The alarms went off between 2.00 to 3.00 am on 29 March 2024 for the eight riders who planned a motorcycle trip to the heaven on earth, a favourite destination for riders, a hill station located in Coimbatore district at a height of 3474 feet above sea level with 40 hair pin bends surrounded by tea estates and a tiger reserve forest with a huge elephant population.
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Yes, you guessed it right, it’s the beautiful Valparai, a dream for most of the bikers. I woke up much before the alarm could go, through the night the checklist continuously ran, if missing something. This was the 16th destination motorcycle ride for me, but still there wasn’t a difference in the enthusiasm.
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The ride started as planned at 4.30 am and the route was to take the NH45 cruising through Salem – Pollachi and reaching Valparai. Taking adequate breaks for breakfast, tea and hydration, we touched the Annamalai Tiger reserve check post by 2.45 pm. The 95% distance was covered on the plains and the next 40kms was through ghats with 40 hair pin bends. The permit to ride through the forest closes at 6.00 pm till next morning 6.00 am.
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As we passed through the beautiful landscapes the temperature fell and the weather was pleasant with the aroma of the forest trees as all eight of us rode in silence, just to hear the soft exhaust notes of our machines, none of us revved through the jungles and paid our respects to the nature. Once you enter the forest, you get a feeling that it is governed by a superficial power much stronger than the humans. It’s the mother nature who embraces you as a baby in the her womb.
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We reached the Valparai town by 4.30 pm and by the strike of 5.00 we all were in our beautiful and well-furnished Bel Visto Hotel rooms. The rooms were sharing of four each, later after a nice shower we explored the town with the hot Kattan Chaya (Black Tea) and the delicious local banana bhajji also known as Pazham Pori in Malayalam. As Valparai is the border town with the state of Kerala, you can find a mix of both the cultures. We ordered dinner and retired as early ride planned to Athirapally falls the next day.
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Athirapally Falls mostly famous for the movie scenes is located in the state of Kerala and is located 85 odd Kms from Valparai. We started by 5.30 am and after travelling some 15 kms, we reached the border security post of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Forest. Our vehicle registration numbers, along with the name and handphone numbers were noted down and we had to report to the other side of the forest check post within a stipulated time.
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We rode through the thick forest hoping to encounter some wild animals, but to our luck, only could see few bisons, small animals and birds. We just missed an elephant by few minutes as informed by some passer-by. At around 10.00am we reached Athirapally falls. To reach the falls we had to descend more than 500 meters. An entry ticket is charged and littering is strictly prohibited in that zone. A path is built to enable us to go down the hill. The trek took us 30 minutes to reach. The majestic falls comes from the Chalakudy river and is said to be in its full force between August to October. We enjoyed the scenic beauty for an hour, clicking photographs and later climbed up to leave.
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There are lot of juice shops at the entrance. Wearing the riding pants & the safety boots and trekking was a bit difficult, therefore suggest to carry additional trekking pants and shoes. There is a cloak room to keep your belongings. It may be a better option.
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By 12.00pm, we all started to roll back to Valparai and crossed the reserve forest clocking three hours and 15 minutes. Later by 5.00pm we reached our hotel and later strolled our way looking for dinner. We later enjoyed the hot Idli, Dosas to end our day and get prepared to roll back to Chennai. The flag off was planned at 5:30am and we reached Chennai around 4.30 pm with adequate breaks. A memory which will stay for ever, the great Chennai – Valparai ride.
Ride With Pride!
1 thought on “The great Valparai ride”
Well narrated. It was one of the thrill ride with the gang.