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Forest road · daytime only

Valparai to Athirappilly Cab

The most scenic 85 km in the Western Ghats — with a driver who knows its rules.

  • Valparai → Athirappilly
  • 80–85 km · 3–3.5 hours
  • Sedan to Tempo Traveller

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TripValparai to Athirappilly Cab

Sedan to Tempo Traveller

2 pax

No payment now Free itinerary 50% advance later

Quick answer

A Valparai to Athirappilly cab covers about 80–85 km in 3 to 3.5 hours via Sholayar Dam, Malakkappara and the Vazhachal forest, a road open only in daylight hours set by forest checkposts. Book it as a day return from Valparai, a one-way drop to Chalakudy or Kochi airport, or as part of a Valparai package.

Distance
80–85 km
Drive time
3–3.5 h
Road
Forest road, daylight hours only
Mobile network
None for long stretches
Onward
Kochi airport ~55 km from Athirappilly

Route at a glance

  1. Valparai
  2. Sholayar Dam
  3. Malakkappara (TN–Kerala border)
  4. Vazhachal Falls
  5. Charpa Falls
  6. Athirappilly

Forest road rules

  • Checkposts near Malakkappara and Vazhachal/Vettilappara operate in daylight only; vehicles must clear them within the allowed hours.
  • No stopping in elephant areas, no feeding animals and no single-use plastic — forest staff inspect vehicles.
  • The road can close after heavy rain or landslides; we check status the evening before.

Trip options

  • One-way drop: Valparai → Athirappilly → Chalakudy railway station or Kochi airport.
  • Day return: out in the morning, back before the checkposts close — a long but beautiful day.
  • Package: see the Valparai Athirappilly package.
Choose your vehicle

Cabs for this trip

Swift Dzire sedan taxi for couples and small familiesSedan 4

Swift Dzire

Couples & small families

4 seats 2 bags AC

  • AC
  • Music system
  • Ideal for couples
Maruti Ertiga 6+1 family taxiMUV · 6+1 6

Maruti Ertiga

Families of 5–6

6 seats 3 bags AC

  • AC
  • Roof carrier on request
  • 3 rows
Toyota Innova 7-seater taxi for hill station tripsSUV · 7+1 7

Toyota Innova

Hill roads with luggage

7 seats 4 bags AC

  • AC
  • Heater
  • Carrier
Toyota Innova Crysta 7-seater cab for Valparai toursPremium SUV · 7+1 7

Toyota Innova Crysta

Best on the 40 hairpin bends

7 seats 4 bags AC

  • Dual AC
  • Captain seats
  • Heater
12-seater Tempo Traveller for group tours to Valparai12-seater van 12

Tempo Traveller

Groups of 8–12

12 seats 10 bags AC

  • Pushback seats
  • AC
  • Music system
Google reviews

Drivers travellers trust

4.9

431 Google reviews

  • 5
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  • 1
Booked 5 days 4 nights tour package with family of 6 persons and 2 kids from Chennai.Family and enjoyed the beautiful sightseeings of valparai parambikulam athirapally falls.special mention they given a very good stay for 4 nights with breathtaking views and parambikulam stay arranged by Mahesh sir was highly appreciated.As Mahesh sir was a naturalist with him as a cab driver for our 5 days trip was very informative and we doesn't see a person with tons of knowledge in wildlife and local insights. We enjoyed many wildlife spottings elephant,leopard,sloth bear,wild dogs,great Indian guar,lion tailed macaque,giant squirrel, and many birds etc in this tour with help of Mahesh.He is very good guide and good friend I had got from valparai. Food provided in the package was very excellent and home made local stuff.Special mention on time food was delivered to room.Non veg was very tasty as we paid that belongs to our request. We enjoyed local cusines,bamboo rafting,tribal dance,tribal people visit, with help of Mahesh and stay given inside the forest was highly recommend by this travels. We covered all places and tour was very customer friendly.Punctual on time pick up drop feels we are very safe.As with family Mahesh sir driving skills was out of box in hills journey, Vehicle given by them was Innova very clean and excellent maintenance with service records feels very safe to drive for 5 days. Excellent service, customer service was their top notched.will share their contacts to all my family and friends.
MWMunish WaranGoogle review · Dec 2025
TRIP WORTHY👍👍👍👍👍 Thank You so much Mahesh sir❤️ Its a 3 days 2 night trip covering valparai topslip and parambikulam with family of 4 people booked valparai mahesh travels. To start with pollachi junction till end of the trip valparai topslip and parambikulam the hospitality of the hotel assistants, cab Driver Mr.Rajagopal was very helpful and satisfactory.. we visited all the places safely, timely and also we were informed about the historical news of the places by the driver himself which was helpful to make the trip more memorable..valparai has become my most favourite trip especially because of the nature anf wildlife safari, tribal symphony, forest stay, trekking etc of arrangements made by Mr. Mahesh sir for our family. Wow breathtaking road curves and natural beauty!! Tour package was very cost economic and customized . Food prepared was homely and taste was very good as we are vegetarian of nominal cost. Thanks for the chef from mahesh travels for their food choices provided with great taste.stay was very excellent and clean, comfort for 2 nights with all aminities. Will definitely we and out neighbours will keep in touch for the next trip. Well organized and professional people in tourism.i will refer your number to relatives and friends. Thank you mahesh and team mahesh travels.
AKArun kumarGoogle review · Aug 2025
Hii, It's been exactly a month from the trip , I am posting my reviews here. " The Fruit of a trip,is tasted by cherishment of its memories" Its that kind of the trip ,we went on Valparai last month. We planned out trip arrangements with VALPARAI MAHESH TRAVELS , based on there good reviews in website.But they never disappointed us at any situation. We went 3 day 2 night plan, to Pollachi,parambikulam, Valparai. They planned all the itenaries and kept us informed. Even though some unexpected delay on the day one of arrival, they managed the schedule and covered all the itenaries. The accommodation arrangements were smooth and well-executed.Its tidy ,safe and comfortable room. A Trip is more about ride ,from the start to end we are provided with a cab with smooth ride experience and the driver was well mannered and knew the route well. We planned this trip for our daughter's 2nd birthday, so we planned to cut cake at somewhere , but to "the cherry on the top", Magesh sir gave as a call and took us to an awesome scenic tea estate ,and arranged for a cake cutting celebration and made the moment time stand still. As per the quote I mentioned above, we are cherishing all this moment without any disappointment and inconvenience, was surely because of Magesh travel who ensured all arrangements were made with precision and care. Thank you Magesh travels for all your incredible support and efforts, it's something we will always cherish.
RMRajambal MDGoogle review · May 2025

Reviews are from our Google Business Profile and describe trips with Valparai Mahesh Travels; they may not refer to this exact package.

Read all reviews
FAQ

Questions, answered

How far is Athirappilly from Valparai?

About 80–85 km via Sholayar and Malakkappara — 3 to 3.5 hours. Read the route guide.

Can we travel from Valparai to Athirappilly at night?

No. The forest road is closed to traffic outside daylight checkpost hours.

Can the cab drop us at Kochi airport?

Yes — Kochi airport is about 55 km (1.5 hours) beyond Athirappilly.

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