- Monsoon Road Trips
- Winter Road Trips
- 21 mins
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Road Trip Details Total Distance: 200kms/125mi Road Trip Duration: 3D/2N Ideal Time to Visit: ⛄(W) & 🌧️(M) Road Trip Route: Bng - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Salem- Bng |
Before we begin, we would like to remind you again, we only provide details to off-beat, unknown or lesser known places to explore in each destination that we have personally been to, and not the details of touristy places or recommend places that we haven’t been to.
Yercaud, known as the ‘Jewel of South India’, is the most underrated or ignored hill station of South India. At an altitude of 1,620 mts (approx 5320 feet) above sea level, this place will remind you how old hill stations looked before they got too commercialized.
Why Should You Visit Yercaud
Yercaud is a destination that is filled with untouched forests, authentic and legendary coffee estates, lakes, spice plantations with 10% of the crowd that you generally see at famous hill stations. If you love hill stations where you can stay, eat and drive among the clouds (I mean literally) and also prefer less crowded, pleasant, cozy, silent, green & flushed with abundant fresh air, this place is for you.
I personally feel, famous South Indian Hill Stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Coorg fall short on few aspects when compared to the natural and majestic beauty of Yercaud.
So, if you have not been to Yercaud yet, I would personally recommend you to travel at least once for a couple days to experience what I am about to describe here.
So, to begin with, if you are new to road trips or have never been to road trips before, then this would be a good start because of the following reasons:
- If you are traveling from Bangalore, then this is just a 5 hour drive from the city. It is not too tiring and the highway that you will drive/ride on is a National Highway (NH44) from Bangalore - Salem, which is maintained in superb condition as this is a part of the Longest Highway in India (Old NH7)
- You will get a chance to drive through 19 hair pin bends up the mountain (from Salem to Yercaud) and down it on the return journey. This road lasts for an hour and is well maintained as this is the primary entry road up the mountain. As it is not too long and well-maintained, it will give you an experience of how to drive on such roads and will prepare you for longer journeys across state highways and ghat roads which are not in great conditions and far more dangerous than this.
- You have rest stops along the highway and the ghats so that you can stop at any time and relax/take a break when you get tired and you will always find people on the road in case you need help with anything.
Generally, most of the resorts/homestays have their check-in time set to 12 PM and so on, so the ideal time to leave Bangalore for this road trip would be around 5AM in the morning. Not too early and not too late so that you will even enjoy the twilight, won't feel sleepy from waking up too early and won't get caught in the afternoon heat on national highways.
Quick Check on Things to Pack Before you Leave
Woollen head caps if traveling in winter. Rain caps & coats for any season. Boots that can work in rains and winters. No need for hand gloves but light sweaters if you are not too fond of the cold climate,
Coolant & Distilled Water for your car radiator, Spare of extra bulbs for headlights, and tyre inflator kit, just in case.
On The Road
Start by 5 AM from Bangalore and you will reach Petrol Pump and Way Side Amenities in Shoolagiri in 2 hours. This place has everything you need for you and your car. McDonalds, South Indian Breakfast, Cafe Coffee Day, Organic Foods, you name it and you got it here.
Get energized, and start driving again. You will be able to drive until Salem without a stop as this is all National Highway. If you start early in the morning then just after the “Accident Zone” after Pagalpatti you will find a cozy small restaurant setup called SRS Family Restaurant.
Stop by here, have a coffee by your car and soak in the view that you get from the small mountain behind the restaurant. It is beautiful in the mornings with clouds kissing the peak of this hill and mist all over the place as the cool breeze soothes your soul from the city life that you spent over the week.
Now head toward Salem and follow your Google Maps which will take you to the base of Yercaud Hill Station. Here the cops will collect a toll from you ranging from 30 - 50 bucks and make your way to the top of the hill. You will drive through clean and beautiful roads, filled with monkeys and 19 hair pin bends. As you are climbing your way to the top the clouds will start greeting you and welcome you to this beautiful, serene hill station. It will take an hour for you to reach Yercaud from Salem.
Feel the cool breeze, freshness of the air and smoke rising out of chimneys from the restaurants on the road side, mist and clouds all around you if it is a cloudy day. Ensure to have good headlights as visibility is poor on a rainy day as you will be surrounded by fog and clouds all day and night.
Places To Stay In Yercaud
If you are traveling solo, you will find multiple options to stay ranging from home stays to shared rooms right near the Yercaud Lake.
If you are a couple or family, not looking for grand luxurious resorts, here are 2 places that we recommend where we have stayed personally ourselves.
Grand Palace Hotel & Spa (Website Link)
The price ranges from 4500 - 6000 bucks depending upon the season and deals that you could get from Booking.com or Agoda. (We prefer Agoda as the booking process is easy and by far this website has lowest prices compared to any other site for Indian Hotel & Resorts.
This resort is located on the edge of the hill and has some amazing views. You could see the valley all green in a second and filled with fog and clouds the next.
