Skip to content

Sholayar · Malakkappara · Kerala border

Sholayar Dam Valparai Tour Package

Deep water, border tea country and a forest road that runs on to Athirappilly.

  • Half day · full day · one way
  • Your stay in Valparai
  • Families · Photographers
  • Private AC cab

Get a free quote

Day-by-day plan · itemised price

Replying now
TripSholayar Dam & Malakkappara Trip
2 pax

No payment now Free itinerary 50% advance later

Quick answer

This Sholayar Dam tour runs west from Valparai: about 20 km to Sholayar Dam's viewpoint and backwaters, then on through the estates to Malakkappara, the tea town on the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border. Book it as a half-day return trip from Valparai, a full day with Malakkappara, or a one-way transfer that continues through the forest to Vazhachal and Athirappilly Falls in daylight.

Duration
Half day · full day · one way
Starts
Your stay in Valparai
Ends
Valparai, or Athirappilly/Chalakudy/Kochi (one way)
Best time
September–February; check the forest road after heavy rain
Stay
Not included
Meals
Not included

Highlights

5 highlights
  • Sholayar Dam's viewpoint and backwaters, seen from public roads and viewpoints
  • An estate drive to Malakkappara on the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border
  • A chance of elephants and gaur along the forest edge, watched from the vehicle
  • An option to continue to Vazhachal and Athirappilly Falls in daylight
  • Back in time for evening tea in Valparai
Half day · full day · one way

Day-by-day itinerary

Customise this plan
  1. Sholayar Dam near ValparaiDay 1

    Day 1

    Valparai → Sholayar Dam → Malakkappara → return (or on to Athirappilly)

    • About 20 km to Sholayar Dam · about 30 km to Malakkappara · about 85 km to Athirappilly (one way)
    • Valparai, or drop in Kerala
    • —

    Leave Valparai around 8 AM. At Sholayar Dam, stop at the viewpoint above the reservoir; the dam structure itself is a restricted area, and photography near its installations may be prohibited. Continue through the estates to Malakkappara for tea at the border town and a look over the Kerala side. On the half-day plan we turn back after Sholayar, and on the full day we return from Malakkappara by mid-afternoon. On the one-way plan we cross the forest checkposts during their daytime hours and continue past Vazhachal to Athirappilly Falls.

What's included

What's included

  • Private AC cab with a local driver (half or full day)
  • Pickup and drop at your stay in Valparai
  • Fuel, driver bata and parking
  • Inter-state permit for the Kerala section (one-way plan)

Not included

  • Entry tickets (Athirappilly, Vazhachal) and meals
  • The cab's return from Kerala on one-way transfers (priced into one-way fares)
  • Personal expenses, tips and anything not listed under inclusions
  • Extra costs caused by landslides, road closures or forest-department restrictions

Which Sholayar trip to choose

PlanRouteTime
Half dayValparai → Sholayar Dam → Valparai3–4 h
Full dayValparai → Sholayar Dam → Malakkappara → Valparai6–7 h
One way to KeralaValparai → Sholayar → Malakkappara → Vazhachal → Athirappilly3–3.5 h of driving + stops

Good to know

  • Sholayar Dam's structure and installations are restricted areas. Enjoy the view from public roads and viewpoints and follow the posted photography rules.
  • The Malakkappara–Vazhachal–Athirappilly forest road has checkposts that open only in daylight and can close after heavy rain. See the Valparai to Athirappilly route.
  • Elephants use this road. Never stop to feed or follow them, and keep the windows up if they are close.
Reservoir backwaters beside tea slopes near Valparai
Misty reservoir edged by forest
Tusker elephant in the forest
Athirappilly waterfalls at sunset in Thrissur, Kerala
Google reviews

What travellers say

4.9

431 Google reviews

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Nice arrangements were made from pickup to drop. A 3 days trip with 2 night stay at Valparai was a pleasent experience. Experienced driver shown all the site seeings including the drive to athirappilly falls was wonderful experience. Nice hospitality from Mr.Mahesh and his driver Mr.Rajagopal. Overall had good memories.
BRBalaji RamanGoogle review · Jan 2026
This was an amazing trip on the whole...Fully satisfied with the service,we visited valparai and Athirappilly with my family. Valparai Mahesh travels and Tours put together a customized itinerary to suit our interests. Mr. Mahesh our tour guide was very knowledgeable and engaging ,above all a great human being with full enthusiasm and a naturalist too..He was very passionate about his work,that made our trip so lively and enjoyable..His explanation of place,history and culture made the trip more relatable for my family. Shoutout to his driving skill as well! The tour included excellent sight seeing,deep forest, off road trekking,elephant, exotic birds,cool climate,tea spots,sumptuous South Indian,Kerala meal that we enjoyed immensely. Thanks for making our trip one to remember! I will definitely look valparai Mahesh travels and Tours up for future travel experiences in other hill station too and will also recommend them to family and friends.
NSNivethitha SridharGoogle review · Jul 2024
Our trip to Valparai and athirapally water fall was amazing..well organized trip..thanks to Mahesh to make this trip memorable.. Mr.Srinivasan who drove us al through the trip was amazing..was explaining us very well.. thanks to him too.
STSudha ThodurGoogle review · Feb 2026

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

Can't find yours? Ask us on WhatsApp — a real person replies.

How far is Sholayar Dam from Valparai?

About 20 km, which is 40 minutes to an hour on the road towards Malakkappara.

Can we go inside Sholayar Dam?

No. The dam structure is a restricted area, so visitors see it from the viewpoint and the road.

Is Malakkappara in Kerala?

Malakkappara is a tea town on the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border, on the road from Valparai towards Athirappilly.

Can we continue to Athirappilly from Sholayar?

Yes, in daylight when the forest checkposts are open. See the Valparai to Athirappilly cab.

Keep exploring

Related packages

Ready when you are

Your next trip starts with one message.

A day-by-day plan, an itemised quote and a local naturalist on WhatsApp. Nothing to pay until you approve the plan.

Plan on WhatsApp +91 83009 50311
Free itinerary 50% advance to confirm Local since 2012 4.9/5 · 431 reviews
Free itinerary & quote

Plan this trip with a local

Share a few details and the form opens WhatsApp with your trip written out. We reply with a day-by-day plan and an itemised quote — no payment until you're happy.

Call+91 83009 50311WhatsAppReplies within a few hoursEmailvalparaiholidaytours@gmail.com

Open daily, 6 AM – 10 PM

No payment now. We reply with a day-by-day plan and an itemised quote.