Trip to Valparai: A Travelogue

[AR Ram]

Thanks Octy_Vin. Glad you liked the photos.




Thanks and welcome to TAI, Mathew.

I think the best time to visit Valparai would be the early part of September when all the water bodies would be full up.

Nice photo of the Athirapally falls.

Hi HR

I was very unfortunate to see no water/falls in Athirapally during my last three visits. Couple of pictures taken during my last visit.

 

[Highway Ranger]

Hi HR

I was very unfortunate to see no water/falls in Athirapally during my last three visits. Couple of pictures taken during my last visit.

Hi Ram,

I do not know when you visited Athirapally. When we visited in August - I think on 18th or so. There were water in all the three falls. Next time you should try visiting Valparai and Athirapally late August or early September...

Posting pictures - Yours and mine to see the difference in water level

Less water

The same location in Aug 18th... just after the rains.

The falls with less water...

as it was after rains...

 

[AR Ram]

@HR

The last visit was in March. And we knew that there was not enough water before going itself. I think I should make one more trip during next rainy season. Its hardly two hours drive from my home town. But this time we had seen Jogfalls at its best.
One of the pictures shot from the same spot.

 

[Highway Ranger]

@HR

The last visit was in March. And we knew that there was not enough water before going itself. I think I should make one more trip during next rainy season. Its hardly two hours drive from my home town. But this time we had seen Jogfalls at its best.

Hi Ram,

Instead of during the rainy season, a trip just after the rainy season would be great as you can also move around freely without getting wet.

We still have not visited Jogfalls...

@HR


One of the pictures shot from the same spot.

The first and the fourth pictures are your pictures, Ram. I had added them for comparing the water level.

 

[AR Ram]

Hi Ram,

Instead of during the rainy season, a trip just after the rainy season would be great as you can also move around freely without getting wet.

We still have not visited Jogfalls...




The first and the fourth pictures are your pictures, Ram. I had added them for comparing the water level.

Jogfalls - Made me disappointed several times but last time we really enjoyed, though visibility was poor due to fog. Best part is we went to Jogfalls only enroute to Goa all the times.

About the picture even I was wondering how it can be 100% similar

Have you heard about Vazhachal Forests near Athirapally? Prince Charles and Camilla were on holidays there couple of days back.

Prince Charles celebrates 65th birthday in Kerala lake resort - The Times of India

 

[Highway Ranger]

Jogfalls - Made me disappointed several times but last time we really enjoyed, though visibility was poor due to fog. Best part is we went to Jogfalls only enroute to Goa all the times.

About the picture even I was wondering how it can be 100% similar

Have you heard about Vazhachal Forests near Athirapally? Prince Charles and Camilla were on holidays there couple of days back.

Prince Charles celebrates 65th birthday in Kerala lake resort - The Times of India

So,did you not visit vazhachal and Charpa falls? There was water in Vazhachal falls both the times we went. Charpa falls was dry this time.

I heard about Vazhachal forest range and there was a guy from there staying in the same place. He gave me his no. and said he would take us on night safari. We were not interested in night safari and moreover that guy looked like a rogue.

We could not enjoy the forest as there was another couple coming in another car and were following us as they were scared to travel through the forest alone. So we could not stop as an when we wanted. They were more concerned about crossing the forest fast.

Prince Charles must have enjoyed Kumarakom and Vazhachal falls.

 

[AR Ram]

So,did you not visit vazhachal and Charpa falls? There was water in Vazhachal falls both the times we went. Charpa falls was dry this time.

I heard about Vazhachal forest range and there was a guy from there staying in the same place. He gave me his no. and said he would take us on night safari. We were not interested in night safari and moreover that guy looked like a rogue.

We could not enjoy the forest as there was another couple coming in another car and were following us as they were scared to travel through the forest alone. So we could not stop as an when we wanted. They were more concerned about crossing the forest fast.

Prince Charles must have enjoyed Kumarakom and Vazhachal falls.

No SR,

I only heard about Vazhachal forests, never had been to there. Probably I have to make an attempt next time. I think the forest range is bit dense and going in a group is more sensible.

 

[Mathew]

so,did you not visit vazhachal and charpa falls? There was water in vazhachal falls both the times we went. Charpa falls was dry this time.

On first August 2013. Charpa falls was beautiful on my previous visits.

 

[Highway Ranger]

When there is water, Charpa falls is beautiful...

This was also taken in the second half of August a couple of years back...

I think Vazhachal falls has water all through the year...

 

[AR Ram]

@SR

The falls look very small comparing to Athirapally water falls, probably due to less water, I think similar to Mankey falls on the way to Valparai from Pollachi.

 

[Highway Ranger]

@SR

Hi Ram,

"@SR" - I am assuming you are addressing me

The falls look very small comparing to Athirapally water falls, probably due to less water, I think similar to Mankey falls on the way to Valparai from Pollachi.

Charpa falls is similar to Monkey falls, (on the way to Valparai) and Silver Cascade in Kodai. I don't think we can get under the water. It is on the roadside between Vazhachal falls and Athirapally falls.

 

[AR Ram]

Hi Ram,

"@SR" - I am assuming you are addressing me




Charpa falls is similar to Monkey falls, (on the way to Valparai) and Silver Cascade in Kodai. I don't think we can get under the water. It is on the roadside between Vazhachal falls and Athirapally falls.

@HR

I am so sorry for the mistake, I was addressing you only.

The best falls in south according to me where you can really enjoy is Hogenakkal.
The falls, the coracle ride, fishes etc, a different experience altogether. But the crowd only will be irritating.

 

[Highway Ranger]

@HR
The best falls in south according to me where you can really enjoy is Hogenakkal.
The falls, the coracle ride, fishes etc, a different experience altogether. But the crowd only will be irritating.

Speaking of which, we are going there tomorrow... well almost. We will just drive through Anjetty till the place where the road meets the river Cauvery. We will spend some time there and come back without going to the falls. Just for a lazy drive...

 

[AR Ram]

Speaking of which, we are going there tomorrow... well almost. We will just drive through Anjetty till the place where the road meets the river Cauvery. We will spend some time there and come back without going to the falls. Just for a lazy drive...

Woh!! that's really great. You will have lot of opportunities for wildlife photography in the forest area. But had you been to the falls before?

All the best and have a wonderful time .

 

[Mathew]

@HR, and @AR Ram

Again to Charpa Falls, the Scenery under the culvert is amazing. Generally visitors miss that part. The humming sound with moist fumes are interesting during monsoon when water is more. Few pictures just opposite side of the falls.