Best Time To Visit Munnar

Munnar is the ultimate destination for travel enthusiasts, honeymooners, adventurists and leisure seekers. This hill station is easily one of the best and most visited in the entire country, and people flock to it from all over world – at all times of the year. But to enjoy the destination in its full grandeur, you must be aware of the best time to visit Munnar. Thankfully, Munnar with its pleasant climate has visitors throughout the year, but you can expect it to have more visitors during the peak seasons.

During the colonial times, hill stations pleased the British, and they flocked to all the hill stations in India to set up base and rule the country during the hot summer months. In Munnar, they converted forests in the Western Ghats into iridescent tea plantations, built huge resorts and literally converted the hill station into the tourism destination that it is now. The best time to visit Munnar would be during August to May season. As Munnar is located at a height of above 1600 meters above sea-level, it is no wonder that this hill station attracts people from all over the world during the entire year.

Summer (March to May)
Beat the heat of the summer season by treating yourself to the luxury of being in a hill station like Munnar. It offers a great relaxing weekend getaway from the everyday hassles of life. Summer in Munnar records a maximum temperature of 35-degree Celsius and a minimum of 19-degree Celsius. This hill station is an ideal escape for leisure travelers and weekenders. If you’re planning an escape from the humid summers of the city, this place becomes a retreat from the harsh sun. Summer is the perfect time to go Munnar sightseeing especially visiting the tea estates. The refreshing climate in the summer attracts lots of tourists to Munnar giving a boost to Munnar tourism. The evenings can get a little chilly, so wearing a light sweater can be comforting also, carry light cotton clothes to deal with the humidity in the day time.

Leave the heat behind in the cities and enjoy the pleasant weather of Munnar. Some of the best things to do in Munnar during the summers are Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Peak, Pallivasal, Tea Museum and much more. You can also opt for adventure sports during the summer season, such as rappelling, rock climbing, cycling, and paragliding. Don’t forget to get some memorable photographs to cherish your summer vacations.

Munnar enjoys nature’s beauty in abundance with its many natural attractions and tourist places which are open during summer. Adventure seekers can plan a trek to Anamudi (over 2,500 meters high). Children can ride an elephant at Carmelagiri Elephant Park, movie buffs can explore the place where Ang Lee’s Life of Pi was shot. Nature lovers can explore tea plantations and spice gardens and can watch colourful butterflies and birds at Eravikulam National Park, Visiting Mattupetty Dam for a refreshing boating experience or cycling through the idyllic town would refresh your senses. Munnar is the proud owner of one of the ancient and unique civilizations of the world. Ancient rock structure Muniyara Dolmens belong to the early Neolithic Age built with huge slabs of stone, also called megaliths is a very rare site, which shouldn’t be missed.
Munnar is also known for festivals among them is Thrissur Pooram Festival; an elephant’s procession festival, which is celebrated in the month of April or May every year. Amazing fireworks all through the night is an enticing experience that needs to be seen once in a lifetime.

Monsoon (June to September)
Monsoons in Munnar has the charm of its own. Rains could hamper your travel plans and local sightseeing, however, people who love “rains” and smell of “freshness” would definitely enjoy being here at this time of the year. Munnar is at its beauty during monsoon and the area becomes lovely with streamlets; temperatures fall up to 2-degree Celsius during monsoon.

Monsoon gives a whole new look to this place. Lush green foliage, expansive tea plantations appear at its best, a haven of vibrant colours, and amazing photographic opportunities amidst the hills add to the magical, mystical charm of the hill station. Check out shimmering rain from glass window of your cottage and get relaxed by listening to the rhythm of raindrops; enjoy reading your favourite book along with a sip of hot coffee.

Sparkling streams, full-bloomed flower gardens, and sloshing waterfalls make it more enticing plus discounts on hotel tariffs due to off-season is the icing on the cake. So you can avail the best deals when looking for places to stay in Munnar. Your monsoon trip to Munnar becomes most memorable due to the majestic famous pristine waterfalls like Lakkam, Attukal, Nyayamakad, Chinnakkal, Kuthumkal, Cheeyappara, Valara, and Thoovanam which are a few kilometres away from Munnar.

During this season it rains cats and dogs; an average of 533 mm rain is recorded during June – July; so try to avoid visiting during the night this time as roads become really slippery and sightseeing or other activities like trekking or mountain biking are risky. During monsoon be careful of leeches; residing in the bushy ground and grassy areas as they might latch onto your skin and doesn’t fall off easily until enough blood is sucked. So carry salt along with you or splash your feet and footwear with saltwater before venturing out.

The place remains tranquil, serene calm, less crowded and more refreshing for you. Make memories forever with perfect photogenic shots and cherish it for life. Monsoon is also celebrated with Nehru Trophy Boat Race scheduled on the second Saturday of August in every year on Punnamada Lake. The opening ceremony of this extravagant affair is a colourful sight of adorned floats, boats, and traditional performances.

Winter (October to February)
Prepare yourself for the bone-chilling cold as you go higher up the Terrain. The minimum temperature plunge to 10-degree Celsius so carry heavy woollens clothes and jackets is an absolute necessity. Pretty fresh dawns and charming dusk make this place perfect for a family vacation. Honeymooners will love the pleasant charm of the winter months at Munnar. The base temperature along with chilly winds and snowfalls create a romantic aura ideal for an excursion or a cosy stay with a romantic ambiance.

Adventure enthusiasts can go for trekking, mountain climbing, hiking, and rappelling in the surrounding hills. They should also go during this time as it is the best season to visit Munnar. Hiking to mountains and gazing unmatchable views from the top is an experience you won’t ever forget. Lazing under the canopy of stars during night time is refreshing and relaxing.

The blooming season transforms Munnar into an ethereal setting covered with proliferating azure flowers. One among them is Neelakurinji flower which blooms in every 12 years. Don’t forget to book a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage during the trip. If you visit during winter, you got to check the famous Onam festival celebrated with full gusto in Munnar. Also, watch the famous snake boat races held at numerous places on the palm-fringed lagoons. Keep your point of shoot ready for clicking some Insta-worthy shots.

The quiet environment attracts the traveler to relax in the lap of Mother Nature. It has an invigorating climate and can be visited throughout the year. To conclude, There is always more to a place than its hot selling points, try to explore offbeat places to experience Munnar different. The hills have a different story tell with each season and have their own mesmeric spell from summer charm to adventurous winter to aesthetic monsoon you need to experience all of these. Explore Munnar during your visit to Kerala to experience and cherish memories for a lifetime!