Kolukkumalai
Kolukkumalai(கொழுக்குமலை) is a small village/hamlet in Bodinayakanur Taluk in the Theni
District of Tamil Nadu. It is home to the highest tea
plantations in the world with the tea grown here possessing a special flavour
and freshness because of the high altitude.
Though known for its special orthodox tea, Kolukkumalai Estate is now venturing into another of its unique products; nature, great mountain views and excellent opportunities for walks in the hills. Kolukkumalai gets a fair number of day visitors to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over the Palani hills, its cool climate and of course visit to the factory where tea is still made using the orthodox method. What most day visitors miss is the opportunity to walk the hills above the estate and maybe a trek up Meeshapulimala, an imposing peak at an elevation of 2640meters (8661 feet) above sea level!
Accommodation facilities are available at the guesthouse on estate in simple but tastefully refurbished by workers. Kolukkumalai is an ideal spot to be for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Munnar town and enjoy life on a tea estate, as it originally was.
Go on a guided tour through the factory. The two-storied building, built in the 1930s, with its wooden interiors and aroma would present you some time-tested methods of tea processing. Here tea is processed in the traditional method, which is different from the more popular CTC (crush-tear-curl method). Tea lovers will be pleased to sip different varieties of tea from the tea tasting centre here. Those wanting to take home the flavour can buy fresh packets from the outlet attached to the factory. There are different varieties to choose from like the Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) and the Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP). Get some tips from the salesmen on how to extract the different tastes.
Kolukkumalai is
about 7,000 feet (2,100 m) above sea level and lies some 32 kilometres
(20 mi) from Munnar. The hill top village is accessible only by
jeep and it is about a one and a half hour journey from Munnar town. The exact
location of Kolukkumalai is in Theni district (Tamilnadu). The approach road is
via Suryanelli in Idukki district of Kerala.
Located high on the slopes of Meeshapulimala, Kolukkumalai is arguably
the estate with the highest grown tea in the world! Started in the early 1900s
the estate produces tea using the orthodox method in the time tested tea
factory. Little has changed here since the colonial planters left leaving
behind their legacy of one of the best quality tea you can get in South
India.
Though known for its special orthodox tea, Kolukkumalai Estate is now venturing into another of its unique products; nature, great mountain views and excellent opportunities for walks in the hills. Kolukkumalai gets a fair number of day visitors to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over the Palani hills, its cool climate and of course visit to the factory where tea is still made using the orthodox method. What most day visitors miss is the opportunity to walk the hills above the estate and maybe a trek up Meeshapulimala, an imposing peak at an elevation of 2640meters (8661 feet) above sea level!
Accommodation facilities are available at the guesthouse on estate in simple but tastefully refurbished by workers. Kolukkumalai is an ideal spot to be for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Munnar town and enjoy life on a tea estate, as it originally was.
Kolukkumalai is accessible only be jeep or on foot across the mountains.
Kolukkumalai is a paradise for nature lovers with a variety of flora and fauna
endemic to the area and opportunities to walk up its slope for some spectacular
scenery of the peaks and swirling clouds below.
Kolukkumalai is about 7,900 ft above sea level and you can have some excellent views of the far off plains in the bordering State of Tamil Nadu. The distant hills slipping in and out of the mist is a captivating sight.
Kolukkumalai is about 7,900 ft above sea level and you can have some excellent views of the far off plains in the bordering State of Tamil Nadu. The distant hills slipping in and out of the mist is a captivating sight.
The rolling acres of tea are an experience in itself for the visitors.
Take a lovely stroll on the pathways in the plantations. The more adventurous
can take a walk down a fairly steep and narrow bridle path leading to the
plains. Only with awe can you hear that this route was once the only option for
the estate workers to carry tea chests down and bring provisions to their
residence.
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
The estate, located on Kolukkumalai Hills, is around 31 km from Munnar
and takes almost 52 minutes to reach by Jeep. The place is popular for growing
special flavoursome teas. It has an old tea factory, built in the mid 20th
century, which still uses traditional technique of tea production. Visitors can
sip different flavours of tea and buy fresh tea from the factory outlet.
About 7130 ft from sea level, Kolukkumalai is the highest organic tea
farm in the world. The tea factory is old, still keeps machinery from the
British rule times and is mostly a showpiece for visitors.
Factory staff takes you around, shows the machinery and explains the
process of making organic tea.
Go on a guided tour through the factory. The two-storied building, built in the 1930s, with its wooden interiors and aroma would present you some time-tested methods of tea processing. Here tea is processed in the traditional method, which is different from the more popular CTC (crush-tear-curl method). Tea lovers will be pleased to sip different varieties of tea from the tea tasting centre here. Those wanting to take home the flavour can buy fresh packets from the outlet attached to the factory. There are different varieties to choose from like the Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) and the Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP). Get some tips from the salesmen on how to extract the different tastes.
