Valparai: Seventh Heaven in the World | Adventurous Ghats Road driving, Water Falls, Rivers, Dam, Tea Plantations, Temple

"Valparai", we heard the name from a Tamil Tele film. The place is near to pollachi and is the idyllic place to let lose your formality and succumb to elements of nature. For adventurous drivers the way to the Valparai will be more thrilling and unforgettable. The Valpara plateau is surrounded by four protected areas — Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Places of Interest

En Route Pollachi

Bison Vally View (Shakthi Thalanar Route), Poonachi Falls, Tiger Vally View, Loams View, Monkey Falls, Adhaliamman Temple (Navamalai), Aliyar Dam, Topslip and Parambikulam

En Route Akkamalai

Balaji Temple, Karamalai Matha Church (Velankanni Shrine), Akkamalai View, Grass Hills.

En Route Chinnakallar

Koolangal River Nirar Dam, Ministers View, Chinnakallar Falls.

En Route Mudis

Sidhi Vinayagar temple, Nullamudi Pooncholai View Point, Number pari View Point, Myladumparai View Point.

En Route Chalakkudy

Sholayar Dam, Manamboly Power House, Peringaldam View, Peringalkuthu Dam Boating, Vazhachal Falls, Charpa Falls, Athirappilly Falls, Thumburmuzhy Butterfly Park.

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Quick Look at the Geographical aspects

Location                              : Tamilnadu, Coimbatore Dist. Valparai

Access                                 : Via Pollachi / From Cochin, Chalakudi Via Atharapilly

Latitudes                            : 10° 13.2' and 10°33.3'N

Longitude                           : 76° 49.3'E and 77° 21.4'

Tiger Reserve Area          : 958 Sq.Km

Altitude                              : 1080 MSL

Average Rainfall               : 500 – 5000 mm South West & North East

Best Season                       :  January and May to December

Climate                        : Moderate Warn climate almost through the year and fairly cloud during winter months (November & December)

Trip Day 1

Because of some personal commitment and the interest on place, I have decided to go along with colleagues from Kannur. But this time a small change. We decided to go by a traveller from Coimbatore. We decided to start from Coimbatore because of the lack of cash for the trip. So I want to join them in the Coimbatore railway station, but they have already booked the train for me in the West Cost Express. Immediately I got in the train and went for a sleep. Because, the time was 12.20 am on 23/06/12, when I started the trip from Calicut. The sun rays touched my face through the windows and I woke up in the morning at sharp time. My friends were waiting there. Then we went for a bed coffee from the Railway station. Now the time was 6.50 am. We got the traveller from station, which we have already booked and the trip started from there. I have already checked the route map and the places of interest from the net. So it was easy for me to identify the routes and timings. Our next spot was Pollachi. It was around 35 Kms from Coimbatore and many local buses are also available in this route.

Valparai is situated 100 Kms from Coimbatore and 65 Kms from Pollachi. It is called as "the 7th Heaven" in the world. 

We selected the route through Pollachi because it was the shortest route from north kerala travellers. If you are coming from South side of the Kerala or Middle,  then take the second route through Chalakkudi. We had our breakfast at 7. 30 AM from Pollachi and the place is famous for bhramin's special food and film locations. After food we got the real mood of trip and everyone in the group was in a pleasure mood. As I have written in the earlier posts, I choose co driver seat of the traveller and tried to know about the driver. He was experienced for Valparai trip and driving was too good. After 24 Kms the first check post came, and that shown the forest starting from here. Left side we can see the beauty of Aliyar Dam and was constructed during 1959-1969 across the Aliyar River, mainly for irrigation purposes. We planned to enter in to the Dam in return journey. Our first aim was to get in to the hotel which we already booked through phone and want to keep our luggage’s there. The group includes ladies also. Someone in the group was busy with capturing the beauty of the dam from the traveller. After a few Kms from the first check post the second one came. The guard’s available there tried to remember us about the forest and the ECO commandments in the forest area. From here the Ghats road is starting. The first Information stone shows that we are in the First hair pin bend out of the 40. I was surprised by seeing that. Because, I  saw the Mankoottam Churam, Pal churam, Thamarassery churam and Vazhikkadavu Churam. But all contains a maximum of 20 hair pin bends. But here it was 40 "U" turns. When we started the ascending, the climate shows the real face of Valparai. Temperature becoming low and cold air is entering into the traveller. The time was around 9.30 am when we started the ghat roads. 

