Setting out on the Coimbatore to Munnar Road trip means getting a chance to explore the true beauty of the Western Ghats. As you move from the state of Tamil Nadu to Kerala, you explore the greenery of the forests and national reserves of Tamil Nadu and the mountains of Munnar. Not only that, you can also enjoy the view of the plantations across the mountains of Munnar. Coimbatore to Munnar’s distance is around 156 km, and it would take around 5 hours to drive from Coimbatore to Munnar. Munnar is the place to witness rolling hills and splashy waterfalls. Thus, it would surely be a great idea to head out on a Coimbatore to Munnar road trip. The best part? You should prefer setting out on self-drive to explore the true hidden gems on your Coimbatore to Munnar route.
Top 3 Wildlife Sanctuaries To Explore On Your Coimbatore To Munnar Road Trip
Coimbatore to Munnar takes only 5 hours of drive. So, if you tend to start early, it would be a great idea to halt at any of these destinations or wildlife sanctuaries. Even if you don’t have time to explore all of them, you may consider stopping at least one. So, here are some of the top wildlife sanctuaries to explore during your Coimbatore to Munnar road trip:
1. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary And National Park
Image Credit: UdayKiran28 for Wikipedia Commons
Also known as Anamalai Tiger Reserve, the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is a protected area on the Anamalai Hills of Pollachi and Valparai Taluk. It is spread across an area of 958.59 square kilometres. It is also part of the Amarvathy Reserve Forest within the Tiruppur district. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park house different types of fauna, such as sloth bears, gaur, tigers, wild dogs, flying squirrels, civet cats, elephants, and more. Apart from these animals, the national park also houses some of the difficult-to-spot birds, like the black-headed oriole, tree pie, green pigeon, whiskered bulbul, and spotted dove.
The Amarvathy reservoir also has various crocodiles. While you take a halt at the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, apart from the fauna, you can also explore flora such as the green hills, teak forests, waterfalls like Panchalingam, river streams of Chinnar and Tenar and various dams and reservoirs such as Thirumoorthy and Amaravarthy..
Timing: 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM (Monday- Sunday)
Fee: Rs 20-30 for Indian visitors, children and adults respectively; Rs 200-300 for foreign visitors, children and adults respectively.
Activities: Trekking, elephant camp visit, elephant safari (temporarily closed); Forest ride, Butterfly park
Must Read: Kochi To Bangalore Road Trip
2. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Image Credit: Dineshkannambadi for Wikipedia Commons
Spread on an area of 90.44 km in the Western Ghats, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary offers some of the best views. The pristine beauty of the natural vegetation and all other resources available here provide a great laid-back atmosphere for tourists. If you’re planning a longer trip, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary can be one of the best stops during your Coimbatore to Munnar road trip. The lush greenery of the sanctuary also provides an opportunity to experience the wide flora and fauna sporting around 144 species of animals. Some of the prominent animals that you can watch in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary include Bonnet Macaque, Garra Mullya Minnows, Panthers, Little Cormorants, Rusty-spotted Cat, Nilgiri Tahr, Slender Loris, Star Tortoise, Spotted Deer, and more.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is also a hub for bird lovers like Yellow-throated Bulbuls, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Black Eagle and more. The sanctuary also houses 42 species of fish and 156 species of butterflies. There are 1000 species of flowering plants like Neelakurinji, Acacia Leucophloea, Arabica, Santalum Album and more. The Sandalwood Forest here is one of the best ones to witness. Apart from that, various medicinal plants are also used for ayurvedic tablets and allopathy.
Timing: 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Fee: Rs 10 for Indian visitors and Rs 100 for Foreign Visitors. You will have to pay an additional fee if you’re carrying a camera and for parking as well.
Activities: Bird watching, Wildlife safari, stay at treehouses, and trekking
3. Eravikulam National Park
Image Credit: Rakeshkdogra for Wikipedia Commons
Eravikulam National Park is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries to visit during the Coimbatore to Munnar road trip. Situated on an area of 97 sq km, you can watch a lot of wild animals in their natural habitat. The Eravikulam National Park is on the Kannan Devan Hills of the South Western Ghat. The national park, being a protected area, is divided into three major regions: the core area, the buffer area, and the tourism area. The tourism area belongs to Rajamala, and that’s the only area tourists are allowed to visit. The Eravikulam National Park is mostly famous for housing the endangered mountain goat, Nilgiri Tahr. The main aim of the national park is to protect Nilgiri Tahr.
The Eravikulam National Park turns blue once every twelve years, mostly because of the blooming of Neelakurinji flowers. Apart from the animals, the scenic beauty of the national park is a must to experience. The Lakkom Waterfalls originate in the hearts of Eravikulam National Park and offer breathtaking views. If you want to take a break for a long time, you may consider staying at one of the jungle camps too.
Timing: 7:00 AM- 4:00 PM (Monday- Sunday)
Fee: Rs 125 for Indian visitors and Rs 420 for Foreign visitors.
Activities: Trekking, jungle stay, waterfall experience
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Chengannur
How To Prepare For The Coimbatore To Munnar Road Trip?
Some of the common tips to follow for preparing for the Coimbatore to Munnar road trip are as follows:
- The journey isn’t going to be long, so make sure to carry water and light snacks with you.
- The road has steep hairpin bends, so there aren’t many petrol pumps around. Thus, one of the best things to do is to keep your vehicles full of fuel.
- The road conditions may not be great. Therefore, it would be smart to drive properly to avoid the risk of overspending.
Coimbatore to Munnar road trip can be one of the most fun and interesting, especially if you’re a nature lover. This road trip can surely be one of the best ways to get a break from the hustle of daily life, in the comfort and lap of nature. So, you should research and head to the destination accordingly.
Further Read: Tourist Places In Thalassery
The Coimbatore to Munnar road trip has much to offer, from stunning views to comfortable routes. When setting out on a road trip, it is advisable to take time and prepare properly. Plan your trip to Munnar and make the most of these destinations offering exclusive views.
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Cover Image Credit: Psubhashish for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Coimbatore to Munnar Road Trip
Where should one visit between Coimbatore and Munnar?
Some of the top places to visit during your Coimbatore to Munnar road trip include Marudhamalai, Brookefields Mall, Anuvavi Subramanya Temple and Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple.
Are two days enough to explore Munnar?
The number of days you need to explore Munnar completely depends on how you want to explore the place. On average, you will need more than two days, around three days to explore the beauty of Munnar. The mountains of Munnar will attract your attention far better.
What is the type of road for the Coimbatore to Munnar road trip?
If you're setting out on Coimbatore to Munnar route via Palani, the road is surely extremely good. However, the route of Udumalpet- Chinnar- Marayoor- Munnar is not that good. If you tend to take this road, you're likely to experience the beauty of various natural waterfalls too.
What is the Coimbatore to Munnar distance?
The Coimbatore to Munnar distance is around 156 km. However, the distance may increase if you take another route, for example, the one via Palakkad.
Which is the best month to head out on Coimbatore to Munnar road trip?
Winters and autumns are usually the best time to head out on Coimbatore to Munnar road trip. Thus, September to November and December to March are the best times to head out on the Coimbatore to Munnar road trip. During this time, you will also get the chance to enjoy various adventures here such as rock climbing and trekking.
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