Valparai and Athirapally Falls Trip Query

[Matrix]

A plan is being made to go to Valparai and Athirapally Falls later this month, and I have a few queries regarding the trip.

Is the month of May a good time to visit the two mentioned places?

Are these two locations easy to reach from

In how many days can these two locations be covered?

 

[Shiv]

You need to reach Coimbatore from there you should get bus to Pollachi from where you will be able to get regular buses to Valparai. There are also direct buses from Chennai to Pollachi as well or if in your budget you can also get a taxi from Coimbatore to Pollachi.
Valparai is around 4 hours from Athirapally, but when going do make sure that you are not on the roads after 6pm as wild animals often roam around on the road when it gets dark.
These two location can be covered in two days, but it would be good if you give it three days as you can see the Sholayer dam on the way from Valparai to Athirapally and also go to these destinations with free time rather than going in a rush.

 

[GovindNis]

May is a good time to visit, but to be honest if you think that the weather would be good it is quite the opposite. During May the weather is very hot especially in South India, it is so hot that it becomes unbearable stepping outside of the house, if you are used to the hot weather then there is no issue.
With the number of things to see I think it would be advisable to spend at least 4 days for both locations.

 

[Debapriya Deb]

This travelogue to Valparai can help you with some of your queries - https://www.indiatravelforum.in/thr...-stations-in-south-india-part-2-valparai.480/

Regards,
Deb

 

[Sramana]

May is a good time to visit Valparai / Athirapalli as the monsoon would not have set in yet. So travelling was easy. That said, I visited Athirapally late in May this year. The disappointing thing was that the waterfall was not the powerful gush I had imagined and seen in pictures but only a trickle in comparison. The full spectacle of the falls can apparently be seen only after the monsoons. So right now (Aug-Sep) ould be a much better time to visit. If you go, please don't miss out on Parambikulam. It is gorgeous!

 

[briannagodess]

Hello, @Matrix! Welcome to the forum!

Is the month of May a good time to visit the two mentioned places?

Valparai can be visited all-year round. Here is a breakdown of its seasons though:

• March to the beginning of June are the summer months. The weather during this time is hot and humid. If you can tolerate the heat, you can visit during this time. The Summer Festival is also during the month of May or June. Temperatures range between 33°C to 35°C during this time. Also, if you're planning to see some wildlife, it's easier to spot them during this time as they flock near the water bodies like rivers and lakes.

• The end of June marks the beginning of the monsoon season which lasts until September. The Athirapally Waterfalls come alive during this time so it's a good time to visit the region. However, be prepared to to be soaked in the rain. It's better to bring your umbrella during this time. Temperatures range between 21°C to 30°C. Rain showers are a normal occurrence as well. The whole region transforms into a lush green beauty. Many backpackers opt for this time to visit Valparai.

• From October to February, these are the winter months. Temperatures range between 28°C to 33°C. It's also a good time to visit the region especially if you're planning to do a lot of sightseeing. These months are cool and pleasant enough for doing some sightseeing and activities.

Are these two locations easy to reach from?

Valparai is a hill station located in the Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. It is 104 kms from Coimbatore. Athirapally Waterfalls is located in the hill station itself so it's not a problem. Your best option would be to travel to Coimbatore and from there, ride buses or taxis going to Valparai. Anyway, here's what you need to do to reach Valparai:

1. Train - Coimbatore Junction is the nearest railway station to Valparai, at about 105 kms from the hill station. The Coimbatore Junction reaches through different cities in India. Here are some of their timings:

• Delhi to Coimbatore Junction - Kerala Express Train No. 12626 - Departs everyday at 11:25 and arrives at 5:05.

• Bangalore to Coimbatore Junction - Ernakulam Express Train No. 12677 - Departs everyday at 6:15 and arrives at 13:07.

• Chennai to Coimbatore Junction - Dhanbad Alappuzha Express Train No. 13351 - Departs everyday at 2:00 and arrives at 11:00.

From Coimbatore, regular buses ply to Valparai. From Coimbatore Ukkadam Bus Stand to Valparai, here are the bus timings:

• 2:00, 5:00, 7:58, 13:05, 15:45 and 19:02.

2. Bus - Several buses ply from the main cities of India to Coimbatore. State operated and private operated buses can also be ridden. Here are some:

• TNSTC Buses from Chennai to Coimbatore - Departs at 21:00 and 22:00 from Chennai. Fare is at Rs. 460 per person.

• TNSTC Buses from Bangalore to Coimbatore - Departs at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 20:30, 21:15 and 22:30 from Bangalore.

From Coimbatore, you have the same options as the No. 1. But if you'd like to visit the Athirapally Falls, it's best to ride the bus going from Pollachi to Valparai. Here are the timings:

• From Pollachi to Valparai, the distance is about 64 kms. This bus passes through the Aliyar Dam, Athirapally Falls and Rottikadai. Buses ply every half hour.

• Another option is through Chalakudi, this also passes through Athirapally Falls and Sholayar Dam then to Valparai. This is about 108 kms. Bus timings are: 7:30 am and 1:30 pm.

In how many days can these two locations be covered?

You can cover the two places in two to three days. Within this time, you can cover the main attractions in Valparai including the Athirapally Waterfalls.

I hope this helps.