Athirapally Falls

Athirapally Falls, (also known as Punnagai Mannan Falls by the locals, after the famous Tamil film shot here) is a 50 Km drive from Valparai thro' the Sholayar range (around 900 Km from Chennai via Coimbatore, Pollachi, Valparai). The drive thro' the dense green forest is an exciting and thrilling experience with the Vazhachal Falls (Captain Prabhakaran Falls named after the famous Tamil film shot here) en route and the destination Athirapally, where the water falls from 80 feet into the Chalakudy river, is a view that is beyond any vocabulary. A journey to be remembered for a life time !!!

 

 

 Sholayar Dam

 

Vazhachal Falls

 

Athirapally Falls

 

Top Slip & Parambikulam Dam

Top Slip is a 35 Km drive from Pollachi, en route to Parambikulam Dam (Pollachi is around 540 Km from Chennai). The elephant camp at Top Slip is just awesome with an oppurtunity to see how the elephants are fed and tamed. Parambikulam Reservoir is around 20 Km from Top Slip (55 Km from Pollachi) and requires permission from the Forest Check post at Thunnakadavu to visit the Dam. The drive thro' the ghat road is thrilling and if lucky enough, there is always a chance to spot wildlife. (deer, bison, elephant, etc..)

 

 

Top Slip

 

Elephant Camp @ Top Slip
 

Parambikulam Dam

 

 

Amaravathi Dam

Amaravathi Dam, located in Udumalaipet near Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, is around 580 Km drive from Chennai via Ulundurpet, Salem, Perundurai, Coimbatore, Pollachi. The dam is a 1 hour drive from Pollachi and can be in agenda for Tours in and around Pollachi. The dam landscaped by Anaimalai Hills in the background gives a peaceful feeling.

 

 

Vellore Fort

Vellore Fort, Vellore is a 130 Km drive from Chennai via Poonamallee, Sriperumbudur, Arcot on NH 4. The fort built by Vijyanagar kings in 16th century is surrounded by a moat, filled with water. The fort is famously known for the first breakout against Bristish rule in 1806, when a group of Indian Sepoys revolted against the Bristish Officers for imposing a rule on them to wear round leather hats replacing the traditional turbans. A monument worth visiting for history lovers.

 

Fort Entrance

 

The Fort surrounded by Moat

Inside the Fort

Sri Jalagandeeswarar Temple inside Fort

Inside the Fort

St.John's Church inside Fort

Suruli Falls

Suruli Falls is located in the beautiful Surulipatti village, which is a 550 Km drive from Chennai via Trichy, Dindigul, Theni, Chinnamanur (on the Theni Cumbum road), Surulipatti. The road to the Falls passes thro' the scenic Surilipatti, reminding of some of the classic tamil village shooting spots. The falls has water thro' out the year and a feasible spot en route Thekkady (or) Munnar.

 

 

Talakona Falls

Talakona Falls is a 60 Km drive from Tirupathi, AP thro' Bhakrapet. The drive to the Falls and the trek route (app. 1 Km) is absolutely exciting followed by the view of a high waterfall.

 

 Tirumala Entrance

 

 A view of Tirupathi from Tirumala downhill

A lonely spider's web enroute trekking

Talakona Falls

Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills is located near Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh. The Hills, which has got it's name after an English Collector - Horsley, who chose this location for his summer time holiday home, is  a 280 Km drive from Chennai via Wallajah, Chittoor, Madanapalle. An AP Tourism owned resort, housing a swimming pool, bar & restaurant is the only spot atop the hills. A long drive for a day with a good weather, clearly with no expectations of a Hill station in mind but only to spend time at a resort will suit a visit to Horsley.