Mattupetty, Munnar - Choosing the Most Relaxing Holiday at South India

Munnar was one of the most preferred summer resorts of the erstwhile British rulers. Nestled at an elevation of 6,000 feet in Idukki district, the idyllic tourist destination in Kerala continues to remain as one of the most favoured tourism destinations in God's own country.

Mattupetty Lake is a must-see attraction of Munnar and whether you are going for the first time or umpteenth number of times, this stop is a must for the Munnar itinerary.

To get a complete Idukki experience, Mattupetty, Munnar is a perfect delight for nature lovers. Situated at a height of 1,700m (5577ft), and with about 13km (8mi) from the main town, the journey offers beautiful sights all through the way. Gigantic greenly hills on both the sides, with a gentle breeze accompanying you the entire path, this was in fact, one of the finest picnicking and trekking sites in all of God’s Own Country.    

Mattupetty, Munnar

One of the exceptionally beautiful places in the southern part of India, the natural wonders of Mattupetty, Munnar offers a lot of enthralling sights for the tourists. For the ones interested in trekking and jungle walks, this is a premium place for those interested in natural treasure trove. The Mattupetty Dam and lake are perfect picnic spots for those visiting Munnar.

Things to do at Mattupetty, Munnar

•  Shelter for various wildlife and birds – as the Mattupetty dam is a storage dam, it guarantees a constant supply of water for the wild creatures around
•  Cruising and boating through serene waters - Enjoy the tranquillity of the lake and spend a relaxing day along the picturesque surroundings. You can try the slow speedboat, row boat, pedal boat, and motorboats
•  Spot the elephants – As the reservoir water is the main source to quench thirst for the wildlife living there, sightings of elephant herds are common

Activities for Tourists

Apart from a relaxing holiday at Munnar, you can opt for the boating facilities at the dam at Mattupetty, Munnar which is promoted by The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Idukki. The Kundala Lake and the tea plantations of Kundala are the two places nearby which you should not miss out. Did you know there is a dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project? For those interested in exploring the business and the project can arrange a trip to the farm as well. This Livestock project was launched in the year 1963 as a part of the bilateral agreement between Indian and Swiss government. As you visit this place, you can look for the hundreds of high yielding cattle, seen grazing on the hills. It is a rare sight otherwise where you can see cattle being all in their original habitat and being itself. In fact, because of these cattle, the Mattupetty hill station is sometimes referred to as the 'cattle village.

A number of high-yielding cattle are seen here which are reared for various purposes. Presently, the Kerala Livestock Development and Marketing Board maintain the project.

The Other Tourist Attractions at Mattupetty Dam

•  To avoid overcrowding, motor boating is done separately.
•  There are touristy options for horse and elephant riding and instant photo services.
•  You can opt for the whole-day motorboat ride.
•  The shops around have souvenirs at reasonable prices.

Highlights of the Dam

Constructed under the Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project in the late 1940, the Mattupetty Dam is a storage concrete gravity dam. The two main purpose of this dam is power generation (hydroelectricity) and water conservation. The still water of the dam and the neighbouring tea ground makes Mattupetty a perfect destination for holiday makers.

Mattupetty Lake

Just a few miles away from the dam, you can visit the Mattupetty Lake for a serene ambience. Covered amidst swirls of clouds, the lake will make you feel relaxed and refreshed.

Best Time to visit

The best time to visit Mattupetty, Munnar is during August to May. The climate remains perfect for any activity, especially if you want to enjoy a serene time by the lake.

Reaching There

•  Nearest railhead: Angamaly which is via Aluva - Munnar Road and is about 109 km from Munnar
•  Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport is the closest airport and is about 108 km from Munnar
•  By road: About 10km from Munnar KSRTC Bus Station

Quick Facts

•  Trip Duration: usually, the travel and the trip duration does not exceed beyond three hours
•  Direction: Towards the Top Station
•  Ideal transportation options: Public transport includes buses or you  can opt for the cabs
•  Travel Tips : If you are adventurous, try the speedboat in Mattupetty Dam

Places of Nearby Attractions

•  Kannan Devan Tea Museum

•  Punarjani Traditional Village

•  Attukad Waterfalls

•  Devikulam, Karnataka

•  Nyayamakad Waterfalls

•  Top Station

•  Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuar