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Located 155 Km from Bengaluru and 225 Km from Chennai, Yelagiri is a hill station in the Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu. Situated at a maximum altitude of 1410 m, the hill station can be reached by a long winding road containing 10 hairpin bends. The vast area at the top is home to 14 hamlets.

Yelagiri is a quick weekend getaway from Chennai and Bengaluru. This blog explains all the tourist attractions and places to visit in Yelagiri Hills and other vital information needed to make the most of your trip. So, let’s get started.

Yelagiri Complete Travel Guide

How to Reach Yelagiri?

By Air

Salem Airport (Airport Code: SXV, 150 km) is the nearest airport to Yelagiri Hills. No direct buses are available from Salem, so you’ll have to travel by road (see below).

By Train

Tirupattur Jn Railway Station (station code: TPT, 28 km) is the nearest railway station to Yelagiri. It is well connected by trains coming in from many cities, including Chennai, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Madurai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat. From the railway station, walk about a km or hop on a tuk-tuk to the Tirupathur bus stand to catch a direct bus to the Yelagiri hills.

By Road

Yelagiri hill station can be reached only by road. If you own a two-wheeler or four-wheeler, you can reach Yelagiri and explore at your own pace. The vehicles can also be rented from Titupathur. Frequent buses are also available from Tirupathur bus stand to Yelagiri. This is one of the most convenient options for visiting Yelagiri after private transport. 

Note: Tirupattur or Tirupathur are two different places in Tamil Nadu. One is in the Tirupattur district, where Yelagiri is located, while the other is a small town in the Sivaganga district (near Karaikudi). We have tagged the location for your reference.

Best Time to Visit

December, January, and February are the best months to visit Yelagiri. The temperature drops to 14°C during these winter months. The rain starts in July and extends until November. You can also visit during the summer months. The summer season can be hot and humid from March to June. However, Yelagiri can be visited throughout the year to experience different weather.

Restaurants in Yelagiri

Many restaurants and small local eateries serving different varieties of delicious South Indian food are commonly found in Yelagiri. There are also a few good dine-in restaurants at Yelagiri. Most of the hotels and resorts in the region come with a restaurant attached, which is very convenient for the guests. You can check the reviews online and choose a restaurant close to you.

Accommodations in Yelagiri

From budget hotel rooms to luxury resorts, Yelagiri Hills offers a variety of accommodations based on your comfort and budget. Hostels are not available at Yelagiri. We stayed at The Amethyst Resort. Here are a few other suggestions.

• Itsy Hotels Kurinji Stay Inn ($)
• Giri Nandhana Residency ($)
• Sapphire Stayes ($$)
• Zeenath Taj Gardens ($$)
• Eco Village ($$$)
• Sharma Nivas Holiday Homestay ($$$)

Network Availability

Both Airtel and Jio offer good network reception at the hill station. Expect only intermittent connectivity if you go to more remote mountain areas. The internet speed is moderate or good in the main town.

Languages Spoken

The people of the Yelagiri hills speak Tamil widely. Few can also communicate in English, Hindi, and Kannada.

Commuting Around

The tourist attractions are not well connected by public transport. We didn’t find any two-wheeler rentals in the hill station. Most people come to Yelagiri with their own vehicle, which makes it convenient and easy for them to explore. Ola and Uber taxi services are also not available at Yelagiri. The best option if you don’t have a vehicle is to hop on a tuk-tuk and explore the area.

10 Best Places to Visit in the Yelagiri Hills

1. Visit the Nilavoor Cliff Viewpoint

A short, inclined walk from the parking lot will lead you to the Nilavoor Cliff Viewpoint. You can see the 360° view of the surrounding areas and the mountains on the horizon from any of the three elevated shelters close to each other. This spot is famous for its sunrise and sunset views during summer. During the monsoon, you can see the clouds peacefully floating by. We enjoy identifying shapes in the clouds; if you are similarly creatively inclined, this is the place for you. Nilavoor Cliff Viewpoint is a must-visit attraction in Yelagiri.

• Entry fee: INR 50
• Timings: 5 AM – 7 PM
• Parking: Free parking is available for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

2. Go Boating at the Yelagiri Lake

Yelagiri Lake houses a well-maintained boathouse. The lake is located in the heart of the Yelagiri Hills. The calm waters, surrounded by lush greenery and scenic landscapes, provide a perfect setting for relaxation and peace. A park located close to the lake boasts joy rides for entertaining the kids, including swings and a Ferris wheel, to name a few. You might have to pay extra to access some of the rides. Life jackets are mandatory if you plan a boat ride on the lake.

As the lake is a prime tourist attraction, several shops are lined up near the entrance. Homemade chocolates sold in the area are very popular souvenirs. Beware of the notorious monkeys in the area.

• Park entrance: INR 20 for adults, INR 10 for children
• Boating charges: INR 50 per adult for a rowboat (10 minutes) and half price for children. INR 200 for four people for a paddle boat (20 minutes)
• Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Parking: Paid parking space is available close to the entrance.

3. Feed the Birds at Fundura Birds Park

Established in 2017, the Fundura Birds Park is a one-of-a-kind experience at Yelagiri. It houses different species of colorful birds and more than 20 species of exotic animals. It is an interesting attraction for aviary enthusiasts and people who enjoy spending time around birds.

