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Attractions of
Munnar -
Eravikulam National Park :
Rajamalai in the Eravikulam national Park is about 17 km from Munnar. The
sanctuary provides close viewing of the Nilgiri Thar, an endangered species.
More than half of the Nilgiri Thar is found in this sanctuary. The other
interesting sight is the flowering blooms only once in 12 years. The next
bloom is expected in 2006 AD only. The other animal sighting commonly
reported are Panther, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Gaur, Giant Malabar Squirrel
etc. The sanctuary is 4 km from the Munnar-Marayoor (Udmalpet) Road.
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Marayoor(36 km) : This small town is famous for the sandal
wood forest in the surrounding region. Permission is required from the
forest authorities to venture into the forest.
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Chinnar wild life sanctuary (70 km) : This sanctuary is
further on the Munnar-Udmalpet road. This road cuts through the sanctuary.
The best time for animal sightings is in the evenings and early mornings.
Common wild life sightings are Elephants and Gaur besides some rare birds.
There are watch towers erected in the forests, with permission from the
authorities one can use it to spend a night watching wildlife.
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Chinnar wild life sanctuary (70 km) : This sanctuary is
further on the Munnar-Udmalpet road. This road cuts through the sanctuary.
The best time for animal sightings is in the evenings and early mornings.
Common wild life sightings are Elephants and Gaur besides some rare birds.
There are watch towers erected in the forests, with permission from the
authorities one can use it to spend a night watching wildlife.
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Devikulam (16 km) : This is another hill station 30 minutes
from Munnar. The lake and the tea plantations are the major attractions.
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Bolghatty Palace : This
Dutch palace is situated on the Bolghatty island.The island has a fine golf
course and the panoramic view makes it an attractive picnic spot.
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Suryanelly(27 km) : This hill resort is 40 minutes from
Munnar. The lake and the tea plantations are the major attractions. The
route to Suryanelly winding through the hills is a delight. There is
excellent accommodation facility here.
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Thattekkad bird scantuary : This sanctuary is 12 km from
Kothamangalam which is on the Cochin-Munnar route.
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Kodanadu : This is a forest elephant care center, here you can see
baby elephant rescued from the forests being cared for. The elephants are
also trained here. Kodanadu is 15 km from Perumbavoor which is on the Cochin
Munnar route.
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Pothamedu :
Pothamedu offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and
cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the
breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.
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Rajamala : This is the natural habitat of the NIlgiri thar. Half of
the world population of the rare mountain goat which is fast becoming
extinct, is now found here. The Nilgiri thars are today reduced to small
herds found in Eravikulam - Rajamala region. Today number of Nilgiri Thars
in Rajamala is estimated at 1317.
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Sanctuary Visit :
The park is divided into three regions - the core area,
the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the
tourism area which is in the Rajamala region. The Nilgiri thar can be
observed at close quarters here.
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Kundala :
Kundala is a picturesque town on the way to top station.
The golf course which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd is located here. The Kundala
artificial dam is another attraction. Aruvikkad waterfall is also near
Kundala.
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Reaching Munnar : 133 km from Cochin, the journey by bus
takes nearly 4 hours. Buses start from near the south Railway station and
are mostly run by private operators. Munnar is also accessible from
Kodaikanal (110km) and Thekkady(98km).
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