Who can resist the beauty of sun-kissed hills, lush valleys, and a tranquil emerald lake nestled in the middle? Crisp mountain air, lazily clouding pockets of mist across the valley, and billowing cotton clouds create irresistible magic. Golden clumps of sunlight play hide-and-seek amid the rustling foliage of the forest, creating a fascinating play of shadows. Welcome to Yelagiri…
spice hills
Until now untouched by the tourist influx, Yelagiri (or Elagiri) is a serene and peaceful weekend getaway. Located at an altitude of 3500 feet. Yelagiri occupies an area of 30 m2. Mister. made up of 14 villages, and lies embedded in the healthy Western Ghats.
Named after cardamom (or Yellakka in Tamil), the spice blankets the hillsides. Just 3-4 hours away (depending on how fast you drive) from the bustling cities of Bangalore and Chennai, the Yelagiri Hills beckon temptingly.
Get there
The uphill drive along the ghat road consists of a series of 14 hairpin bends, with the seventh hairpin bend offering a spectacular view. Watch out for the large brigade of monkeys, who delight in terrorizing tourists! You can take a train to Jolarpet and then a taxi. Some hotels offer a pickup service from the Jolarpet station for a nominal fee. Taking a bus is not a good idea if you are short on time, as the journey is long, laborious, and uncomfortable.
going back in time
There are no gas bunks along the way, so fill up the tank. After all, you’re headed to a quaint, quiet hillside resort that doesn’t even offer cable TV! Take plenty of cash with you, as there are no ATMs and most hotels or stores do not accept credit cards! When you book your hotel, remember to check the acceptable mode of payment. This quiet hamlet has no bars and none of the hotels are licensed to serve liquor.
Move
The yacht club has both motor and pedal boats, and your trip to Yelagiri wouldn’t be complete without a boat ride! Hike along the picturesque 3 km uphill stretch towards Swamimalai, the highest peak. Jadaiyanoor waterfalls are subject to whether the Attaaru river is swollen or drying up.
Other must-sees include a trip to the herb, fruit and sericulture farm. The “Shandy” is home to all the products of the hill, from the delicious jackfruit, the ripe mangoes to the freshly bottled honey.
Winter temperatures can drop as low as 5 degrees, so keep woolen clothes on hand if you visit between November and January. Summers are cool with a pinch in the air. Get ready to connect with nature, take a book, hike, and come back rejuvenated.