The park allows birds and animals to be fed and interacted with. It also offers indoor entertainment activities like net cricket, a 7D cinema, a fish spa, and toy train rides.

• Entry Fee: INR 300 for adults and INR 200 for children. This includes aqua walking, bird walking, petting the farm, and seeing the farm animals. You can pick the activities (fish spa, net cricket, train ride, and 7D cinema) separately for INR 100 each. Super combo (with any 1 activity) and king combo (with any 3 activities) are available.
• Card payments are not accepted. Only UPI and cash payments are accepted.
• Timings: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM

4. Trek the Swamimalai Hills

Swamimalai is a fairly small hill, so it is not to be confused with the more famous hillock in the Kumbakonam district. The trek route is clearly marked in Google Maps. You can start your trek from the trek starting point and follow the steps to reach the ticket counter en route in a small village. A visible trail exists until the very end. It is an easy 2 km hike that takes about 2-3 hours. A temple at the top, and the ladder marks the summit. The view from the top is breathtaking, with lush greenery and distant villages.

• Entry fee: INR 350 per person for Indians, INR 3000 for foreigners for the moderate route. INR 500 per person for Indians and INR 5000 for foreigners for the tough route.
• Parking: Available
• Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
• Carry enough water and snacks with you.

5. Indulge in Adventure Activities

Yelagiri is a haven for adventure lovers. The hill station has several parks offering zip lines, rock climbing, indoor rock climbing, and other activities designed to test your physical abilities and provide an adrenaline rush. Ideal for families and groups of friends alike, they offer fun and exhilarating ways to spend your time. Here are a few adventure parks in Yelagiri that you should consider visiting.

• Thrill Valley – Recommended
• Extreme adventures Yelagiri Hills – Recommended
• Wild Waves Theme Park
• Mountain View Adventure Park
• Lake Zone Adventure Park

Yelagiri was famous for its paragliding activities, but they were stopped over 10 years ago due to a mishap. You can also visit the Cloud Forest Entertainment Park, especially if you have kids.

6. Visit Local Farms

If you want to learn more about sustainable agriculture, you can visit one of the several local farms in the area. The Amethyst Resort, where we stayed, owns several farms near the property. It was our first time visiting a dragon fruit plantation, which was an unforgettable experience. We saw a variety of crops growing and learned about the crop cycles and farming practices. During harvest, you can enjoy the fresh produce and directly contribute to local farmers and their communities. It is one of our favorite activities in Yelagiri Hills.

Did you know? Yelagiri Summer Festival is organized every year in the month of May and June by the Department of Tamil Nadu Tourism. The event showcases a wide variety of flowers, spices, and fruits and also hosts several cultural programs.

7. Yelagiri Nature Park

Yelagiri Nature Park is a peaceful escape where tourists come to relax during the evening hours. With resting huts for the visitors, take a stroll along the walking path admiring the numerous colorful flowers and different varieties of plants and trees. The park also has an artificial waterfall, musical fountain, kids’ play area, etc. Visiting the park is an ideal way to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

• Park Entry Fee: INR 15 for adults and INR 5 for children
• Timing: 9 AM to 7 PM
• Musical fountain show timings: 7 PM – 7:30 PM
• Musical fountain entry fee: INR 25 for adults and INR 10 for children
• Parking:  Ample paid parking space is available
• Restroom: Available but not clean

8. Uncle Bernie’s Chocolate Factory

DIY activities such as chocolate-making, resin-making, and crayons-making are some activities you can do as a family during your trip to Yelagiri. The chocolate-making activity involves filling liquid chocolate in different molds and customizing it to your preference. Unleash your creativity and savor the joy of making personalized treats. Create sweet memories that last a lifetime!

The complex has a park that contains several selfie spots for your Gram. It also has games like archery, bull riding, cart rides, net cricket, and ATV rides. Kids will definitely enjoy Uncle Bernie’s Chocolate Factory.

• Timings: 9 AM – 7:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Chocolate-making activity costs INR 200. All the activities are charged separately. Combos are also available.

9. Stop at the Yelagiri Hills Viewpoint

Yelagiri Hills Viewpoint is located on the 10th hairpin bend en route to the Yelagiri Hills. Unlike the other viewpoints, the view from here is different and unique. You can see the settlements and the greenery stretching far into the horizon. Do make a quick stop during your ascent or descent. Be mindful of the vehicles passing by and the monkeys in the area. Remember to keep your car locked when you make a stop.

10. Vainu Bappu Observatory

Located about 45 Km from the Yelagiri Hills, Vainu Bappu Observatory was established in the 1960s in the Kavalur village. If you’re interested in astronomy or even stargazing, you should not miss this place. A screen presentation on how to use a telescope is played to the visitors in batches of 50.

The skies are clear, best in January, February, March, and April. The observatory also houses the following notable telescopes – the 40-inch Carl Zeiss Telescope, the 1.3m J.C. Bhattacharya Telescope, and the 90-inch Vainu Bappu Telescope.

• Entry Fee: INR 50 per person, including tea or coffee
• Timings: 2 PM – 4 PM, only on Saturdays
• Night sky observations for visitors using a 15 cm telescope: 7 – 10 PM. No prior arrangement is needed. (subjected to clear sky conditions)
• No shops nearby. If you’re carrying snacks, beware of the monkeys.

Did You Know: Each of the ten hairpin bends at Yelagiri Hills is named after renowned Tamil poets.

Frequently Asked Questions

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