Expansive tea plantations, postcard-worthy views, and the presence of unique and luxurious accommodations have Munnar a top holiday choice for many Indians. In fact, it has emerged as one of the top honeymoon destinations in the country. Home to a thriving variety of flora and fauna, along with expansive stretches of natural beauty and some of the most picturesque sunsets to ever grace the country with their presence, Munnar is the perfect South Indian hill station in every sense of the word.
Thankfully, the beauty of Kerala is not limited to the hill station of Munnar. The state is home to many other beautiful hill stations near Munnar.
10 Best Hill Stations Near Munnar
So, if you are planning to go off the beaten path for your next Kerala holiday, here’s a list of 12 amazing hill stations near Munnar.
1. Thekkady – 90 Km From Munnar
2. Vagamon – 103 Km From Munnar
3. Ponmudi – 297 Km From Munnar
4. Idukki – 66 Km From Munnar
5. Nelliyampathy – 182 Km From Munnar
6. Kodaikanal – 174 Km From Munnar
7. Lakkidi – 315 Km From Munnar
8. Ooty – 241 Km From Munnar
9. Wayanad – 339 Km From Munnar
10. Peermedu – 110 Km From Munnar
1. Thekkady
Thekkady, a relatively lesser known hill station near Munnar is a great trip for adventure and nature lovers. The hill station, apart from mesmerizing natural beauty, also houses the largest tiger reserve in the country, Periyar National Park.
The park offers a boat ride experience that cuts through the areas thriving with unique wildlife and travelers can spot bison, wild elephants, and even tigers along this early morning boat ride. Apart from the national park, Thekkady is also home to a number of other interesting places such as the ancient Mangala Devi Temple which is home to the Chitra Pournami Festival.
Places To Stay: Wind Valley Hill Resort, Wood Palace Heritage Resort, Orma Hill Resort, Misty Mountain Plantation Resort, Thrisangu Haven Resort
Ideal Duration: 1 Day
Things To Do: Thekkady Boating Tours, Thekkady Boating Tours, Border Hiking, Jungle Night Patrol
Distance from Munnar: 90 kilometers
Altitude: 900 meters
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Places of interest: Chellarkovil, Anakarra, Thekkady Lake
Must Read: Munnar In October: See What Makes It The Best Time To Visit This Heaven In The South
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2. Vagamon
Far away from the hustle bustle of the city, Vagamon is the perfect hill station for nature lovers. The hill station houses a number of picturesque peaks, a National Park, and a magical waterfall, making it perfect for nature lovers seeking some serenity and peace.
Trekking and camping in the wild are perhaps the most popular activities in Vagamon. Apart from camping-worthy sites and waterfalls, the hill station is also home to Pine Hill, a man-made forest that competes neck-to-neck with any naturally formed peak in terms of natural beauty.
Places To Stay: Aquarius Hotel, Travancore Palace Hotel, Hotel Vettikattu Plaza, Hotel Breezeland, Hotel Panchavady
Ideal Duration: 1 Day
Things To Do: Murugan Mala- Trekking, Off Roading, Vagamon Lake- Boat Ride, Waterfall Camping & TrekkingDistance from Munnar: 103 kilometers
Altitude: 1100 meters
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Places of interest: Vagamon Meadows, Pine Hill, Ulipooni Wildlife Sanctuary, Vagamon Falls
Suggested Read: Munnar In December: A Pocket Guide For A Tour Down This Charming Kerala Town
3. Ponmudi
Another small and picture-perfect hill station in Kerala, Ponmudi is an overnight drive away from Munnar and well worth the journey involved. Gifted with all the essentials required to call a hill station absolutely perfect, including a wildlife reserve and a collection of waterfalls, Ponmudi is also home to the tallest peak in the Trivandrum district of Kerala, Agastayarkoodam.
Ideal Duration: 1 Day
Distance from Munnar: 297 kilometers
Altitude: 1100 meters
Best time to visit: November to March
Places of interest: Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Deer Park, Golden Valley, Meenmutty Falls, Agasthyarkoodam peak
Suggested Read: 25 Romantic Honeymoon Resorts In Munnar You Must Visit
4. Idukki
Thriving in the valley created by Kurava and Kurathy, Idukki is a popular hill resort in Kerala, for all the right reasons. Boasting of a remarkable collection of expansive tea estates, rubber plantations, picture-perfect peaks, waterfalls, and poster-worthy bunglows, Idukki has something to offer to every kind of traveler in the hills.
Moreover, the hilly town is also home to the tallest peak of the country south of Himalayas, Anamudi, which is a popular hiking destination for adventure lovers visiting the region.
Places To Stay: Green Berg Resort, Misty Mountain Plantation Resort, Palette Hill View Resort, Saj Vagamon Hideout, Winter Vale
Ideal Duration: 1 Night/2 Days
Things To Do: Trekking, Camping, Paragliding, Misty Mountain Resort, BoatingDistance from Munnar: 66 kilometers
Altitude: 1200 meters
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Places of interest: Idukki Arch Dam, Hill View Park, Kulamavu Dam, Anamudi Peak
Suggested Read: 8 Enchanting Parks In Munnar That Will Make You Fall For This Paradise All Over Again
5. Nelliyampathy
This little known hill station in Kerala is a hit with the locals, but is not that well-known by travelers visiting the state, making it perfect for those seeking a break from the maddening crowds in cities and popular hill stations.
