Marvel Tours - Signature Activities - MUNNAR

Munnar, with an alluring mix of brilliant natural facets, looks and feels like paradise. The rolling hills around Munnar are full of emerald-green tea plantations, rich forests, lush hill ranges and valleys, wildlife, cascading waterfalls and scenic surroundings.

Trekking in and around Munnar

Kolukkumalai Jeep safari, Tea trail and Orthodox Tea Factory (1935)

Kolukkumalai is prominent for its panoramic views, and rugged mountains. Known to be ‘The highest tea growing estate in the world’, the plantation is a world unto itself. Chase the white mist and low hanging clouds or hop onto a jeep to drive through the tea plantations.

Meesapulimalai “the second highest peak in South India”

For those who like scaling new heights, one of the highest peaks in Kerala beckons. The spectacular trek runs through grasslands that are home to wildlife that is unique to the Western Ghats.

Top Valley trek

Sparkling waterfalls, quiet little villages, majestic shola forests, misty sky-piercing peaks, thick woods with colourful birds, make the trek wondrous. Catch the rare Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once in 12 years.

Kumarakom

If heaven was a place on earth it would well be on the banks of the Vembanad Lake. Set amidst lush mangrove forests, swaying coconut trees, paddy fields and waterways filled with white lilies, it is also home to one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia.

Aymanam village

Straight out of the pages of Arundhathi Roy’s novel ‘The God of Small Things’ comes this ancient village. Watch a Kathakali master; learn the styles, the expressions, and a chance to unveil the secrets of Kerala’s traditional theatre. Traditional canoe cruises, walks through the village, visiting the abodes of snakes, the aroma of herbs, spices and flowers make this trip magical. Read more

Step into a farm island

Reclaimed from the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake in the early 1950’s, the fascinating Philipkutty’s Farm with waterfront villas affords an experience like no other. Home to sustainable or organic farming, find coconut, nutmeg, banana, cocoa and pepper growing here. Jumbo prawn (scampi) and karimeen (pearlspot) are found in some of the farm canals.

Life of Backwaters on a Bicycle

Experience biking though small fishermen villages and lush coconut trees. Immerse yourself in the beautiful Backwaters sceneries. Get a Welcome Drink to energise you to start your Cycling tour and reach the Fish market. Learn about the life and activities around this market. Get an insight of how well the economy is balanced among the communities. Read more

Catch a Fish like a Local in Kumarakom

Get lucky and catch the ‘Karimeen’ from the serene Backwaters . Experience a Traditional canoe evening ride accompagnied with a local guide and a fisherman in the surroundings Backwater villages. Learn the different typical methods of fishing and engage in night fishing with your guide. Pick from fishing with nets, angling and handpicking of clams. Fishing is a livelihood for the backwater people. Read more

Birding in Kumarakom

Watch maximum number of the local birdlife with your knowledgable guide in the surroundings Backwater villages. Learn with him how to recognized moves and chanting sounds of each bird species. The closeby Vembanad lake body attracts waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Flocks of birds flying across the rice fields during the morning hours is a beautiful sight. Read more

In order to enter India you will need:

A signed, valid passport and a tourist visa. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of your trip. It is also imperative that your passport has at least 2 blank visa pages available for entry and exit stamps.

The government of India offers two options for tourist visas. Your entry requirements may vary depending on your nationality. Please consult the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries you will be visiting.

One option is a multiple entry visa which can be obtained through the traditional application process. This type of visa has a 1 year validity and allows multiple visits and a stay of up to 90 days. You need to apply for a traditional Indian visa if you are exiting and re-entering India during the course of your tour.

The other option is the Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV). This type of visa allows a single entry for a stay of up to 30 days in India. More information regarding the eTV system can be found here https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html. Please read and follow all instructions carefully to avoid any possible complications on arrival in India. Do not apply an eTV any earlier than 34 days and no later than four days before your scheduled date of arrival.

