![\"\"](\"http:\/\/athma.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/IMG-20130322-00689.jpg\" "\\"Approaching")
<\/a>Approaching Aliyaar dam<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Aliyar Dam<\/p><\/div>\n
From here, the terrain changes \u2013 paving way for the ghat section\u00a0 with its 40 sharp hairpin bends.\u00a0\u00a0 .On way is\u00a0 a waterfall named Monkey falls- but being summer , it hardly had any water \u2013 the place however\u00a0 looked quite \u00a0enchanting \u00a0with water trickling down the \u00a0rocks, tall trees , \u00a0and snaky vines\u00a0 which\u00a0 were tempting enough to swing !<\/p>\n
<\/a>Monkey Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
The first sight of tea plantations was that of Waterfall estate ,\u00a0 where\u00a0 we stopped for a quick sip of \u00a0hot tea ,that was being sold at the roadside hut. The surroundings had\u00a0 a serene ambience with\u00a0 a tiny bridge , green tea plantations, and\u00a0 purple flowers in full bloom on trees as well as scattered all around on the rocks. \u2013 eye candy view!<\/p>\n
<\/a>Quaint<\/p><\/div>\n
Further uphill, we \u00a0spotted\u00a0\u00a0 lion tailed macaques and one was bold enough\u00a0 to even \u00a0perch on top of our car !<\/p>\n
<\/a>lion Tailed Macaque<\/p><\/div>\n
Soon amidst all the excitement of the prospects of spotting more wild life,\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0we reached Valparai.<\/p>\n
The vast stretch of undulating\u00a0 green hills\u00a0\u00a0 occasionally punctuated with purple\u00a0 and pink blooms was \u00a0a welcome \u00a0treat .<\/p>\n
It was hardly crowded and all one could feast their eyes on was the picturesque green landscape which made it the perfect getaway.<\/p>\n
Our first destination once having checked in to one of the tea estate\u00a0 guest houses\u00a0 was to Nirar dam which \u00a0slowly uncovered from a thicket .<\/p>\n
We could hardly hide our excitement on spotting a lone bison among the vast expanse of tea plantations.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Solitary bison<\/p><\/div>\n
The water level was quite low and the grass hills could be viewed from the dam. The sounds of the jungle\u00a0 pervaded all through.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Picturesque Nirar<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Nirar Dam<\/p><\/div>\n
Tiny colorful birds flitted across and there were quite a few varieties \u2013simply put \u00a0it\u2019s a\u00a0 bird watchers paradise.<\/p>\n
Upper Nirar Weir, near Chinnakallar was the next stop. A manmade tunnel\u00a0 through the rocks \u00a0carried the water to vellamalai \u00a0and sholayar reservoir. .Chinnakallar\u00a0 supposedly recorded the highest rainfall two years ago and is called\u00a0 Chirapunji of the south.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Man Made Tunnel<\/p><\/div>\n
We called it a day after our final destination to Balaji temple. The climb to the top of the hill through the tea estates was\u00a0 inspiriting.<\/p>\n
Next day morning, well rested, we \u00a0woke up to the cries of jungle fowls. After a quick morning walk to soak in the\u00a0 fresh nip mountain air, we headed for\u00a0 a tea factory visit and then to\u00a0 \u201cSeen God \u201c view point. This involved a trek and hike up\u00a0 through the tea gardens .We spotted a couple of wild rabbits on the way and the view that awaited us at the top \u00a0was stunningly \u00a0breathless !<\/p>\n
<\/a>View from Seen God<\/p><\/div>\n
After having basked in the view, we drove around the winding roads\u00a0 through the tea and coffee plantations to Sholayar dam . Though it hardly had any water, \u00a0the drive through\u00a0 the jungles was quite refreshing .<\/p>\n