Valparai
Hilltop Trips India

Valparai hill town bounded by Mountains / Meadows / Pastures / Valleys / Grass lands / Waterfalls etc., to the best of obtainable sources which in fact and anuthentic guide to knowledge the obsolute joy of it. The most prestigious, impressive, inspiring hill resort of Tamilnadu. Valparai keeps on flashing intermittent brightness from the light house of the Manchester of India, rich in tradition. flora and fauna yet contemporary in out look, it has a wealth of prestigious environment and the majestic idea tobe identified is that Valparai, the enviable stature inone's life is traced on Anamalai Hills of Western Ghats.

Valparai is one of the attractive scenic tourist spots in Tamil Nadu. It is located above 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Annamalai mountain range. It is a town located on the western ghats, 105 Km away from Coimbatore.

In Valparai, there are several tea and coffee Estates, Dams, Water Falls and 15 Tea Factories. Valparai totally gives us a wonderful natural scenery, which stands majestically with forest all around. Sholayar Dam in Valparai is a fantastic dam to watch. Other important places to visit around Valparai are Balaji temple, Puncha Mugha Vinayagar Koil and spread across tea estates.

Hill Resort | Elevation | Travel | Season | Tourist places | Accommodation | Location | Valparai Map

The Hill Resort

Valparai is a small town located at 3500 feet above sea level in the Anamalai ranges of Coimbatore district in the state of Tamilnadu in India.Valparai's history ranges back to the 19th century when the Karnatic coffee company bought some land from the Madras Government for Coffee Cultivation in the Anamalais. But the expected yield of coffee was not obtained and so growth stagnated in the area. But things started to turn around in the first half of the 20th century when tea estates and rubber plantations started to develop around the area. The Valparai Township was started in 1903 by the Anamalai Planters Association. You might have heard of the phrase 'Inclusive distribution of wealth within the society'. When this phrase is applied to Valparai it would imply inclusive distribution of beauty within the environment'. In simple words, you cannot compare one area of scenic beauty with another as every area here would leave you with an equal and completely overwhelming sense and feeling of awe. But afterall this is paradise so you cannot expect more.Another thing is that humans and non-humans live in perfect harmony in Valparai. You could easily spot a deer or a pack of deers or monkeys or peacocks by the side of the road. The elephants are the local badboys moving about in packs and rampaging fields. They are usually great to look at with their majesty and all but make sure you have a lot of space inbetween and stay clear of a lone elephant because they are known to have mood swings and the swings are usually towards the rough side.

About Valparai

The discovery of Valparai is due to the destruction of wild lives and one could not realize easily that we were stabled now is ones shelter to endanger species and dense forest. Somehow the tea estates takeover that thought by its evergreen blanket.Only when we hear to say someone about the past and what we try to understand is fractional. And we can't blame anybody, and everything is dawn towards our needs. There is destruction to a development, the world came across this ideal and if not the pioneer G.A. Carver Marsh - founder of the Valparai, we aren't to experience the pristine beauty. Standing tall at an edge of hill, facing around the green mountains and pointing finger across, the Carver Marsh statue view the beautiful Valparai - called by 'Seventh Heaven' in the world!

For those ones visited, it's a place to wish to visit again and again. It is complete quiet to movements. To wake up to fall asleep on natures lap, to check out the cotton clouds striking across the mountains and sunshine's to glitter the tender keen leaves of tea gardens. It's totally pleasant to views and sense serene at present. Valparai survives with basic infrastructure more than enough compare to cities, with fully loaded electricity throughout years with no complaint of shortage, clean and tasty drinking water supplied through pipes and modern garbage cleaning system. It was wonderful listening to a relative native to the valparai describing me the basis they enjoy. It is a no way option to those frequently on mobiles, because except BSNL and rarely Reliance there no mobiles get signal! This sometime could get down your business, but according to weather condition the cell phone towers get smash to thunder storms which often knock down here.

Valparai could be reached through buses from its nearest towns and the transportation happens 24 hours with frequent bus services. More importantly the sources of life, the food materials have to come down from the Pollachi town. Because there were no vegetables or fruits cultivation happens there. Valparai with almost rain throughout years, have its monsoon from May end till September, receiving the highest amount of rainfalls. Chinnakallar is a region in Valparai receives the second highest rainfall in India next to Cherrapunji. Can't separate which is best months to visit valparai, because whatever time u visit u experience a different but pleasure is indeed sure. People in valparai adjacent to live around its lonely main road which accomplishes there necessity and within locals they have something to distinguish as up and down in purchase option.

