Road Trip from Chennai to Munnar: A Journey of a Lifetime
Munnar is a beautiful hill station located in the Western Ghats of India. It is known for its lush green hills, rolling tea plantations, and scenic waterfalls. Munnar is a popular tourist destination, and it can be reached by car, road, train, flight, or bus from Chennai.
The distance from Chennai to Munnar is approximately 600 kilometers. The best way to travel from Chennai to Munnar is by car, as this will give you the flexibility to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way. The road trip from Chennai to Munnar is well-maintained, and the drive takes approximately 12 hours.
If you are not comfortable driving yourself, you can also take a bus from Chennai to Munnar. The bus ride takes approximately 14 hours, and several different bus companies offer this service.
If you are looking for a faster way to travel from Chennai to Munnar, you can also take a train. The train ride takes approximately 10 hours, and two different trains offer this service.
Finally, you can also fly from Chennai to Kochi International Airport. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and several different airlines offer this service.
Once you have arrived in Munnar, there are a number of different things that you can do. You can visit the tea plantations, go for a hike, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Munnar is a beautiful place to visit, and it is sure to provide you with a memorable vacation.
There are two main routes that you can take:
Route 1: Chennai – Villupuram – Tiruchirapalli – Theni – Bodi Ghat – Munnar
This is the more scenic route and it takes you through the Western Ghats mountain range. The road conditions are good, but there are some narrow and winding sections, so be sure to drive carefully. There are also a few toll gates along the way.
Route 2: Chennai – GST Road NH 38 – Dindigul – Udumalpet – Munnar
This route is slightly shorter and it takes you through the plains of Tamil Nadu. The road conditions are good and there are fewer tolls, but the scenery is not as spectacular as Route 1.
No matter which route you choose, you will be treated to stunning views of rolling hills, lush tea plantations, and cascading waterfalls. There are also a number of interesting places to stop along the way, including the ancient temples of Trichy, the bustling town of Dindigul, and the hill station of Kodaikanal.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the two routes:
Route 1:
Chennai to Villupuram: The first leg of the journey takes you from Chennai to Villupuram, a distance of 174 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there are no tolls. You can stop for breakfast at one of the many restaurants along the way.
Villupuram to Tiruchirapalli: The next leg of the journey takes you from Villupuram to Tiruchirapalli, a distance of 165 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there are two tolls. You can stop to visit the Rock Fort Temple and the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Tiruchirapalli.
Tiruchirapalli to Theni: The third leg of the journey takes you from Tiruchirapalli to Theni, a distance of 104 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there are two tolls. You can stop to visit the Suruli Falls and the Kodaikanal Lake in Theni.
Theni to Bodi Ghat: The fourth leg of the journey takes you from Theni to Bodi Ghat, a distance of 59 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there is one toll. Bodi Ghat is a mountain pass that offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Bodi Ghat to Munnar: The final leg of the journey takes you from Bodi Ghat to Munnar, a distance of 62 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there is one toll. Munnar is a hill station that is known for its lush tea plantations and scenic waterfalls.
Route 2:
Chennai to GST Road NH 38: The first leg of the journey takes you from Chennai to GST Road NH 38, a distance of 200 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there are three tolls.
GST Road NH 38 to Dindigul: The second leg of the journey takes you from GST Road NH 38 to Dindigul, a distance of 130 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there are two tolls. You can stop to visit the Dindigul Fort and the Mattupetty Dam in Dindigul.
Dindigul to Udumalpet: The third leg of the journey takes you from Dindigul to Udumalpet, a distance of 59 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there is one toll.
Udumalpet to Munnar: The final leg of the journey takes you from Udumalpet to Munnar, a distance of 78 kilometers. The road conditions are good and there is one toll.
No matter which route you choose, be sure to start your journey early in the morning so that you have plenty of time to stop and enjoy the scenery. And don’t forget to take your camera!
Chennai to Munnar Road Trip: A Complete Itinerary
Munnar is a beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats of India, known for its lush green hills, rolling tea plantations, and scenic waterfalls. A road trip from Chennai to Munnar is a great way to experience the beauty of South India and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Here is a suggested itinerary for a 6-day road trip from Chennai to Munnar, including all the must-see places along the way:
Day 1:
Morning: Start your journey early in the morning from Chennai and drive to Villupuram, which is approximately 174 kilometers away.
Afternoon: Visit the Birla Lakshmi Narayani Temple in Villupuram, a magnificent Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi.
Evening: Continue your drive to Trichy, which is approximately 170 kilometers from Villupuram. Check into your hotel in Trichy and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
Day 2:
Morning: Visit the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in the world.
