Things to do in The Western Ghats
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Silver Spoon
What is probably the swankiest joint in town, this family eatery has tables overlooking the river and whips up a fantastic Keralan fish-curry set meal (Rs75).
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Rapsy Restaurant
This hole-in-the-wall is packed at lunchtime, with locals lining up for Rapsy’s famous paratha or biryani (from Rs40). It also makes a decent stab at fancy international dishes like Spanish omelette (Rs25) and Israeli shakshuka (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and spices; Rs35).
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Sree Krishna
Modern, clean veg place serving several versions of thali.
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French Restaurant & Bakery
Friendly and rustic shack with good snacks and brown bread.
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Ambadi Restaurant
At the hotel of the same name, the North and South Indian victuals here are expertly prepared and served in an airy indoor dining room.
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Mudra
For Kathakali performances, visit Mudra, which has shows twice a day, with make-up starting 30 minutes before each show.
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Kalaripayattu demonstrations
One-hour Kalaripayattu demonstrations are held in Kumily at 6pm daily, though the location changes so make sure to ask around.
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SN Restaurant
Serving some of the best-value Indian food in town, SN seems to be perpetually full of people digging into morning dosas (Rs15 to Rs25) and other Indian dishes.
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Tea Plantation
About 13km away from Kumily is a working tea plantation where you can wander around the grounds and see displays of the tea-making process for free.
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Forest Department boats
The smaller, more decrepit Forest Department boats offer a chance to get a bit closer to the animals, and are driven by sanctuary workers who may offer commentary.
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Jungle walks
Guided three-hour jungle walks cover 4km or 5km and are a better way to experience the park close up, accompanied by a trained tribal guide. Note that leeches are common after rain.
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Santhigiri Ayurveda
One recommended place for the ayurvedic experience is Santhigiri Ayurveda, offering both massage (Rs650 to Rs750) and long-term treatments including 21-day panchakarma cleansing (Rs30,000).
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Surya Soma
Surya Soma is a modern and bright eatery that dishes up cheap North Indian, local and Chinese dishes in a welcoming, modern dining area. Good tunes can usually be heard playing on the crackle-free sound system.
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KTDC boat trips
Two-hour KTDC boat trips around the lake are the usual way of touring the sanctuary. The trips can be enjoyable enough, though they are often packed, rowdy, and not an ideal way to spot wildlife.
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Highrange Spices
Highrange Spices, 3km from Kumily, has 4 hectares of spice garden and you can see ayurvedic herbs and vegetables growing. A one-hour tour is Rs100. A rickshaw to either spice garden and back will be around Rs200 to Rs250.
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Periyar Cafe
Painted in blindingly bright colours, this cheery eatery serves up loads of North Indian and local dishes at very sensible prices. Located right near the park entrance, it’s perfect for an early breakfast or quick lunch between animal spotting trips.
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Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park, 16km from Munnar, is home to the endangered, but almost tame, Nilgiri tahr (a type of mountain goat). From Munnar, an autorickshaw/taxi costs Rs150/300 return; a government bus takes you the final 4km from the check- point (Rs20).
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Tata Tea Museum
The TataTeaMuseum is, unfortunately, about as close as you’ll get to a working tea factory around Munnar. It’s a slightly sanitised version of the real thing, but it still shows the basic process. A collection of old bits and pieces from the colonial era, including photographs and a 1905 tea-roller, are also kept here. The short walk to here from town is lovely, passing some of the most accessible tea plantations from Munnar town.
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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompasses 777 sq km and a 26-sq-km artificial lake created by the British in 1895. The vast region is home to bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, over 1000 elephants and around 46 tigers. Firmly established on both the Indian and foreigner tourist trails, the place can sometimes feel a bit like Disneyland-in-the-Ghats, but its mountain scenery and neat jungle walks make for an enjoyable visit. Bring warm and waterproof clothing.
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Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Possibly the most protected environment in South India – it’s nestled behind three dams in a valley surrounded by Keralan and Tamil Nadu sanctuaries – Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary constitutes 285 sq km of Kipling-storybook scenery and wildlife-spotting goodness. It’s home to elephants, bison, gaur, sloths, sambar, crocodiles, tigers, panthers and some of the largest teak trees in Asia. The sanctuary is best avoided during monsoon (June to August) and it sometimes closes in March and April.
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Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, about 10km past Marayoor and 60km northeast of Munnar, hosts deer, leopards, elephants and the endangered grizzled giant squirrel. Trekking (Rs100 for three hours) and tree house (single/double Rs1000/1250) or hut stays (single Rs1500 to Rs2500, double Rs1800 to Rs3000) within the sanctuary are available, as well as ecotour programs like river-trekking, cultural visits, and waterfall treks (around Rs100). For details contact the Forest Information Centre in Munnar. Buses from Munnar heading to Coimbatore can drop you off at Chinnar (Rs31, 1½ hours).
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Abraham’s Spice Garden
If you’d rather do a spice tour independently, you can visit a few excellent gardens outside Kumily. Abraham’s Spice Garden has been going for 56 years and does tours of its one-hectare garden for Rs100.
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Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is a serene 25-sq-km park, home to over 270 species, including Malabar grey hornbills, jungle nightjar, grey drongo, darters and rarer species like the Sri Lankan frogmouth. You can hire private guides (Rs100 to Rs150) in the sanctuary, and there’s a canteen with basic food and drinks just inside the gate.
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