Rejuvenate In The Lap Of Hills In Yercaud, India

1. 1. Boating in Yercaud Lake

1/2 Yercaud lake

2/2 Yercaud lake 2

In the heart of the city lies this emerald shaped beautiful lake surrounded by hills, trees, deer park and a beautifully landscaped garden at its shore. Yercaud Lake adorns a floating fountain in its center and you could easily sit for hours embracing the aura of this place. It also has a boating facility, so you can spend 20 minutes and paddle around the entire lake to get different views.

Yercaud Lake BoatHouse

Address: Yercaud Lake, Salem, Tamil Nadu

Price: Starting from Rs. 110 for 2 adults. Both Pedaling and Rowing boats available.

Opening Hours: 9am - 5.30pm.

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Near by Food: Plenty of restaurants are available in the close proximity of the lake.

2. 2. Pagoda Point

A popular sunset and sunrise view point, it is best enjoyed only on sunny days. It offers spectacular views of the hills and a cool breeze. On cloudy or foggy days the views from the Pagoda Point are not worth it.

Pagoda Point

Address: Pagoda Point Road, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu 636601

Price: Free

Opening Hours: Always Open. But not advisable to go at night as it is a secluded spot.

Duration: around 30 minutes required.

Near by Food: Street food vendors available during the day.

3. 3. Lady's Seat, Gent's Seat & Children's Seat

1/2 Yercaud view from ladys seat

2/2 Gents Seat,Yercaud

I’m not making this up! These three are actually the names of three different sunset view points in Yercaud which offer panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Even though their interesting nomenclature is noteworthy, they are in close proximity to each other and the views they offer are simply divine.

Lady's Seat, Gent's Seat & Children's Seat

Address: Near T.V.Station, Ladies Seat Road, Yercaud, India

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 24 hrs Open.

Duration: around 1 hour required.

Near by Food: Street food vendors available

4. 4. Trek to the Kiliyur Falls

Kiliyur Falls are situated merely 3kms (1.8mi.) from the Yercaud Lake and offer an easy trek route with a concrete trail, iron steps in some places and an unpaved rough stretch during the last 500m. The surplus water from the Yercaud Lake and the other water bodies in the Shevaroys Hills fall deep into the Kiliyur Valley from 300 feet height. Best season to visit these falls is post-monsoon as the trek can get slippery during the rainy season and the clouds will block all the beautiful surroundings. This entire journey from the town to the top and back should take ideally 4-5 hours if you spend an hour at the top. Do wear trekking shoes with good grip and carry your food and drinks.

Kiliyur Falls

Address: Kiliyur Falls, Yercaud

Price: Free

Opening Hours: Always open but suggested to travel only during daylight.

Duration: around 5 hours required.

Access: Trail starts near Yercaud Lake itself.

Near by Food: Please carry packed lunch and drinks for the trek.

5. 5. The Servaroyan Temple

This temple happens to be the highest point in Yercaud. It is situated at a height of 1623 m (5326 feet) on top of Servaroyan hill. The temple’s structure is a dark narrow cave and seated inside are God Shervarayan and Goddess Kaveri representing the Servaroyan Hills and the river Kaveri respectively. What makes this the must-visit spot in Yercaud are the breathtaking views of the valley, forests, hills and city from the top. Every year in May a color festival is celebrated for the deities. Enroute to the temple you will cross large oak trees which will make for some magnificent photos and if you get lucky you might find a hollow oak trunk big enough to hide you.

The Servaroyan Temple

Address: Servaroyan Temple, Kamaraj Road, Yercaud, Tamil Nadu 636602

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 6am - 9pm Daily.

Duration: around 2 hours required.

Access: Hire a cab from Yercaud to take an auto-rickshaw

6. 6. Paradise for coffee lovers

1/2 YercaudCoffeePlantation

2/2 Coffea arabica-yercaud-salem-India

Yercaud is famous for India’s finest coffee and cardamom plantations. If you are a coffee lover you must plan a visit to the coffee plantation nearest to your hotel and indulge in the aroma around you. Savor fresh coffee at any of the cafes, purchase coffee beans, and coffee flavored chocolates as souvenirs.

7. 7. Botanical Garden & Rose Garden

1/3 National orchidarium-BSI-3-yercaud-salem-India

2/3 Botanical Garden Yercaud Tamil Nadu

3/3 Rose Garden2,Yercaud

The Botanical Garden is famous for its large collection of orchids, rare trees and insects. If you love to explore the flora then you will not realize how soon time-passes in this place. Ask at the ticket counter about the Bell Rock and you will be guided in the direction to climb up in the park and reach the unique rock which makes bell sound when hit with stone.

The Rose Garden is in close proximity and is filled with many varieties of roses with a special green rose. You can also purchase rose saplings from here.

Botanical Garden

Address: Botanical Garden, 2 km (1.2 mi.) from Emerald Lake, Yercaud, India

Price: Rs. 5 per person for adults.

Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm. Closed on Sundays and National holidays.

Duration: around 1 hour for all and even more for plant lovers.

Rose Garden

Address: Rose Garden Entry Road, Yercaud 636601, India

Price: Rs. 2 per person for adults.

Opening Hours: 10 am - 5 pm. Closed on public holidays.

Duration: around 1-2 hours required.

Find your inner peace here

Go the offbeat way, backpack to Yercaud on your next long weekend and spend lazy days indulging in coffee with the cool breeze brushing through your face and mesmerizing views soothing your senses. Trust me, the best way to reach Yercaud is by road through the famous 32km (20mi.) loop road. As its name implies, it is a loop with 20 hair pin bends and gives beautiful views of the city from different angles. With the amazing weather throughout the year, you can be planning for this trip right away!

What are you thinking? Pick up your favorite book, walk around Yercaud, sit in a homely cafe and forget the world! Or even better sit by the lake and bring out your inner artist to capture the beauty around you.

Happy Travelling.