BEST OF VALPARAI WITH ATHIRAPALLY FALLS (FROM COIMBATORE)

Hill Station | Waterfall

Photo Credit: Flickr

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Trip Starting Point: Coimbatore City

Mode of Travel: Car (or Cab)

Trip Duration: 3 Days

Ideal Start Time: 6 AM (Day 1), 8.30 AM (Day 2) & 9 AM (Day 3)

Total Places Visited: 10

DAYS

DAY 1 : TRAVEL TO VALPARAI & SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Coimbatore to Valparai

At a distance of 24 km from Pollachi and 43 km from Valparai, Aliyar Dam is an earthen dam located at Aliyar village in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the popular dams in the Coimbatore district and among the prime places to visit in Valparai.

Built across the Aliyar River, the Aliyar Dam was constructed during 1959-1969 mainly for irrigation purposes. Azhiyar Dam was inaugurated on 2nd October 1962 by then Prime minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and was commissioned in 2002 to generate Hydro Electric Power. The dam is located in the foothills of Valparai, in the Anaimalai Hills of the Western Ghats. The height of the dam is 81 m.

There is a well-maintained park built at bottom of the Dam along with an aquarium, a mini Themed - Park and play area maintained by Tamil Nadu Fisheries Corporation. The view of the Anamalai range around the reservoir is a feast for the eyes and the view of the coconut groves from the top of the dam is amazing. One can also .....

At a distance of 5 km from Aliyar Dam, 27 km from Pollachi, and 38 km from Valparai Bus Station, Monkey Falls is a natural waterfall situated in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the Pollachi-Valparai road in the Anamalai Hills range, it is one of the magnificent waterfalls near Coimbatore, and among the best places to visit as part of Pollachi packages.

Situated near Aliyar Dam, Monkey Falls is cascading down from a height of about 60 feet into a pool. Enveloped between evergreen forests and rocky cliffs, this enchanting waterfall brings together the entire scenery. It is one of the best places to visit in Pollachi. Take a dip in the falls is refreshing though it is a bit dangerous during monsoons when the water flow is high. As the name suggests, the place has several monkeys. .....

At a distance of 7 km from Monkey Falls, 12 km from Aliyar Dam, 31 km from Valparai and 35 km from Pollachi, Loam's View Point is a beautiful vantage point located on Valparai-Pollachi Road in Tamilnadu. Situated in the Anamalai Hills of Western Ghats, it is one of the popular viewpoints in Valparai and among the must-visit places as part of Valparai Tour Packages.

The Loam's Viewpoint is situated at the 9th hairpin bend of the winding Pollachi - Aliyar - Valparai hill road. This viewpoint has been named after Mathew Loam, who marked the roadway back in 1886. There is a platform at the viewpoint that offers an impeccable view of the Aliyar Dam and its reservoir, Anamalai mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, as well as the stunning sunset views. The place is also a good vantage point to look out into the plains, as far as the town of Pollachi.

Loam's View Point is an important vantage point that one cannot afford to miss while making their way to Valparai. This vantage point .....

At a distance of 10 km from Valparai Bus Station, Balaji Temple is one of the prominent temples located in Valparai, Tamilnadu. Situated inside Karumalai Tea Estate, it is one of the beautiful and the most visited Valparai tourist places.

Owned and managed by Peria Karumalai Tea Industries, the temple amidst tea estates and sprawling hill ranges, gives visitors a sense of frosty and serene atmosphere. The chief deity worshipped here is Lord Balaji who is also known as Lord Venkateshwara. The statue of Lord Balaji inside the sanctum is made of pure gold. The idol and pujas performed here resemble that of Tirupathi Balaji Temple. It is one of the must-include places in Valparai holiday packages.

As vehicles are not allowed after the entrance, one has to walk 500 meters uphill slope. Located amidst beautiful hills and tea estates, the serenity and .....

Overnight Stay in Valparai

DAY 2 : ATHIRAPALLY FALLS SIGHTSEEING

At a distance of 23 km from Valparai, and 55 km from Athirapally, Sholayar Dam is a masonry- gravity dam situated on Valparai-Athirapally road. It is one of the top tourist places to visit near Athirapally Waterfall, and among the must include places in Valparai tour packages.

The Solaiyar Dam is part of the Solaiyar Hydroelectric Project (HEP) which comprises the main Soliayar Dam, the Solaiyar Flanking, and the Solaiyar Saddle Dam. Solaiyar Dam was officially opened in 1965. The Solaiyar Flanking was built in 1964 and the Solaiyar Saddle Dam in 1965.

