Kolukkumalai sunrise

Said to be the highest tea estate in the world, on the Tamil Nadu side of the border but reached from Kerala. The sunrise over a sea of cloud is the reason to come. Split the jeep six ways and it is cheap.

By GokulUpdated 28 September 2026Half day (pre-dawn) · up to 2,170m

Half day (pre-dawn), Easy grade, up to 2,170m. Best season: Sep–Mar. Base: Suryanelli (Kerala), 35 km from Munnar. Suits: Solo, Couple, Group, Family.

How to reach it

Stay in Munnar or Suryanelli. Licensed jeeps leave Suryanelli at about 4 am and climb the estate track for about an hour. The last stretch to the viewpoint is a short walk.

Permits

No permit required. Pay the estate entry fee at the gate, and hire a jeep only through the Suryanelli jeep stand. Private cars are not allowed on the estate track.

Gear

A warm jacket and cap. It is close to freezing before dawn from December to February. Carry a torch and water.

What it costs

From ₹2,500 per person, all-in from Suryanelli (Kerala) — transport, permits, a guide where required and food on the trail. Open the live planner to price it for your own dates and party size.

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Costs are indicative ballparks and change with season and demand — always check live fares and current permit rules before you go. Photographs are sourced from Wikimedia Commons, credited above and in full at /credits/. Trip Under features underrated destinations only, is reader-planned, and takes no affiliate commission on any booking link.