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For tea lovers, Munnar is as an attractive destination for it is surrounded by as many as 30 tea estates. It is an important tea industry. One can visit a tea factory and watch the unusual journey of tea – from being picked in the gardens to being processed. If possible, visit one of the large beautiful bungalows that managers of the tea estates live in.

The Christ Church in Old Munnar is very old. The exteriors have worn out with time though the charming interiors still have a very nice ambience. It was consecrated way back in 1910 and still has 14 original rows of pews. The first Catholic Church in the High Ranges was Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church.

Munnar has some excellent cycling tracks. They lead you through the green valleys, across sandalwood and cardamom plantations, into the forest for some treasured moments with nature. At the boat club you can enjoy a ride and appreciate the surrounding picturesque landscape. Many people have made Munnar their summer retreat. They have constructed large and beautiful houses that add to the city's beauty. Munnar also has a lovely residential public school that is well equipped with a swimming pool and a tennis court.

Mattupetty 13km from Munnar Mattupetty is located at a height of 1700m above sea level. This is where the Kerala Livestock Development Board's research and cattle breeding centre is located. It has a large campus sprawling across green meadows. Within the campus are beautiful bungalows. The scenery at this place seems to be straight out of a picture postcard. A major portion of the campus has been constructed using timber. The centre started as an Indo-Swiss project. Presently, over 100 varieties of cattle are reared here.

Mattupetty is also well known for the Mattupetty Lake. The lake is actually a reservoir created by a hydroelectric dam, and is surrounded by high hills and lush green woods that make it a hot picnic spot. The lake provides for boat rides. You can get excellent views of the landscape around you. And if you are in luck, you might come across some elephants roaming around in the woods.

Top Station 41km from Munnar

Located at a height of 2200km, this place has some of India's highest tea estates. It is the topmost point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. Top Station derived its name from a ropeway that connected it to the Lower Station through the Middle Station. The Neelakurunji plant (Strobilanthes) which flowers for a month once every 12 years is found in this region. During the flowering season, the hills in this region are a riot of colours.

Devikulam 15km from Munnar

Devikulam, one of the main hill stations of the state, offers breathtaking views of the highest ranges of the Western Ghats. An exemplary picnic spot is the Sita Devi Lake with its mineral water springs and picturesque surroundings. The cool breeze, rare flora and fauna make it very popular with nature lovers.

Sabarimala 190km north of Thiruvananthapuram

Sabarimala is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage centres. It has the Ayyappa Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the son of Lord Shiva (the Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) and Mohini. Another name by which Ayyappa is known is Hariharaputra or the son (putra) of Lord Vishnu (Hari) and Lord Shiva (Hara).

The temple is located at a height of 950m in the forested mountain range of Sahyadri. The idol of the deity is about one and a half feet tall and is constituted of an alloy of five metals. The present temple was built in 1951 after the original temple was devastated in a fire. It is open for all, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. But young girls and women between 15 and 50 are not supposed to visit the temple as Ayappa is a celibate.

There are 18 steps that lead to the temple. They are believed to be the steps to the heaven. Pilgrims have to observe strict vows for a certain period (generally 41 days) before taking these 18 steps to the temple. The vows include dressing in black, blue or ochre, wearing a rudraksha or tulsi garland, remaining a celibate, eating only vegetarian food.

It is the most visited temple in India though the temple is open only during certain times of the year. The temple is opened for 41 days from mid-November to the end of December, during Makara Sankranti (mid-Jan), Vishu (mid-April), Pratishtha Day (May-June), and during the Onam festival (August-September).

Thekkady 60km from Idukki

Thekkady is renowned for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife sanctuary with its pleasant landscape, cool climate and a wide variety of flora and fauna is very popular among the tourists. Nature is at its best near the Periyar Lake. Boating in the lake is the best way to see animals in their natural habitat. Along the lake, several picnic spots have been developed, some of which are Edappalayam, Manakudi and Thannikudi. Tourist bungalows, rest houses, trenches and watchtowers have been constructed at these places for the benefit of visitors.