Kolukkumalai Tea Estate - Sunrise at the World's Highest Organic Tea Plantation

Munnar, KeralaNATURE

Experience the world's highest organic tea estate, known for its stunning sunrises and traditional tea factory, reached by a thrilling jeep safari from Munnar.

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NATURE

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Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is recognized as the highest organic tea plantation in the world, sitting at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. Reaching the estate is an adventure in itself, involving a challenging 1.5-hour journey in a 4x4 jeep over a very rough, rock-strewn path from the village of Suryanelli. The main draw for most visitors is the spectacular sunrise. From the viewpoint, you can watch the sun emerge over a sea of clouds, illuminating the plains of neighboring Tamil Nadu and the peaks of the Western Ghats. The air here is crisp, clean, and often very cold in the mornings.

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Location & Address

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Kottagudi Taluk, Bodinayakanur, Theni, Tamil Nadu, Suryanelli, Munnar, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is from September to March. During these months, the skies are generally clear, offering the best chances for a spectacular sunrise and panoramic views. The weather is cool and pleasant, though mornings are very cold. Avoid the monsoon season from June to August, as heavy rains make the jeep trail slippery and dangerous, and the views are often obscured by clouds and mist.
Peak Crowd: December to January, and on weekends and public holidays. This period has ideal weather, attracting the largest number of tourists.
Moderate Crowd: September to November and February to March, especially on weekdays.
Low Crowd: April to May due to warmer afternoons, and June to August during the monsoon season when the route is often closed.

How to Reach

Air

Cochin International Airport (COK) is the nearest airport, located about 125 km from Munnar. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to reach Munnar or directly to Suryanelli, which takes 4-5 hours.

Train

The nearest major railway stations are Aluva (AWY) and Ernakulam Junction (ERS) in Kochi, both around 130 km from Munnar. You can get taxis or buses from the station to Munnar.

Road

Munnar is well-connected by state and national highways to cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. From Munnar town, take the road to Suryanelli (25 km). The final 10-12 km journey from Suryanelli to Kolukkumalai must be done in a hired 4x4 jeep.

Local Transport

From Munnar, government and private buses run to Suryanelli. Taxis are also readily available. Once in Suryanelli, the only transport option to the estate is the local jeep service, which can be found at the designated jeep stand.

Food & Dining

Nearby restaurants near Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

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