ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS IN MUNNAR

Boating Where there’s water around Munnar, you’ll generally find boats to rent for a day’s adventure out on the liquid surface. The Muttuputty Lake/Dam offers facilities such as this as do the local coastal spots and rivers. No matter whether you fancy sailing, being driven by the breeze or paddling your way along the waterways in a canoe, you are sure to find something to suit your abilities and boating style in this town or within a short drive of the place. For more boating info call: 91-486-531516 or 91-486-530679 or 530672

Bird Tours For the bird watcher, Kerala is a dream destination with over 500 species of birds. The best places for bird watching can be found in the wildlife sanctuary and the Wayanad Hills to the north of the state.

Canoeing With all the water areas in and around Munnar there are numerous opportunities for this quiet sport. This is a good way to discover the local fauna and flora while you are about it too.

Cycling Peddle power provides endless opportunities to explore off-the-beaten-track areas, plus gives one the chance to experience the area at a far more leisurely pace than most forms of transport. If your hotel doesn’t supply bikes the DTPC Information Centre, in Old Munnar telephone: 91-386-530679 or 530682 does.

Elephant Rides if you like long-ish drives…trundle out to Thekkady about 100km or so from Munnar and you will be able to partake in this wonderfully pleasant pastime and sit astride one of the world’s largest animals, the gentle giants of the jungle, an elephant. Plod along jungle paths and feel on top of the world from the lofty height of a pachyderm’s back. It’s an experience not to be missed and another that the whole family can enjoy.

Fishing Grab your rod and reel and head to the hill streams and rivers for a spot of fishing. This pleasant activity is one that even the youngest family members will enjoy. Fly fishing for trout is a viable option here and for more information speak to the tourist offices in town. Note: It’s often a good idea to bring your own rod and tackle when visiting, though you can buy or rent gear on arrival.

Golf Golfing enthusiasts won’t be disappointed in the district of Munnar as a very picturesque course can be found about 20km from Munnar in Kundala a picturesque town on the way to Top Station. The Golf Course belongs to Tata Tea Ltd. and the artificial dam near here is another attraction. Note: The Aruvikkad Waterfall is also near Kundala. There is another course in the centre of town too, also considered worth while.

Helicopter Flights There is nothing better than viewing Munnar and it’s surrounds from the air. If you fancy this idea call Munnar Helicopter Tours on: 91-484-668356 for more information.

Hiking Like many areas where hills abound, hiking is a great way to see the sights. Some tour operators do hiking trails and you are advised to find out more on your arrival.

Horse Riding is a great sport for the whole family and the hills/valleys and bridle paths around Munnar offer some of the best horse riding countryside to be found anywhere. Not only is horse riding a great way to keep fit, but it also offers a wonderful viewing platform from which to survey the surrounding countryside. The Muttuputty Lake/Dam offers horses for hire as do a number of other areas closer to the city. For more information ask for details at your hotel on arrival.

Mountaineering There are numerous places to go mountaineering in and around Munnar. For more information on this and other outdoor activities, ask at your hotel on arrival or pop down to the tourist office for location ideas and other mountaineering information.

Nightlife Being an ‘out of the way’ country style place, Munnar has little in the way of evening entertainment other than that supplied by your hotel.

Paragliding The National Adventure Foundation conducts a course on this graceful sport in Munnar and if you have never tried it before…now is the time to try. Contact the foundation on: 95486 - 564494 for more information.

Picnicking Indians love to picnic and there are a number of excellent opportunities to pack a hamper and lunch out on the grass next to a dam/river/waterfall or other similar scenic spot in and around Munnar and is another great activity especially if travelling as a family.

Plantation Tours the Tourism Office and other outlets offer tours that cover cardamom, pepper, coffee and tea plantations, tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hill regions Telephone: 91-486-322620 for more information.

Tea Factory Tours Permission to visit any of the 26 factories of Tata Tea Ltd. can be had from the Regional Office at Munnar, telephone: 530561 to 530565.

Trekking Attukal, Anamudi and Rajamala are ideal places for trekking. These places are a feast for the eyes with their panoramic waterfalls and rolling hills but are not the only places close to Munnar where you can stretch your legs. Ask for more details on other spectacular trekking trails on arrival.

Water Sports are available such as canoeing/sailing and other thrilling activities can be found on the many open water areas such as the Muttuputty Lake/Dam. For more information ask for details at your hotel on arrival.

Wildlife Tours Go on a journey of adventure and discovery through the mountains and forests - observe the magnificent wildlife, the birds, the butterflies of the area at close quarters.