A solo trip to Munnar to rejuvenate your soul

Who doesn't like to travel and explore new places? After I finished college and get a job, I had this dream of going on trips with my friends and have a lot of fun. We'd be adults so no one can really say anything to that.

But let's be real, planning for a trip and actually going on a trip are two completely different things. Like, me and my friends have been planning to go to Goa for three years now. But nothing has happened yet.

So anyway, I finally understood if I keep waiting on others to come join me on adventures, then I'll have to keep waiting. And I was reading blogs about a lot of female travelers going on solo trips, so I decided to do just that.

I didn't have any real guide to help me plan the trip. I just went with my instincts. So if you're someone who is planning to travel solo, I hope this helps you.

How I selected the place for my first solo trip?

Selecting the place is obviously the first step. Now, if this is your first solo trip and you're kinda unsure about what to expect, then select some place a little closer to home. I decided to visit Munnar. It's closer to Tamil Nadu, and I always liked visiting Kerala. And most of the people in there knows Tamil, so language won't be much of a problem. And it's also a place you can visit in 2-3 days. So the trip won't take long.

How to plan for a solo trip?

Alright, so you decided where you wanna go. That's great. Now it's time to move on to the next stage in planning, accomodation.

Yes, choosing your accommodation should be your first priority when you're traveling alone. And don't even think, "I'll find a hotel when I arrive there. It shouldn't be a problem."

It is a bad idea for the following reasons:

1. You can't be sure what to expect.
2. Most hotels you find near bus stand or railway station will be a little expensive.
3. The rooms might already booked and you'll have to waste your time looking for a place still carrying all your bags.

Which is why I always book rooms two weeks prior to my visit. I usually book through bookings.com, you can find a lot of budget friendly hotels and homestays in there and most of them has the option to pay on the premise. So you can be assured that it is legit.

A hint in selecting a hotel? Don't go for the one with the lowest price. Chances are, it'll be too far from bus stand and everything. So look for something that is easily accessible, but also budge friendly.

Once you're done with that, do a small research and make a list of all the tourist attractions. This way you can keep track of things, and can be sure you didn't miss any spots.

My solo trip to Munnar:

I planned the trip on a whim, but I was feeling skeptical about a lot of things. As a typical South Indian girl, I never went on a trip by myself. I was nervous, but excited too.

I stayed in Munnar for three days and two nights, which is sufficient to visit all the important places.  I spent the first day exploring the place and trying different food. And I stayed in a homestay with a group of tourists, so it refreshing to meet and talk with people who share the same passion as me.

Top station:

We all know Munnar is famous for its elegant tea estates, but the first place on my list was too station. You can easily find a bus to top station every 30 minutes. The ride will take about 30 - 45 minutes, so be sure to leave early in the morning if you wanna enjoy an amazing view.

It is the highest point in Munnar and has the breathtaking view of the Western Ghats, and the valley of Theni district of Tamil Nadu. For a small entry fee, you can climb up to the top and look down at the clouds (yes, the clouds will be below you).

You can also find a lot of small food stalls in there. So make sure to try out their hot and spicy Maggie and bread omelet. Or you can visit a hotel and enjoy a nice lunch.

Mattupetty boat ride:

On your way back from Top Station, you can visit Mattupetty for an amazing boat ride and a little shopping.

And if you're a feeling a little too adventurous, you can go for paragliding and enjoy the Birdseye view of the hill.

Echo point:

Another must visit spot in Munnar. Located right the lap of beautiful lake and misty hills, it is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a nice hot tea or roasted cashews. And the best part about this place is you can hear your echo if you shout. And let's be real, we all wanted to do that since we were kids.

Tea estates:

Of course, you cannot miss luscious tea estate. You can enjoy a nice, relaxing walk among the neatly lined plants.

There's still a lot of places like chinnar wildlife sanctuary, carmelagiri elephant park, and rose garden where you can appreciate the beauty of this amazing place.

Traveling solo might seem a bit scary at first, but once you do it you'll understand how liberating that is. For someone who values freedom more than anything, the solo trip made me feel liberated and free and helped me learn about myself. It's something everyone should experience at least once.