Why Choose a Munnar Tour Package from Trivandrum?
First of all, you will not need to make any guesswork about your trip organization. When you are opting for the tour package, all the services – transportation, accommodation, itinerary – are packed into a single service. In this case, the significance of the package is much higher for Kerala's hilly areas than many tourists understand – there will be some hairpins while driving to Munnar and having an experienced driver will help you to go through all of them safely, even if you travel with children or with old parents.
It is also worth talking about the prices here. It is usually cheaper to buy a package of transport and accommodation rather than buying those things separately – tour agencies negotiate with hotels and optimize transportation and fuel costs along the route. At Go Route 7, we offer you such kind of packages for the tours of Kerala.
How Far Is Munnar from Trivandrum, and How Long Does It Take?
The distance between Munnar & Trivandrum is about 260 to 270 kilometers depending on the path you choose. This distance will be covered through road transportation within 6 to 7 hours of journey without considering any break for meals or sightseeing or any traffic at cities such as Kottayam or Kumily.
This is a very critical factor that needs to be considered while planning your journey. The common notion amongst travelers is that one can reach Munnar and start sightseeing within the same day but in reality, most of the day is spent in traveling and it is better if one spends the entire day in travelling and only do some walking after checking in.
Best Time to Start the Journey
Traveling from Trivandrum very early in the morning, preferably between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM, ensures sufficient time is available to enjoy the ghats on the way and reach Munnar before the dusk falls. The best time to drive in the hilly areas is daytime only as per safety and sightseeing aspects.
Routes from Trivandrum to Munnar
The route from Trivandrum to Munnar is not one single path. There can be various routes chosen depending upon one's interest and the time at hand. Tour organizers usually plan a journey by selecting one out of the two major routes available.
Route 1: Via Kottayam and Kumily (Thekkady Route)
This route is the most commonly followed route for a Munnar tour package that comes from Trivandrum, mainly if the package involves visiting Thekkady as well. The route passes through the backwaters of Kottayam, which eventually climbs up into the hills of Cardamom to reach Kumily, known for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This route is suitable for those packages that involve a visit to Munnar and Thekkady as they fall on the same route.
Route 2: Via Kollam and Kumily
Another option is to travel via Kollam and later connect with the same hill route from Kumily. Some tour operators choose this as an alternate route based on road situations and depending on whether travellers wish to make a quick detour at Kollam’s backwater.
Both the routes finally meet on the same ghat road which leads to Munnar. So the scenery on the way is quite similar irrespective of whichever route you choose.
Sample Munnar Tour Package Itinerary from Trivandrum
This is how a typical itinerary will look like. This kind of an itinerary format will be close to what we come up with at Go Route 7 for visitors coming from Trivandrum to Munnar.
Day 1: Trivandrum to Munnar (Transit Day)
Start early from Trivandrum and travel via Kottayam or Kollam towards the hill station. There will be an intermediate stop for lunch somewhere around Kumily. You will reach Munnar by evening, check into the hotel, and relax – a light stroll around the town will do for the first day.
Day 2: Munnar Local Sightseeing
This is the sightseeing day par excellence. The usual local sightseeing circuit involves:
- Munnar Tea Plantations and Museum, to see how Munnar's tea plantations operate
- Mattupetty Dam for the view and cool climate
- Echo Point for the scenic view of the valleys
- Top Station, if there's enough time, to enjoy some spectacular views
The sightseeing spots mentioned above are relatively small and can be covered within a half-day or even a whole day sightseeing tour. Trying to squeeze them all into a half-day schedule often leads to rushed sightseeing.
Day 3: Munnar to Cochin or Back to Trivandrum
In terms of package, day 3 can lead to Cochin (or Kochi), where one will be having a flight or continue traveling, or even return to Trivandrum again. Some people also choose to add more places to their Kerala tour package like Thekkady, Kodaikanal, or Cochin while going to Munnar.
Table: Quick Itinerary Comparison
Duration | Best Suited For | Key Coverage |
| 2 Days / 1 Night | Quick getaway, limited leave | Munnar local sightseeing only |
| 3 Days / 2 Nights | Families, couples | Munnar + one nearby stop (Thekkady or Cochin) |
| 5+ Days | Longer holidays, group trips | Munnar, Thekkady, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Cochin circuit |
What to Expect During a Munnar Tour Package from Trivandrum
What to expect realistically before embarking on the journey sets your expectations straight.
