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Road Trip to Athirappilly, Valparai
Destination: Thrisur
Day Breaks > Road Trips
 View-from-Valparai |  Athirapally-Waterfalls |  Athirapally-Waterfalls-2 |
|---|---|---|
 Drive-to-Valparai |  Valparai |  Drive through tea plantations |
Am amazing adventure break with your family to one of South India most popular tourist destinations. A fantastic drive through rainforest, the spectacular waterfalls and an optional trek makes this the in the top 10 must do adventures in and around Kochi.
Depart Kochi after an early breakfast. Follow NH 47, one of the best roads in Kerala towards Thrisur. After you cross the Angamaly Junction, take right at Karyamparambu Junction. You will be off the main road and will soon hit SH 21, which leads you all the way to Athirappilly Waterfalls.
With the lush green rainforest on either sides or an 80 Feet fall, Athirapally waterfalls is one of natures magnificent wonders. The best view of the waterfalls if from a nearby property called Rainforest. I would suggest you drop-in to the hotel which is 1 kilometer before the waterfalls for a cup of tea and this is the best place for a picture of the waterfalls. After a shot break and an option to freshen up, you could either trek to the bottom of the waterfalls or drive to the top where you have a birds eye view of the waterfalls.
After the visit, you should continue your drive along the Chalakudi river through the winding roads to Vazhachal waterfalls. You could take the forest entry ticket and walk to the Vazhachal waterfalls. With a nicely maintained garden and enough space for you to relax, this is an ideal place for your picnic lunch. You could have a relaxed time at the garden with your family and even dip you leg in the cold water to feel the fresh cold water flowing down through the Sholayar Forest.
If you are game for more adventure, you could extend your day for a full day rainforest safari all the way to Valparai. This is a 60 Kms drive through rainforest, where you have an opportunity to sight wildlife which includes Asiatic elephants, sambar deer, wild boar or even a leapord, if you are lucky. There is also a wide variety of birds which are unique to this location. The road condition is excellent and is an amazing experience for those who enjoy road trips.
It would take more than 2 hours drive through the rainforest for you to reach Valparai. Valparai is a scenic hill county which is located at 3500 feet about sea level on the Anamalai mountain range, in Tamil Nadu. This is the only place where you could sight the endangered Lion tailed macaque.
After a hot cup of tea, its time to say farewell to this beautify tea county and head back home. You are now 160 Kms away from Kochi and the check post will close by 6:00 pm because of chances of wildlife encounters at night. On the way back, you would have a much better chance to sight wildlife. Kindly avoid honking and also do not step out of your vehicle. It is best to follow a convoy to make sure that you have some company during your jungle safari experience.
If you are for a short break, I would suggest depart after Vazhachal, but if you love wildlife and outdoors the Valparai drive will be a memorable experience for your family.
