| Early in the morning, the cold nipping at your heels, put your feet up and wrap your hands around a boiling mug of tea "� bless those soft Brits fleeing the heat of the plains! |
| Short excursions take you to Mattupetty dam, where you can go boating after a sumptuous meal; to Anaimudi, South India's highest peak; to the swirling mists of Top Station on the Kerala-TN border and to Eravikulam National Park to spot the shy Nilgiri tahr. |
| Summer seems a very long way away here. When you do have to descend, Kochi is only 110 km away. This quaint seaside town has many international influences and plenty to see, from India's oldest European church to fishermen operating giant Chinese cantilevered fishing nets. |
| Walk through the lanes of Mattanacherry and soak up some of the town's Jewish influences and visit the ornate synagogue; the nearby Dutch palace has some great murals, portraits and old maps. God's own country is a pretty cosmopolitan place! |
| It's a bit of a drive here from Chennai, but not unmanageable. NH45 to Madurai is clogged with trucks, but in decent condition. From there, Munnar via Teni is 160 km. |
| Kochi is another 110 km blast down NH47, via Ernakulam. Munnar is crammed full of hotels, and the best options in Kochi are on Princess Street, leading in from the beach. |
| Don't know where to go? pablo@business-standard.com |
Top Section
Explore Business Standard