Easy Tourist Guide

The beautiful hill station of Munnar is one of the most popular tourist destinations in “God’s own country” – Kerala. Munnar’s mesmerizing greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts honeymooners and tourists from around the world throughout the year. Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, Munnar is famous for its sprawling tea plantation, for wildlife watching or for simply getting the kinks out of a tired system. Munnar has been one of foremost tourist destinations of south India and is a place worth a visit.

Where is Munnar?

Munnar is located at an altitude of 1600 mt above sea level in the Idukki district of east Kerala.

About Munnar

Munnar sometimes called the ‘Switzerland of India’ has been selected by the National Geographic Traveler as ‘One of 50 must see destinations of a lifetime’ and ‘One of the 10 paradises of the World.
Set amongst the Kannan Devan hills, Munnar was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Large tea estates, picture perfect towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities makes the tour to Munnar a memorable experience. It is an excellent base for trekking through the surrounding hills, which are covered by lush green rainforests. Munnar is specially known for its sprawling tea gardens which apart from being the epitome greenery also produces large quantity of quality tea.
Munnar is home to the Neelakurinji, a flower which bathes the hills in blue hues once in twelve years. The Neelakurinji was in full bloom late 2006. The blue coloured flower, considered to be sacred makes the hill blue when it blooms.
Munnar has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi – which scales over 2695 mt. and is an ideal spot for campers who like to do some trekking.

Sightseeing in and around Munnar

Mattupetty Lake & Dam – Situated at an altitude of 1700 m. above sea level the place is a beautiful picnic spot with the panoramic view of the tea plantations and the lake. Placid waters of the lake and the picture perfect surrounding makes the tourists wonder struck by the beauty of the lake.

Close to the lake is the highly specialized dairy farm, a joint venture of the Indo-Swiss Live Stock project.
Shola Forest – Located near Mattupetty lake the forest is are ideal for trekking and are habitat to a variety of birds. Rivulets and cascades crisscross the terrain here, which again adds more attraction to the place.
Echo Point – 15 Km from Munnar, on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment returns as echo from the surrounding hills.
Top Station – 37 Km from Munnar on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the place offers great views of the Western Ghats. Top station is the “top”-tourist attraction. This place gives a real ‘above the clouds’ experience.
Kundala Lake – This very beautiful and unique lake is situated amidst lush jungles. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is an awesome experience.
Atukkad Waterfall – This scenic waterfall amidst hills and jungles is just 5 Km from Munnar. The place is much popular among tourists as it provides the ideal location for photo shoot.
Anamudi Peak– Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of Himalayas, towers over the Rajamala (Eravikulam National Park) sanctuary in majestic pride. It is an ideal place for trekking. Facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi peak. Trekking here can perhaps give you a glimpse of Nilgiri Thar, the rarely seen mountain goat.
Eravikulam National Park – The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed Macaque, Leopards, Tigers, etc.

Nyayamakad – Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 meters. The enchanting surroundings make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point. Both locals and tourists throng the place in large numbers.
Devikulam - This idyllic spot with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience and is one of the prime sightseeing destinations of Munnar. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Tata Tea Museum – Collections from colonial era, along with demonstration of tea production, information on machineries, tea processing and tea tasting makes a visit to this museum a memorable one.
Marayoor - Around 40km from Munnar it is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone Age civilization. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forest Department of Kerala and a children’s park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree. All of this attracts tourists in large numbers.
Walking and hiking around this small hill town offer an exhilarating experience. Munnar also beacons the adventure-seeking traveler interested in paragliding.

How to reach Munnar?

By Air – Kochi is the nearest airport at a distance of 130 Km from Munnar.
By Rail – Ernakulam Rail Stations (130 km) and Aluva Railway Station (18 km) are two stations that connect Munnar arterially with other cities of India.
By Road - Munnar is accessible by road from most of the towns in Kerala. It can also be reached from Madurai (6 hours) and Coimbatore (6 hours), which are located in the state of Tamil Nadu. Several state and private run buses ply between the Ernakulam, Madurai, Cochin etc., and Munnar.

Where to stay at Munnar?

Staying options at Munnar is unlimited. Hotels ranging from cheap budget hotels to luxurious star category hotels are in plenty. Following are some of the well known hotels of Munnar :-
Abad Cooper Castle (Booking contact number – 04865-231201/202)
Black Berry Hills Hotel Munnar (Booking contact number – 04865-232978/979)
Deshadan Mountain Resort (Booking contact number – 04865-232910
Hill View Munnar (Booking contact number – 04865-230567/241)
Hotel Royal (Booking contact number – 04865-230440/231112)
Issacs Residency (Booking contact number – 04865-230501)

Panchmari is a silent and serene hill station among the Satpura range in Madhya Pradesh. This small and somewhat sleepy hill station is an ideal holiday destination for those who wish to relax and spend their time in close association with nature. Also known as the “Queen of Satpura”, Panchmari is perhaps one of the loveliest hill stations of India with a unique combination of religion, history and nature.

