Valparai, more commonly known as Poonachimalai, is a hill station town located in Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu, right on the border of Kerala. It receives one of the highest rainfall in the area, which has led to the flourishing of nature preserves and flora and fauna. The most well-known attraction here is Anamalai Tiger Reserve, previously known as Indira Gandhi Tiger Reserve. Most of the land in the area has been used up for tea estates and coffee plantations. In fact, some of the coffee and tea plantations date as far back as to 1846! Heading to Valparai on a holiday but don’t know where to start? Keep reading to find out about things to do when in Valparai, Tamil Nadu, India.
1. See stunning sunsets by Solaiyar Dam
Solaiyar Dam or the Sholayar Dam is a 20-kilometre (12.5 miles) long dam located 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Valparai, in the Anaimalai Hills. It is the second-largest rock dam in Asia and was set up by the Solaiyar Hydroelectric Project in 1965. The best time to visit this attraction is during the monsoon season, as the fields will be flooded, and you can experience the stunning, colourful sunsets that bless the area. It makes for a one-of-a-kind sight. Please note, however, that special permission is required from the SHP before visiting.
Solaiyar Dam
Address: Valparai, Tamil Nadu 642125
Website: Solaiyar Dam
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
2. Visit the idyllic Tea Estate Garden
The Tea Estate Garden is a series of guest houses located in the middle of the tea estates. You can see the sprawling hills with the tea plantation from the windows of your comfortable accommodation. As part of your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about growing different species of tea leaves and how to brew tea to perfection. You’ll even be able to sample fresh tea made locally, as well as purchase any type of tea you’d like. It is definitely a must-visit attraction in Valparai!
Tea Estate Garden
Address: 17 Athirapilli Rd, Valparai, Tamil Nadu 642127
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
3. Savour a feast at Saravana Restaurant
Saravana Restaurant is located at Saravana Hotel - a luxury hotel with a multicuisine restaurant. The people who work in this establishment really enjoy their work, as evident by their impeccable service. The restaurant uses fresh, natural, and locally grown ingredients to create the most delectable of meals. Their recipes are health conscious as they’re careful about the amounts of oil and other fattening ingredients. Their most popular cuisine is the Chettinad cuisine - one of the spiciest and aromatic cuisines in the country.
Saravana Restaurant
Address: State Bank Road, Valparai 642127 India
Website: Saravana Restaurant
Nearby things to do
4. Cool off in the cascading waters of Monkey Falls
Monkey Falls is a quaint waterfall located 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) from Pollachi town and 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from the Azhiyar dam. It has plenty of wildlife, especially the numbers of monkeys that have made this part of the land their home. The best time to visit the waterfall is between October to March as there is little rainfall, which makes traversing the land safe. When you get there, take in the stunning waterfall and maybe take a bath in the cascading water.
Monkey Falls
Address: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 642101
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 30 INR or 0.4 USD
5. Take in the breathtaking sights from Nallamudi Viewpoint
This stunning estate is quite popular because it has a panoramic view of the land around it. Visitors have to walk 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) to reach this lookout point which is at the top of the hill. From here, you can see the tea and coffee plantations, mountain ranges, and the waterfalls in the area. Ideally, you should try to make a visit before 4pm so that you have time to reach the top at a leisurely pace, and preferably after the monsoon season so that the path isn’t slippery.
Nallamudi Viewpoint
Address: Nallamudi Estate, Valparai 642117 India
Bask in bliss in Valparai
Grab your favourite coffee mug or teacup and go out and explore the area. Valparai’s stunning, rolling hills are beckoning! Do let us know if you’ve tried out any of these activities!
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