Valparai

Valparai is located mid of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve(ATR). This Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi (about 90 Kms. from Coimbatore). The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq. kms.

It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around. Facility with kind hospitality for you is assured at Valparai. Travel to Valparai is especially relevant

There are many places of scenic beauty such as View Points, Rivers, Waterfalls, forests, estates, dams, and reservoirs.

Wild Life in Valparai

Valparai is a mid-elevation hill station (Ootacamund is considerably higher). The tea plantations are surrounded by evergreen forest. The region is also a rich elephant tract and is known to have many leopards.^[11] The drive to the town from Pollachi passes through the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary noted for elephants, boars, lion-tailed macaques, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, and giant squirrels. The area is also rich in birds, including the great hornbill. Water bodies at Monkey Falls and Aliyar Dam are also seen en route. Valparai receives among the highest rainfall in the region during the monsoons (around June).

The Valparai range is also habitat to the Nilgiri tahr, an endemic wild ungulate. These mountain goats inhabit the high ranges and prefer open terrain, cliffs and grass-covered hills, a habitat largely confined to altitudes from 1200 to 2600m in the southern Western Ghats. Their territory extended far and wide all along these hills in the past, but, because of hunting and large-scale habitat destruction, they now exist only in a few isolated sites like the Anaimalai Hills. The human-elephant conflict here is a delicate issue. The tea plantations are a hindrance to the movement of wildlife, particularly elephants who walk large distances to reach water bodies and feeding areas.

 

 Places to Visit in Valparai

·         Aaliyar Dam - Aliyar (ஆழியார் azhiyar) Dam is a reservoir located 27 KM away from pollachi on the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats. The dam offers some ideal getaways including a park, an aquarium and a mini Theme-Park maintained by Tamilnadu Fisheries Corporation. It is an ideal picnic spot.

·         Monkey Falls - Monkey Falls is located at the 29th KM junction on the Pollachi-Valparai road. An entry fee of INR 15 per head must be paid at the check post located along Aaliyar - Monkey Falls route. But in recent days, entry to Monkey falls has been closed. Check with locals (shops near Aaliyar dam) before planning to visit Monkey falls.

·         Loam's View Point - A beautiful view point from where you can see Aliyar Dam, the surrounding mountains of western Ghats and the Pollachi town. This is situated in 9th hairpin bend towards Valparai from Pollachi.

·         Tiger Valley - From here you can see Upper Aliyar reservoir.

·         Balaji temple - Balaji temple is owned by the Peria Karamalai tea Industries. Situated in Karamalai. Very famous beautiful temple. Situated at a distance of 10kms from Valparai. You can reach temple either from Valparai town or take a detour from Hair pin bend 40. You have to park your vehicle much ahead of temple and walk uphill for 500 mts to reach temple.

·         Chitti Vinayagar Temple - Chitti Vinayagar Temple is owned by Jayshree tea Industries, Sholayar. The temple is situated in a beautiful garden environment and It only of 5 km from Valparai town.

·         Karamalai Annai Vellankanni Church - Lot of miracles happened by Vellankanni Matha. Fesitivel takes place every year during September 8th. New church was built in the year 2003. A place to enjoy spiritual peaceful environment. Many people visit this Church daily. Situated at a distance of 10kms from Valparai.

·         Sholayar Dam - It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai. An active tourist spot found always busy. A beautiful place to visit.

·         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 waterfalls near by the dam which resembles the Cascade. Situated at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

·         Chinnakallar - Chinnakalar is a geographically important place. It is the second highest rain fall area in India. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion. Situated at a distance of 15kms 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. Its a beautiful site of high green grasses on a mountain slope, which is a protected area. Visitors has to obtain permission from the wildlife warden to enter the Grass Hills. Situated at a distance of 15 kms. 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.

·         Athirapally Falls - It is near to the entrance of the Sholayar range is a place of great scenic beauty. Here, the water plunges from a height of nearly 80 feet before joining the Chalakudi river. This picturesque spot is adjacent to dense green forest, and is a part of Chalakudi River, 50 Km from Valparai towards Chalakudi, Kerala.

·         Manampalli forest - located about 20 k.m. from Valparai is known for its thick Shola forests, fast flowing rivers and scenic beauty.

Activities:

·         Wildlife & Nature Photography

·         Trekking

·         Visit to Tea Estates

How to Reach:

Distance from Pollachi is 64 kms, from Bangalore is 455 km, Distance from Chalakudi is 105 km andDistance from Munnar is 170 km. The route from Pollachi is an exotic experience as the route crosses the Anamalai Tiger Reserve Sanctuary.

Best  time to Visit:

the best time to visit this hill station is between the months of September to March, The weather is absolutely amazing during this season... Monsoon season lasts between June to August here.

Summer is between March to May, During summer the temperatures go really high and this city experiences very heavy showers.

Amazing place to visit in Season. Cheaper Home Stay. Scenery Place.