Vattavada is the farming valley at the far end of the Munnar road, past Mattupetty, Kundala and Top Station, where tea gives way to shola forest and then to terraced fields of carrots, garlic, plums and strawberries. It sits in the rain shadow, so it is drier and colder than Munnar and far quieter. You come for the farms, the shola walks and the cold nights in a homestay. Base yourself in Vattavada or Koviloor for two nights; Munnar works as the stop on the way in.
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When to go
September to March is the season: cold nights, clear days, and the main strawberry months. April to June is pleasant with orchards in fruit (plums come in around June). July and August are misty and wet, and the walks get hard.
Vattavada right now and the next 7 days
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Vattavada on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Day trips
Vattavada · Open in Google Maps ↗
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Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
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Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
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Vattavada in 3 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Walk the terraced farmsHalf day · free · Carrots, garlic, cabbage and fruit on steep terraces. Stay on paths and ask before entering a field.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Strawberry farm, Koviloor1 h · price to check · Peak in the cold months. Some farms let you pick; price varies by farm.
- 09:30Plum and pear orchards, Chilanthiyar and Pazhathottam2 h · price to check · Plum season is around June. Buy in Koviloor or Chilanthiyar; picking is usually only for guests staying on the farm.
- 12:00Top Station viewpoint2 h · price to check · On the way in. Views down into Tamil Nadu. Go early before the cloud rises.
- 14:30Lunch break
- 08:00Pampadum Shola walkHalf day · price to check · National park between Top Station and Vattavada. Forest walks need Forest Department permission and a guide; check the current fee at the checkpost.
- 13:00Lunch break
How to get to Vattavada
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
KSRTC bus Cheapest
₹169Several KSRTC buses a day. Fares listed from ₹169 on booking sites; the budget estimate is ₹120–160. Book on the KSRTC Swift site or just board.
KSRTC bus Last leg
Check fareThree or four ordinary buses a day from Munnar KSRTC stand, 45 km. Fare not confirmed; the Munnar–Top Station stretch is about ₹38.
Shared jeep Last leg
Check fareJeeps run roughly every 30 minutes from Koviloor and are how locals actually move. Ask the fare before you get in.
Taxi
Check fareAbout 160 km to Munnar then 45 km more. A Munnar day cab is around ₹2,500; get a quote for the full run.
Getting around once you're there
KSRTC bus
₹38Munnar to Top Station fare. Few buses, so plan the day around them.
Shared jeep
Check priceThe real local transport between Koviloor, Vattavada and Munnar. Every 30 minutes or so.
Hired cab for the day
₹2,500From Munnar. Worth it split four ways if you want Top Station, the farms and Kundala in one go.
On foot
FreeThe farm terraces and village lanes are best walked. Forest trails need permission and a guide.
Where to stay in Vattavada
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Tent stay
₹1,200/nightTent stays listed from about ₹1,200 for two. Nights are cold; check bedding.
Homestay
₹2,000/nightHomestays run ₹1,500–4,000 a night, often with a home-cooked breakfast. Ask about dinner when you book.
Resort cottage
₹3,500/nightThe few resort-style places sit at ₹1,500–3,700. Book ahead for weekends in the cold season.
Budget lodge
₹900/night₹700–1,000 for a double. Useful for a night on the way in; dorm beds ₹450–600.
What to eat, and what it costs
Banana-leaf meals in a Munnar or Koviloor mess
₹100Unlimited rice meals run ₹90–120 in Munnar. Koviloor's food leans Tamil and is cheap.
Breakfast: appam, parotta or dosa
₹60₹40–70 in town eateries.
Thali at Saravana Bhavan or Rapsy, Munnar
₹200₹120–250 per person. The reliable sit-down stop before heading up.
Farm dinner at your homestay
Check priceMost visitors eat where they sleep. Vegetables come from the next field. Ask the price when booking.
Things to do in Vattavada
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Walk the terraced farms
FreeCarrots, garlic, cabbage and fruit on steep terraces. Stay on paths and ask before entering a field.
Strawberry farm, Koviloor
Check pricePeak in the cold months. Some farms let you pick; price varies by farm.
Plum and pear orchards, Chilanthiyar and Pazhathottam
Check pricePlum season is around June. Buy in Koviloor or Chilanthiyar; picking is usually only for guests staying on the farm.
Top Station viewpoint
Check priceOn the way in. Views down into Tamil Nadu. Go early before the cloud rises.
Pampadum Shola walk
Check priceNational park between Top Station and Vattavada. Forest walks need Forest Department permission and a guide; check the current fee at the checkpost.
