About Valparai
Valparai is a must visit hill station in the Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. It’s located at Anaimalai hills (Elephant hills) in the Western Ghats and above 3500 feet sea level.
Valparai is one of the famous tourist place surrounded by tea estates, mountains and forest. Spectacular scenic view is assured throughout the travel and foggy clouds will travel along with us in most of the places.
If you travel after monsoon we can see lots of streams inside the tea estates on the way itself. The road is extremely good throughout the journey and its green.. green..green everywhere and suitable for weekend getaway from Bangalore
3 Days trip from Bangalore to Valparai
Route : Bangalore – Satyamangalam- Bannari- Pollachi- Coimbatore –Anamalai – Valparai
Return : Valparai – Anamalai – Coimbatore – Salem – Erode – Hosur – Bangalore
Places visited during 3 day trip to Valparai:
Sathyamangalam forest – Bannari Mariamman temple- Anaimalai – Masaniamman temple – Aliyar Dam – Monkey water Falls – Loam’s view point / 9th hairpin bend- Kavarkal – Karumalai Annai Velankanni Shrine – Balaji Temple – Vellaimalai tunnel water falls – Akkamalai hills – Nallamudi poonjoli view point- Grass hills- Koolangal River (Srikundra)- Top slip – Athirapally Falls
Day – 01
Sathyamangalam forest:
Started from Bangalore by 6AM and travelled through the Sathyamangalam forest. Crossed 27 hairpin bends and travelled through a scenic hill view. Half the way through we sighted a wild elephant and it crossed in front of our vehicle & every one where thrilled to see the giant animal nearby.
Distance : Bangalore to Sathyamangalam forest – 280Kms
Sathyamangalam forest picture
Sathyamangalam forest picture
Sighted Elephant at Satyamangalam forest drive
Bannari Mariamman temple
We stopped at the famous Bannari Mariamman temple and the temple was surrounded by forest .Within 5 Kms good hotels available for lunch ( Veg / Non Veg )
Distance :Bangalore to Bannari amman temple – 240Kms
Bannari Mariamman temple Picture
Anaimalai
Anaimalai hills mean elephant hills and located at western Ghats . This place is famous for Masaniamman temple.
Distance : Bannari Amman Temple to Anaimalai – 135Kms
Masaniamman temple Anaimalai
Day – 02
Journey started by 7AM and we headed towards Valparai and we started to explore the important places on the way.
Aliyar Dam / Azhiyar Reservoir, Valparai
We had our breakfast at Aliyar dam. This place is called as Parambikkulam aliyar dam. During monsoon the water level is high .
Distance : Ananimalai to Aliyar dam – 13Kms
Aliyar Dam / Azhiyar Reservoir, Valparai
Monkey water Falls,Valparai
A small waterfall located on the road side itself. The flow of water was a bit forceful & pleasant to watch and get wet in waterfalls, surrounded by dense forest. The place was clean and neat to take a dip at waterfalls.
Distance : Aliyar Dam to Monkey falls – 1KM
Monkey water Falls
Loam’s view point / 9th hairpin bend , Valparai
This road was constructed by Er Mathew Loam , hence this name . One of the best hairpin bend to get the spectacular view of Aliyar reservoir and anamalai hills around . It’s in the 9th hairpin bend from Pollachi to Valparai and 780m above sea level Need to be careful as there is no proper protection wall around.
Distance : Monkey falls to Loam’s view point – 7Kms
Loam’s view point / 9th hairpin bend
Loam’s view point / 9th hairpin bend
Attakatti view point, Valparai
On the way to Kavarkal we crossed Attakatti route and don’t miss the Attakatti view point, which is 2.5Kms from loam’s view point.
Attakatti view point
Carver Marsh view point / Carver Marsh Statue
Carver Marsh’s statute located in Karvarkal enroute to Valparai. He is the founder of Valparai and first planter of tea, also called as God father of Valapari tea estate. Good view of sholayar Reservior and we can see heavy mist in this place
Kavarkal – Valparai
Karvarkal is an breath-taking place surrounded with mist and we had a small tea break, we started to walk around to enjoy the clouds and mist around us . Started to drizzle mildly and we had awesome time here by enjoying the chillness.
