Yelagiri Hills

Ever felt like escaping city chaos without going too far? Yelagiri Hills might be your sweet spot. Tucked between Vaniyambadi and Jolarpettai in Tamil Nadu, it’s just a few hours from Chennai or Bangalore—but once you're there, the pace slows down. It’s not crowded, not commercial. Just...quiet.

Athanavur is the main village, but the charm? It’s in 14 tiny villages wrapped around green hills at 3,500 feet. You can trek up Swamimalai for views that honestly feel like a reward—or take it easy boating at Punganur Lake. Either way, Yelagiri feels like a deep breath.

Activities to Do at Yelagiri Hills:

1. Trekking
2. Paragliding
3. Ziplining
4. Bungee Jumping
5. Rappelling
6. Riding on Giant Swings

Also try fun places like Fundera Bird Park where you can see exotic birds, and Adventure Cloud Forest Park for activities like rope courses, ATV rides, and ziplining.

You can even go night trekking or camping under the stars with bonfire and tents through camps like Exoticamp.

Nearby Places to Visit:

1. Fundera Park
2. Cloud Forest Entertainment Park
3. Selfie Panda
4. Thrill Valley
5. Extreme Adventures Yelagiri Hills
6. Yelagiri Birds Park
7. Yelagiri - Nature Park
8. Nitro Sphere Adventure

Yelagiri Hills Location:

Tirupathur District, Tamil Nadu

Yelagiri Nature Park Timings:

9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Yelagiri Nature Park Entry Fee:

Rs 15 for Adults, Rs 5 for Children, & Rs 25 for Musical Fountain

Local Shopping & Food:

At Athanavur, there is a small weekly market (mostly on Fridays) where you can buy:

1. Pure forest honey
2. Jackfruit chips
3. Homemade pickles and spices

Try simple Tamil Nadu-style meals at local messes. Some resorts also serve fresh hill vegetables.

Local Culture & Festivals:

1. Yelagiri Summer Festival (usually in May or June): Local flower shows, folk dances, and even dog shows are held during this time.
2. Pongal and Mariamman Festival: Local temples are decorated, and villagers celebrate with music, food, and traditions.

Local Market Tips:

1. Punganoor Lake area has small stalls selling handmade items, toys, wooden crafts.
2. You can bargain a bit—locals are friendly and love tourists.

Nature & Wildlife:

1. Yelagiri is also home to beautiful birds and butterflies. Carry binoculars if you like birdwatching.
2. Fundera Bird Park and Yelagiri Birds Park are great for kids and families.
3. You can also walk around orchid and rose gardens in some resorts and farms.

Stargazing & Camping:

1. Many adventure camps like Exoticamp and Camp Revamp offer tents, bonfires, and BBQ under the stars.
2. You can enjoy sky full of stars, something city people miss a lot!

Traveler Tips:

1. Monsoon treks are lush but slippery—carry non-slip shoes
2. Mobile signals can be weak in some interior zones
3. Weekdays are ideal for fewer crowds
4. Budget travelers can stay at homestays starting ₹800/night
5. Carry cash—ATMs are limited

Distance from Cities:

1. Vellore: 90 km
2. Yercaud: 145 km
3. Bangalore: 158 km
4. Chennai: 226 km

The roads to Yelagiri are very scenic. The ghat road has 14 hairpin bends, each named after a Tamil poet, and bikers love this route.

Stay Options:

1. Hotel Hills
2. The Amberle Resort
3. Itsy Hotels Kurinji Stay Inn
4. Yelagiri Farm House