The word Munnar means three rivers, as it is merging place of three mountain streams. The Duke of Wellington was the first prominent person to visit Munnar. It was once the summer capital of the British in southern India. Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants by British and it was first discovered by Scottish planters.
According to recorded history, the first tea sapling was planted by A.H. Sharp at Parvathi, part of the present Sevenmullay estate. J D Munro, a British lawyer and tea planter leased close to 600 sq. km of land around Munnar, which was then covered with thick jungle, from the Poonjar Rajah, a subordinate of the then Maharaja of Travancore. Later in 1895, M/s Finlay Muir & Company bought this land and in 1976 Tata-Finlay Ltd. purchased it. Then in 1983 James Finlay Group sold their remaining share holdings and the company became known as Tata Tea Ltd., the largest integrated tea company in the world.
During the British Raj, Munnar’s cool climate and verdant landscape made it an ideal escape for colonial officers. The plantations, initially started by the British, soon became the defining characteristic of Munnar, and with them came roads, bungalows, and the infrastructure that heralded the surge of tourism.

Recent Past

During the past five decades , Munnar was further developed with an emphasis on promoting tourism while consolidating tea production. The local government and private players together made Munnar an attractive tourist destination, adding up facilities like better roads, accommodation, and the conservation of its biodiversity.

Munnar, the Present

Today, tourism plays a critical role in Munnar’s economy. It’s not just the tea estates that attract tourists but also its rich flora and fauna, sprawling spice plantations, and the tranquil waterbodies. Now the place is a hotspot for trekking, bird watching, and enjoying nature.

Munnar : The Latest Trends

Recent tourism trends in Munnar focus on eco-tourism and sustainable practices to preserve the natural beauty of the region. There is a rising popularity in homestays, organic farming tours, and cultural exchanges that give visitors a more authentic and intimate experience of Kerala’s lifestyle. Adventure activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, and paragliding are now offered here to the traveller and the adventure seeker. The introduction of luxury accommodations combined with the traditional Ayurveda treatments provide a diverse experience.