Kundala Lake and Mattupetty Dam
₹20Both on the Munnar road. Mattupetty entry is about ₹20.
Day trips and next stops
Top Station
Check fareKSRTC bus or jeep
Eravikulam National Park
₹200Bus to Munnar, then bus to the gate
Marayoor and Kanthalloor
₹30KSRTC bus from Munnar
Devikulam
Check fareBus from Munnar
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Buses to Vattavada are few. Miss the last one and you need a jeep or a cab, so know the times before you set out.
- Elephants, gaur and sambar move through the shola early morning and evening. No walking on forest roads after dark.
- Forest checkposts enforce a no-plastic rule, and some forest treks need prior permission. Do not walk into the national parks on your own.
Ways to spend less
- Come in the cold months for strawberries, or around June for plums. Buy straight from the farm or in Koviloor.
- Do Munnar's sights on the way in and sleep in Vattavada. Same trip, half the crowd, colder nights.
- Use the Koviloor shared jeeps instead of a hired cab. They run all day and cost a fraction.
Before-you-go checklist
Vattavada in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Vattavada?
Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec is the best time. September to March is the season: cold nights, clear days, and the main strawberry months. April to June is pleasant with orchards in fruit (plums come in around June). July and August are misty and wet, and the walks get hard.
How do I reach Vattavada?
KSRTC bus: Aluva / Ernakulam → Munnar, 3–4.5 h, about ₹169 one way.
How much does a 3-day trip to Vattavada cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹3,300 on a shoestring, ₹6,600 mid-range or ₹12,600 in comfort over 3 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is ksrtc bus (Aluva / Ernakulam → Munnar) at about ₹169 each way.
How many days do you need in Vattavada?
3 days is right for most people. That covers Walk the terraced farms, Strawberry farm, Koviloor, Plum and pear orchards, Chilanthiyar and Pazhathottam, Top Station viewpoint without rushing.
Is Vattavada good for families or solo travellers?
Vattavada works best for solo, couples, groups. Solo travellers find it easy and cheap.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Vattavada?
Easy. Kerala and Tamil vegetarian meals are everywhere, and the valley grows the vegetables on your plate. Vegan works too if you ask for no ghee or curd.
Will my phone and cards work in Vattavada?
Patchy deep in the valley. Munnar has full coverage; download offline maps before you go up. Homestays booked online take cards at booking. On the ground, assume cash. Carry cash from Munnar. Farms, jeeps and small eateries in the valley run on cash or UPI.
Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- keralatourism.org OfficialKochi-Munnar ~160 km, Munnar-Vattavada 45 km ~2 h via Top Station, farm/strawberry/shola itinerary
- trekgo.inDistances from Munnar (Top Station 36 km, Vattavada 45 km), 3-4 daily KSRTC buses Munnar-Vattavada/Koviloor, homestay range Rs 1,500-4,000 with breakfast (Aug 2026)
- trekgo.inKSRTC Kochi-Munnar Rs 120-160, Munnar-Top Station Rs 38, Munnar-Marayoor Rs 30, Eravikulam gate bus Rs 20, lodge Rs 700-1,000, dorm Rs 450-600, meal prices (breakfast Rs 40-70, thali Rs 90-120), Mattupetty Rs 20, Eravikulam ~Rs 200, day cab Rs 2,500 (Aug 2026)
- ixigo.comKSRTC Aluva-Munnar fares from Rs 169, 3-4 h
- munnar.comRoute via Mattupetty, Kundala, Top Station; seasons; crops; forest permission and no-plastic checkposts; wildlife; patchy signal
- onmanorama.comPlum season around June, Chilanthiyar and Pazhathottam orchards, buy in Koviloor, picking only for farm guests, tribal areas inside Anamudi Shola closed to tourists
- onmanorama.comJeeps from Koviloor every ~30 min to Munnar (~90 min), few buses, cheap Tamil-style food (2019; read via search summary, page blocked direct fetch)
- housing.comMountain Hut Resorts Rs 1,500-3,700 a night
- app-aws-test.booking.comTent stays from about USD 14 (Rs 1,200) and holiday homes from USD 17 for two (search snapshot)
- thomascook.inRapsy, Munnar: about Rs 200 for two; Saravana Bhavan Rs 120-250 per person (via search summary)
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Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Joseph Lazer · CC BY-SA 2.5 in · source · Photo: Praveen Chandrasekhar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Ahamedhjewadh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Dhruvaraj S from India · CC BY 2.0 · source · Photo: Rainer Halama · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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