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| Valparai |
Valparai is a hill station located in the Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. It is 104 km from Coimbatore and 64 km from Pollachi, 110 km from Ernakulam (Cochin) via Athirapally, Vazhachal, and Malakkapara. The pollution free heavenly land Valparai is located above 3500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain range. Valparai is not just a small town. It stands majestically with green spread mountains and forests all around. Valparai shares it's boundaries with Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Eravikulam National Park and Vazhachal forest division. People are approachable and very friendly. This is one of the places that you shouldn't miss in your life.
After spending 6 years in Bangalore, i really wonder, how i missed on this place and was not in my itenarary for travel. Ahh - i read in one of the blogs before traveling here, Valparai is situated in the Anna Malai Tiger reserve - and the government had not encouraged Tourists to visit the place - the Tiger and human conflict. With the Eco Tourism boom - government is now liberal and have taken measures to restore Valparai and open up for Tourism. Not many has been written about Valparai - i am making my efforts to blog this for all those who really love nature, wildlife, tea estates, dams etc.
Our plan
We had booked our train tickets about a month back to Coimbatore - but unfortunately, it was on waiting list.Thanks to Soma, my wife - who is very particular of travel to n fro. She had booked tickets on the Multi axle Volvo from Bangalore to Coimbatore. Note - as it was the long weekend break - Easter Holidays - the entire Bangalore junta is out for travel. Our plan was to take the Volvo from Bangalore to Coimbatore and back and hire a taxi for 3 day travel to Valparai.
Travel
We reached the KPN bus stop at Bommanhalli - my gosh,,crowd was massive as everyone wanted to leave for their home and others on to different destinations. I guess everyone needed a break and with the temperatures soaring high in the city. The brand new multi axle Volvo bus is amazing to travel - comfy and spacious. By the time we woke up - we had reached in the early hours (5ish) in Coimbatore bus stand.
Day 1 - 06th April, 2012
Bangalore-Coimbatore-Valparai
Bangalore-Coimbatore-Valparai
We had done prior bookings with one of best travel agents in Coimbatore. Rajesh - our cab driver was waiting for us. We had a brand new Tata Indica. We soon left for Valparai to avoid the mad rush city traffic. Valparai to Coimbatore by road - is a 3 hour travel. We stopped for a chai cum diesel break after about an hour. Had a quick snack and headed for the ghats. As we crossed by Aaliyar Dam - we were soon ascending the ghats. As morning was fresh - we had less traffic and enjoyed the beautiful drive up the hills. We crossed the Monkey Falls - apparently no water - due to summers,,, and to Loam's view point. Ahh - whatta view. Amazing view to see the surrounding Western ghats and Pollachi town. After a 3 hour long drive - we reached Valparai town by 9:30. We had not done any hotel bookings, but had just reserved. our 1st try was Misty Creek - thru one of the riders in Mad Bulls. I guess - this was one of the best places to stay. Amazing view from the balcony, quiet place and a friendly atmosphere. A quick break and we were out again to explore the hills. Plaza restaurant is the best place to have all your meals. Rajesh - our cab driver had good information about Valaparai and had a small itenerary for us. He picked up a local friend from the city to catch on the latest updates of the small town,,,
Murugan Festival: As we left the town, we saw a huge crowd gatthering,,we got the news - Murugan Festival. I guess we were lucky to be there. Unebeleivable to the eyes - small kids and men - had piercing done in their mouth and back - they say - it is our beleif in the Murugan god - and this pain is to show our way of effection. Most surpirsing was - it was vey well organized - their piercing in the mouth or back did not any drop of blood. Soma could not take this sight et all and we left soon,,do check out on the pics.
we visited Nirar Dam, Sholayar Dam, Number Parai - best views of Valparai & Balaji Temple.
You will get information on the net about these places,,,but dont miss on them as it a must to visit.
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| around Valparai |
After a good 3 hour tourist visit of Valparai - we decided to take a break at Misty Creek. benny - Frank Benjamin - the owner of Misty Creek - helped us to gather more information about the places to see around. Very helpful.
We left at 4pm for a small trek near Misty Creek resort. We did this trek for about 2 hours - unbeleivable experience. Trekking in the Tea gardens, getting an amazing view of the town and spending time at the waterfalls - nothing can beat this for a perfect vacation and enjoy nature. We called it a day with home food cooked at Misty Creek - paranthas and Chicken Curry.