Where is Panchmari?

Situated at an altitude of 1067 mt. in the Satpura hills, this is the only hill station of Madhya Pradesh and is in the Hoshangabad district.

About Panchmari

Panchmari derives its name from the five rock-cut caves that are there in Panchmari. They are associated with the Pandavas of Mahabharata and the stunning cave paintings are a reminder of our glorious past.
Blessed by nature Panchmari is truly heaven on earth. From bouncing waterfalls to calm rivers, from serene valleys to deep gorges everything here is spectacular.
Presence of a number of holy caves and temples has made Panchmari a favourite pilgrimage destination of Hindus. Shrines of Lord Shiva located in deep caves, ravines and atop cliffs speak of the rich Shaivite tradition Panchmari has.
Amidst this rich Shaivite tradition of Panchmari exists a pleasant English Panchmari, – the colonial hill station. The picturesque town of Panchmari was developed by the British as a resort to escape the hot Indian summers. Panchmari is also famous for its colonial architecture. Pretty bungalows with red tiled roofs, well tended gardens and pebbled paths dot Panchmari town. The churches with beautiful stained glass windows are lovely too.

Sightseeing in and around Panchmari

Be it a rock climber, a wild life enthusiast or simply a nature lover, Panchmari has something to offer to everyone. This lovely hill station is abound with natural beauty. Some of the major sightseeing destinations of Panchmari are :-
Fairy Pool – It is easily accessible by a short trek through the forest. The pool is suitable for small children since it is quite shallow.
Bee Fall - Also known as Jamuna Prapat this fall is located 3 Km from the town and is so popular among tourists that they prefer to scale the roads leading to this fall on foot. The place is well known for its bathing pools and spectacular backdrop. Taking a bath in the fall rejuvenates the body and soul.

Duchess Fall – It is the least accessible of all the waterfalls of Panchmari. A fairly steep descent of almost 4 Km by foot takes one near the fall. In spite of this, people brave the trek for the serene beauty and majestic cascade that awaits them. The deafening roaring sound which this 100 mt. fall makes on hurtling down needs special mention and can be heard from a distance.
Pandava caves – This is an ancient rock cut caves. They have been declared a national monument. According to Hindu mythology the legendary Pandava brothers are said to have taken shelter in these caves. The well maintained garden near the cave is another attraction for tourists.
Big Fall – It is a ten minute descent from the Fairy Pool. It is one of the most popular waterfalls of Panchmari.
Irene Pool – It is named after Irene Bose, wife of Justice Vivian Bose and its discoverer. The water here leads to a cave and then disappears underground.
Mahadeo – This is the most sacred Shaivite spot in Panchmari. This 30 m long cave temple is famous for beautiful cave paintings of the 6th century BC. Each year thousands of people come to offer trishuls (tripronged spears) to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Shivratri.

Jata Shankar – This is another famous cave formation resembling the locks of the Hindu god, Shiva and hence considered holy. Pilgrims as well as tourists in large number visits the cave in large number. The location and the surroundings of the cave is stunningly beautiful. This is one of the major sightseeing spot of Munnar.
Chauragarh – Chauragarh is four km from Mahadeo, it is one of Satpura’s prominent landmarks, the summit crowned with emblems of Mahadeo worship.
Dhoopgarh – It is the highest point in the Satpura mountain range (1350 mt). It is best to visit the summit at dawn or just before dusk to have a spectacular view of sunrise and sunset. The view of the morning sun rising above the glistening lake and behind the scrubby hills or the sun gliding slowly behind the hills is a spectacular sight.
Forsyth Point – Now called Priyadarshini Point, it is the place from where Panchmari was discovered by Captain Forsyth. This view point is popular among tourists and they flock in large number to get a glimpse of beautiful and picturesque Panchmari hills.
The Catholic Church and Christ Church are the two most prominent churches of Panchmari and were both built by the British. They are renowned for their architectural beauty and exquisite stained glass windows.
Camping out in Panchmari’s forests is a rare joy and an experience to cherish life-long.

How to Reach Panchmari?

By Air – Nagpur and Bhopal are the closest airports connected with regular flights from Mumbai and Delhi. From the airport buses and taxis are easily available to reach Panchmari.
By Rail – Pipariya on the Mumbai-Howrah mainline is the nearest rail station well linked to Panchmari (47 Km) by buses and taxis.
By Road – M.P. Tourism runs regular buses from Bhopal. Buses and taxis are also available from Nagpur.

Where to stay at Panchmari?

