A luscious tea-growing region, surrounding the hillside town of Munnar, lies at the confluence of three rivers; the Madhurapuzha, the Nallathanni and the Kundaly. Set within Western Ghats means the scenery in this area is nothing less than magnificent. It’s a carpet of luminous green undulating hills, navigated only by tiny winding lanes, and often dotted with tea pickers busy at work. The plantations are immaculately clipped, so much so that the tea bushes look like topiary. Converted colonial tea planters’ bungalows provide the ideal accommodation for a two or three-night stay, while a tea plantation walk, a visit to the tea museum, or perhaps a trek into the Western Ghats more than fill the days. Munnar is one of Kerala’s highlights and it combines easily with Cochin, Periyar, and the ancient city of Madurai.