Munnar

Surely it,s impossible to visit Kerala without seeing Munnar, this must be the most famous of Kerala hill stations, protected by the Western Ghat mountains in this area of outstanding natural beauty. Tea and spice plantations roll away as far as the eye can see, forming an emerald green blanket punctuated with tea pickers adding colour and movement to the scene. Accommodation is plentiful, catering for all tastes and budgets, most are in beautiful settings with magnificent views of tea gardens or misty mountains.

At the Tea Museum at Nullatanni Estate, there are displays going back 100 yrs of tea production and processing, explaining how it evolved and is still flourishing today, after this a visit to a tea factory brings you right up to date with an opportunity to buy some different flavours. Eravikulam National Park is formed from upland grasslands, mountains and rivers. It is home to the largest surviving population of a rare mountain goat, the Nilghiri Thar, now being carefully managed to preserve the species. They are very sensitive to human activity that the Park is closed from February to April during the breeding season. There is much more wildlife to see including birds of prey, tours are conducted by mini bus driven by Park rangers who are experienced not to worry wildlife.