Afternoon: Visit the Thayumanaswami Temple, a 17th-century temple dedicated to the god Shiva.
Evening: Visit the Rock Fort, a 83-meter-high granite rock that houses the Ucchi Pillayar Temple.
Day 3:
Morning: Drive to Dindigul, which is approximately 104 kilometers from Trichy.
Afternoon: Visit the Palani Murugan Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Murugan.
Evening: Check into your hotel in Dindigul and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
Day 4:
Morning: Drive to Munnar, which is approximately 166 kilometers from Dindigul.
Afternoon: Arrive in Munnar and check into your hotel.
Evening: Visit the Munnar Tea Museum, which tells the story of tea cultivation in Munnar.
Day 5:
Morning: Visit the Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
Afternoon: Visit the Mattupetty Dam, a picturesque dam located in a beautiful setting.
Evening: Visit the Kundala Lake, a popular spot for boating and fishing.
Day 6:
Morning: Visit the Top Station, a scenic viewpoint that offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Afternoon: Visit the Pothamedu View Point, another scenic viewpoint that offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Evening: Start your journey back to Chennai.
This is just a suggested itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your own interests and preferences. You can also add or remove days depending on how much time you have.
Chennai to Munnar: Personal Experience
I’ve always been a bit of a road trip junkie. I love the feeling of the open road, the freedom to stop and explore wherever I want, and the sense of adventure that comes with traveling to new places. So when I had the opportunity to take a road trip from Chennai to Munnar, I jumped at the chance.
Munnar is a beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats of India. It is known for its rolling hills, lush tea plantations, and stunning mountain views. I had always wanted to visit Munnar, and I knew that a road trip would be the perfect way to experience all that it has to offer.
I started my journey early in the morning, eager to hit the road. I drove through the bustling streets of Chennai, and soon I was on the open highway. The drive from Chennai to Munnar is long, but it is also very scenic. I passed through lush green forests, winding mountain roads, and charming villages. I made several stops along the way to take in the views and to stretch my legs.
One of my favorite stops was at a small roadside tea stall. I ordered a cup of hot chai and sat down to enjoy the view. The tea stall was located on a hilltop, and I had a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. It was the perfect place to relax and take in the beauty of India.
Another highlight of my road trip was driving through the Chinnakanal Wildlife Sanctuary. I was lucky enough to see a herd of elephants crossing the road in front of me. It was an amazing sight, and it made me feel like I was truly on a safari.
After a long but enjoyable drive, I finally arrived in Munnar. I checked into my hotel and then set out to explore the town. I visited the Munnar Tea Museum, the Mattupetty Dam, and the Eravikulam National Park. I also hiked to the top of Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India.
The views from the top of Anamudi Peak were breathtaking. I could see for miles in every direction. I could see the rolling hills of Munnar, the lush tea plantations, and the towering mountains in the distance. It was an unforgettable experience.
I spent the next few days exploring Munnar and the surrounding area. I visited waterfalls, hiked through forests, and took in the stunning mountain views. I also met some of the local people, and I learned about their culture and way of life.
My road trip from Chennai to Munnar was an amazing experience. I got to see some of the most beautiful scenery in India, and I met some wonderful people along the way. I would highly recommend a road trip to Munnar to anyone who loves adventure and beautiful scenery.
Here are some tips for planning your road trip from Chennai to Munnar:
- Make sure your car is in good condition before you start your trip.
- Pack plenty of snacks and drinks.
- Be prepared for all types of weather conditions.
- Take your time and enjoy the journey.
- Stop at interesting places along the way.
- Be respectful of the local culture.
Conclusion
The Chennai to Munnar road trip is a beautiful and scenic drive that takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in India. The best part of the road trip is that it can be customized to fit your interests and budget.
If you are looking for a quick and easy trip, you can take the direct route from Chennai to Munnar. This route is about 600 km and takes around 11 hours to complete. However, if you are looking for a more scenic route, you can take the longer route that goes through Dindigul, Udumalpet, and Marayoor. This route is about 650 km and takes around 12 hours to complete, but it is worth the extra time.
No matter which route you choose, you will be treated to some incredible views of the Western Ghats mountains, lush green forests, and picturesque tea plantations. You will also have the opportunity to visit some of the most famous tourist attractions in the region, such as the Hill Station of Munnar, the Mattupetty Dam, and the Eravikulam National Park.
I hope this blog post has inspired you to plan your road trip from Chennai to Munnar. It’s an experience that you’ll never forget.
