Trip to Kolukkumalai near Munnar. Review on Munnar

We were staying at Sterling Resorts-Munnar. Booked a jeep to visit this lovely place called Kolukkumalai and region's oldest tea factory.

Started off at 10 am from Sterling. After a short bumpy ride of 10 min's we reached the Harrisons estate. We had to buy an entrance ticket for using RPG's private, ill maintained road. After a km of tar road, the mud track gives way for boulder track. The mud track or road is fit only for the local jeeps and local trained drivers. Pregnant women and people with back ache - never make the mistake of going on this trip.

After another 10 min's drive - the discomfort disappears as the breath taking views unfolds along the side as we see the sprawling tea estates of Harrisons. We had to negotiate 9 hair pin bends; at the 4th H/P bend, jeep had to go on reverse and turn to the road we had to go. It was a scary experience as one slip or mistake will result in a straight ticket to hell. However, the scenery sourrounding was so breath takingly beuatifull that we got totally engrossed in its beauty. We stopped at several places to savour the beauty of nature and to see the cropping of fresh tea leaves It was just awsome sight to see the tea gardens as long as your eyes can see.

After an hours journey we reached a spot from which we can see the beautifull view of Kodaikanal peak. It was a very beautifull sight to see the majestic 2nd highest peak of the south India. There was a small Christian shrine at the corner.. I am sure many would have prayed / thanked there for a safe journey. A little walk of 10 mins brought us to another landmark of the area called  the 'Echo point' or 'Echo spot'. stand at this spot and shout to hear its echoing sound. View is very beautifull.

Here, one can take a picture with the backdrop of Kolukkumali hill. The jeep driver acting as our guide was explaining that one can trek to Kodaikanal from the Echo spot, in 4 hours. While, I am pessimistic about the estimated time of 4 hours which involved crossing of a huge valley and then a mountain - my visual estimation estimated that it is a do able job, perhaps on a full day trekking trip.

Soon we were on our way to see the oldest tea factory of the region. After a drive of 15 min's we reached the Kolukkumalai Tea factory. Built by the British in the year 1935, the factory still produces excellent tea. The factory tour cost INR 75/- per head. As you complete the formalities, you are treated to nice tasty cup of tea. Kids too can enjoy a cup of iced tea with lemon. Normal tea with milk & sugar and Iced lemon tea was too good. There was a pleasant auroma and flavour in the tea.

Factory tour started off at the Whithering section, where the fresh tea leaves, hand plucked from the tea gardens are dried by blowing natural air. After the leaves become brownish these are then crushed into smaller pieces in a pressure crusher, a rotating circular disc with wooden flat blades breakes these leaves into tiny peices. These are then transfered to a cooling room where the temp is maintained at constant 20 deg temp by blowing cold air spray. Natural air conditioner concept. If there is any increase in temp at this stage, tea is spoilt and is good only as a fertilizer for the rose garden. Yeah, rose plants planted in front of the factory had huge flowers blooming - thanks to the tea waste they had been fed.

After 4 hours of cooling, the tea material is subjected to 200 deg cel temperature using a rotating conveyor. after 25 minutes of this heat trestment, the dry product is collected and subjected to cleaning by passing them thru a series of electrostatic rollers, after 4 repeats on this elec stat conveyor, tea is then subjected to grading using grade seperators that filters the tea into varoius bins based on the size the tea leaves. The finest, first quality is grade-1. The 4th grade is the last that is used by hotels. After grade seperation, the collected tea is then subjected to two rounds of electrostatic filters, collected in storage containers and kept for 15 days. After this the final product is packaged and marketed. It is worth buying there products for self use and for gifting purpose.

Return journey from the KTF was another memorable trip as the downward journey in the jeep was no less than a roller coaster ride. Breath taking views, jaw dropping near misses of shooting off the roads at several locations was a life-time excitement. As we reached the hospitable road  - I wished that these roads on which I had a roller coaster ride - let them be the way they are. At least, this will disuade faster detoriaration brought by easy accessibility to disconcerned people who care a damn for environment. I was happy to see very less amount of garbage in and around Kolakkumali hill. It is so appropriate to read Munnar's pitch on safe environment -  ' take all your memories and do not leave your impressions'.

After an hour's drive we reached back to Sterling resort at 1.30 PM for a well deserved lunch.

Some observations:

1. take a good camera / handycam to shoot beautiful landscape sceenry. Try and visit during morning time.

   
   




2. If you are either pregnant or have back ache - stay AWAY from going to this place. You will be literally jostled on your seat and landing on your base innumerous times. Sheer roller coaster ride on non-existent roads

   
   




3. Dont forget to buy the tea products at KTF. It is worth every paise spent. Excellent quality!! besides it helps KTF to survive the tough competition of mechanized & impersonal tea manufaacturers.

   
   




4. Most important - keep atleast half-day for this trip. It is worth every second spent!.