Distance :Loam’s view point to Kavarkal – 17kms
Kavarkal
Karvarkal
On the way we found a stream in between the tea estates & we stopped the vehicle, had fun by playing in water , we crossed the stream and walked inside the tea estate . The climate was pleasant with a mild drizzle .
Stream inbetween Valpari tea estate
Karumalai Annai Velankanni Shrine, Valparai
Famous church located off the main road and near to this stream . The church is surrounded by lush tea estates and covered by clouds . Nothing else you can see other than church, tea leaves & clouds .
Karumalai Annai Velankanni Shrine
Karumalai, Valparai
We found a beautiful downstream in front of the Church and spent good time here . The rocks were slippery & need to be more careful.
Karumalai
Again we traveled in-between tea estates and crossed lots of hills along with clouds.
Balaji Temple, Valparai
Then we crossed one of the famous Balaji temple in Valparai and located around 10Kms from Valparai
Balaji Temple
Vellaimalai tunnel waterfalls, Valparai
Vellaimalai estate is around 3 Kms from Valapari, as per the name of the hill we could see white mist and clouds around the hills and the way we drove ( Vellaimalai = white hills ). After Karamali estate we reached tunnel waterfall.There is a small iron bridge to cross and to reach the small waterfalls . Water resource is from chinakalar and during monsoon water flow is more.
Vellaimalai tunnel waterfalls
Akkamalai hills, Valparai
Next we reached the Akkamali tea estate, mist surrounded us and it was drizzling mildly . We couldn’t even see people 100mts away due to heavy mist and had a wonderful time there . Off the road there is a small tea shop & we all had hot lemon tea with snacks. The tea factory located here, is the on the highest hill.
Akkamalai hills
Akkamalai Hills
Nallamudi poonjoli view point, Valparai
15 kms from Valparai . After reaching a small road, need to walk 1 km to reach Nallamudi view point and walk is in-between tea estates. We couldn’t reach to the top , because we reached the check post/ point by 5:30PM and it was not advisable to go in the late evening .
Nallamudi poonjoli view point
On the way to Nallamudi poonjoli view point
Grass hills, Valparai
It’s a restricted area and permission to be obtained. Grass hills is situated after Akkamalai Hills and then forest area starts and lies within the Anaimalai tiger reserve.
Koolangal River (Srikundra)
Way back to Valpari ( before 2 kms ) we stopped at Koolangal ( Pebble ) river .Situated between / near sirukundra & nadumalai estates .There is no sand found in this river and its full of pebbles and surrounded by tea estates , because of monsoon the water flow was good and its crystal clear.
Koolangal River (Srikundra)
Day – 03
Top slip , Valparai
Famous for wildlife sanctuary and national park, located in Anamalai.
After paying the entrance fee, one of the forest guard guided us throughout the trek. It was a basic level hiking & nature walk at top slip. Inbetween we sighted giant elephants and it was bit thrilling to walk nearby. When we entreated thick forest area due to dampness in the ground we all encountered leach attack. the forest guard stopped for bird watch and it was an excellent experience when we walked thru dense forest by expecting wild animals & leeches.
Top slip
Top Slip
At Top slip
Elephant Safari available and the forest gaurd will take us inside the forest area .Jungle Safari thru government vehicle also available
Tips to avoid Leech attach :
Carry salt water / salt , anti leech sock / tobacco soaked water spray on clothes & shoes / most important – don’t get panic if u found leech is attached in your body , remove it carefully ( heat it )thru match stick/ lighter /spray alcohol / throw salt and don’t pull it. Apply antiseptic cream and consult doctor if required.
If you need to stop to take rest, find a spot with direct sunlight because leech do not exist in dry and hot places.
Other Places to visit in Valparai:
Valparai to Cinchona Direction: Koolangal River- Lower Nirar Dam- Ministers view- Chinnakallar dam Lawson falls & Rope Bridge , Chinnakallar falls
Nallamudi Valey View- Anaimudi Peak View
Other Near by places to see in Valparai
Athirapally Falls- Sholayar Dam- Amaravathy Dam- Thirumurthy Falls- Old valparai Valley view
Akkamalai Estate
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