Drive to Kolukkumalai in Tamilnadu to see the sunrise and world's highest orthodox tea estate

Kolukkumalai is a small village/ hamlet in Bodinayakanur Taluk in Theni district of Tamil Nadu bordering Idukki district of Kerala. Situated at a height of 7900 ft above sea level, it is home to the highest orthodox tea plantations in the world with the tea grown here possessing a special flavour and freshness because of the high altitude.



Route: Munnar - Devikulam - Chinakkanal - Suryanelli (jeep stand) - Kolukkumalai.

Established in 1935, the estate, located on Kolukkumalai Hills, is around 34 km from Munnar and takes about 2 hrs to reach by shared or hired Jeep from Munnar town.The hill top village is accessible only by jeep due to rugged and rain drenched roads. Regular vehicles are not permitted to ply upwards from Suryanelli town and in any case cars will not be able to make it to the top. Munnar to Suryanelli is approx. 24 kms.

There are a lot of leeches in the tea estate. Therefore, it's advisable that roadies should carry salt with them.