Munnar

Located on the inland edge of Kerala, around 1,600m above sea level, Munnar is the perfect base from which to explore the rolling hills of the Unesco-listed Western Ghats mountain range –- a hot-spot for biological diversity.

The region supports a huge amount of wildlife, with birdsong and floral scents serving up a colourful dish of ingredients to stimulate all the senses. Periyar National Park is on the doorstep and is home to elephants, tigers and rare, endemic macaques. Venturing out and taking your time to enjoy the landscape here is an absolute must.

While travelling in Munnar, it’s worth visiting the Tea Museum and/or one of its tea factories that have been producing tea since the late 19th Century. Lockhart Tea Factory, just to the southeast of Munnar, has its own museum and gardens and organises guided tours and tasting sessions.

There are also a number of beautiful churches, temples and mosques to visit, including CSI Christ Church – the town’s oldest, built in the early 2th Century in neo-Gothic style.