Valparai and its Tea Plantations

Almost every rolling slope in Valparai is covered by tea plantations, and those that are not have been left in this natural, forested state because they were deemed unsuitable for tea plants. There is the occasional coffee or cardamom estate, but tea rules supreme in this quaint corner of Tamil Nadu, situated high in Annamalai range of the Western Ghats.

The cool climate, good rainfall, and gentle slopes in Valparai – because they prevent water stagnation in the earth – are perfect for tea. Almost all suitable real estate in the region has been tea plantations for more than a century. Surrounded by the majestic Annamalai Hills, an offshoot of the Western Ghats near the Tamil Nadu border with Kerala, the tea plantations of Valparai enhance the lush landscape.

Forests and Plantations in Valparai

The tea plantations are a sight to behold, especially early in the mornings when the mostly women laborers with net sacks strung on their backs go to work plucking tea leaves. They complete their work in the mornings before the sun climbs too high in the sky. The sea of tea plants around Valparai is punctuated here and there by forests that were left untouched because they were reckoned to be unfit for planting tea.

These forests shelter various forms of wildlife, some dangerous like the snakes and some harmless like the Malabar giant squirrel that is known to clear 50 ft expanses between trees. Elephants and bison survive in packs in these isolated woods which they prefer due to the shade, and occasionally traverse the tea plantations to get to nearby forests. These trespassing, especially those of the elephants which destroy tea plants, are not taken lightly by plantation owners and have led to confrontations, sometimes resulting in material and human losses.

Tea Estates around Valparai in Tamil Nadu

The tea plantations around Valparai are organized in separate estates hundreds of acres in size, and sometimes have accommodations for tourists, allowing them to experience life in these hills in close proximity. The sounds of nocturnal animals make the nights here truly unique. The hills around Valparai also present other priceless sights interspersed between the tea plantations. Various waterfalls and dams, including the Sholayar Dam, dot the area, as well as breathtaking views of the mountains from strategic vantage points.

Valparai is located about 64 km south of Pollachi in the western part of Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the Western Ghats that dominate the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula. The temperate climate and beautiful sights make this tea plantation-dominated town a unique experience.