Kolukkumalai is a tea estate planted along a ridge at well over 2,000 m, south-east of Munnar and just inside Tamil Nadu. It is widely promoted as the highest tea plantation in the world. Whether or not that is strictly true, the setting is extraordinary: tea bushes clinging to slopes that end in cliffs, with the plains more than a kilometre and a half below.
There is no proper road. From the village of Suryanelli, about 30 km from Munnar, licensed jeeps grind up a rocky estate track for an hour or so. Most visitors make the trip before dawn for the sunrise.
Top things to do at Kolukkumalai
Sunrise from the ridge
Jeeps leave Suryanelli in the dark, usually around 04:00–04:30, to reach the viewpoint before first light. On a good morning the valleys are filled with cloud and the sun comes up over the plains of Tamil Nadu. A short walk leads to a rock outcrop known for its tiger-like profile.
Visit the old tea factory
The estate’s factory dates from the colonial period and still makes tea by the traditional “orthodox” method, with much of the original wooden interior and machinery. You can usually walk through for a small fee, taste the tea and buy a packet at the source.
Walk among the tea
After sunrise the light on the bushes is superb. Walk a little way along the estate paths before the jeep takes you down. Longer treks towards Meesapulimala from this side are regulated by the forest department — ask before setting out.
How to get to Kolukkumalai
- From Munnar: drive about 30 km (around 1–1.5 hours) via Devikulam and Chinnakanal to Suryanelli. Ordinary cars cannot go further.
- From Suryanelli: hire a jeep at the official counter; the track is roughly 10–12 km and takes about an hour each way. Fares are per jeep and fixed locally — check the current rate.
- With a tour: the Kolukkumalai jeep tour from Munnar arranges the transport and jeep for you.
Insider tips
- For sunrise, stay the night in Suryanelli or Chinnakanal rather than Munnar town — it saves an hour of driving in the dark.
- The jeep ride is rough. It is not recommended for anyone with back or neck problems or in pregnancy.
- It can be close to freezing before dawn in winter. Wear proper warm clothes, a hat and closed shoes.
- In the monsoon the track is sometimes closed and the view is rarely clear. October to March is the reliable season.
Tours that include Kolukkumalai
These guided trips cover Kolukkumalai or combine easily with a visit:
Private jeep tour from US$52 Munnar: Kolukkumalai Tea Plantation Jeep Tour
Kolukkumalai sits on a ridge above 2,000 m and can only be reached by four-wheel-drive up a rocky estate road from Suryanelli. This private tour handles the transport and the jeep, and gives you time among the tea and at the viewpoints.
- Jeep ride up the rough estate track to Kolukkumalai
- One of the highest tea plantations in the world
- Huge views over the plains of Tamil Nadu
Private jeep safari from US$69 per group Munnar: Anakulam Jeep Safari with Waterfalls and Elephants
A jeep day out from Munnar through the Letchmi tea estate and a local village to Anakulam, where wild elephants often come to the river, with waterfall stops on the way. The price is per jeep for up to four people. Elephant sightings depend on the day and season.
- Jeep safari to Anakulam, known for its wild elephants
- Letchmi tea estate and a local village
- Time to swim at the waterfalls
