Landscape and Location
Munnar is essentially a hill station located in the Western Ghats, renowned for its expansive tea plantations, winding lanes, and picturesque towns. The rolling hills covered with mist, the aroma of tea leaves, and the overall greenery make it the quintessential romantic destination.Wayanad, meaning 'Land of Paddy Fields', boasts a diverse range of terrains. It has everything from thick forests and high-altitude mountains to vast stretches of spice plantations.
Budget - Accommodation & Food
Munnar
Accommodation: A wide range of accommodations exists, from budget homestays that might cost INR 800-1500 per night to luxury resorts that can go up to INR 10,000 and above.
Food: Local eateries and restaurants are reasonably priced, with an average meal costing around INR 200-400.
Activities and Sightseeing: Entrance fees to major attractions like Eravikulam National Park are minimal (around INR 125 for adults). Activities like trekking and paragliding have variable rates, typically starting from INR 2500.
Wayanad
Accommodation: Wayanad too offers budget stays, starting from INR 1000, but its luxury resorts and treehouses can go beyond INR 12,000 per night.Note: The prices are approximate and can vary based on seasons and personal preferences.
Food: Similar to Munnar, an average meal at a local eatery would be around INR 200-400.
Activities and Sightseeing: Fees for attractions like Edakkal Caves are nominal (approximately INR 40 for adults). Adventure activities can range from INR 1500 upwards.
When planning a holiday, it's essential to budget for major expenses like accommodation and food. Comparing Munnar and Wayanad, Munnar is typically pricier due to its reputation as a honeymoon destination, while Wayanad, being a district, offers more affordable accommodation options. While both places have similar food costs, choosing local eateries can further reduce expenses.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Munnar
Due to its elevation, Munnar is cooler throughout the year. Temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C. Monsoons (June to September) see heavy rainfall, making the landscape lush and waterfalls abundant, but also causing occasional landslides. The best time to visit Munnar is during the summer months when the temperatures do not rise above 20 degrees Celsius, making it the perfect destination to beat the heat of the plains. Munnar can also be visited during the winter months as it doesn't get too chilly but remains fairly pleasant.Wayanad
Wayanad experiences a more tropical climate. The temperatures generally hover between 18°C to 29°C. Monsoons in Wayanad (June to November) are characterized by continuous rainfall, rejuvenating the green landscapes, but it might hinder some outdoor activities. Wayanad is also a destination that can be visited throughout the year because of its pleasant weather but tourists prefer to visit during October to March generally to enjoy nature and wildlife. Wayanad can get hot during the summers as it often gets the temperature of 36 degrees Celsius but this is the time when nature blossoms and shows itself through its greenery.The weather of Munnar, as well as Wayanad, remains fairly similar throughout the year as both of them are situated on the Western Ghats. Heavy monsoon as quite common in Munnar as well as in Wayanad district.
Duration Comparison
Both Munnar and Wayanad are destinations rich in experiences, and to do justice to either, a stay of at least 3 days is recommended.Munnar: A 3-day trip can allow you to cover the main attractions like the tea gardens, national parks, and local markets.
Wayanad: Similarly, a 3-day itinerary would encompass visits to historical caves, wildlife sanctuaries, and adventure activities.
You can choose to stay in the forest for a longer period and take your time to experience the different wildlife sanctuaries present in the district.
Attractions: Munnar Vs Wayanad
Many people like to judge a place according to the attractions that they will find in their tourist destination. We have to say that both Munnar and Wayanad have got some beautiful offerings when it comes to attractions.
Munnar
When you are in Munnar you can enjoy the sight of the beautiful Attukal Waterfalls or have an enticing view of the Western Ghat ranges from the Pothamedu View Point. There is also the Kundala Lake as well as Eravikulam National Park. The TATA Tea museum of Munnar is also quite famous.Get Customized Munnar Packages
Wayanad
In the Wayanad district, you will also find several key attractions which include the Banasura Dam, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, the Edakkal Caves, the Vythiri town and many others. So, both Munnar and Wayanad are laden with opportunities for you to discover several attractions. We think that Munnar is better for people who like a laid back holiday whereas Wayanad is perfect for those people who are into adventures.Accessibility - How To Reach and Transport
Accessibility is an important thing when it comes to having a smooth journey on your holiday. It is never less of an adventure to find a place but people should be aware of the distance that they need to cover. Between Munnar or Wayanad, Munnar is much more accessible and easier to reach when compared to Wayanad. If we take Kochi as our starting point, the journey takes about 4 hours for Munnar while it may take up to 11 hours to reach Wayanad.