With Infinity Pool, Outdoor Bar & Restaurant, Indoor Bar & Restaurant (Bartender Sheldon, is a cool & amazing guy. Makes you cocktails of your choice and customizes as per how you want them to taste) and Children’s Play area, comfortable, spacious rooms with western amenities, this place has everything that you would need to make your stay here a pleasant one. Check out some images of the place here.
Infinity Pool
Open bar by the Pool
The View from Your Room
Golden Nest, Yercaud (Website Link)
Now this place is for people who do not prefer too much luxury but would like a spacious place to stay at a budget. Room prices range from 1500-2500 here. The best part about this place is the view (see images below). Do not expect room service and high end amenities here. You will get a decent and safe place to stay with amazing views all around you.
If you are here to explore the unknown or lesser known places of Yercaud and not to spend too much time at the hotel but at the same time in need of comfort and good room service this is the place to stay.’
Entrance to the Resort
If you are looking to stay at the resort, make a weekend out of it by enjoying some adventure activities in the resort, get a good healing & relaxing massages, and not drive around too much, then you can check out other resorts such as GRT Trails Yercaud, La Four Seasons, Sterling Yercaud, The Story Resorts & Spa.
If you want to experience staying in tents but comfort at the same time then WOW Bison Woods is a perfect choice for you.
If you are here to explore the unknown or lesser known places of Yercaud and not to spend too much time at the hotel but at the same time in need of comfort and good room service this is the place to stay.’
What To Do In Yercaud
DAY 1
Check in by around 12. Freshen up and have your lunch at the resort if that is comfortable to you or head out near the Yercaud lake and you will find restaurants everywhere here. Pick a place as per your choice and have some local South Indian dishes made hot and spicy in that cold weather.
Lunch - Karuppiah Chettinadu Mess
One restaurant if you are in a mood to have some authentic South Indian Food is Karuppiah Chettinadu Mess. Decent, old place with waiters who can speak Hindi. Interior, electricals and the ambience of the place will take you back to the good old 90s in seconds. Food is served quickly and hot.
PS; There is another place called Sweet Rascal, a pure non vegetarian restaurant. But let’s keep that for Day 2. Why Day 2? You will find out below ;)
Kottachedu Kari Raman Temple
Leave by 2PM to explore the Lesser Known roads and an Old Temple, Kottachedu kari Raman Temple, a small, unknown rustic temple nestled in the dense forests of silver oaks and pepper plantations. Follow the route as shown on Google Maps.
Remember, the 1st thing about exploring the place is that, It is the Drive, Not the Destination.
The road to this place is through some dense silver oak forest, with absolutely no traffic at all! You will find a vehicle or two cruising on these roads. Clouds engulf these forests like thick white smoke and the drizzle makes the greens around you look like they are alive. Birds chirping, crickets cricketing and black tar roads dripped with water from the rain and drizzle.
An absolute paradise for nature lovers. Drive slowly as the visibility is poor and roads are slippery. As you cruise through these curvy bends, you will find small openings where you can park your car on the side, and climb into the forest for a small trek into them. Experience the feel of the forest, listen to the music of the trees as they swing to the breeze and rain. You will feel like you are in the middle of dense rain forests, with absolutely no one around you.
Do not wander deep and be on the lookout for leeches and reptiles. Wear proper footwear as the forest floor will be muddy and slippery.
After driving for an hour, you will reach this place which does not have an entrance from the highway road. Park your car or if you have a 4WD, get off road and drive to the temple entrance. Secluded from all the crowds, you will find this rustic temple welcome you to peace and tranquility. It will be closed most of the time so just wander around and experience nature at its best!
Try to leave this place by around 4 PM and now it is time to head to a waterfall partially known and absolutely no crowd by 5 - 5 30 PM. Kiliyur Falls. Imagine having the entire waterfall to yourself. Yeah that is what I am talking about.
Kiliyur Falls
Park your car at the parking area where you will find small thelas, selling maggi, toasts, chai & coffee. It is a short trek down the pebbled path (approx 1km) to the waterfall. The majestic views of the mountains around you and clouds all around you will make you think you are in a different world altogether. By this time, people who know about this place will also leave as it will be close to sunset. As this is not a tourist place you will not find any barricades or walls, just some old cement steps to walk down right into the stone cold water that cascades down the hill in front you.
Do not step deep into the water as the currents will be stronger and rocks slippery during monsoons.
Enjoy the waterfall, snap some pics and videos for your reels and leave the place before it gets too dark. By now you will see that all you can see is just the white fog with no lights back until you reach the parking area.
As there are no people around, the place is safe but do not wander much when there is no light. Have a hot chai or coffee and head back to your hotel. By now you will realize what it is to drive around in the clouds with absolutely 0 visibility.
There are not many good food options available outside, so it is better to eat at your resort and have a drink or two to enjoy the night.
Day 2
Have breakfast, and try to leave the resort/hotel by 9-10 AM.