Weather and What to Pack
Munnar is relatively colder throughout the year than Trivandrum and is colder still during November to February. Wearing a jacket is recommended not only for photographs but also for the chilly weather of early morning and evenings in Munnar, particularly if you go up high to the viewpoint called Top Station.
Road Conditions on the Ghats
The last leg to reach Munnar includes ghat roads where there will be several bends. For passengers with motion sickness, bringing some basic medicines is necessary, and a couple of small stops during the trip will help them cope better. This is one of the reasons why an experienced driver would be preferred over self-drive for this specific route.
Accommodation Style
There are all types of accommodation from home-stay lodges to resorts in Munnar. In Munnar tour packages from Trivandrum, it is ideal that you can pick your type of stay according to the budget, because there are different preferences for different travelers.
Tips for Planning Your Munnar Trip from Trivandrum
- Plan your package booking at least a week before during peak time (from October to March), as demand is high during that period.
- Make sure if the entrance fees for sights such as the Tea Museum or any boat ride spots are covered by the package or are to be paid individually at the spot.
- In case you are planning for both Munnar and Thekkady together, plan for your Periyar boat safari in advance, as there will be limited timings.
- Take some cash in smaller denomination, as there might be issues in accepting cards due to unavailability at smaller viewpoints.
- For a relaxed tour plan, ask for an extra night itinerary as rushing through the scenic sights makes no sense.
Why Book Your Munnar Tour Package with Go Route 7
The right choice of routes, the timing of the ghat ride and the actual viewpoint to stop at requires a local knowledge which is not easily available if done remotely. This is the exact problem which an expertly curated Munnar tour package from Trivandrum tries to solve for its customers. Go Route 7 offers tailor made Kerala tours where we take into account the comfortable cabs, the experience of drivers who know the hill roads well and the itinerary which can be customised depending upon the number of days one may wish to spend in Munnar, Thekkady, Kodaikanal, Ooty or Cochin.
If you would like to view the itineraries as well as prices, you can take a look at our packages and ask for a quote depending upon your travel period and group size.
Conclusion
A Munnar tour package from Trivandrum would be the best option if the travel time is not rushed but considered and if day one is for traveling and day two is for sightseeing, with a bit of flexibility on the ghat roads. Irrespective of whether you choose the route via Kottayam Kumily or the route through Kollam, the final climb up to the Munnar tea region is a reward after the scenic journey. If all your planning is done and a proper tour package is planned, Munnar is one of the best hill station trips available from Trivandrum.
Need help planning your trip? Check out our Kerala packages or contact us today to plan a Munnar package for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What would be the number of days good for a Munnar tour package from Trivandrum?
Three days and two nights would be perfect for this purpose – one for traveling, one complete day for local sightseeing and an extra day for either returning or further traveling to Thekkady or Cochin. Two day tours may fit as well, but the second one will not allow enough time for sightseeing.
2. What is the best road to go to Munnar from Trivandrum?
The most popular road goes via Kottayam and Kumily, if you plan to visit Thekkady as well. An alternative road is through Kollam and also leads to the same hill range. These routes do not differ much in driving time.
3. Should I book a package tour or make a reservation independently?
The package tour is more comfortable and even cheaper in some cases, as the cost of transport, driver and even hotel are included.
4. When is the ideal time to visit Munnar from Trivandrum?
The period of October to March is perfect because of the cold and clear weather; it is considered the peak season. The monsoon season gives you beautiful greenery, but driving becomes slow on the ghats, especially between June to September.
5. Is it possible to club a Munnar package with any other hill station packages?
Yes, it is possible. You can extend your tour and visit Thekkady, Kodaikanal, Ooty, or even Cochin, which are located on the same travel route. It is a common request while booking a tour package of Kerala from Trivandrum.
6. How should one prepare for a visit to Munnar?
Take a light sweater or jacket, good walking shoes for viewing from points and motion sickness medicines in case you are prone to motion sickness due to the ghats.
