The Tea Trails of Munnar

Munnar is a hill station in Kerala famous for its endless tea plantations. I arrived after a long, winding bus ride through the mountains, and the first thing I noticed was the smell. The air was thick with the scent of tea. I stayed in a homestay run by a family that had worked on the tea estates for generations. They were incredibly welcoming and cooked me authentic Kerala meals that were some of the best I had on my trip. The best way to see the tea plantations is to just walk. There are trails everywhere, winding through the endless green carpet of tea bushes. I walked for hours, passing women plucking tea leaves and workers tending to the bushes. I also visited the Tea Museum, which explains the history of tea in the region and the process of making it. The tasting at the end was a nice touch. If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike up to Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India. The trail starts inside the Eravikulam National Park, which is also home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a type of mountain goat. I saw a few of them grazing on the hillsides. Munnar is a place to slow down, breathe the cool air, and appreciate the simple beauty of a landscape shaped by tea.