Vattavada is about 45 km from Munnar, and the top things to do in Vattavada include visiting strawberry farms, catching sunrise at Pazhathottam Viewpoint, exploring Chilanthiyar Waterfall, and walking through apple and plum orchards. That is the short version.
When I left the crowded streets of Munnar and drove toward Vattavada, I had no idea I was heading into one of Kerala’s most unusual landscapes. No tea estates. No tourist buses honking every five minutes. Just terraced farms, cold mountain air, and a village that grows apples and strawberries at 6,000 feet above sea level.
This place genuinely surprised me. If you want a quieter, more real Kerala experience, Kerala Tourism’s official guide is a good starting point before you plan.
Why Vattavada is My Favorite Escape from Munnar
Most people think Kerala means tea gardens. And sure, Munnar has some of the most beautiful tea estates in South India. But Vattavada is something else entirely.
This small village in Idukki district is known as the “Winter Vegetable Village of Kerala” for a real reason. While the rest of Kerala grows tea and spices, Vattavada grows apples, strawberries, plums, blackberries, oranges, cabbage, and carrots on steep terraced slopes. It feels more like Himachal Pradesh than Kerala.
The 45 km drive from Munnar itself is worth the trip. The route passes through Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala Dam, Top Station, and the dense green corridor of Pampadum Shola National Park. I remember pulling over near the forest stretch just to stand in the silence for a few minutes. No shops. No crowd. Just mist and tall trees.
Here is what the vibe of Vattavada actually feels like:
- Cold, crisp air even in the afternoons
- Farm rows stretching across hillsides in every direction
- Almost zero tourist noise compared to Munnar
- Small village roads where locals are still the majority
- A pace of life that genuinely slows you down
Top Things to Do in Vattavada
Vattavada is not a place with a long list of tourist attractions. It is a place where the activities are simple, quiet, and deeply satisfying. Here are the five things I did that I would recommend to anyone visiting.
Plucking Fresh Strawberries at Local Farms
Walking into a Vattavada strawberry farm for the first time feels oddly exciting. The plants are low to the ground, the berries are bright red, and the farmers are genuinely happy to let you pick your own. I spent almost an hour at one farm, eating more than I put in my bag. The strawberries here are smaller than the ones you find in supermarkets, but the flavour is sharper and sweeter at the same time.
The strawberry season in Vattavada typically runs from December to February, which is when the farms are at their most colourful and productive. Most farms charge a small fee per kilogram for whatever you pick. Some also sell fresh strawberry juice on the spot. If you are visiting with kids or family, this is honestly the most fun activity in the whole village.
| Quick Facts | |
| Best Time to Visit | December to February |
| Entry Fee (Approx) | Minimal (Pay per kg picked) |
| Time Needed | 1 to 2 Hours |
Watching the Sunrise at Pazhathottam Viewpoint
I woke up at 5 AM for this, and I have zero regrets. Pazhathottam Viewpoint is considered the best sunrise spot in Vattavada. You stand at a high ridge and watch the light slowly fill the valleys below, layer by layer. The farms, the mist, and the hills come alive in about twenty minutes, and it feels nothing like a postcard. It feels real and quiet and very still.
Getting there early matters. By 7 AM, the mist starts to clear and the full landscape opens up. I reached about 5:30 AM and had the viewpoint almost entirely to myself. Carry a jacket because the wind at that height is cold enough to cut through a light sweater. There is no entry fee, no gate, and no crowd management. It is just an open ridge with an incredible view.
| Quick Facts | |
| Best Time to Visit | Early Morning (5:30 AM to 7 AM) |
| Entry Fee (Approx) | None |
| Time Needed | 1 to 1.5 Hours |
Trekking to Chilanthiyar Waterfall
Chilanthiyar Waterfall is not easy to find, and that is exactly what makes it worth it. The waterfall sits deep inside the forest near Vattavada, and getting there involves a proper walk through uneven terrain. I went with a local who knew the path, and even then it took focused effort. The trail itself is raw and untouched, nothing like the groomed paths you find near popular Kerala waterfalls.
When you reach Chilanthiyar, the payoff is real. The water falls through dense forest cover into a rocky pool below. There are no shops, no selfie crowds, and no railings. Just a waterfall doing its thing in total isolation. I strongly recommend hiring a local guide for this trek. The path is not marked, and the forest can get confusing quickly without someone who knows it.
| Quick Facts | |
| Best Time to Visit | October to January |
| Entry Fee (Approx) | None (Guide charges apply) |
| Time Needed | 3 to 4 Hours (including travel) |
Spotting Wildlife in Pampadum Shola National Park
Pampadum Shola National Park is not inside Vattavada, but it sits right along the road you take to get there from Munnar. The park is a shola forest, which means it is a specific type of dense, mist-covered montane forest found only in the higher elevations of the Western Ghats. Driving through it on the way to Vattavada already feels like passing through a nature documentary.