In addition to tea production, the hill is famed for panoramic views of
the rolling hills and fresh air. At sunset, you can behold spectacular views of
Kodaikanal town.
The estate was the Southern Tea Competition winner of the Golden Leaf
India Awards 2005.
Opening & Closing Time
07:00 am – 06:00 pm
Open all days, except Sunday
Entrance Fee:Rs. 75 for Adults
Sun Rise
Sun Rise
Seeing sun rise from Kolukkumalai is quite an experience. You will have
to arrange the jeep and the driver early. If you are staying at Munnar, have to
start by 4 A.M. The journey takes 2 hours roughly.
Another plus is the clear view of the valleys in morning sparkle. Have a flask with some hot drinks and some snacks / food. Thought of
having a memorable breakfast at the summit? Bear in mind that the factory opens
only at 10 A.M.
If the weather is bad, the mornings are going to be misty. So sun rise
tours are not a good choice during rainy season.
Facts
Facts
Location: Belongs to Tamil Nadu in the border of Southern Central
Kerala.
District: Belongs to Tamil Nadu. On Idukki border.
Nearest towns: Suryanelli at 8 kms, Devikulam at 23 kms and Munnar at 32 kms.
Bus Station: Munnar at 32 Kms.
Food Options: Carry own food and drinks, nothing up the hill. Limited choice
at Suryanelli and Devikulam. More choice of restaurants at Munnar.
Accommodation
Options: 3 bed room Guest house atop
Kolukimalai. A few resorts at Suryanelli, Chinnakanal and Devikulam. More
choice at Munnar.
Best time to visit: Avoid heavy rains and very foggy days, as views get obstructed.
Nearby Attractions: Chinnar Wildlide Sanctuary, Marayoor, Manavan Shola, Periyar Tiger
Reserve, Kumali, Munnar, Devikulam, Peerumedu, Eravikulam National Park,
Mattuppetty, the Arch dam, Idukki wildlife sanctuary, Anamudi, Eco Point, Top
Station, Waterfalls of Cheeyappara, Valara, Thommankuthu, Keezharkuthu, Attukal
and Chellarkovil, Carmalagiri elephant walk, Anachal, Malankara reservoir,
Mangala Devi Temple, Meenuli, Kundala dam and Kalvari Mount.
Accommodation
Accommodation
The only place to stay at Kolukkumalai is the three bed room Guest House
run by the Tea Estate. Need to book in advance.
Suryanelli, Chinnakkanal and Devikulam are beautiful locations, with
resorts and home stays. Suryanelli has the added advantage of being in the base
of the hill.
The positive for Munnar is that it has the most number of resorts, hotels
and home stays to choose from.
At Kolukkumalai the only available option is the Kolukkumalai Mountain
Hut (a decent 03 bedroom nicely renovated factory worker's house with attached
toilets). This guesthouse has a nice view of the valley and they serve nice
food too. You will get more details about the accommodation and facilities from
their website www.kolukkumalai.in and you can contact on info@kolukkumalai.in or call them
at +91 94470 31040It is better to book in advance
since this place has only limited rooms and they also will arrange jeep for the
transfer from Suryanelly to Kolukkumalai and vice versa and treks and walks @
Kolukkumalai & Meesapulimalai.
Connectivity
Connectivity
By Air
Cochin International airport also known as Nedumbassery Airport and CIAL
is the nearest airport. It is 110 km away from Munnar by road.
Madurai International Airport which is 140Km from Munnar by (National
Highway 49).
By Land
The nearest railway station is Aluva, 110 km. Ernakulam is 130 km
kottayam 140km and Madurai is 135km you can get the direct regular buses to
Munnar First Bus starts at 6AM.
Bodinayakkanur Railway Station are the very nearby railway stations to
Kolukkumalai.
How ever
Sivakasi Rail Way Station is major railway station 86 KM near to Kolukkumalai
Munnar is best connected to this place. From Munnar, take Devikulam Road.
After Devikulam, continue along Kochi - Dhanushkodi Rd (Munnar – Kumily Hwy)
and deviate left to Chinnakanal – Suryanelli Rd., the small town before the
Kolukkumalai Hills. From there you need a Jeep (which you can hire locally and
will cost you less than INR 700) for going uphill. Kolukumalai is about 12
kilometer away from Suryanelli and the Jeep will take more than one hour for
covering this 12 kilometer ghat road.
Near By Air Ports
·
Madurai Airport 153 KM
·
Kochi Airport 133 KM
·
Coimbatore Airport 203 KM
Near By Railway
Stations
·
Aluva Railway station 137 Km
·
Kodai road Railway station 127 km
·
Bodinayakanur Rail Way Station 50 KM
·
Theni Rail Way Station 66 KM
·
Andipatti Rail Way Station 82 KM
·
Usilampatti Rail Way Station 105 KM
·
Madurai Rail Way Station 142 KM