Valparai with strong background of tea plantation, most of the business is associated with Tea and top companies like TATA have there industries here, which remains the largest plantations in South India. It was the Carver Marsh who brought the tea and coffee plants here at the beginning after discovering the Anamallais with Congreve an active partner. In late 18th century there were only 50 acres of coffee was planted and in early 1900 the acres were in couple of thousands and very little amount of tea and cardamoms. In foresight advantage, the coffee plantation have been reduced as it takes time to produce seeds and were in tea, its just leaves that grow often in time witnessed a rise in plantation is quite touching 37,000 acres now. The obstacles it carried down to this present is more and one is the Malaria, which survive through this region drawbacks the productivity, until came the solution after several years of research to found and destroy the culprit 'Anopheles'- which bred through streams and rivers.

At early the more outcome of tea, rose down another problem with transporting goods and to feed labors. In behalf came the solution with Anamallai Ropeway Company introducing a ropeway connected with the district and foot hills, to railhead at Pollachi through Lorries. At that present it transports 32,000 tons of goods yearly and even unconditionally success. Later in worth, Mr. Loam, an engineer surveyed a ghat route, including the bridle paths - the only paths used by people earlier to reach valparai, was helped in direction to construct the road under charged of Carver Marsh. The project was completed in 1930, the road later widened with the help of PWD and Highways Dept lately. And we can only wonder someone tells the difficulty on building the ghat road, preventing endanger of animals, heavy rains and lot of leeches.

Valparai Municipality

Valparai is a municipality in Coimbatore district, holding an assemble constituency. It serves with a govt. hospital and Primary Health Centre; higher secondary schools and art's collage; limited hotels and private cottages, with two petrol bunks at choice to wander. About the Hydro-electric power, which produces the electricity, was brought here by giant Sir Henry Howard, the Chief Electrical Engineer who developed the Pykara Hydro-Electric project in Nilgiris. It was his immediate success after the Pykara project, from where he brought electricity into this district first. Today his project and the idea got Valparai its immense source of electricity, one of its significance. It was a homely stay for me in Valparai, except the pleasant weather, unpolluted circumstance, and strange birds singing, quiet almost when world at buzz... It's a phenomenon we aren't expected. The whole is pristine here to begin the future at earliest of cities. A thought that worries me in case been to stay, is an encroaching of some others heaven.

Elevation

Valparai - 3,500 feet

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Location Details

Location Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore District, South India
East - Udumelpat
West - Paramibikulam
North - Topslip
South - Munnar

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How to Reach There and Distances

Valparai Travel Details

64 Km drive from Pollachi to Valparai is itself an exotic experience. En route is the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary where lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri and the common langur, Malabar giant squirrel, elephant, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and wild boar reside. From Valparai you can visit the Aliyar, Sholaiyar and Nirar dams. Tunnels bored into the mountains and canals to harness the water from Parambikulam, Aliyar, Nirar, Sholaiyar Dam, and several tourist spots.

By Road

Pollachi - Aliyar Dam - Attakatty - Waterfalls - Rottikadai - Valparai 64 Km
Bus frequency is from Pollachi to Valparai for every half an hour.

Chalakudi - Athirapally Falls - Malikiparai - Sholayar Dam - Valparai 108 Km
Bus Timings
Morning 7.30
Afternoon 1.30

From Coimbatore to Valparai - 100 Km
Bus Timings
Midnight 1.00
Morning 7.30
Fore-Noon 11.30
Afternoon 4.00

From Palani to Valparai - 117 Km
Palani - Udumelpet - Angalakurichi - Aliyar Dam - Attakatty - Waterfalls - Valparai
Bus Timings
Midnight 12.30
Morning 7.30
Noon 12.00
Evening 4.00

By Air

Nearest Airport - Coimbatore
Regular Flights from Chennai and Cochin to Coimbatore
Other nearest Airport is Cochin and Madurai.

By Rail

Nearest Railway Station is Pollachi - 64 Km
Main Railway Station is Coimbatore 100 Km

Best Season to Visit/Weather

Average Rainfall 500-5000mm.
South west- North East Monsoon

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Best Season to Visit/Weather

Valparai experiences a moderate and healthy climate all through the year and is perfect to visit at any time of the year. The best time visit September to May

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Tourist places near Valparai

Nature seemed to have made an exception while carving out Valparai because the mesmerizing beauty here is so evenly distributed all over that you cannot specifically point out to a certain location or area of scenery as the best. But the attributed spots among the locality where you can hang out are briefed below:

Get Dizzied Exploring the depths Of Sholayar:

Believed to be the second Highest dam of Asia Sholayar must be on the don't-miss category of your list. The dam and its surroundings are perfect examples of the term 'majesty'. You will have to travel 20 Kms out of Valparai to reach this area.

