Green and serene Yercaud :-). Review on Yeracaud

I went to Yercaud in the first week of September 2004. It is a nice little hillstation whose USP would be its calm greenery and its cheapness! Its a place to relax in, forget the cares of civilisation and soak up birdcalls, coffee plantations and pepper plants.

Sure it has its share of tourist spots...but these are best looked at and gotten over within an hour or two. Then you can set out for long walks in any direction that attracts you. The centre of the town in not very nice, being used by humans.. :-) you know how we are - throwing plastic wrappers around, blaring the horn or the stereo at the least provocation!

but get up on one of the winding roads leading away from the centre of the town and u are transported to a world where nature calls out to you. I would advice the more sturdy to walk up to Shevaroy hills. At the top a Bauxite mine and a small temple await you. nothing great. again the wrrappers and blaring radios. but the way to reach isd thoroughly enjoyable. you can see the valley far below and the mist rising up cloaking the hills. green coolness all around. each nook and cranny filled with plants and tiny flowers. The smell itself is heavenly... For the less exercise-minded, take a cab to the top and walk down. You might like to visit the herbarium (closed on weekends) on your way down. Its got many plants including Orchids.

The walk to Killiyur falls is very nice too. The road to the Lady's seat and the Rose garden is not at very nice, tho, what with goats and pigs and huts along the way. you might just take a taxi to these places.

Accomodation is cheap and plenty. There are youth hostels, normal hotels and luxury ones too. I stayed at Silver Holiday cottage where the tariff for deluxe room was Rs. 660 and normal rooms were for Rs. 420. very nice little place, and food was decent too. For a bangalorean, Chicken manchurian at 30/- a plate was amazingly cheap ;-) There are many other hotels which have similar ambience and pricing, so your hotel stay should not worry you. Bus Service from salem to bangalore was great too.

So what I suggest is, go to Yercaud to chill out for a day or two. Take long walks, fill your lungs with fresh air, and return to your life with a light heart and a wallet thats not much lighter! :-) you can go there for a day or stay for a week...depends on how much relaxation u need.