Vellimalai

Vellimalai is a small hill station in Meghamalai forest range. Vellimalai was well connected with Meghamalai and Thekkady during the British Era. Vellimalai can be reached from Kodaikanal through Poomparai, Top Station, Munnar, Thekkady and Meghamalai. Entire route was developed to transport Tea. Vellimalai is fully covered under "Reserved Forest" and designated as "Wild Life Reserve". Make sure you reach the Kandamanur Forest Range office and get permission to enter the checkpost near Ghat Road. Range Officer will check for the real reason of your visit and permit you to enter the Ghat roads. There are four tea estates in Vellimalai developed during British Era.

Accommodation is available with Forest Department on demand and approval basis. Please check with Range office for availability and approval. Tea estates have good guest houses available on Estate Managers approval only.

Abundant wild life makes a good destination for good photographers interested in wild life photography in Theni District. Entire area is less or not polluted by human habitation. A good eco destination for travellers. Take your kids with you and enjoy the ride till the Tea estate and return back. Would suggest to start from Chinna Suruli water falls before 2 pm and cross the Poaching Prevention Shed Checkpost before 4 pm. Return back on time so that you cross the Poaching Prevention Shed before 5.30 pm and drive slowly to look for wild life.

I experienced a nice glimpse of wild life that has seen less human population. I didnt have a good camera to capture the wonderful encounters with wild life in Vellimalai of Theni District. You can expect Tropical Bear, Elephant, Malabar Squirrel, Monkeys, Pea-Cock, Pea-Hen, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Nilgiri Thar, Leopard, Tiger, various fowls, Quails, etc. I was able to see barking deer, Malabar Squirrel, Spotted Deer, fowl hen with chicks, Pea-Cock, Pea-Hen, Fowl Cocks, etc. A very good experience but missed to carry a good camera to capture them. We need a good camera that can shoot instantly, less response time, high speed autofocus, low light capability, good aperture value, etc.

Never miss Vellimalai in Lifetime. A good place to encounter wild life!