If you are planning to visit a calm, hill station that is not overpopulated, like Ooty or Kodaikanal, consider going to Valparai. Valparai is a renowned town known for its tea estates, which are spread across the hills and valleys of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. These tea estates are famous for producing high-quality tea that is exported to various countries around the world. The tea estate garden in Valparai is a must-visit place for anyone coming to the region. Situated at around 1100 meters above sea level in the Western Ghats, the weather in Valparai is pleasant throughout the year, neither too hot nor very cold. With more than 40 hairpin bends, Valparai offers lush green scenery and a serene vacation experience. You can enjoy a quiet vacation by staying in one of the resorts in Valparai with swimming pool. Located at 3500 feet above sea level on the serene Anamalai mountain ranges of the captivating Western Ghats, Valparai takes pride in being a top tourist destination in India.
You can visit plenty of scenic spots around Valparai. Apart from the unending tea estates, nature is kind enough to shower her beauty in a lot of places around. You need to stay at least 2 to 3 full days to cover the important places. Some picturesque locations that will sweep you off your feet are listed below.
Some of the finest places to stay and enjoy your vacation in Valparai is Nyantra Resorts, Valparai. It has an array of cozy rooms, vast walking spaces and a lot of other amenities that will help you engage your children.
Aliyar Dam is located between Pollachi and Valparai. It is at a distance of 64 km from Coimbatore, only 24 km from Pollachi, and 545 km from Chennai. The dam was built across the Aliyar River between the years 1959 and 1969 with the primary goal of supporting irrigation for Pollachi and nearby villages for agricultural purposes. The dam is 81 meters high and features a beautiful, well-maintained park at the bottom. You can enjoy the Dam with family and kids. The view of the Anamalai range around the reservoir is picturesque, and the sight of the coconut groves from the top of the dam is breathtaking. Visitors can also enjoy boating at the dam, and the entry fee to visit the Dam is Rs. 10 per head. It is well-connected by frequent buses from Pollachi. Additionally, Aliyar Dam is a charming location surrounded by the Anamalai Hills, offering wonderful natural views. Most people visiting Valparai would definitely make a trip to Aliyar Dam. Hotels near Aliyar Dam will guide you through the major scenic spots of Valparai.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast interested in observing wild animals in their natural habitats, you are welcome to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to thousands of various species of animals, including tigers, panthers, elephants, gaurs, and pangolins. Numerous species of deer, such as sambars, spotted deer, barking deer, and mouse deer, are commonly found here. You may also catch a glimpse of wild boars, dholes, sloth bears, porcupines, Nilgiris tahrs, civet cats, and taddy cats. The sanctuary is also teeming with a remarkable variety of birds.
Located at a whooping height of 1400 meters in the Western Ghats area of Pollachi, Valparai, and Udumalaipettai, the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary covers a vast area of 958 sq km, with 387 sq km falling within the Tiruppur district. Parts of the Amaravathy Reserve Forest and Anamalai Reserve Forest of the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary also extend into the Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu.
Notably, the Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalai hills houses a large population of crocodiles. Additionally, the sanctuary boasts breathtaking natural beauty, including the Grass Hills, waterfalls like Panchalingam, river streams such as Chinnar and Tenar, teak forests, and dams and reservoirs like Thirumoorthy and Amaravathy.
Koolangal River is situated in the middle of Sirukundra estate and on the border of Nadumalai estate and Valparai. From Valparai, it’s just about 1.8 kilometres away, and it takes 23 minutes to walk to that place. You cannot afford to miss this beautiful river during your Valparai visit. At a reach of 2.5 km from Valparai Bus Stand, the Kuzhankal River is a riverside viewpoint of Valparai. It is one of the most visited picnic spots in Valparai, that you can add in your bucket list during your stay on any best resort in Valparai.
Koozhangal River, is one of the most preferred, enjoyable tourist places in Valparai. It is more of a stream than a river. The place is famous for its slow-flowing river, and its shallow waters are known for their clear pebble stone bottom amid verdant, grassy surrounds. The river’s freshwater is clean and pure and is ideal for swimming and rejuvenating amidst a lush green environment.
This is really a good place for families and kids since the water level is low, so one can play in the river without any fear of drowning. It is located between a tea estate, where you can also take beautiful pictures of travel memories.
The Sholayar Dam is the highest dam in Tamil Nadu, completed in 1971, and is constructed across the Sholayar River. It has a reservoir that overflows into the Parambikulam Reservoir through the saddle dam. The Sholayar Dam is designed to generate hydropower with an installed capacity of 109 MW, which is split into two powerhouses. The water passing through Power House No. 1 is utilized for power generation with an installed capacity of 84 MW. The Sholayar Dam is part of a 95 MW hydropower project located in the Sholayar river basin in Tamil Nadu, India. You can enjoy the Sholayar Dam while staying in some of the best resorts in Valparai for family vacations.
While the Hotels in Udumalpet offer a tranquil escape amidst the lush greenery and scenic landscapes of the Western Ghats, they also serve as a convenient base to explore nearby attractions such as waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, and hill stations like Valparai. The location was named after Mathew Loam, who indicated the route in 1886. Positioned aptly on the ninth curve of the curvy Aliyar Valparai hill road, Loam’s View Point provides a prime spot where a platform offers a stunning view of the meandering mountain road, the clear waters of the Aliyar reservoir, and the greenish Anamalai mountain range. The scene is so perfect and presents a magnificent view from the tenth and eleventh bends. Additionally, it’s a wonderful spot to observe the endangered Nilgiri tahr, particularly in the late afternoon. It’s also an ideal location to witness the sunset and capture some insta-worthy photographs. Resort Valparai should be your ultimate plan to enjoy this view point.
If you are a resident of Tamil Nadu, you can spend your vacation exploring the natural beauty and cultural landmarks in and around Pollachi. Pollachi is known for its lush greenery, serene landscapes, and proximity to the Western Ghats. It is proud of the rich agricultural heritage in the region and has come to be an eyewitness to scenic charm. Many attractions like Aliyar Dam, Topslip, and Valparai pass through this gateway. Multiple Resorts near Pollachi that would be ideal for nature tours, wildlife exploration, and experiences of the culture of the region.
To summarize, there are many attractions near Valparai to visit with family and friends for a delightful vacation, especially between the months of July and September. You can enjoy the lush green scenery wherever you go, and the pure beauty of nature is at its peak here. Valparai showcases an abundance of natural beauty and serves as an example of Tamil Nadu’s greenery. Situated near Coimbatore city, Valparai is well-connected to other major cities in Tamil Nadu and accessible from anywhere in India. So, come and relax and spend quality time with your loved ones in Valparai. There are also good resorts in Valparai that will help you relax and treat you well.