The dam is an important reservoir under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project. The height of the main dam is 66 m, its width is 430 m, and its length 430.60 m. The reservoir's overflowing waters are let into the Parambikulam Reservoir through the saddle dam. The surroundings of the dam are full of great natural beauty.

It is not worth visiting other than in monsoons as the .....

At a distance of 32 km from Chalakudy, 59 km from Thrissur, 73 km from Kochi, 100 km from Munnar, 122 km from Kottayam, 170 km from Kozhikode, 174 km from Coimbatore & 269 km from Trivandrum, Athirapally Waterfall is a scenic waterfall situated at the entrance of Sholayar hill range in the Thrissur district. It is one of the best waterfalls in India, and among the most famous tourist places in Kerala.

Formed over the Chalakudy River, Athirapally is the biggest waterfall in Kerala. This waterfall drops down from a height of 80 feet through several parallel streams offering a great scenic beauty. In the monsoon season, the water gets strength and all the streams join together and appear like Niagara Falls. This is the biggest waterfalls in Kerala and is well-known for its scenic beauty. It is one of the popular places to visit near Kochi.

One .....

At a distance of 7 km from Athirapally & 75 km from Kochi, Vazhachal Waterfall is a breathtakingly beautiful waterfall situated very close to Athirapally - Valparai road. It is one of the popular tourist places in Athirapally.

Near the entrance of the Sholayar forest range, the waterfall is formed on Chalakkudy River at the lower stream of Athirapally Waterfalls. The surroundings of the waterfalls offer rich natural views. Unlike Athirapally Waterfalls, Vazhachal flows through an inclined slope of more than 300 feet to descend into a huge pool. It is very difficult and dangerous to step into the flow or to reach the bottom of the flow.

This waterfall became famous for not just its view but the endemic species found in the surrounding dense forests. Researchers have found four endangered species of the Hornbill here, the only .....

Overnight Stay in Athirapally Waterfalls

DAY 3 : VALPARAI SIGHTSEEING & TRAVEL TO COIMBATORE

At a distance of 15 km from Valparai Bus Station, Nallamudi Poonjolai is a spectacular vantage point located in Valparai, Tamilnadu. Situated in the Nallamudi Tea Estate, it is one of the splendid places to include in your Valparai Tour Package.

Situated amidst the tea fields, Nallamudi Viewpoint offers stunning views of the Anamudi Peak, the tallest peak in South India, vast tea gardens, lush green valleys, and magnificent waterfalls flowing between the steep cliffs of the mountain ranges. The spectacular scenery and the tranquil environment of the viewpoint attract many tourists and nature lovers. It is a perfect place to spend some relaxed moments immersed in the tranquility of nature.

To access this viewpoint, one has to walk uphill through tea plantations of Nallamudi Estate. After nearly a km of a walk across the tea estate, one can witness the raw Valparai and also the Sholayar mountains. The panoramic view of lush .....

At a distance of 2.5 km from Valparai Bus Station, the Kuzhankal River View is a riverside viewpoint located in Valparai. It is one of the most popular picnic spots in Valparai, and among the must include places in Valparai packages.

Koozhangal or Koolangal River is one of the most preferred tourist places in Valparai. It was more a stream than a river. The place is famous for its slow-flowing river, and shallow waters are known for its pebble stone bottom amid verdant, grassy surrounds. The freshwater of the river is clean and pure and is ideal for swimming, and relaxing amid lush green environs.

This is really a good place for family and kids since the water level is low so one can play in the river. This is located in between tea estate where you can take beautiful pictures as well.

Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free

At a distance of 9 km from Valparai Bus Station, Nirar Dam is an artificial dam situated in the hill town of Valparai. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Valparai.

Nirar Dam was a small dam built across Nirar River at a lower site, about 8 km, below the Upper Nirar weir. This dam will serve to conduct the diverted waters of the Anamalai Basin to the Sholayar valley through the unlined lower Tunnel taking off from the dam site. In addition to this, the yield of the catchment between the Upper Nirar Weir and the Dam will also be diverted to the Sholayar basin. The Nirar Dam was constructed mainly for irrigation purposes and to provide hydroelectricity to the area. One can also visit nearby Chinna Kallar Waterfalls.

Timings: 9 AM - 4 PM

Entry: Rs. 30 for Person & Rs. 80 for Camera

Travel from Valparai to Coimbatore