Beautiful river sites on this tour. Waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and more!
Pros:
- A nice day trip to see some of the natural beauty of the area.
- Nice views at the top and bottom of the Athirappilly falls. enjoy the mist from the falls from the bottom.
- Lots of monkeys at the Athirappilly falls. But beware, they are greedy and try to steal any food you have, whether an ice cream from your hand or foods from a tote bag.
- A pleasant stop at a suspension bridge over the river. Beautiful views, places to relax on both sides of the river, and a nice break from the car ride.
- Vazhachal falls and a third (if water is flowing) are nice as well, even if visible only from an observation area.
- Very good lunch in a nice resort restaurant.
- The guide/driver took us via the forest, offering a chance to see wild elephants. (Although we didn't spot any, just some evidence they were there!)
- The fact the tour was all-inclusive (except for tips) was great!
Cons:
- It's a long car ride to and from, over mostly rough roads.
- To access Athirappilly falls, it's a moderate hike. The hike down to the base (and back up) is more challenging, so just be aware that moderate athletic ability is needed to see the falls!
- Despite signs warning of fines, lots of people throwing trash on the ground especially at the falls. You'd think the park management would take a lounging staff member at the front gate and assign them to scold litterers.
Summary: A nice trip outside the city. Be sure to stop as often as possible to see as much as possible. It breaks up the trip and makes the car time more rewarding!