Road Trip: Athirapally & Valparai

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Hotel Holiday Break

Hotel Holiday Break
Personal feedback
Location : 4.5/5
Ambiance : 4/5
Restaurant : 0/5 (no restaurant)
Overall Facility : 4/5
Help desk / Reception : 4/5
Room size : 4/5

Overall experience : Good

Facility is under construction


Covered parking with scenic background


View from parking




Some abandoned building














Our little one relaxing after a day full of twisty drive




Note:
- Located at prime area, behind the bus stand. Sadly no sign boards except for a small one behind the auto ricksaw stand.
- Facility is still under construction
- No intercom facility (facility manager gives is personal mobile number in case we need any assistance)
- No restaurant available, but anything available around (tea / coffee / food / snacks) can be served at room (people are kind enough to do the same at no extra cost)
- Rooms are pretty clean and spacious
- Parking can hold around 7~8 cars

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Day 2 Plan & Actual

Our main agenda for day 2 was either Chinna kallar & Nirar dam. For Chinna kallar prior permission from forest department is required, which we didn't get. We reached till the check post and enquired about the water level at Nirar dam, as expected we got negative feedback from the forest office and few local people around. Also they informed the road condition is not that good, so we dropped the agenda and returned back to Valparai.

Things to do at Valparai

Tea
Enjoy variety of tea available. If you are good at bargaining, you may get a good deal on fresh tea.

Local Market
You get fresh fruits and vegetables, home made chocolates here. Fresh and original honey is sold here (beware about the fake ones as well) Also we get cardamom, pepper and other spices.

Things to remember
- Only a couple of fuel stations are available at Valparai (I'm not sure if they operate 24x7) So fill the tank before you start the trip
- Not many options for the restaurants, neither we get any high class options as well
- Most of the areas don't have a dedicated parking space, use road side parking
- Only a few ATMs are available and they are either crowded or closed (demonetisation effect) Carry sufficient cash, most of the restaurants / shops don't accept credit / debit cards

Places around

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Day 3

Drive to Akkamalai Grass land

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Karumalai

On the way to Pollachi

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Tea Break

On the way to Pollachi. Area is scenic
Variety of tea available

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Mist Spreading Zone

On the way to Pollachi

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Aliyar View Point

Too many monkeys

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Drive to Pollachi

Some random clicks

 

[Mr.Boss]

Re: Road trip : Athirapally & Valparai

Trip Summary
- Covered 497km
- MID FE : 21.6 kmpl (including 500km highway drive from Chennai) Yet to
- Actual FE : 19.6 kmpl (for this trip alone)
- Toll : 151 INR (31 + 55 + 65)
- Parking : 50 INR (approx)


Trip A - Including highway run from Chennai
Trip B - Athirapally Valparai trip

Consumed 27.46L covering 538km
Actual FE : 19.6kmpl


Pampering the baby and getting ready for another trip

 

[350Z]

Note: Thread now live. Excellent travelogue. Thanks!

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[GrandRk]

Once again lovely travelogue, detailed narration and awesome captures. Rated 5 stars !!

Just off topic question : What is that guy wearing in 9th pic of your post named "Athirapally Water Falls"

 

[Mr.Boss]

Note: Thread now live. Excellent travelogue. Thanks!

Once again lovely travelogue, detailed narration and awesome captures. Rated 5 stars !!

Thank you guys.

Just off topic question : What is that guy wearing in 9th pic of your post named "Athirapally Water Falls"

Intention of capturing that snap was the same 'subject'

 

[msjawahar]

We visited Valparai in November 2015. We stayed at the same hotel where you stayed. Did you had food in the Chettinad hotel which is located just opposite to Holiday Break Inn ? We visited lots of places over there but missed out the Akkamalai. Would like to travel there again. Anyways its a great travelogue.

 

[Mr.Boss]

Thanks dude

Did you had food in the Chettinad hotel which is located just opposite to Holiday Break Inn?

Yes, once we had food there. Taste & quality is good enough.

 

[pravin1987]

never seen low water levels at sholayar dam. felt like may. dry season ahead. next time visit Manampally too. A good place to stay in the forest.