The closest railway station to Wayanad is Kozhikode railway station which is about 110 KM away and after getting down from the train one will need to take a cab and travel for about 4 hours to reach their destination. The Calicut International Airport is also the nearest airport to Wayanad and then one will need to take a taxi. We will recommend you to use cabs as your way to getting around Wayanad as it will be the fastest and best option.
Munnar is well connected to several modes of transportation. The nearest railway station is at Aluva at about 110 KM and from there one can easily take a bus or a cab. The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport.
We will recommend people Munnar, between Munnar or Wayanad, if they want a smooth and hassle-free journey. Wayanad can be a hectic one but it is equally enjoyable because of the beautiful views.
Type of Travel - Friends/Family/Honeymoon
Munnar
While both the destinations are perfect for all types of trips be it along with friends, family we would especially recommend Munnar as a place of honeymoon for those couples who want to enjoy the laid back town as between Munnar or Wayanad, Munnar outranks the latter in terms of being a romantic destination. They have several romantic and dreamy resorts to choose from and they will have a nice time exploring the place. Munnar is also great for family trips as it is well connected with transportation and the atmosphere of Munnar is lively. Munnar sees a lot of crowds throughout the year, so it is a great place for families. It is also a great place for those people who would like to experience the vast tea plantations.Wayanad
Wayanad, on the other hand, is great for friends who are looking for adventures. There are several adventure options when it comes to Wayanad including zip-lining, river crossing, bamboo rafting, camping etc. Wayanad is also perfect for those couples who are looking for a different honeymoon. They can experience staying in a forest that provides them with a quiet and peaceful experience which is quite different from the one that they will get in Munnar. Wayanad is also great for those families who love to get close to nature and wildlife. We will refrain from referring Wayanad to those people who are travelling with very small kids.Get Customized Wayanad Packages
Activities: Munnar Vs Wayanad
Activities form a big part of discovering a destination to its full potential. Activities and adventures are quickly rising in India as more people are taking part in it. Both Wayanad and Munnar are known for the different activities that people can take part in rather than just sightseeing. We will recommend Wayanad for those souls looking for an adventure in their decision of choosing between Munnar or Wayanad, whereas Munnar is for those people who like to take part in a bit lighter activities. Both of the places are great for hiking and trekking up the mountain trails and it provides an amazing view of the forests and the nearby ranges.In short,
Munnar is an ideal spot for trekking, paragliding, and bird watching. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary offers riveting wildlife safaris. Apart from trekking and bird watching, Wayanad is also known for bamboo rafting in the Kuruva Islands and wildlife safaris in Muthanga and Tholpetty.
Munnar is known for the great tea estate tours where a guide shows the different stages of a tea plantation and this activity is also great for a family. Munnar is also great for mountain biking and having picnics. One can also go see rare flowers in the Blossom International Park.
Wayanad, on the other hand, urges visitors to explore nature. It can be a deep exploration of the ancient Edakkal Caves or a climb up to the Chembra Peak. There are several great trekking options present in Wayanad and you can also choose to take part in the more adventurous options like mountain climbing or zip-lining. Visitors can also choose to have a laid back day in one of the nature resorts present in Wayanad.
Munnar Vs. Wayanad – A Snapshot
- For Tea Gardens and Hill Station Vibes: Opt for Munnar.
- For a Diverse Mix of Adventures and Historical Attractions: Wayanad is your destination.
- Weather: Both regions have a pleasant climate, but Munnar tends to be cooler due to its altitude.
- Accessibility: Munnar is easily accessible and has well-laid roads connecting it to other major cities.
- Duration of Visit: Both destinations warrant at least a 3-day stay to truly appreciate their beauty and offerings.