Recently I visited yelagiri with my friends. Its one of the nearest hill resort from chennai.
Route: Koyembedu --> poonnamale --> sriperamabadur --> vellore --> vaniyambadi -->ponneri --> yelagiri hills. we stayed in Hotel Lake view
I gave the itinerary to yelagiri what circulated during our trip
Cost estimation:
Kilometers approx 500 (up& down from chennai)
Kilometer 7/km
Driver charge/day 250 per day so total Amount is 4000
Type: 10 bed Dormitory. Accommodation: 250 per head. Food: Hotel Lake view itself
Extra expenses: tollgate fee, parking fee, entry fee etc.. Total Cost (Travel + accommodation) 4000+2000 = 6000. Shared by 8 peoples: 750+250 =1000 per head
Individual Expenses:Food, water Bottles, Snacks, and others
Essential things for travel
Shorts and 1 set of Dress, Cameras with chargers, Mobile chargers ,Shoes and chapels
Torch light, Match box/lighter
Beside this, don't forget to carry things like comb, soap, face wash, shampoo pouch, toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant
Day 1:
Date: 09-08-08 -- Sturday Depart to yelagiri by 5.00 am from chennai. having the break fast in vellore (katpadi) Will reach Yelagiri in approximately by 10'o clock.
We decide the places after we reached yelagiri. after checking in the hotel we visited the artificial Park near the lake. we spend nearly 2 hours in the park by taking photographs. nothing special in the artificial park. finishing the lunch in the near by hotel, we returned to the hotel. after taking a small break we visit the artificial lake. Punganoor Artificial Lake-cum-Park go on a boat ride.
Entry fee need to be paid to enter the lake and park. Worth it.
Day 2:
Swamimalai
Possibly the highest peak around and the best place to go on a lovely trek is Swamimalai. It's an easy trek along a muddy path starting from the eastern side of the lake, which is about 3 kilometres long and pretty scenic too. Most visitors to Yelagiri Hills, who have trekking in mind, often climb up Swamimalai.
Make sure you have enough water and light snacks before you set-off up the hillock.
Place of Interest:
Jalagamparai Waterfalls
The River Attaaru, runs through the valleys of Yelagiri Hills, and at the village of Jadaiyanoor, flows over to form the waterfall. It's perhaps the only distant spot from the main town (over 30 kilometres) and fairly frequented by visitors to the Hills. Larger groups picnic out here, but because of its isolation don't expect too many facilities. Jalagamparai Waterfalls is also an ideal place to go on a day long trek and if you do decide to go there, just make sure you're well-stocked with water and food.
A word of caution: the waterfalls are dependent on the river being full and the river is dependent on substantial rainfall. Yelagiri Hills hasn't any monsoon season of its own; rainfall here is mainly a 'spill-over' of rainfall in nearby Bangalore or Chennai regions. Unless there is rain here, Yelagiri Hills can largely be dry.
Murugan Koil
If perchance the need arises to seek divine intervention drop by at the Murugan temple to offer prayers and invoke blessings from the deity. For whatever its worth, a trip or even a trek to the holy spot is bound to invigorate energy, health and peace of mind.
Telescope House
You come across this when you're driving up the Hills. It's supposed to be open on weekends, but one has always seen a huge padlock at all times. They say there's a telescope housed inside and from where one can get a good view of places in the distance. But from the naked-eye one can easily get a view of Thirupathur Town or Jolarpet down below; no need for telescopes, really. Besides, it's a waste of time and petrol to drive 2 kilometers to find a padlock at the gates.
mangalam village
siva temple on top of the hill from mangalam village (atleast 1.5 hour up the hill)
Summer Festival
May and June each year is the time for a Summer festival at Yelagiri Hills. Main attendees are local village folk and like-minded people from nearby areas of Vellore District. The government-sponsored event aims to showcase the customs, culture and traditions of the tribal belonging to the areas that fall under Yelagiri Hills. Invitees include state ministers, government officials, members of various panchayat unions and local headmen.
What actually happens is that there are a lot of cultural programmes, music blaring out of loud speakers all across town and a general destruction of peace and quiet. Many welfare measures are announced amidst all the merry-making, but like its every where else, nothings ever achieved.
