Munnar Road Trip – A Riverside Escape, Unexpected Detours and Beautiful Memories 🌿

A December trip to Munnar, combined with my best friend’s wedding, sounded like a wonderful way to take a break. We looked forward to scenic drives, a peaceful stay and spending time together away from our usual routine.

The journey gave us all of that, along with a few surprises—a missed biryani breakfast, an unexpected tyre problem and the kindness of someone who helped us when we needed it most.

Our trip began in Chennai, where we boarded the Rockfort Express to Trichy. After a night of broken sleep, we arrived early the next morning, feeling sleepy but excited about the road trip ahead.

Day 1 – From Trichy to Munnar

Starting the Drive – With Biryani on Our Minds

After freshening up in Trichy, we took our Hyundai Venue and started towards Dindigul.

The excitement soon pushed our tiredness into the background. We were finally on the road, with a few days of travel ahead of us.

Our first food plan was simple: Dindigul biryani.

We were looking forward to its fragrant seeraga samba rice, but the restaurants we checked weren’t serving biryani that early in the morning. Our carefully imagined breakfast would have to wait.

Instead, we bought some fresh bananas from a roadside seller. They were tasty, and he generously added a few extra to our purchase.

It was a small gesture, but a lovely start to the journey.

Theni and Veerapandi – A Riverside Stop

We reached Theni around noon, bought takeaway biryani and continued to the Veerapandi river viewpoint.

The setting was scenic, with the river giving us a welcome break from the drive. Unfortunately, the unclean conditions left by visitors spoiled part of the experience. It was disappointing to see such a beautiful place treated carelessly.

Before beginning the climb towards Munnar, we stopped near the foothills, had tender coconut water and opened our lunch parcels.

The biryani was fairly average. By then, we were regretting our breakfast decision.

Looking back, having a proper breakfast near Trichy Junction would have made the morning much easier. We had kept postponing our meal, hoping to find something better at the next stop.

Still, we had eaten, the hills were ahead, and it was time to continue.

A Short Detour Towards Suryanelli

Around 2 p.m., I decided to take a turn towards Suryanelli, hoping to explore a little along the way.

However, the stretch we entered was rough and unpaved. After driving about half a kilometre, I decided to turn around and return to the main route.

A little later, while crossing a toll point on the way to Munnar, we noticed that the front-right tyre pressure was very low.

Our attention immediately shifted from sightseeing to finding help.

We asked about a puncture shop and were told there was one within approximately two kilometres. Knowing that assistance was nearby came as a relief.

We hoped it would be a quick repair.

The Tyre Trouble That Took Over Our Afternoon

The repair took much longer than expected.

There was work involving a rubber plug and an internal patch, and by around 4.30 p.m., we were still caught up with the tyre problem. The afternoon we had imagined spending among the hills was passing at a puncture shop.

Eventually, the tyre was fitted back, and we set off again.

Our relief lasted barely a kilometre.

The pressure started dropping once more. The air leak hadn’t stopped.

We turned around and returned to the same shop. After another round of checking, the spare tyre was fitted, and we were advised to get the damaged tyre properly repaired in Munnar town.

By then, reaching our destination meant something slightly different. We wanted to find a reliable repair shop, sort out the car and finally relax.

It was around 6 p.m. when we reached Munnar and went directly to another tyre shop.

That was where we met Muthu.

He was getting ready to leave for the day. After hearing about our situation, he took the time to help us.

Following an afternoon of waiting, repairs and returning to the same place, his willingness to assist meant a great deal.

While the car was being attended to, we had chapati and tea. We were hungry, and the simple meal felt particularly comforting after such a long day.

Muthu finally resolved the tyre problem and got the car ready again.

We could breathe a little easier.

His kindness became one of the most memorable parts of our trip. Whenever I think about that evening in Munnar, I remember how much it helped to meet someone who understood our situation.

A Bakery Stop—and Another Unexpected Problem

With the tyre finally repaired, we stopped at a bakery for some snacks. After spending much of the afternoon dealing with the car, it felt good to sit down, eat and take a short break.

But when we finished and returned to the car, another surprise was waiting.

The engine wouldn’t start.

We had only just sorted out the tyre, and now we suspected the battery had run down. Our long day in Munnar clearly had one more chapter left.

People at the bakery and others standing nearby quickly came over to help. Several tried to get the vehicle started, and someone voluntarily called a mechanic for us.

It was reassuring to see so many people willing to help travellers they had never met before.

The mechanic arrived in about 15 minutes, helped recharge the battery and got the engine running again.

Hearing it start brought an enormous sense of relief.

Before leaving, he also gave us his contact number, asking us to call if we faced any further trouble. That small gesture made us feel much more comfortable about continuing our journey.

Between Muthu’s help at the tyre shop and the people who came together outside the bakery, we experienced a side of Munnar that we hadn’t planned for—the kindness of its people.

Changing Our Plans for the Night

By then, we had dealt with both tyre trouble and a battery problem. 

We had originally planned to continue to our accommodation in Pothamedu that evening.

However, it was getting late, and after the tyre trouble, we didn’t feel comfortable driving farther along unfamiliar hill roads in the dark.

We decided to stay in Munnar town instead.