Have a Stint at Nirar

Take a trip to the Nirar dam situated within a dense forest. The route will give you an eerie but enthralling experience as you would be traveling through a proper jungle rather than the concrete jungle that you have got used to.

Get Drenched in the Drizzles of Chinnakallar

You might have heard that Chirapunji is the spot that receives the highest rainfall in India. But spot two was up for grabs and Chinnakallar managed to fit in. That's right India's 2nd highest rainfall is received by Chinnakallar. This area also lodges a waterfalls. Chinnakallar is situated at about 15 Km from Valparai.

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.

Worship the Lord at Annai Velankani

Visit the Karamalai Annai Velankani church and pray the lord in reverence. Located at 10 Kms from Valparai this abode of the lord is located in a peaceful and tranquil environment ideal for those who endeavor to worship her.

Lot of miracles happened by Vellankanni Matha. Festival 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.

Immerse into the Annals of Spirituality at the Balaji Temple

The Balaji temple of Karamalai is a hotspot in Valparai. This temple is located at 10 Km from Valparai and is owned by peria karamalai tea industries. The area also has a beautifully maintained garden with exotic flowers and a children's park. Just look up on your left side when you come out of the temple. You can have a extraordinary sight of acres of grass land at the top of a hill called Grass hills.

Entrall Yourself In the Enchanting Grass Hills

As the name suggests, grass hills comprise a slope covered completely in grass. The surrounding here is incredible and the view awe inspiring. This area is part of the Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuary and you will have to get the nod from the wildlife warden in Pollachi if you want to get here. But the troubles will definitely be worth it. The trip here takes 15 Km.

Its a part of Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary and 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 wildlife warden to enter the Grass Hills.

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.

Visit Lord Vinayaka

The Siddhi Vinayakar temple is located at 5 Km from Valparai. This temple also has a beautiful garden and is owned by Jayshree tea industries. The serenity, silence and cleanliness are the attractions We never miss at these temples.

Amuse About At Aliyar:

The Aliyar dam located at the base of Valparai hills is worth a visit. The dam also has a sprawling garden and a soothing environment.

Sholayar dam

It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated at a distance of 20 Km., 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 15 Km from Valparai.

Aliyar Park

Aliyar park is a leisure place to enjoy the natural scenery of Aliyar dam and chain mountains of western Ghats. Kids can have a pleasant time in the park.

Monkey Falls

Nearby Aliyar park is monkey falls. Its known as "Chinna Kuttralam". Enjoy the water showered by mother nature.

View points

Valparai is loaded with viewpoints giving out rich and breathtaking views. Some of the viewpoints are Number Parai and Nallamudi Poonjolai near sangili road of Valparai.The Kadamparai dam is also a beautiful area with an excellent viewpoint

This is a beautiful view point to view Aliar Dam and surrounding mountains of western Ghats. This is situated in 9 th hairpin bend.

Number Parai

This is also a beautiful view point. Near by Sangiliroad near Valparai.

Nallamudi Poonjolai

This is also a beautiful view point. Near by Sangiliroad near Valparai.

Kadamparai - Dam

This is a beautiful place to visit.

Top Slip

Top slip is a national park and a medicinal plant conservation area in the Anamalai hills. It is about 37 Km. from Pollachi (about 90 Km from Coimbatore). It is famous for its elephant camp at Kollikamuthi and its wildlife. There are bungalows available within the sanctuary. For thrill seekers, accommodation is also available in a tree house. It got its name during the British era, as lots of timber slipped down to the plains below.

Athirapilly Falls

Athirapalli is a minature Amazon within Kerala. The forest here is so lush and dense that it gives you a feeling that all civilization has disappeared from the face of earth and the world has become nature's unchallenged abode again. The end of your journey will lead you to Athirapalli falls or the 'punnagai mannan' falls named after a famous tamil film. The waters of the chalakudi river falls from a height of 80 feet and the view here is an awe inspiring experience.

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.

Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary

This Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi (about 90 Km. from Coimbatore). The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq. Km. It has various kinds of fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, re-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon, etc. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalais has a large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthi shola, Grass Hills, Waterfalls, Groves, Teak Forests, Estates, Dams and Reservoirs.

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Accommodation and Hotels at Valparai

Book Online - Green Hill Hotel	From Rs.743/-
Book Online - Krisha Lodge	From Rs.560/-
Book Online - Hotel Treat	From Rs.594/-