Trip members: Karthik and friends
Trip date: 27 Dec 2023 - 29 Dec 2023
Trip Plan : Chennai - Coimbatore - Valparai - Coimbatore - Chennai
Valparai is a beautiful small hill station, 108 kms from Coimbatore. Valparai is know for its sprawling tea estates, the beautiful curvy roads and views. We started by overnight train from Chennai on 27 Dec and reached Coimbatore by morning 6:30.
Day-1
We refreshed and had tea/coffee, vadai and started by our pre-booked cab to Valparai. We bought breakfast parcel at Pollachi Hotel Gowrikrishna around 7:30; the plan being to take bath in monkey waterfalls, and then proceed with rest of the day.
Monkey Falls
The weather was cloudy and chill. Monkey falls is around 70 kms from Coimbatore and 29 kms from Pollachi. One has to buy entry tickets (per person and for the vehicle) twice to reach monkey falls - one for the Anamalai forest reserve area, while crossing Aliyar and then one at the entrance for the monkey falls. We reached Monkey falls around 8:30 and there almost no people. The waterfalls is just 100 m walk from the parking area and easily accessible. Water present was so apt to take bath comfortably with no crowd.
We spent close to 45 mins at the waterfalls taking bath and enjoying the chill water; almost like a private waterfalls. After the super energizing bath, we thought of having breakfast, but, there were so many monkeys. We attempted to stop inbetween at a view point, still monkeys came around.
The ghat roads were so good and as be climbed altitude by the beautiful curvy hairpin bends, we were blessed with amazing weather, foggy roads and colder weather. We enjoyed every bit of our travel.
We stopped mid-way at Kadambaarai dam and had breakfast within the car as we were too hungry after the super bath! It served as a very good pit stop to click beautiful memories.
Enroute to Valparai
As we continued our pleasant ride, we entered the tea estates and had a pitstop again to enjoy the nature around. We had some tea, soaked in the weather and continued our ride!
Rooms were booked at a homestay - Green Mount homestay in the town of Valparai - few 100m before the Valparai market area. We reached the rooms by 11:45 and greeted by caretaker Mr.Sreejith. The rooms are spacious, clean and really big rooms with a dining table and water heater as well. Importantly, it had a great view of the tea estates behind from the room and from anywhere.
We took some information on local sightseeing and started the trip. We chose to start with the farthest point in one direction (as we do on any travel) - Nallamudi View point. Valparai has excellent board signs giving guidance to tourists to go around.
Nallamudi View point
Nallamudi View point is 12 kms from the town and goes through amazingly beautiful tea estates. Nallamudi View point is one of the beautiful spots in Valparai. The vehicle can reach through to the parking area and one has to walk around 500 m to reach the view point. There is and entry fee of Rs.50 per person here. The walkway is amidst the tea estates and very nice to walk. We also sighted a wild mongoose on the walkway.
At the view point, we can see the hills around, lush green and some distant villages. We spent around 20 mins to enjoy the beautiful views and click some photos.
Koolangal River
Our next point was Koolangal River - a small river running by the tea estates; most importantly, the water bed naturally made of beautiful stones. This was an absolutely beautiful place and we sprung into the water. The place was mesmerizing and perfect place for a picnic.
We spent around 30 mins here and the time was around 3 PM. We skipped our lunch and had some fruits at the parking area at Koolangal River.
Nirar Dam
We then visited the last point on the circuit - Nirar dam - a further 20 min ride. We reached the Nirar dam and could view the water release side only from the main dam. We spent 10-15 mins at the dam, talking to a local and learning few things about the dam.
Enroute, we stopped by the Jayashree Tea estates outlet and bought tea a kg each at a very cheaper rate when compared to market price.
Evening at Valparai
We reached back to Valparai town around 4 PM and want to have some food. There are only 2 pure veg places - small places able to accommodate 8-10 people. We went to Hotel Anandas - a small eatery. They had only dosas and left over sides. But, we were absolutely ok to finish off whatever they were ready to offer.
Balaji temple
Post hot tea, we visited Balaji temple. We were stopped much before the parking area as time was past 4:30 PM. We were told that the temple is closed, however, we persisted to walk and go. We walked for close to a km and got to know that the temple is closed for darshan, however there will be a 2 min dharshan post evening puja. We decided to stay put, as we made it to the temple; and relaxed outside the temple. At 6 PM, we had a very good dharshan in that 2 mins and started back to the homestay.
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| Valparai Town |
We reached back homestay, refreshed and took some rest. Around 8 PM, we went for dinner to the other vegetarian outlet in Valparai - Sri Sabari mess. We had some chapathis, dosas and they were very homely and prepared fresh. Post dinner, we spent time walking around and buying local grown condiments and oils. There are few shops selling spices, condiments.
Day-2
Early morning rise is the norm in travel and we had a walk and a tea. We also walked down the lane to wander around the tea estates. Back around 7AM at the room, we are getting ready for the check out and had breakfast. Breakfast was home made from nearby and served for us at the room - the kichadi, idly, vadai, sambhar and chutneys were simple and very good.
Sholayar dam
27 kms from Valaparai, on the road to enter Kerala via Athirapally, is the Sholayar dam. Sholayar dam is one of the big dams in the locality and is beautiful to see. With time in mind, we reached the best point to view the dam and stopped there, instead of going all the way near to the dam. We spent around 15 mins viewing the sprawling reservoir and started back to the home stay, we had mid day train to catch from Coimbatore to Chennai.
We reached back homestay, packed and left, thanking our caretaker Mr.Sreejith for a very good facility at Valparai. We stopped at Aliyar for all-the-fresh Pollachi elaneer (tender coconut).
We also bought some varieties of chips at A1 chips near Coimbatore and reached the railway station on time. We packed some lunch for us from RHR and had in the Shatabdi train to Chennai.
A very short trip and the weather made it very memorable.
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