Day 2 - 07th April, 2012
Valparai-Shanti Tea Estate-Sholayar Dam
As we had covered most part of Valparai - Benny had advised us to visit one of the Tea Estates - where there could be a possibility to see Elephants. Shanti Tea Estate - this is a diversion enroute to Comibatore 22 kms. from Valaparai. We left early to avoid the incoming traffic from Coimbatore. The drive early morning was a bliss - fresh breeze. We spotted a wide variety of Birds, lucky to spot the endagered Lion Tailed macaque.
Shanti Tea Estate - one of the biggest tea estates in the vicinity. As it was mid day, it was difficult to spot any elephants. Well, i wasnt keen to see more elephants , as we had watched in large numbers on our bike trip to Lanka. Anyways, the view was excellent.
We took a tour of Sholayar Dam once again. This was my favourite place to vist - a big dam with lots of lush green vegetation. I am sure this place would be much beautiful during the monsoons. As it was noon - we had a quick lunch at the Plaza and headed back to Misty Creek.
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| At Shanti Tea Estate - Valparai |
In the evening once again - we did a small trek to the Tea Gardens once again. We relaxed at the hotel as we had planned for a late night safari with Benny and a biker couple.
Night Safari
we left Misty Creek at 10pm for the night safari. Benny knew the place very well - administrators, wildlife, roads etc. Through his contacts - we were able to do the entire stretch of Sholayar Dam - gosh - it was superb in the night. Pretty scary though at times - elephants coming on the roads. Benny has shared with us some of his encounters with Elephants and the ruckus they create around. We spotted loads of Wildboar, porcupines, wild rabbits, rats ,,,unfortunately - no elephants. Benny was an expert on movements of Elephants in the vicinity,,,
We did the night safari for about 2 hours,,,as we could not get any luck on the Elephants, we left for Misty Creek.
Day 3 - 08th April, 2012
Valparai-Coimbatore-Bangalore
It was time for us to bid adieu to Valparai, we left early to avoid delays on boarding the bus at Coimbatore.
Enroute we stopped at Aliyar Dam for a visit - pretty hot though as we had descended the ghats. Had a light meal - idlis with omlette near Aliyar Dam, took the bus to Bangalore at 3pm,,,back home once again.More Information about Valaparai
Places To See
Aliyar Dam - Aliyar Dam is a reservoir that is located 27 km away from Pollachi on the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai range of the
Loam's View Point – This is a beautiful view point from where you can see Aliyar Dam, the surrounding mountains of
Balaji temple - Balaji temple is owned by the Peria Karamalai Tea Industries. It is situated in Karamalai, and is a very famous beautiful temple and is situated at a distance of 10 km from Valparai.
Sholayar Dam - It is the second deepest dam of
Nirar dam - This dam is built for multipurpose project such as irrigation, Hydro electricity production. Dam is situated in a wonderful location covered by a dense forest. There is a waterfall near by the dam which resembles the Cascade. It is situated at a distance of 15 km from Valparai.
Chinnakallar - Chinnakalar is a geographically important place. It is the second highest rain fall area in
There is a falls in Chinnakallar which is very beautiful to watch. Chinnakallar is situated at a distance of 15 km from Valparai.
Nallamudi Poonjolai -A beautiful view point located near the Sangiliroad in Valparai. One must walk for about 1 km inside the tea estate to reach this view point.
Number Parai - This is also a beautiful view point. Near by Sangiliroad near Valparai.
Grass Hills - Its a part of Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary & national park. It is surrounded by a green grass environment. It is a beautiful site of high green grasses on a mountain slope, which is a protected area. Visitors have to obtain permission from the wildlife warden to enter the Grass Hills. This is situated at a distance of 15 km from Valparai. Grass Hills is a picturesque spot located in the Valparai hills range, at a height of approx: 2400m msl, with cool climate getting cooler at night, a part of Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary. Right now all efforts are being undertaken by the government to preserve the flora and fauna of this location. Nilgiri Thar is native of this place apart from Elephants, Bison, Indian Gaur, Bear, Nilgiri Langurs etc.. and a wide variety of birds including Hornbills.
Kadamparai Dam - This is a beautiful place to visit. Prior permission from the forest department is necessary to visit this place.
Photos : https://picasaweb.google.com/kkrajiv/DropBox?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Important Information
Misty Creek
0091 9488876568
http://www.mistycreekvalparai.com/
MRT Tours & Travels
70/1 B Lenin nagar, 2nd Street, Ganapathy, Coimbatore 6
0091 9442168478
0091 9894268478
