Freezing Munnar becomes magnet for Christmas-New Year tourists

As temperatures continue to plummet and frost carpets the landscape, Munnar in Kerala’s Idukki district is witnessing a sharp surge in Christmas-New Year tourist arrivals, along with hours-long traffic congestion.

Chenduvarai recorded the lowest temperature at -1°C on Saturday (December 27, 2025). According to data from the United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) Tea Research Foundation, Letchmi recorded 2°C, and Silent Valley recorded 3°C, matching the previous seasonal low of -1°C at Sevenmallay on Dec. 20.

Climate experts noted that the hill station has experienced an early winter this year. While temperatures typically drop to sub-zero levels during the last week of December or the first week of January, the mercury began falling as early as the second week of December this year. As a result, a thick layer of frost now carpets the grassy knolls and valleys. 

The early onset of winter has given a significant boost to Munnar’s tourism sector. 

Stakeholders expect the influx of visitors to continue through the end of January. However, reports of plunging temperature and frost has led to unexpected crowds, leading to severe traffic congestion on major routes.

Tourists clicking pictures at Neymakkad near Munnar.
| Photo Credit:
Jomon Pampavalley

G. Sojan, coordinator of the “My Munnar Movement” — an initiative to promote local tourism—said the frost has helped the hill station regain its seasonal glory. “After a brief lull, the hill station is seeing a steady flow of tourists eager to enjoy the chilly climate,” Mr. Sojan said.

He added that the surge has caused severe traffic congestion, particularly on the road leading to Rajamala in Eravikulam National Park, the habitat of the endangered Nilgiri tahr. “If the Forest Department begins picking up tourists from the Munnar High Altitude Stadium ground to transport them to Rajamala, it would greatly help reduce traffic congestion,” Mr. Sojan suggested.

While the cold weather has provided a significant boost to Munnar’s tourism sector, the local tea industry is grappling with substantial crop losses due to persistent frost.

Two major tea producers in the region, Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) and Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML), report that frost has damaged hectares of tea plantations.