subject: Only Road Route Cochin To Munnar [print this page] Flanked by Arabian Sea on west and Western Ghats on east, Cochin, presently known as Kochi, is situated on the south-west coast of Indian Peninsula. Cochin has a very long history. Sir Robert Bristow, a British engineer, was the founder of Kochi Port. Sir Bristow created the biggest man-made island in India, now known as Wellington Island, and a port was set up there.
Dutch Palace in Bolghatty Island, Mattancherry Palace and Hill Palace are among the star attractions in Cochin. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has converted Dutch Palace into a hotel. Similarly, Hill Palace has been transformed into a museum. Some mural paintings are on display in Mattancherry Palace. Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church and Vasco House stand as testimony to Cochins connection with Portuguese and Vasco da Gama.
The distance from Cochin to Munnar, a hill station (also in Kerala), is nearly 125 km. Munnar was earlier the summer resort of Britishers. Munnar is still dotted with many bungalows which Britishers used in those days. The word Munnar in local dialect meant three rivers. Three rivers Matupetty, Nallathanni and Periavaru pass through the hill station.
Munnar is situated at an altitude of 1500 metres to 2700 metres. Tourist destinations in Munnar included Eravikulam National Park, Matupetty Lake and Chinnakanal and Atukkad Waterfalls. Munnar is the land of unique blue flower Neelakurinji. The flower blooms only once in 12 years. Next blooming of the flower is expected in 2018.
Munnar neither have an airport nor a railhead. While the nearest airport is Kochi International Airport at Nedumbassery (about 120 km), the nearest railway stations are at Aluva and Ernakulam, which are situated 110 km and 120 km respectively from Munnar. As such the mode of travel from Cochin to Munnar is limited to road. This distance can be covered only by bus or taxi.
Kerala State Transport Corporation operates regular bus services from Cochin, Aluva and other places to Munnar. Tourist buses are also available to travel from Cochin to Munnar. Travel by State Transport Corporation buses is, of course, cheaper. Taxi services are available from Cochin and Aluva to Munnar. Taxis charge a rate ranging from Rs.20 to Rs.30 depending on the type of vehicle the travellers prefer to hire.
The drive by road from Cochin to Munnar takes nearly three hours and 30 minutes. The road is smooth (NH 49), but it is narrow, twisty and curvy. Kothamangalam is on the way. It is about 80 km away from Munnar. Between Kothamangalam and the next town Adimali, the drive is through a natural forest. There are many waterfalls on the way. Munnar is just 30 km from Adimali but it takes almost an hour to reach the hill station.