Before you leave, do not forget to call The Sweet Rascal for lunch reservation as they take customers on Appointment basis only. You should be able to reach there by 1PM.
Vishnu, the owner of the place, is very particular about the kind of people he lets in. He personally talks to the customers and understands your food preference before he confirms your reservation. Extremely polite and a true gentleman.
The Lady’s Seat
First place for Day 2 would be a touristy place, Lady’s Seat
Situated in the center of Yercaud with the Rose Garden around it, through which you will have to take a walk to reach this hill top.
If you love plants and would like to explore the place, please do so. As it is early in the morning you will find the climate enticing and mist rising all around you.
Lady’s Seat is a small structure built on top of the hill where you can experience the view of the entire valley, sunrays breaking through the clouds at the height just above you. You will be amazed with the views of this place. Here are a few pictures to show what the place looks like.
Spend some time sitting in the park or at the lady’ seat to absorb the views.
View from the Lady's Seat
Lunch - The Sweet Rascal
Wrap up by 12 PM so that you can head to The Sweet Rascal (purely Non Veg) for Lunch.
Sweet Rascal is a place owned by the local businessman, Dr Vishu, amid raw natural beauty. You will be able to see plants all around you and naughty quotes written on the walls by Vishnu. If you are a fan of cosy natural habitats, this place is a paradise for you.
Once you reach, Vishnu will help you create a lunch menu based on your preferences from chicken to exotic seafood. His food is homely, fresh and delicious. As they do not keep the food prepared, they might take 40mins to 1 hr to serve your dishes. But it is worth the wait. And as you are sitting in nature's lap you won't even notice 40 mins gone by.
By the time you have your lunch and walk around the surroundings, it will be close to 2 PM by now.
It is now time to head to Cauvery Peak.
Note, coffee tours and the estate closes at 5 PM. So please reach there by 3 PM to enjoy the estate.
Cauvery Peak Coffee Estate
Cauvery Peak is known for Cauvery Peak Coffee Estate, a 150 year old coffee estate, known for making one of the best Arabica coffee in India. They import their seeds from all over the world to ensure to create the best arabica coffee in India. It is an hour drive away, nestled away from the city among the many spice and coffee plantations with its own lake and viewpoint inside the 200 acre estate.
Follow the map as per the screenshot below. The route is more beautiful and scenic than the Kottachedu kari Raman Temple route.
On the way you will find tiny waterfalls and viewpoints that you will never want to miss. If it is cloudy, you will be literally driving among the clouds and you will be able to see the clouds wrap you and your car all the way along.
These are narrow and windy roads, so be careful while you drive.
Here you will have different activities that you can experience. The first is the complete coffee estate tour. Here the guide will take you through the complete coffee preparation process right from the planting the coffee trees to crushing the beans. You will also be explained about the 3 estates that Cauvery Peak has in Yercaud and the difference in the coffee made at each estate.
Also you will get to witness the beauty of the lake inside the estate, with the most beautiful background.
Entire tour will cost you 500-1000 per car.
At the end of the tour, head to the shop, have a coffee first, you cannot miss it! Sit in the lawn and enjoy it as the coffee and the views are deliciously mesmerizing.
Buy some spices and coffee based on your taste. We always buy them whenever we travel here.
Cauvery Estate Private Lake View
As this is nestled deep in the forest the rains are unpredictable, so carry necessary raincoats just in case.
There are no other places to see here so now it is time to head back. While heading back, take the route as shown in the screenshot below rather than the same one you just drove on.
More Scenic and Hidden Route
Now this route is literally untouched and only the locals use it. The roads are filled with leaves from years and mud on the road side and you will get to explore some of the most deep hidden resorts here and tallest silver oaks covered with pepper crawlers. Roll down your windows, and switch off any music that is playing and let the clouds of this place embrace you and listen to the music from the birds and leaves of the swaying branches. Don't forget to make small stops and just absorb the amazing views.
That’s it. You have successfully explored Yercaud! In case you want to even explore some tourist destinations, visit Yercaud Lake the next morning before you head out of Yercaud, early in the morning.
Head back to your resort, have a drink and have a good sleep before you begin on your next drive in the morning, either back to your home or any other place that you are exploring next.
As I always say at the end, Travel Responsibly and Ensure to leave the places as they were and please do not litter. Reduce plastic usage as much as possible. People in Tier 2, 3 cities use plastics everywhere. Cutlery, straws etc as they are not fully aware about the consequences and effect of these on nature and us.
Interesting fact is, most of them do not understand even when explained. Very few understand. So it is up to us to be careful and reject plastics when offered as we understand, that even a single straw saved from usage, can make a huge difference.
If you want to continue the journey and explore few other places that you can easily head from here then, I would recommend Ooty, Kodaikanal, Coonoor and Coimbatore as the next stops.
You can read about our road trip journey to these hill stations here.
In case you have any recommendations, or places that we missed to discover, or know about some unknown places in Yercaud, feel free to share your ideas & thoughts in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you!
