The road east from Munnar towards Top Station is the most popular sightseeing drive in the hills, and for good reason: for 30 km it winds through tea and eucalyptus past two reservoirs and a string of viewpoints. Mattupetty Dam, about 13 km from town, is a concrete gravity dam built in the 1950s for hydroelectric power; its lake, ringed by forest and grassland, is where most people stop for a boat ride.
A little further on is Echo Point, a bend of the lake where the hillside throws your voice back, and beyond that Kundala Lake, a smaller, quieter reservoir held by an old arch dam among tea and blue-gum trees, about 20 km from Munnar.
Top things to do at Mattupetty Dam & Kundala Lake
Boating at Mattupetty
The tourism council runs speedboats and larger boats on the reservoir from a jetty near the dam. A circuit takes around 15–30 minutes. Elephants occasionally come down to the grassy far shore, most often in the early morning or late afternoon.
Shout at Echo Point
Touristy, yes, and children love it. There are tea stalls, snack sellers and pedal boats, and a pleasant walk along the lakeshore away from the crowd.
Slow down at Kundala
Kundala is the calm one: pedal boats, rowing boats and Kashmiri-style shikaras on a small lake, with a walk across the dam. Cherry trees planted around the lake flower briefly in some years.
Stop for the views
Between the lakes are several unsigned lay-bys over the tea, the Photo Point plantation stop and, on the way out of town, the hydel park and flower garden. Carry on to Top Station if the sky is clear.
How to get to Mattupetty Dam & Kundala Lake
- From Munnar: Mattupetty is about 13 km (30 minutes), Echo Point about 15 km and Kundala about 20–23 km on the Top Station road.
- By bus: buses to Top Station and Kovilur pass all three, but they are infrequent; a taxi, autorickshaw or hired jeep for the half-day is far easier.
- With a tour: multi-day Munnar tours from Kochi and Madurai usually include this road.
Insider tips
- Do the furthest point first: drive straight to Top Station or Kundala early, then work back to Mattupetty as the traffic builds.
- Boat tickets are sold on the spot; queues are long on weekends and holidays.
- The cattle-breeding farm near Mattupetty (the old Indo-Swiss project) is generally not open to casual visitors.
- Elephants cross this road. If you meet one, stop well back, stay in the vehicle and never get out for a photograph.
Tours that include Mattupetty Dam & Kundala Lake
These guided trips cover Mattupetty Dam & Kundala Lake or combine easily with a visit:
Private day trip from US$75 Kochi to Munnar: Eravikulam, Lockhart Tea Factory & Waterfalls Day Tour
The most complete way to see Munnar in a day from Kochi. A private car climbs the ghat road to Eravikulam National Park, the Lockhart Tea Factory and its estate, Attukal Waterfalls and the valley viewpoints, with a traditional Kerala lunch included. It is a long day — an overnight option is also listed.
- Eravikulam National Park, home of the Nilgiri tahr
- Lockhart Tea Factory visit and a walk in the tea estate
- Attukal Waterfalls, viewpoints and a Kerala lunch
Multi-day private tour from US$405 From Madurai: 3-Day Private Munnar Hill Country Tour
Coming from Tamil Nadu? This private three-day trip drives up from Madurai over the ghats to Munnar for a tea plantation, the tea museum and the views from Top Station, then brings you back.
- Tea plantation visit and the Tata Tea Museum
- Panoramic Western Ghats views from Top Station
- Private transport from Madurai
