For vacationers from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Valparai is without any doubt one of the ideal places to choose due its easy accessibility from both these states. The town of Pollachiisthe best entry point for people heading to Valparai. Unlike other Indian towns, Valparai is 100% plastic free. You hardly find any waste floating around and people maintain their compoundswell. These foothills of Valparai are blessed with immense natural beauty. Graced with dams, wildlife, streams, Reserve forest, waterfalls. After passing Aliyah dam and the Monkey falls and 10 kms of journey, you will enter the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. This route has 48 hairpin bends of sheer thrill and stunning natural beauty all around. Then comes the sprawling tea estates on both sides decorated by shades of green. Midway, there is a waterfall.

Though there are a few home stays for accommodation, Briar Tea Bungalows are a safe bet. Briar has about 25,000 hectares of tea estates with 3 beautifully preserved colonial Bungalows catering to tourists. Each Bungalow has it’s own special character.

We stayed at the Stanmore Garden Bungalow. It has a spacious compound with 360 degree view of the tea plantation with the grass hills in the foreground. The food here was exquisite. We had a dedicated chef and a service team to make us totally at home. It truly was a memorable stay with a nostalgic colonial feel. We enjoyed the trekking, bird watching, photography and The tea Factory visit. We highly recommend this peaceful resort where we had lots of privacy.