Idukki: Kolukkumalai, the breathtaking mountain ridge near Munnar along the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border, has drawn 11,214 tourists over the past five days, as the year-end holiday season gathers momentum. With New Year celebrations approaching, authorities expect a further surge in visitors eager to experience the region's famed sunrise views.

On Christmas Day alone, 2,244 tourists visited Kolukkumalai, arriving in 374 jeep trips. The footfall rose sharply on December 27, when 3,060 visitors reached the destination in 510 jeep trips.

The heavy influx of tourists has led to full occupancy at hotels and homestays across the Chinnakanal and Suryanelli areas of Idukki district. Kolukkumalai traditionally records its highest visitor turnout on New Year's Day, with travellers drawn by its panoramic sunrise vistas. According to Kerala Tourism, Kolukkumalai, located at an altitude of more than 7,000 feet above sea level, is the world's highest tea plantation.

The tea factory was established 80 years ago. The factory processes tea leaves using traditional methods, with machinery shipped from England in 1935. The tea produced in Kolukkumala has earned international recognition, including the Gold Leaf Award in 2007.

Even though a large part of Kolukkumalai, which is 35 km from Munnar, is located in Tamil Nadu, the only road to the place passes through Kerala. The last 12-km stretch of the road, from Suryanelli to Kolukkumalai, is treacherous and can be covered only by jeep. The authorities have given special permission for 238 jeeps based in Chinnakanal to take visitors to Kolukkumalai. These jeeps have a unique registration and have to clear a fitness test conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department every three months in order to ensure the safety of the travellers.

The jeep fare for a trip to Kolukkumala is ₹3,100, and six persons can travel at a time. The trekking starts at 4 am daily.