Valparai, where’s this? What’s this about?
We all look for a place that’s a way from the hustle bustles. Specifically during the summers.
It gets quite hot in cities, and with the pollution and global warming, we are all looking for space where we can just breathe clean air.
We definitely want to go to some hideout or home stays in the woods, or rush to some North Treks or other countries where we would beat the heat.
Ah! Yes, how can we not miss visiting a hill station? Though it has its own gem of temperatures but definitely better than your city’s weather.
Well, a hill station is definitely at a higher altitude than your cities, with cleaner air, more greenery, and fewer commercial activities.
Nights go peacefully, with silence and a certain amount of chill. Breeze. Mornings, you won’t need an alarm as you wake up to the chirpings of the pretty, colorful birdies. A hot cup of tea with some local bakery bread and butter is just perfect to start your day.
Many of us have had ancestral bungalows or build there homes into the forest and hilly areas to always run away from their daily routine.
One such cool hill station resides in Tamil Nadu in the Anamalai Ranges. The Anamalai hills are also called the elephant hills.
It’s in the South and West region of the state. The hills have lots of greenery, flora, fauna, and a vast biodiversity.
It is also home to many tigers, hence it has the Anamalai tiger Reserve.
You can’t miss elephants around with their cute tails and babies that walk around the route.
Trekking and eco tourism are a trend there!
Valparai is a famous hill station in the Anamalai hills. One can ditch the city heat and enjoy the beauty up here.
It’s about 3,500 ft above sea level. Not too up but good enough to experience a pollution-free stay.
Valparai- The 7th Heaven.
As you enter the hill station, you will see mist covering several places, and it will make you feel as if the entire universe is down here and you are living in and walking over clouds.
Imagine the coldness, the greens, and the silence of nature. A perfect place to rejuvenate our minds.
You can also get into a Roja movie scene by entering tea and coffee plantations, making reels and Instagram Stories. Pick some packs of each to take back home. It’s quite cool in this hill station, so you cannot expect any extreme temperatures that will bother you.
Valparai is also a part of the Coimbatore region.
Start your day with staying at the best valley and forest view stays and resorts. Visit the animal reserve
and enjoy the adventure. Join some trekking groups to summit the ranges.
Quick drive to see the sunset at the three different dams known as Nirar, Upper Sholayar, and Aliyar.
You also can’t miss the panoramic views with misty clouds and hills at the Monkey Falls and Tiger valley.
Also visit Velankinni(Similar) church and Balaji temple to seek some blessings.
Enjoy a yummilicious Sadhya meal with sambhar, kotu, rasam, and poriyal. Street snacks also worth a try with filtered coffees and organic brewed chai.
You can also buy some homemade chocolates and fresh organic spices.
How to reach Valparai ?
So once you’re in Tamil Nadu, take a road trip to the beautiful hairpin bend roads from Pollachi and also through the restricted zones in Kerala’s Athirapilly.
Pollachi is also the nearest rail route you can find from your city. You can also fly to Cochin airport and take a drive to Valparai.
The best time to visit is from October to March. The tourists really enjoy these places as it gives so much to explore, rest, and relax. But definitely try to avoid it in monsoons as it receives a good amount of rain, and the twists and turns on the hairpin bends are rough to crack and drive on.
But be alert, as the place is full of wildlife; entry is allowed only during the day. At night, no vehicles enter this space, so better to plan your trip and arrival times accordingly. Its surely to keep you safe and not disturb the beautiful wildlife.