Panchmari has accommodation for every traveler.
1) The Golf View (Booking contact number – 07578-252115, 252716)
2) Hotel Pandava (Booking contact number – 07578-252380, 252381)
3) Rock End Manor (Booking contact number – 07578-252079)
4) Satpura Retreat (Booking contact number – 07578-252097)
5) Glen View Resort (Booking contact number – 07578-252533, 252445)
6) Hotel Highland (Booking contact number – 07578-252099)

Kurseong, a lesser known destination on the tourist map lies between Siliguri and Darjeeling at an altitude of 1458 mts. The rich flora of Kurseong is so fascinating that it has aptly been described as a ‘Botanists’ Paradise’. White orchids grow in plenty around Kurseong. All around Kurseong are some of the famous tea plantations, growing some of the best varieties of famous Darjeeling tea.
Peace, serenity and healthy climate of Kurseong had attracted many a great person to this place. Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore and the great composer Atul Prasad Sen got inspiration for some of their famous works while staying at Kurseong. Sister Nivedita, the great disciple of Swami Vivekananda made Kurseong her home. Even Mark Twain is believed to have spent some time in Kurseong in 1885. Fazul Haque, the Prime Minister of undivided Bengal also stayed here. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was interned by the colonial Government for a couple of months in a house at Giddhapahar near Kurseong town in 1936.

Where is Kurseong?

Kurseong is in Darjeeling district of West Bengal in India. On the way of Darjeeling from Siliguri lies Kurseong.

About Kurseong

Though Kurseong lags behind in the race to become a preferred tourist destination compared to its glamorous counterpart Darjeeling, there is tranquility and peace about the place that does not fail to attract tourists, and that quest for peace and tranquility brings him back to this place again and again.
Kurseong receives heavy rain during rainy season; in fact Kurseong receives the highest amount of rainfall after Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya. Moreover such heavy rainfall is ideal for white orchids that adorn the hill-slopes of Kurseong in abundance.
Trekking from Kurseong to surrounding areas is a fascinating experience. A one day trekking route from Kurseong to Mirik via Namsu and Balasun River is organized by the Tourism Department in group.

Sightseeing in and around Kurseong?

Eagle’s Craig view point – This view point is 1 Km uphill from Kurseong Railway station seemingly perched on a cliff. Tourists flock in large number at this place to have a sweeping view of the surrounding mountains, hills, hamlets, slopes and the mighty Teesta River. The spectacular view of the unspoiled plains below is mind blowing. The place has a cafeteria, a watch tower and a flower garden. Watching sunset from here is an unforgettable experience for the tourists.

Giddapahar view point – This view point, a few kilometers from Kurseong provides a great view of mountains and is a great place for clicking photograph. The place is extremely popular among tourists.
Kettle Valley Picnic Spot – This is an ideal picnic spot in Dilaram Tea Estate on the banks of the river Rinchengtong. The place offers a rare opportunity to play in its crystal clear water of the river in the backdrop of snow-clad mountains.
Dow Hill - The Deer Park, the Forest Museum and the mini amusement park all set amid moss-laden conifers of Dowhill is worth visiting.
Grotto – The grotto houses the statue of Virgin Mary and is located in a beautiful surrounding. It is a peaceful place and peace is what one feels when there. It is frequented by young couples because it offers seclusion.
Bhangzang Salamander Lake – At a distance of 14 Km from Kurseong this beautiful green-tinged lake shelters the rarest and most endangered species of salamanders – a species under threat of extinction. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings mesmerizes every tourist.
Giddapahar Seti Mata Temple – This temple is carved out of an ancient rock and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple is considered very sacred for the Hindus.
Bagora - Also called zero point this place has the highest elevation in Kurseong. It also has a base camp of the Indian Air Force with a helipad.

Tea gardens around Kurseong are major attraction for tourists. All The finest varieties of Darjeeling Tea are found in the tea gardens surrounding Kurseong. The finest teas are produced by Castleton, Makaibari and Ambootia Tea Estate. Visitors can have a first- hand experience of how tea leaves are processed and prepared for production by visiting the nearby tea factories.

How to reach Kurseong?

By Air – Bagdogra is the nearest airport. Taxis/buses are available at the airport for transit to Kurseong which is 60 Km away.
By Rail – Siliguri, 50 km and New Jalpaiguri, 57 km are the two nearest main stations. From both this stations taxis/buses are available to reach Kurseong.
Kurseong is connected to New Jalpaiguri via toy train. The toy train takes a little over 5 hrs to reach Kurseong from New Jalpaiguri and the experience is magical.
By Road - Kurseong is well connected by all weather metal roads with Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kalimpong, Mirik, Gangtok etc.

Where to stay at Kurseong?

A number of luxury and budget hotels are available in Kurseong which provides descent accommodation facilities.
1) WBTDC’s Kurseong Tourist Lodge (Booking contact number – 0354 – 44409)
2) Hotel Amarjeet (Booking contact number – 0354 – 44678)
3) Hill Top Lodge (Booking contact number – 0354 – 2345887)
4) Kurseong Palace (Booking contact number – 0354 – 2344741)
5) Pradhan Guest House (Booking contact number – 0354 – 2344644)