Just before the first "U" turn, we saw a group of monkeys but not less than 40 were playing in the road. Some vehicles are parked there and a near by board that indicates the second tourist spot in the way "Monkey falls" [27 Kms from Pollachi]. Everyone is interested to get in to the spot. Just we opened the door of the traveller, one 'smart' monkey jumped in to the vehicle and he was busy with the searching of food items. But he didn’t found anything from our vehicle. That time one guard came there and tried to take that monkey out and he got success in that within 3 minutes.

The water falls is not too big but a calm one. It is hiding from the road with a big rock. Big rocks were surrounding it. It is very near to the Aliyar Park and the local calling it as "Chinna Kuttralam". Because of the unlimited monkeys around this waterfall, it got the name "Monkey Falls". The water coming from the top is very clean and the facilities for the bath in the falls are available there. Got relaxed and then went to the heaven (Valparai). We need to cover 40 hair pin bends to reach the Valparai Town. If you are lucky, on the way you may meet elephants and lion tailed monkey in the way. Many view points are available in between the Ghat Roads and are good locations for different Camera angles. 

The main view point is coming after 36th Km (Attakatty) and there also you can expect monkeys. From there you will get a total view of the Aliyar Dam reservoir and the surrounded hills. It was a good location for our photos. All of us tried different styles and poses in front of the camera. After reaching to the top of the hill the road is going down and then you can see the tea estates around the road. Some company outlets were there for the visitors, those who wish to buy the quality tea powder from there. The cost is around Rs. 75 for 0.5 Kg but the taste of the tea was too good. 

By 11.30 we reached the Valparai town which is not too big. Many merchants and shops are there, for visitors. Mainly I saw umbrellas and Blankets there. Now the temperature is around 18 degree C at noon time itself. We checked in to the hotel (Hotel Green Hills). The rooms are good and neat, and the service also too good. We took 3 Deluxe Double Rooms for 9 people. A TV, Double coat bed, chairs, teapoy, table, shelf, fan, water heater and side tables are available in each room. There is no need of AC in the room, the total place was air conditioned by the nature.

For more details about the hotel Green Hill P Ltd.: http://www.valparaigreenhillhotels.com

Please note: There is no mobile coverage throughout the Ghat Roads and Call booths are also not available. So better you avoid single person trips.

After food and enough resting we planned to start the Afternoon session from a temple. So we went to the Sidhi Vinayaka Temple and is nearest to the Valparai town. For every group of visitors the "Poojari" will do the "Pooja". Dont forget to give "Kanikka" to him after the Pooja but not compulsory. The cold floors and surrounded garden gave us a meditation mood. In front of the God's Statue, 3 bells are hanged and we got permission to ring the bell. Because of the noon time we got invitation for the food from there. But we already had the food from Valparai town. 

Then we decided to go to "Poonchola Suicide Point" without wasting time. The journey was through the tea estate roads. But unfortunately when we reach the spot, rain started to show its strength. So we opened the umbrellas, but the interest to see the spot has reduced. But suddenly rain stopped and we took the tickets for entry (Rs 30 for 4 persons). The guard told us, the place will be covered by the mist because of this rain. But some of us already started the walk. It’s around 500 mtrs to the spot from the ticket counter. We felt sad because the whole place was covered by the mist. But then I tried to find out the good angle for my camera shots. Because I already heard that the background mist and trees will give a good scenic beauty for the photos. I got success in that and we took many photos with everyone in the group as a group / single. We spent around 1 hr there and then moved to Sholayar Dam (Solaiyar Dam). 



It is situated 20 Kms from Valparai and is the second deepest dam in Asia. The Solaiyar dam is a vital reservoir under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project and has a water storage capacity of 160 ft (49 m). The reservoir's overflowing waters are let into the Parambikulam Reservoir through the saddle dam.

The entry to the dam is restricted and the place is not good for a scenic beauty or time pass. The unmaintained small park and the restriction gives a bad feel there. Also no boating facility is available there. But we spend the evening time there and had tea from the nearby shop. Then we started the return journey by 6.20 pm and reach the room by 7 pm. Because of the cool climate, all gents were interested to have a bottle of beer and little bit heavy food. The sun already went down to the water and we to the sleep with cool dreams in the heaven.

The END of the FIRST Day.

Read day 2 at Valparai: http://travelthroughkerala.blogspot.in/2013/03/valparai-seventh-heaven-in-world.html

Please Wait for the Second day descriptions, route map, instructions and other details