Apart from an impressive collection of beautiful peaks, expansive tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations, and a thriving variety of flora and fauna, Nelliyampathy is also home to the Nenmara Bellaghy festival that is celebrated with great vigour by the locals during the month of April.
Ideal Duration: 1 Night/2 Days
Distance from Munnar: 182 kilometers
Altitude: 1500 meters
Best time to visit: November to February
Places of interest: Nenmara, Nelliyampathy Hills, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Suggested Read: Munnar Temperature Dips Below Zero Giving Kerala It’s Own Winter Paradise!
Planning your holiday in Kerala but confused about what to do? These Kerala travel stories help you find your best trip ever!
6. Kodaikanal
One of the most sought after hill stations in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is right up there with Munnar in terms of popularity it enjoys. A visit to this place is the perfect explanation behind Tamil Nadu becoming one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the country.
Gifted with a surreal collection of could-capped mountains, cliff covered mist, mystical forests, and breathtaking lakes and valleys, Kodaikanal is truly a marvel of nature and a must-have on your travel bucket list.
Places To Stay: Vivera Grande, Hotel Theni International, Heritage Madurai, Sterling Munnar, JC Residency
Ideal Duration: 1 Night/2 Days
Things To Do: Kodaikanal Lake: Take A Misty Boat Ride, Coaker’s Walk: Take A Stroll, Berijam Lake: Go Birdwatching, Karuna Farm: Rejuvenate With YogaDistance from Munnar: 174 kilometers
Altitude: 2133 meters
Best time to visit: September to May
Places of interest: Bear Shola Falls, Kodai Lake, Green Valley View, Thalaiyar Falls, Pillar Rocks, Devil’s Kitchen
Suggested Read: 15 Best Homestays In Munnar For A Refreshing Holiday
7. Lakkidi
If you’re looking for a staycation in a quiet and serene setting Lakkidi is the hill station for you. While the small hill station may not have a large collection of touristy spots like its counterparts in the area, it does have all the natural beauty and charm one seeks on a hilly holiday.
Home to a collection of beautiful resorts, this small hill station is perfect if you want to spend a few days doing absolutely nothing, while soaking in the glory of unmatched natural beauty.
Distance from Munnar: 315 kilometers
Altitude: 700 meters
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Places of interest: Banasura Sagar Dam, Chembra, Soochipara Waterfalls
Suggested Read: 25 Hotels And Resorts In Munnar For That Divine Holiday
8. Ooty
A popular destination among honeymooners for decades now Ooty is also known as the Queen of the Nilgiris. The hill station’s popularity has been immortalised by the famous Bollywood song “Chaiyya Chaiyya” featuring Shah Rukh Khan. The hill station is blessed with an impressive collection of lakes, peaks, waterfalls, winding roads, all of which look like they’ve come straight out of a beautiful painting.
Places To Stay: Gateway Coonoor, The Clive and Curzon, Le Méridien Coimbatore, Orchid Square Boutique Hotel, Misty Meadows Coonoor
Ideal Duration: 2 Nights/3 Days
Things To Do: Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train, Botanical Gardens, Dolphin’s Nose, Toda Huts
Distance from Munnar: 241 kilometers
Altitude: 2240 meters
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Places of interest: Ooty Lake, Ooty Botanical Gardens, Emerald Lake, Ooty Rose Garden, St. Stephen’s Church
Suggested Read: 17 Luxury Hotels In Munnar For A Perfect And Ideal Stay On Your Holiday!
9. Wayanad
Wayanad is a district in Kerala that houses several peaks, waterfalls, rivers and could capped mountains, making it a popular weekend getaway for travelers from all over the country. The district is home to four natural reserves, ancient caves, and expansive spice plantations.
Places To Stay: Kpm Tripenta Hotel, Treebo Trend Casino Hotel, Grand Plaza Suites, The Raviz Calicut, Metro Empires
Ideal Duration: 1 Night/2 Days
Things To Do: Kuruva Island: Enjoy Bamboo Rafting, Pookode Lake: Enjoy Boating, Chembra Peak: A Thrilling Trek, Ziplining: Fly In The Hills Of Kerala
Distance from Munnar: 339 kilometers
Altitude: 2100 meters
Best time to visit: October to May
Places of interest: Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalpetta
Suggested Read: 15 Budget Hotels In Munnar For A Cozy Yet Pocket-Friendly Retreat
10. Peermedu
Home to an awe inspiring collection of trekking trails, scenic peaks, and expansive coffee and tea plantations, Peermedu is a hit among those seeking picture perfect views with a hint of adventure. The small town is home to a number of traditional tribes of Kerala, which influences the whole vibe of the place, making it perfect for history buffs as well.
Ideal Duration: April to June and September to Novemmber
Distance from Munnar: 110 Kilometers
Altitude: 915 meters
Best time to visit: Throughout the year (except monsoon season)
Places of interest: THrissanku Hills, Peeru Hills, Gampi, Pattumala, Wagamon
Further Read: 15 Adventurous Water Sports In Kerala You Must Try While Touring God’s Own Country
South India is a naturally gifted region of India and these hill stations near Munnar are living examples of the same. We just gave you 10 reasons to extend your trip to Munnar. Now, let us help you plan it better. Book a trip with TravelTriangle, and have an amazing time!
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