Munnar, India Nestled in the hills of South India, Munnar is one of the permier tea growing regions of India.  Munnar lies at an elevation of 1,600 meters providing it with a cool climate perfect for the growing of tea.  Throughout the 19th century, colonial settlers experimented unsuccessfully with the cultivation of a variety of crops in the region such as coffee, cinchona and cardomon.  Finally, in the the late 19th century, A.H. Sharp planted the first tea bush and since then, tea has been the dominant agricultural crop in the region.  Today, most of the hills around Munnar are blanketed with brilliant green tea bushes making it a stunning backdrop for long, winding walks through the tea plantations.  The area has many attractions within a short distance of the city of Munnar including the Sandalwood Forest of Marayoor, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and, of course, the local tea plantations.  We found ourselves simply stepping out of our guesthouse door everyday and walking.  You do not need a map or a guide; all you need is a good pair of shoes, a bottle of water and the

Tea plants clinging to the hillsides of Munnar.

curiosity to see what is around the next bend.  It is almost impossible to get lost because all of the trails through the tea plantations eventually lead to a main truck transport road which eventually leads to the main highway where you can always hop on a bus back to Munnar (but it is still a good idea to carry a compass with you).  Of course, there are always plenty of friendly, helpful tea pickers to point you in the right direction should you loose your way. But sometimes it's more fun to get lost.

Early morning mist disappearing as the sun heats up the day.

Around every corner is another stunning view.

The Munnar region has a perfect climate that promotes the growth of wildflowers that colorfully stand out against the deep green tea bushes.

Our favorite little valley contained hundreds of these fabulous white flowers.

Close-up of the tea leaves that make Indian tea some of the finest in the world.

The trails that tea pickers and travelers walk along crisscross what seems like never ending tea bushes.

A tea processing plant surrounded by the "lines" or houses of the tea pickers.

What a wonderful day!

What else would you drink in Munnar but "chai" or Indian spiced tea.  This man is cooling down the chai with extreme accuracy and a showman's flair.

Related Articles:

Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Bokor Hill Station, Kampot, Cambodia

Sapa, Vietnam - Part I

The Hill Country, Sri Lanka - Part I

Kodaikanal, India