We found a room, had dinner and settled in for the night. Changing the plan gave us the chance to rest and begin the next morning with a fresh mind.

Day 2 – A Peaceful Stay by the River

Breakfast, Hot Tea and Another Slow Drive

The next morning started with breakfast at a nearby hotel and a cup of hot, fragrant tea.

After checking out, we began driving towards our resort, approximately 18 kilometres from Munnar town.

There was another delay waiting for us along the Munnar–Aluva road.

Roadworks had narrowed parts of the route so much that vehicles could move through only in one direction at a time. One group would be allowed to pass while traffic from the opposite side waited.

Progress was slow, and the narrow stretches demanded careful driving. The repeated stops tested our patience, but we took our time and continued steadily.

Eventually, we reached the resort.

The view waiting for us made the journey feel worthwhile.

A Room Overlooking the Muthirappuzhayar

Behind the resort flowed the Muthirappuzhayar, surrounded by dense trees and greenery.

Our room had a beautiful view of the river and the wooded surroundings. Above the landscape, we could see people travelling along a zipline, adding a little movement to the peaceful scene.

After spending so much time on the road, it felt wonderful to settle into a place where we could simply enjoy being there.

We ordered food to the room and let the afternoon pass slowly. The food was good, and having it brought to us made the stay even more relaxing.

There was plenty to enjoy from the room itself—the trees, the flowing water and the feeling of having a little space to ourselves.

The river gave the surroundings a gentle rhythm. We could sit quietly, watch the view and let the tiredness of the journey gradually disappear.

A Quiet Night in the Hills

As evening settled in, the area became wonderfully calm.

The sound of the river, together with the occasional bird calls, made the setting feel peaceful. After the traffic and tyre trouble of the previous day, we appreciated that quiet even more.

It was one of those evenings when staying in felt like the best part of travelling.

The following morning, we enjoyed the view once again over tea before checking out. Leaving took a little longer than expected—we kept looking outside for one more glimpse of the river.

Day 3 – Paddy Fields, Chocolates and a Scenic Drive

Discovering Paddy Viewpoint

For our return towards Munnar town, we chose a different route through Perikannal and Muttukadu.

Along the way, we came across a beautiful stretch of paddy fields framed by the surrounding hills and valleys. On Google Maps, the spot was marked as “Paddy Viewpoint.”

It was a lovely discovery.

The open fields gave us a completely different view from the wooded surroundings of the resort. The landscape stretched out across the valley, making it a wonderful place to pause and take photographs.

It became one of the most scenic moments of our journey.

Farther along, the road grew steeper, with tight bends that needed our full attention. We eventually reached the Muttukadu bus stop, took a left towards the Munnar road and continued into the town centre.

Spices and Chocolates at Choco Berbere

Before leaving Munnar, we stopped at Choco Berbere to buy spices and chocolates.

It was a pleasant final stop in town and a chance to take a few things home with us.

With our shopping done, we began the drive towards Udumalaipettai.

Light Rain and a Leisurely Drive

There was light rain along the way, and we drove slowly and steadily, enjoying the scenery.

This stretch gave us time to appreciate the journey. We had already accepted that the trip would move at its own pace, and there was something relaxing about simply following the road and watching the landscape change.

At Udumalaipettai, we stopped for a non-vegetarian meal at Murali Mess.

The food was delicious and made a satisfying break before the next part of our drive.

An Evening of Wedding Celebrations

From Udumalaipettai, we continued to Ottanchathiram for my friend’s evening reception.

After our days in Munnar, it was lovely to join the celebrations. The food served at the reception was excellent too, so the day ended particularly well for us.

A room had been arranged for our stay, and we settled in for the night before the wedding the next morning.

Day 4 – Wedding Celebrations, Palani and the Journey Home

A Temple Wedding and Our Visit to Palani

We woke early to attend the wedding rituals at a nearby temple.

Being there for my best friend’s wedding made the trip even more special. Once the celebrations were over, we continued towards Palani.

We found parking at the back and took the rope car up to the temple.

It was my first experience travelling in a rope car, which made the visit especially memorable. After visiting the temple and coming back down, we began our drive towards Trichy.

Finally, Dindigul Biryani!

There was still one unfinished plan from the beginning of the journey.

Dindigul biryani.

This time, we stopped at Venu Biryani and finally had the meal we had missed on our outward trip.

After all the places we had visited and everything that had happened along the way, returning to that first food plan felt like a fitting little moment.

We then continued to Trichy, reached in the evening and boarded our train to Chennai at around 7 p.m.

The Moments That Stayed With Us

Our Munnar trip gave us beautiful scenery, a peaceful riverside stay and the happiness of celebrating a close friend’s wedding.

It also gave us memories we could never have planned: the banana seller’s generosity, Muthu’s help, chapati and tea after a tiring afternoon, and the discovery of a quiet paddy-field viewpoint along a different road.

The tyre trouble took up several hours, and the roadworks tested our patience. We adjusted our plans, rested when we needed to and continued without letting those setbacks take over the trip.

When I think of Munnar now, I remember the river flowing behind our room, the trees around us and a warm cup of tea in my hands.

That peaceful morning is the memory I return to most.