If you have extra time, stop and walk along the edges of the park. I spotted Nilgiri langurs and a pair of hornbills without even trying. The park is also home to leopards, elephants, and several rare bird species. Official entry and guided walks can be arranged, but even a slow drive through the forest stretch is enough to feel the scale and depth of this ecosystem.
| Quick Facts | |
| Best Time to Visit | October to March |
| Entry Fee (Approx) | Minimal (Forest Department rates) |
| Time Needed | 1 to 2 Hours (drive-through or short walk) |
Exploring the Winter Vegetable Farms
This one sounds ordinary but is genuinely one of the most interesting things I did in Vattavada. Walking through the terraced farms and seeing rows of cabbage, carrots, plums, and oranges growing at this altitude felt completely out of place for Kerala, in the best way. Several local farmers welcome visitors and will walk you through how they grow crops that simply do not survive anywhere else in the state.
The farms are spread across the hillsides and most of them are visible right from the village roads. You do not need a guide for a general walk. But if you want to go deeper into the terraced sections and talk to farmers directly, asking at your guesthouse for an introduction helps a lot. I bought fresh carrots and plums directly from a farm, and they were some of the best I have had anywhere in India.
| Quick Facts | |
| Best Time to Visit | November to February |
| Entry Fee (Approx) | None |
| Time Needed | 1 to 2 Hours |
Where to Eat and Stay in Vattavada
Let me be upfront about one thing. Vattavada is not a place with luxury resorts, rooftop restaurants, or hotel lobbies with concierge desks. If that is what you are looking for, Munnar has plenty of options. But if you are fine with clean, simple, and warm, Vattavada delivers well.
Staying in Vattavada
The accommodation options here are small homestays and basic guesthouses run by local families. Vattavada Residency is one of the more reliable and commonly recommended options for budget and family travellers. The rooms are basic but clean, the staff know the area well, and staying with locals gives you a much better sense of the village than any resort could.
Booking in advance is important, especially between December and February when the strawberry season pulls in more visitors than the village is used to handling.
Eating in Vattavada
The food situation here is simple, honest, and surprisingly good. Village eateries serve fresh Kerala meals that fill you up without any fuss.
Here is what I would recommend eating during your visit:
- Kerala Sadhya style meals served on banana leaves at small local eateries
- Fresh strawberry jam sold directly by farm families, perfect to carry home
- Hot black tea from roadside stalls on cold mornings, best paired with nothing
- Locally grown vegetables cooked in simple Kerala style at homestay kitchens
- Fresh fruit including plums, oranges, and strawberries bought straight from farms
How to Reach Vattavada from Munnar
Vattavada is 45 km from Munnar, but do not let that number fool you. The drive takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on road conditions and how many times you stop to look at the view, which will be often.
The route passes through Mattupetty, Echo Point, Kundala Dam, Top Station, and Pampadum Shola National Park before reaching Vattavada. Every stretch of this road has something worth slowing down for.
A few practical points about getting there:
- Rent a jeep or a sturdy bike from Munnar for this trip. Small cars can struggle on the narrow, steep sections closer to Vattavada.
- Avoid the monsoon months (June to August) if possible. The roads get slippery and some sections become genuinely risky during heavy rain.
- No direct public bus runs the full route conveniently. Private jeep rentals from Munnar are the most common and reliable option.
- Start early from Munnar, ideally by 6 AM, so you reach in time for the sunrise at Pazhathottam Viewpoint.
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The sweet spot for visiting Vattavada is between September and April. The weather stays cool, the farms are active, and the roads are in much better shape compared to the monsoon months.
The absolute best window is November to February. This is when the strawberry farms are in full season, the air is at its coldest, and the whole village feels most alive.
Here is a quick seasonal breakdown to help you plan:
| Season | Months | Weather | Best For | Watch Out For |
| Winter | November to February | Cold, clear, dry | Strawberry farms, sunrise views, farm walks | Book stays in advance, gets crowded |
| Summer | March to May | Mild and pleasant | Quiet travel, vegetable farms, trekking | Some farms may be less active |
| Monsoon | June to September | Heavy rain, misty | Lush green scenery, waterfalls | Slippery roads, limited access |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vattavada worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. If you want a quiet, offbeat experience away from Munnar’s tourist rush, Vattavada is completely worth the 45 km drive. The farms, the viewpoint, and the overall vibe are unlike anything else in Kerala.
Can we visit strawberry farms all year?
No. The strawberry season runs from November to February. Outside this window, the farms are still there but active plucking and fresh berries are not guaranteed.
How far is Vattavada from Munnar?
Vattavada is 45 km from Munnar and takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours by road depending on conditions.
Is Vattavada suitable for families with kids?
Yes. The strawberry farms, open vegetable fields, and easy village walks make it a genuinely enjoyable trip for families.
What should I carry to Vattavada?
Carry warm layers, a rain jacket, good walking shoes, and some cash. ATMs are not easily available in the village.
Is mobile network available in Vattavada?
Network connectivity is patchy. BSNL tends to work better than private networks in this area. Download offline maps before you leave Munnar.
Final Thoughts
Vattavada did not make it onto any list I read before my trip to Munnar. I found it almost by accident, and it ended up being the part of the trip I remember most clearly.
It is simple, cold, quiet, and real. Pack warm clothes, start early, and give yourself at least a full day here. You will not feel like you wasted it.
