Valparai – General Information
Valparai is a mid-elevation hill
station (Ootacamund is
considerably higher). The tea plantations are surrounded by evergreen forest.
The region is also a rich elephant tract
and is known to have many leopards.
The scenic drive to the town from Pollachi passes
through the Indira Gandhi Wild
Life Sanctuary noted for elephants, boars, lion-tailed macaques, gaur, spotted deer, sambar,
and Giant Squirrels. The area is also rich in
birds, including the great hornbill. Water bodies at Monkey falls
and Aliyar Dam are also seen en route. A famous place of worship, Balaji Temple
also attracts pilgrims. Valparai receives among the highest rainfall in the
region during the monsoons (around June).
The Valparai range is also habitat the Nilgiri Tahr,
an endemic wild goat. These mountain goats inhabit the high ranges and prefer
open terrain, cliffs and grass-covered hills, a habitat largely confined to
altitudes from 1200 to 2600m in the southern Western Ghats. Their territory
extended far and wide all along these hills in the past, but, because of
hunting and large-scale habitat destruction, they now exist only in a few
isolated sites like the Anaimalai Hills.
The human-elephant conflict here is a
delicate issue. The tea plantations are a hindrance to the movement of
wildlife, particularly elephants who walk large distances to reach water bodies
and feeding areas.
On the way to Valparai you can see many
wild animals like Lion Tailed Monkeys, Elephants, Dears, Wild Goats. Natives of
Valparai are often attacked by Leopard and Tiger, There are some wild attack
from the elephants also.
Politics
Valparai assembly
constituency is a Scheduled Caste constituency and forms
part of Pollachi Lok Sabha constituency.
Valparai is a small town located at
3500 feet above sea level in the Anamalai ranges of Coimbatore district in the
state of Tamilnadu in India. Valparai’s history ranges back to the 19th century
when the Karnatic coffee company bought some land from the Madras Government
for Coffee Cultivation in the Anamalais. But the expected yield of coffee was
not obtained and so growth stagnated in the area. But things started to turn
around in the first half of the 20th century when tea estates and rubber
plantations started to develop around the area.
The Valparai Township was
started in 1903 by the Anamalai Planters Association. You might have heard of
the phrase ‘Inclusive distribution of wealth within the society’. When this
phrase is applied to Valparai it would imply inclusive distribution of beauty
within the environment’. In simple words, you cannot compare one area of scenic
beauty with another as every area here would leave you with an equal and
completely overwhelming sense and feeling of awe. But after all this is
paradise so you cannot expect more. Another thing is that humans and non-humans
live in perfect harmony in Valparai.
You could easily spot a deer or a pack of deers or monkeys or peacocks
by the side of the road. The elephants are the local bad boys moving about in
packs and rampaging fields. They are usually great to look at with their
majesty and all but make sure you have a lot of space in between and stay clear
of a lone elephant because they are known to have mood swings and the swings
are usually towards the rough side.
To reach valparai from the ground the
vehicle should take 42 hairpin bends. The major portion of land is owned by
private tea companies and a big forest area is continued to out of bounds. Valparai
is very nice place for the tourism in the summer seasons.
Important Information
No to
Plastic: The uses of plastic bags are banned in
Valparai Hills. Avoid bringing plastic bags with you and try not to use plastic
cups and plates as they cause irrecoverable damage to the eco system as well as
to wild life. Help us keep Valparai hill station clean and green.
Fuel
Stations in Valparai: There are two petrol and Diesel
Bunks/Stations in Valparai. These Bunks/Stations are open from 7am to 8pm every
day.
ATM and
Banking in Valparai: There are a few ATM centres in and
around Valparai. Union Bank, State Bank Of India, Indian Bank has their ATM’s
in the town. All ATM’s do accept other bank cards as well. Major Banks
operating in Valparai are Union Bank, SBI, Indian Bank etc. Do remember that
most businesses accept only cash as a method of payment.
Hospitals
and Pharmacy in Valparai: Apart from the Government Hospital
there are several private hospitals and clinics operating in Valparai. From
child specialists to dental clinics a range of specialists serve the people in
Valparai. It has its own dedicated Government Veterinary Hospital as well.
There are about 9 to 10 registered pharmacy/ medical stores in Valparai.
Restaurants
and Hotels in Valparai: When it comes to restaurants, Valparai
does not have a high end or top quality restaurant options. The menus in most
of the restaurants are basic and the options are limited. There are several
average restaurants available and most of them offer Non-veg and Veg meals
combined. Also enquire with your Home Stay owners; they might guide you on
this. There are a few bakeries and cafes that bake their own bread, puffs
and snacks.
Getting
around in Valparai: There are Taxi and Local Auto services
to most of the tourist spots around Valparai, Only government bus services
operate in Valparai and most of the time they can get very crowded. Having your
own means of transportation will make it more convenient.
Communication
(Valparai Hills): All major mobile phone networks are
operational in Valparai. There are Internet browsing centres and most of them
have broadband connections. A modern Post office operates offering all the
modern facilities. Private courier companies also operate here. Tamil and
Malayalam are widely spoken.
Shopping
in Valparai: You can buy good quality tea and honey
in Valparai. Ask the seller to show you the different grades available, and
then choose the one that suits your taste bud. There are a few tea speciality
shops where you can get good grade tea. Other hill products such as cardamom,
pepper and other spices can be brought. Traditional/Native Medicinal, fruit
tree saplings and seeds can be purchased at the Government Nursery at Aliyar
Dam check post.
Valparai
Stay: We strongly recommend you to book your
Valparai hotel room or cottage in advance before you arrive.
