Tranquil, peaceful and calm are some of the words that can describe a small place called Valparai.
It is situated 3,500 ft above sea level on the Annamalai Hills near Coimbatore in India.
Last summer, we made a family trip to Valparai by road.
From Coimbatore, we hired a taxi to reach Valparai via another town called Pollachi.
The drive was beautiful, especially the 64km stretch from Pollachi to Valparai.
On the way, we stopped at the Aliyar Dam, which has the Annamalai Hills as its backdrop.
There is also a park for children to play in.
There were around 40 hairpin bends on the way to Valparai.
Exquisite views awaited us at the ninth bend, from where we could see the Aliyar Dam, the entire town of Pollachi as well as some waterfalls.
Along the way
During the drive, we caught glimpses of monkeys scampering off.
Both the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Falls are on the way.
Valparai is a small town surrounded by tea estates, managed by different companies.
We decided to stay at Pacha Bungalow (Green Bungalow), managed by the Mudis Tea Estate.
The bungalow is fully furnished and we also got the luxury of a cook and a butler.
The bungalow is on the top of a hill, surrounded by tea estates.
We woke up to beautiful views in the morning — green hills all around us.
It was quiet and the only sounds were those of birds chirping. There is a beautiful garden in front of the bungalow.
These bungalows were built during the British rule and, therefore, continue to retain their old-world charm and beauty.
Quiet holiday
There aren't many restaurants in Valparai, hence it's advisable to have all the meals at the bungalow, where the food is as good as homemade.
Bicycles, indoor games and a TV are provided.
Taxis can be hired for sightseeing.
The Balaji Temple (you are not allowed to take pictures of it), the tea factory (where you can watch the tea-making process) and the Nirar Dam are some of the must-see attractions of the place.
The best season to visit is during the summer, which lasts from March to August.
You might also enjoy occasional rains.
This is definitely the perfect place to visit for a short holiday and come back rejuvenated.
