Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip – 10 Best Places to Visit in Munnar
Embark on an enchanting journey as we traverse from the buzzing metropolis of Bangalore to the tranquil tea plantations of Munnar. In this article, I will share my experience of Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip which I did in July 2023.
Picture this: cool wind teasing your hair, eclectic tunes from your playlist marrying the rhythm of the road, and the palette of the landscape shifting from cityscapes to vast expanses of emerald greenery.
As your wheels hum over the asphalt, each mile unveils a new chapter of nature’s canvas, dotted with quaint hamlets and beaming local faces.
It’s not just about reaching Munnar; it’s about savouring the zesty interludes the Bangalore to Munnar road trip graciously offers.
Like to go out from Bangalore? Consider reading: Best Resorts Near Bangalore
Hang tight, fellow wanderers, you’re about to vicariously experience my unforgettable road trip tale, certain to stoke the embers of your own wanderlust!
Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip – Distance, Road Condition, and Other Details
I must say one thing – The road condition between Bangalore and Munnar is top class. I was amazed by the quality of road end to end. It was a perfect smooth ride.
The distance in Bangalore to Munnar is 523 Kilometers (from my house). The drive time was 9 hours and 32 minutes.
I started from Bangalore at sharp 05:00 Am in the morning. Stopped for Breakfast at 08:00 AM, Lunch at 13:00 PM and few small breaks in Between. Reached Munnar at around 15:45 PM.
You can watch my Car Dashcam footage to check on the road condition.
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Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip – Route
My route for the Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip was:
Bangalore-> Krishnagiri->Salem->Dindigul->Theni->Munnar
As I said earlier, the road condition from Bangalore to Munnar for the entire stretch is excellent. The NH 44 between Bangalore and Dindigul is Four Lane highway.
From Dindigul to Theni is Double Lane Highway which is part of NH 183.
From Theni to Munnar is Double Lane Highway which is part of NH 85
Majority of ghat section lies in Tamilnadu area and comes under NH 85, although the ghat road has few sharp turns but the road is good. You shouldn’t be worried at all to drive in the ghats.
The ghat section scenic view is just awesome. You will enjoy driving at the ghats in daytime. I haven’t driven in the night so I am not sure whether its safe or not at that time.
When you enter into Kerala, the road condition is just superb, you will feel like you are in a foreign country( I was told, the road was recently built wasn’t even inaugurated!)
Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip – Stops for Good Food and Fuel
When you start from Bangalore you will get a lot of options to have breakfast and lunch until Dindgul. We stopped at A2B for breakfast and at a Dhaba After Dindgul.
My Suggestion will be to plan your lunch before Dindgul as there are only few options for food after Dindgul.
There are many fuel bunks from Bangalore to Theni so you drive till Theni worry free but make sure to fill your tank before Theni to make sure your have enough fuel to reach Munnar as after Theni, the fuel bunks are only a handful.
Best Time to Start from Bangalore
Before I went on the road trip, I had chats with few people who have already done the Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip. Everyone recommended to start early to skip peak traffic at Salem and reach Munnar before the sunset.
I did exactly the same, I started at 05:00 AM and reached before the sunset. This helped me skip traffic at most of the places.
When you enter Munnar, you may want to stop at few scenic points to enjoy the sunset. I have particularly enjoyed Munnar GAP road.
GAP road at Munnar is something special, the scenic landscape will take out all your tiredness of driving almost 10 hours and you will feel accomplished reach Munnar!
Places to Visit in Munnar
I stayed 3 nights and 4 days in Munnar(including the travel days). I was with my family with kids so we went to only family friendly places.
Some of the places I visited:
- Photo Point
- Mattupetty Dam Boating
- Echo Point
- Carmelagiri Elephant Park
- Letchmi Estate
- Idli Hills
- Gap Road
- Attukad Waterfalls
- Thirumeny Cultural Centre( for Kathakali Dance and Kalaripayattu)
Photo Point Munnar
The Photo Point at Munnar is popular place to click some scenic background photos. This is usually the first spot where people stop when they see the tea gardens in the background and click some photos for their instagram posts.
This place usually gets crowded, in my opinion – there are several other great spots for photography. If you can’t visit Photo Point Munnar then don’t worry you will not miss much
Mattupetty Dam and Boating
The boating at Mattupetty Dam is a great way to spend time. There are several kind of boating option available starting from speed boarding, paddle boating, Pontoon Boating etc.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry to Boating Park | Rs 40 |
| Speed Boating | Rs 1080 |
| Pontoon Boating | Rs 2000 |
| Paddle Boating | Rs 350 |
If you are looking to do speed boating then be mindful of waiting time which is generally beyond 1 hour.
Echo Point Munnar
The Echo Point at Munnar is a great place to visit and you shouldn’t miss to visit this place. The landscape is beautiful and it really does echo when you make a loud noise!
There are Paddle boating and Kayaking options available at Echo point which is one of the best things to do in Munnar.
The boating/ kayaking price is around Rs 350-400.
Carmelagiri Elephant Park
The Carmelagiri Elephant Park is one of the unique experience in Munnar. You will get a chance to sit on a elephant and do a quick 15-2o min tour.