Valparai – Tips
Stuff to Remember:
1) You would be better off if you
private taxi service in Valparai for the places you are planning to visit
rather than depending upon public transportation.
2) Carry about a raincoat or an
umbrella as sudden burst of showers are quite frequent here. We get rains for
almost 6 months every year.
3) Carry a first aid kit if you are
planning on exploring the area here on foot. Have salt powder if you prefer
rainy season. Because commonly called “Attai” (a parasitic worm) silently start
sucking blood from your legs. But you need not worry because they are
anesthetics as well. So you will not have any pain at all. Salt powder when
applied will liberate you from these parasites.
4) When you are in certain isolated
patches of land filled with enriching beauty here you will be definitely
mesmerized and would not want to leave but guess who else will be sharing the
same feelings? Elephants, Bisons and monkeys and they won’t be civil to humans
fooling about their territory. So be careful. Deers are very common sight. Rare
visitors are panthers and pythons.
A few words on Eco Tourism:
Eco tourism is the new concept set out
to revolutionize the field of tourism. It deals with traveling through nature’s
abodes without compromising the natural structure. In a nutshell, it implies
the theory of being one with nature while observing and enjoying it. Valparai is
slowly picking up as one of such places. The movement is gathering speed in
India and tourist & travel related agencies have begun to promote it
aggressively.
Quick Look at the Geographical aspects
Location
|
Tamilnadu, Coimbatore Dist. Valparai
|
Access
|
Via Pollachi / From Cochin, Chalakudi
Via Atharapilly
|
Latitudes
|
10° 13.2' and 10°33.3'N
|
Longitude
|
76° 49.3'E and 77° 21.4'
|
Tiger Reserve Area
|
958 Sq.Km
|
Altitude
|
1080 MSL
|
Average Rainfall
|
500 – 5000 mm South West & North
East
|
Best Season
|
January and May to December
|
Climate
|
Moderate Warn climate almost through
the year and fairly cloud during winter months (November & December)
|
Trekking
Valparai
has many interesting and too adventures trekking area. If we start early in the
morning we can see several kind of birds, it is most amazing to walk with the
dew, frost. There are many humps and dumps; it will be very thrilled and
exited.
In trekking area we may see different
types of wild animals like Tiger, Leopard, Bison, Wild Dogs and Beautiful Birds
etc.,
Other Important Tourist Places Worth Visiting - Direction wise / Route
wise
Valparai to Cinchona Direction Approximate Distance
Tourist Spots
|
Distance
|
Koolangal River
|
2 Km
|
Lower Nirar Dam
|
14 Km
|
Ministers view
|
10 Km
|
Chinnakallar dam
|
16 Km
|
Lawson falls & Rope Bridge
|
17 Km
|
Valparai to Mudis Cochin Direction Approximate Distance
Tourist Spots
|
Distance
|
Birla Falls
|
3 Km
|
Sidhi Vinayaga temple
|
5 Km
|
Nallamudi Valley View
|
15 Km
|
Anaimudi Peak View
|
11 Km
|
Number Parai
|
15 Km
|
Valparai to Akkamalai Direction Approximate Distance
Tourist Spots
|
Distance
|
Congreve Falls
|
3 Km
|
Vellamalai Tunnel View
|
9 Km
|
Balaji Temple
|
10 Km
|
Annai Velankanni Shrine
|
10 Km
|
Irachal Parai Falls
|
8 Km
|
Valparai to Sholayar Dam Cochin Direction Approximate Distance
Tourist Spots
|
Distance
|
Selali Parai View
|
7 Km
|
Old Valparai Valley View
|
6 Km
|
Old Valparai Trucking Point
|
6 Km
|
Manomboli Power House
|
26 Km
|
Number Parai
|
15 Km
|
Meen Parai
|
29 Km
|
Manomboli Watch Tower
|
26 Km
|
Sholayar Dam
|
25 Km
|
Sholayar Power House
|
28 Km
|
Valparai to Pollachi Direction Approximate Distance
Tourist Spots
|
Distance
|
Carver Marsh Statue
|
12 Km
|
Shakthi Thalanar View
|
14 Km
|
Tiger Valley
|
22 Km
|
Poonachi Falls
|
26 Km
|
Attakatti View
|
32 Km
|
Kadamparai & Vandal Dams
|
42 Km
|
9th Hairpin Bend Loams View Point
|
32 Km
|
Navamalai
|
42 Km
|
Monkey Falls
|
26 Km
|
Aliyar Dam
|
40 Km
|
Top Slip
|
60 Km
|
Valparai to Cochin - Kerala Approximate Distance
Tourist Spots
|
Distance
|
Valley View
|
22 Km
|
Dams & Falls
|
28 Km
|
Athirampally Falls
|
67 Km
|
Silver Storm Theme Park
|
76 Km
|
Chalakudi, Kerela
|
96 Km
|
Cochin, Kerela
|
151 Km
|
Valparai to Munar (via Udumalpet) Approximate Distance
Tourist Spots
|
Distance
|
Amaravathy Dam & Park
|
90 Km
|
Thirumurthy Falls
|
40 Km
|
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
|
52 Km
|
General Information about Valparai
Area of Plateau
|
220 sq km
|
Population
|
94,900
|
Altitude
|
1,600 m
|
Summer
|
Max. 25°C, Min. 12°C
|
Winter
|
Max. 10°C, Min. 0°C
|
Rainfall
|
350 cms
|
Season
|
September to May
|
Languages
|
Tamil, Malayalam and English
|
Clothing
|
Heavy and Light Woolen
|
Time
|
5.30 GMT
|
STD Code
|
4253
|
ISD Code
|
91
|