively cool, humid weather in which tea plants thrive. While many of the most popular things to do in Munnar revolve around the tea industry (think tea tasting, tea garden walks, and a tea museum), the area is equally popular among outdoor adventurers, offering spectacular views and hiking opportunities galore.
The best time to visit Munnar is between October and March, when the weather is at its coolest and most pleasant. Of these months, December and January are particularly busy. The monsoon generally starts in late June and continues into December, and while it brings plenty of rain to the area, few tourists opt to visit during this time. If you’re willing to brave the rains, you may be able to snag some deeply discounted hotel rates.
Munnar is not a walkable city, and many of its attractions are spread out. As such, you’re best off hiring a driver for the duration of your stay or joining a tour (or multiple tours) that includes pickup from your hotel. Tours often include visits to tea plantations, area viewpoints, and the Tea Museum, while some focus on hiking and outdoor recreation.
Munnar is—unsurprisingly—full of spots to buy tea. Many of the tea estates in and around town have tea for sale, but you’ll find a greater variety if you head to Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company’s Chai Bazaar, a whole shop devoted to tea and spices from the area. Wholesaler Abbas & Co. Tea Merchant is another good spot to do tea shopping.
