Here’s a 3-day travel itinerary for visiting Pollachi (Tamil Nadu, India) along with a table of popular places, average time spent, and entry/fee info (as best as publicly available). You can of course adjust based on your pace, interest and vehicle availability.
Day 1: Arrival & Local Highlights
Morning
- Arrive in Pollachi and check into your hotel/resort.
- Visit the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple in Pollachi town (a 12-13th-century temple built by the Konga Cholas) for a local cultural start.
Afternoon
- Head out to the nearby pilgrimage shrine Masani Amman Temple at Anaimalai (~14 km from Pollachi) and experience its unique rituals.
- Lunch at a local restaurant, maybe try local Tamil cuisine or coconut-based dishes (Pollachi is famous for coconut farming).
Evening
- Relax and stroll in the town or nearby market, take a gentle walk among the coconut groves.
- Overnight stay in Pollachi.
Day 2: Nature & Scenic Spots
Morning
- Early drive to Aliyar Dam (about 24 km from Pollachi) – a picturesque dam/reservoir in the foothills of the Anamalai range.
- Spend time exploring the park, viewpoint, maybe a short boating ride if available.
Afternoon
- From Aliyar, drive further toward the hills and stop at Monkey Falls (on Pollachi-Valparai road) for a refreshing waterfall experience.
- Picnic lunch or at a local eatery near the falls.
Evening
- Return to Pollachi or, if staying a little up in the hills is possible (for a slightly different setting), stay near the foothills for freshness and nature.
- Relax evening, maybe enjoy sunset views over the groves/hills.
Day 3: Wildlife & Hill Drive
Morning
- Head out early to Topslip (in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve region, ~35 km from Pollachi) for a wildlife experience – forest drive/jeep safari, elephant camp maybe.
Afternoon
- After the forest excursion, you may include a stop at the hill station area of Valparai (if your schedule allows) for tea plantation views, misty hills (this depending on time/energy).
- Lunch en route or in Valparai area.
Evening
- Return to Pollachi town by evening. Enjoy your last night – maybe a nice dinner, local shopping (mini markets, souvenirs).
- Overnight stay or departure depending on your onward plan.
Table of Popular Places in Pollachi
Here’s a table listing major destinations, approximate average time to spend, and the known entry/fee details (where available). Note: for some places the fee info is approximate or may vary.
| Place | Approx. Time Spent* | Entry/Fee Info** |
|---|---|---|
| Masani Amman Temple (Anaimalai) | ~1-2 hours | Temple open 6:00 AM-8:00 PM. No general entry fee listed. |
| Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple (Pollachi town) | ~30-60 min | Pilgrimage temple; standard darshan; fee not separately cited. |
| Aliyar Dam | ~1-2 hours | Entry approx Rs 10 (some sources say Rs 5) & camera fee. Boating ~Rs 40. |
| Monkey Falls | ~30-60 minutes | Entry ticket ~Rs 30 for falls vicinity. |
| Topslip (Anamalai Tiger Reserve) | ~2-4 hours (half-day) | Entry/permit nominal; jeep safari ~Rs 200 per person approx; vehicle/entry noted. |
| Valparai (hill drive & viewpoints) | ~2-3 hours or more if staying | Scenic viewpoint visit; fee not specifically listed in my sources. |
| Thirumoorthy Hills & Waterfall | ~1-2 hours | Scenic spot; fee info not clearly found. |
| Parambikulam Tiger Reserve | ~3-4 hours or a full day | Wildlife reserve; safari/entry fees depend on package. |
* Time spent is approximate and depends on your pace, transport, photo stops, etc.
** Fees are based on available published sources and may change – always check locally or at the gate.
Travel Tips & Notes
- The best season to visit Pollachi is December to February, when the weather is pleasant.
- For hill and forest visits (Topslip/Valparai) go early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid afternoon rush.
- In forest reserves, safari seats or permits may sell out; book ahead if possible.
- Carry sufficient water, snacks for remote spots. The roads to hills/wildlife zones can be winding.
- For waterfalls like Monkey Falls, caution during monsoon / after heavy rain: slippery rocks.
- Respect local customs at temples: dress modestly, follow darshan rules.
- Since many spots involve travel (hills, reserves), allocating Day 2 and Day 3 to “outside-town” excursions helps reduce back-and-forth.
- Stay in Pollachi town gives you convenience for restaurants, markets; if you prefer nature-stay you might choose a resort closer to the hills or forest edge for one night.