No, you dont go from Salem to Madurai, you take NH47 to Coimbatore (150 kms). From Coimbatore go to Pollachi (40 kms). At Pollachi, take the Valparai road (just outside town, on the Udumalaipet road, please ask for directions). Valparai is a great drive from here, some great ghat roads. It is normally a good road, although am not sure about its current condition.
Ideally, leave Bangalore early in the morning so that you can reach Valparai by evening. The ghat road is fine but there are around 30 hairpin bends so you may want to avoid driving after dark. Road is totally safe.
In case you want to reduce travelling distance a little, you can turn off NH47 at Avinashi, go to Tiruppur and thereon to Pollachi, but I will recommend the NH47 itself sinc eit is fast and in good shape. You do not have to enter Coimbatore city, take the Coimbatore bypass and watch out for the left turn off to Pollachi.
There are some hotels in Valparai, but I do not know any. Ideally, you should stay in a tea estate bungalow - heard there are some there for hire. There is relaly nothing muchy to do at Valparai, except for some view points here an there but teh tea estates are splendid - at Malakkiparai 25 kms away are the highest-yielding tea estates in India. In case you want to have a good day outing, drive on another 50 kms on teh Chalakudy road - this is the best reserve forests and shola jungles you will see in the Western Ghat region - although I must caution you that it is also infested with elephants (at night) and there are no facilities. If you take this road, you can visit Athirampalli waterfalls and Vazhachchaal, which are great. Further, all the way, you will hear giant cicadas chirping - they make a din!
In and around, you can go trekking in Valparai area - easy treks for family. Don't forget to visit the Balaji Temple near Valparai.
In case you are still not satiated, on the way back, you can plan a detour to Top Slip/ Parambikulam via Anamalai (on the way to Pollachi), and spend a day there or idelally one night.
Kumar |