India's unit of currency is the Indian Rupee.

Exchange currency only at authorized outlets such as exchange kiosks, banks and hotels. Keep receipts of Transactions which may be required when exit the country, and also if you intend to reconvert local currency.

We suggest travelling with some U.S. dollars or Euros, or Sterling Pound to be exchanged for local currency and at least two major credit cards. Hotels and some stores in large cities accept all major credit cards, but in small towns cash may be required. Notify your credit card company of your travel plans prior to your departure to avoid any fraud concerns.

ATM access is available in any cities. Cash is the best (generally, the only) option in street markets. We do not recommend traveler’s cheques as they are not as widely accepted as in previous years. Lodges outside of major cities do not accept traveler’s cheques.

India is a huge country and its weather conditions are affected by diverse regions which include mountains, deserts, highlands and coastal plains. In general, India’s climate is warm and tropical although parts of northern and western India can be very cold from December through January.

The months of November to February bring the most pleasant weather throughout the country. Average temperatures in Delhi during this cool season range from daily highs of 60 -80 F to lows between 40 -50 F.

Summer begins in mid-March and lasts through mid-June with April and May being the hottest months. The heaviest rains of the monsoon season begin in July and last through mid-October, with the amount of rainfall varying by region. The northern states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim in the northeastern hills, have a cooler, more continental influenced climate.

Use a website such as weather.com to find average temperatures and rainfall during your travel times.

It is important to familiarize yourself with any potential health issues or concerns related to your destination.

Required Vaccination
A yellow fever vaccination is required to enter India only if you are arriving from or have transited through a yellow fever endemic area in South America or Africa. If vaccination for yellow fever is necessary, you must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination provided by your physician; If you are advised against receiving the vaccination because of your personal medical history, a certificate from your Physician to this effect is required. Visitors to certain northeastern regions of India (which include Sikkim and Eastern Himalayas) should be aware of higher elevations in these areas. You may experience altitude sickness. Please consult your healthcare provider for suggestions on prevention and treatment.

India - 220 volts and 50 hertz

Smart Casual clothing such as lightweight pants, loose shorts, trousers and at the least, short-sleeved shirts are recommended. It is suggested that Women pack a scarf large enough to cover bare neck and shoulders. Other items, worthwhile to carry are;

Comfortable, walking shoes with low or no heels
Sweater or lightweight jacket
Lightweight raincoat or poncho
Swimming suit
Sunglasses, sun block and a sunhat
Mosquito repellent
Lightweight binoculars (optional)
Simple first-aid kit, Prescriptions and medications
Charging cables for electronics. Voltage converter and adapter plugs

India operates on Greenwich Mean Time +5 hours and 30 minutes.

In India, the National language is Hindi. Each state, however, has its own regional official language as well - 14 in all. English is widely spoken all over the country. After Hindi it is the most widely spoken tongue in India and probably the most widely written and read.

Do not use tap water for drinking or brushing teeth. It is always preferable and safer to use only bottled or canned water. Regardless of precautions, changes in water and diet can result in mild abdominal upsets and nausea. To prevent serious illness, avoid suspect foods such as uncooked vegetables, peeled fruit, un-pasteurized milk and milk products. Be selective when you try any food or drink sold by street vendors.

In case of booking period with which written notice of cancelation is received	Cancellation charges will be -------% of the total booking
0-10 days	100%
11-30 days	30%
Greater than 30 days	0%

Between 30 day to 20 day of arrival	10% of total tour cost as Cancellation Charges
Between 20 day to 10 day of arrival	50% of total tour cost as Cancellation Charges
Within 10 day of arrival	100% of Cancellation Charge

Between 60 - 45 days Prior to Arrival	10% of total tour cost
Between 45 - 30 days Prior to Arrival	25% of total tour cost
Between 30 - 15 days Prior to Arrival	50% of total tour cost
Within 15 days prior to arrival	100% of Cancellation Charge