Valparai, Tamil Nadu
Valparai Backpacking Weekend Getaway
- Duration
- 2D / 1N2 days · 1 night
- Starts from
- Bangalore
- Trip type
- Mountains
A quiet hill station above the Pollachi ghats: Koozhankal River, Nallamudi and Tiger Valley viewpoints, Chinna Kallar Falls and tea estate roads.
- Mountains
- Heights
- Nature
Dates
- 30 Oct 20262 days₹5,999
See 13 more datesShow fewer dates
- 6 Nov 20262 days₹5,999
- 13 Nov 20262 days₹5,999
- 20 Nov 20262 days₹5,999
- 27–28 Nov 20262 days₹5,999
- 4–5 Dec 20262 days₹5,999
- 11–12 Dec 20262 days₹5,999
- 18–19 Dec 20262 days₹5,999
- 20–21 Dec 20262 days₹6,999
- 22–23 Dec 20262 days₹6,999
- 24–25 Dec 20262 days₹6,999
- 26–27 Dec 20262 days₹6,999
- 28–29 Dec 20262 days₹6,999
- 30–31 Dec 20262 days₹6,999
Prices are per person.
The trip
Valparai is the hill station most weekend lists skip, which is exactly the point. The road up from Pollachi climbs forty hairpin bends into the Anamalai hills, and what waits at the top is tea gardens, waterfalls, and viewpoints that look straight down into forest rather than into another queue of cars.
We leave Bangalore late on Friday and drive through the night via Pollachi. Saturday starts slow after check-in: the Koozhankal River, a quiet stretch of water with nothing built around it, then Nallamudi View Point, which opens out over an unbroken run of tea estates and hills. Chinna Kallar Falls in the afternoon is one of the wettest spots in the region and is at its heaviest just after the monsoon. The evening is the local market and dinner at the stay.
Sunday is the viewpoint run: Thanlanar for the valley, the Waterfall Tea Estate where streams cut straight through the gardens, and Tiger Valley for the widest view of the trip. On the way down we stop at Aliyar Dam, a reservoir ringed by hills, before starting back to Bangalore.
Travel is by AC Tempo Traveller with an in-house trip captain present throughout, and stay is on a three or four sharing basis in rooms. Breakfast on day two is included; all other meals, entry fees and activities are self-sponsored, so carry cash or UPI.
Highlights
Day 1 · 2:30 PMNallamudi View Point
Day 1 · 4:30 PMChinna Kallar Falls
Day 2 · 10:00 AMWaterfall Tea Estate
Day 2 · 11:30 AMTiger Valley View Point
Day by day
Overnight Departure, Koozhankal River & Falls
Pickups begin the previous night at 8:30 PM from Udupi Grand (HSR) and 9:00 PM from KLM Fashion Mall, with an ice-breaking session on board before the overnight drive in an AC Tempo Traveller with push-back seats. The route runs via Pollachi and climbs the forty hairpin bends into the Anamalai hills at first light. We check in and rest, then start with the Koozhankal River, a quiet stretch with nothing built around it, before Nallamudi View Point and Chinna Kallar Falls, one of the wettest spots in the region and heaviest right after the monsoon. The evening is the local market, then dinner and an overnight stay. Only breakfast on day two is included, so all meals today are self-sponsored.
- 7:00 AMArrive in Valparai & check inWe come up the ghat road at first light, check in and take a couple of hours to rest after the overnight drive.
- 9:00 AMBreakfast & freshen upBreakfast near the stay. Self-sponsored today, since only day two breakfast is included.
- 11:00 AMKoozhankal RiverA quiet riverside stretch with greenery on both banks and none of the crowds of the bigger stops.
- 1:00 PMLunch in townA simple meal in Valparai town before the afternoon run. Self-sponsored.
- 2:30 PMNallamudi View Point (a highlight)A short walk out to a ledge that opens over an unbroken run of tea estates and hills. The best view of day one.
- 4:30 PMChinna Kallar Falls (a highlight)One of the wettest spots in the region, heaviest right after the monsoon. Rocks stay slippery, so stay to the marked areas.
- 7:00 PMLocal market & dinnerAn evening walk through the Valparai market, then dinner and an overnight stay. Both self-sponsored.
Thanlanar, Tea Estates, Tiger Valley & Return
An early start and check-out, then the viewpoint run. Thanlanar looks straight across the valleys and plantations; the Waterfall Tea Estate has streams cutting through the gardens; and Tiger Valley gives the widest view of the trip. On the way down the ghat we stop at Aliyar Dam, a reservoir ringed by hills at the foot of the climb, before starting the drive back to Bangalore. Breakfast is included today. Lunch, entry fees and any activities along the way are self-sponsored.
- 7:00 AMBreakfast & check outThe one included meal of the trip, then bags on the bus and an early start.
- 8:30 AMThanlanar View PointWide views across the valleys and plantations, usually with mist still sitting in the folds.
- 10:00 AMWaterfall Tea Estate (a highlight)Tea gardens with streams running straight through them, and the estate roads that make the drive itself worth it.
- 11:30 AMTiger Valley View Point (a highlight)The widest view of the trip, out over forest and the drop back towards the plains.
- 1:30 PMAliyar DamA reservoir ringed by hills at the foot of the ghat, and the last stop before the plains.
- 3:00 PMReturn journey to BangaloreWe start back down the Pollachi road in the afternoon and reach the same drop points late at night.
What’s included
6 items · extras
Gear & extras, 6 items
- Entire travel as per the itinerary by AC Tempo Traveller
- An experienced in-house trip captain
- Experience of group travel and a lifetime of memories
- Accommodation on a three or four sharing basis in rooms
- Breakfast on Day 2
- The trip lead is present at all times during the trip
Not included, 6 items
- Entry fees and any activities not listed under inclusions
- GST @ 5%
- All meals other than breakfast on Day 2
- Travel, accidental and medical insurance
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
- Costs arising from bad weather, landslides or public protests
Questions about this trip
What should I carry?
A government-issued ID (Aadhaar), a light jacket for the hills, shoes with grip for wet rocks at the falls, a rain layer, sunscreen, a cap, a water bottle, a personal medical kit, a power bank and cash or UPI for meals and entry fees.
Which meals are included?
Only breakfast on day two. Every other meal, along with entry fees at the viewpoints and falls, is self-sponsored, so carry cash or UPI. Valparai town has plenty of options and the group eats together.
How strictly is the timeline followed?
We leave Bangalore around 8:30 PM on Friday and reach Valparai early on Saturday. On-ground timings are indicative: the forty hairpin bends, hill weather, mist at the viewpoints and traffic on the way back can move things by an hour or two.
Is it safe to travel with strangers?
Yes. Every departure travels with an in-house trip captain who is present throughout, rooms are allotted by gender ratio and travellers are verified before the trip. Most people join solo.
Terms & conditions
The itinerary may be rearranged to suit availability without changing the total number of days or cutting any service. All guests must carry a government-issued ID. Confirmation of physical and mental fitness is required before the trip. No refund is provided for disruptions caused by government orders, harsh weather, protests, landslides or other unforeseen circumstances.
Read before you go
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