The Carmelagiri Elephant Park tour costs Rs 700 per person(Expensive but worth it). Dont worry about photography, you can simply pay Rs 250 and get a professional photographer who will click 20+ DSLR photos of your elephant safari!
Letchmi Estate Munnar
Letchmi Estate Munnar is a private tea estate. If you have your own vehicle you can drive around Letchmi estate to enjoy some beautiful scenic landscape of tea garden.
Idli Hills Munnar
The Idli Hills in Munnar is one of the beautiful spot for photography specially if you have a drone with you. The tea garden landscape looks like Idli hence the name.
The Idli Hills is one of the must visit places in Munnar.
Gap Road Munnar
If I have to pick the most scenic roads in India then Gap road in Munnar will be in top 10 list. The view in Gap road of Munnar is simply mind blowing. The landscape is so beautiful that the photo below will not do any justice. You need to be there to experience it!
If you just have one day in Munnar then go and visit the Gap road. You will feel satisfied.
Attukad Waterfalls Munnar
The Attukad Waterfalls is good place to visit but the approach road to the Attukad Waterfalls is in very bad condition. While going to the Attukad Waterfalls, you will see the full waterfall view but when you reach the base of the waterfall then you won’t see much of the waterfall.
To see the waterfall up close you need to do a bit of hike. If you ask me, you can avoid this place unless you are into adventure trekking!
Thirumeny Cultural Centre Munnar
The Thirumeny Cultural Centrein Munnar is one of the hidden gem. They do live shows of Kathakali Dance and Kalaripayattu which is a great experience.
The entry price for each show at the Thirumeny Cultural Centre Munnar is Rs 300 per person. The show lasts for 1 hour and is entertaining.
Hotel I stayed in Munnar
we did 2 nights at the Panoramic Gateway Hotel Munnar. The hotel was good. I booked the Hill view with Balcony, the rooms were spacious and views were amazing from the balcony.
Food was great, They have a 2 pools. One common swimming pool for everyone including kids and the other is a infinity pool which is only for adults. Views from the infinity pool was amazing!
For the last day, we stayed at Blanket Hotel and Spa Munnar. I must say, this is one of the best hotel I have been in south India in terms of its location. We stayed in a presidential room and views from the room was superb.
From the room you can see the Attukad waterfall which was mesmerising! The food was great and hospitality was superb.
Tips for Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip
Based on my experience of Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip. Here are some tips for you:
- Start early from Bangalore. Preferable before 05:00 AM
- Top up Fast tag for at least Rs 1200 (Round trip)
- Finish lunch before Dindigul
- Reach Munnar before sunset(Enjoy sunset at Gap road)
- Book a hotel with a good view( There are many hotels with great views)
- Don’t try to cover all of the places( Most of the places in Munnar have great scenic views but they may look similar so don’t try to cover similar places).
Closing Thoughts on Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip
As the sun dipped behind the undulating hills of Munnar, signalling the end of my Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip, I was left brimming with cherished memories and poignant tales.
The journey, with its every twist and turn, had offered a vibrant palette of experiences – from verdant landscapes and bustling roadside markets, to impromptu local interactions.
Each scenic detour was an invitation to discover something unique. It’s not just a road trip, it’s an expedition of self-discovery intertwined with the spirit of adventure.
So, if you’ve been flirting with the idea of hitting the road, let this be your cue. After all, there’s a fascinating world beyond Bangalore waiting to fill your travel journals!
Set the wheels rolling, folks. Your own Munnar odyssey awaits!
If you have any specific questions then please add them in comments, I will try my best to answer them.
FAQs on Bangalore to Munnar Road Trip
What is the average distance from Bangalore to Munnar by road?
The average distance from Bangalore to Munnar by road is approximately 500 kilometers, depending upon the route chosen. This distance may vary slightly based on the specific starting and ending points of your journey.
What are the popular routes to reach Munnar from Bangalore?
There are two main routes from Bangalore to Munnar. The first is via NH 44 and NH 85, which goes through Salem and Coimbatore. The second one is through NH 948, which goes through Mysore and Bandipur National Park. The choice of route depends on your preference for sightseeing and travel time.
How long does the drive from Bangalore to Munnar usually take?
The drive from Bangalore to Munnar usually takes around 9 to 10 hours, depending on the route, traffic conditions, and the number of breaks you take along the way.
What is the best time of year to take a road trip from Bangalore to Munnar?
The best time for a road trip from Bangalore to Munnar is between September to March. During these months, the weather in Munnar is cool and pleasant, perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. However, the region is beautiful all year round, and the monsoon season (June-August) offers its own unique appeal with lush green landscapes.
Are there any must-see stops along the way?
There are several interesting stops on both routes. If you are taking the route through NH 44 and NH 85, you can stop at Coimbatore or Salem for some local cuisine. If you are taking the route via NH 948, you can explore the Bandipur National Park, and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Each of these stops offers its own unique attractions and experiences.
What should I pack for a Bangalore to Munnar road trip?
For a Bangalore to Munnar road trip, pack light but sufficient clothing suitable for cool weather, as Munnar can be quite chilly, especially at night. Also, don’t forget to pack essentials like a first aid kit, spare tire, tool kit, snacks and water, and a reliable navigation system or map.
