Thursday, March 28, 2024
More

    Just Driving – Through beautiful Valparai tea estates ,rich idamalayar reserve forest and Athirappilly

    Drive Way : Coimbatore – Pollachi – Alyiar Dam – Valparai – Upper Sholayar Dam – Malakkaappara – Athirappilly Falls – Chalakudy  – Palakad – Coimbatore
    Distance : 380 KM
    December 2013

    Map

    As the Year-End shutdown began it was time for a ride.  Amar and me set destination to  Athirappilly Water Falls, soon after breakfast on a lazy Saturday we started from Coimbatore. En route to Valipari we drove through pollachis fertile  zone and  Aliyar Dam.

    On the way to Aliyar Dam
    On the way to Aliyar Dam
    On the way to Aliyar Dam
    On the way to Aliyar Dam
    sat0b
    sat1

    At the check post located along Aaliyar we were asked few questions like Our Source ? What was our destination ?  Purpose ? once answered they did mention not to stop alongside the reservoir ( but you cant do that it’s a splendid view there )

    Aliyar Dam
    Aliyar Dam
    Aliyar Dam
    Aliyar Dam

    Soon after we started the ghat section with 40 hairpin bends, ghat roads make me feel at home J, road is filled with twist and turns however this dizzy ride will keep you busy with the scenic view and wildlife.

    Dizzy ghat road with Aliyar Dam in background
    Dizzy ghat road with Aliyar Dam in background
    sat4
    sat2

    We were able to spot Nilgiri Tahr , Gray langur and lots of common langur.

    Nilgiri Tahr
    Nilgiri Tahr
    True Skill !!
    True Skill !!
    Nilgiri Tahr !! Woo
    Nilgiri Tahr at its best !

    Valpari is filled with Tea Estates , We stopped for a refreshing Tea at Waterfall Estate and moved towards Upper Sholayar dam.

    Waterfall Tea Company
    Waterfall Tea Company
    Lovely road passing through tea fields
    Lovely road passing through tea fields
    sat6
    Tea Fields
    Tea Fields
    Pepper
    Pepper
    Upper Sholayar dam
    Me just chilling
    Upper Sholayar dam
    Upper Sholayar dam
    sat10

    As we reached Tamil nadu Kerala border were first stopped by TN police at Sholayar dam check post. They did check for driver licence , insurance , prohibition and more impotently for plastic bottles. Police men advice to throw all unwanted plastic materials in the garbage bin. Few mins away we were in malakkappara Kerala, here at the Kerala check post we filled in a form with no of plastic bottles and waited for few minutes. Police scanned the vehicle completely for plastic bottles   and plastic rapped eatables, they advised not to throw any on the way out. Really appreciate the way they are caring for the reserve forest.

    XUV covering the whole road !!
    XUV covering the whole road !!
    Amar Relaxing :-)
    Amar Relaxing 🙂
    sat11a
    sat11

    As we drove down hill in a single road the forest got thicker and road condition was getting worse, giving way for the upcoming vehicles was not easy. However it was worth a drive as we reached the mesmerizing view of Sholayar reservoir.

    sat12
    Sholayar reservoir
    Sholayar reservoir

    Few Kms before Athirappilly Falls there was a checkpost were we had to return them the form along with the plastic bottle count. We reached Athirappilly falls around 3:15 and had lunch.

    Athirappilly Falls
    Athirappilly Falls

    Started back via Chalakudy , Palakad and reached Coimbatore arond 8 PM

    Rainly Coimbatore
    Rainly Coimbatore

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Latest Posts

    Latest Posts

    Don't Miss