Ambrra river resort - Pollachi

Came across this place in 'The Hindu'. This seems to be a silent getaway near Pollachi, located amidst the beautiful plains along the river Aliyar. Do visit this place, if you are looking for places of stay near Pollachi. From the pics, this place looks to be good. Also, the tarriff seems to fit in for budget travelers as well.

Ambrra river resort

http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2009/08/29/stories/2009082950520600.htm

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(Excerpts from Hindu)

WATERWORLD The River Aliyar - AMBRRA RIVER RESORT POLLACHI

USP: Crystal streams and birds that sing. A place of stunning natural beauty, with the Western Ghats towering above.

The calls of river birds get me out of bed. Flanked by coconut palms, a clay path leads to the Aliyar river. The water, gurgling through the rocks and my toes, drowns mobile beeps and the din of the brain.

Bees hover over the bluebells as storks relax on rocks in the stream. Golden streaks of sunlight pierce through the quilt of clouds covering the blue mountains. This is heaven.

Twenty minutes from Pollachi, a right turn and on to a dirt track off the Thrissur road, lands you at Ambrra River Resort. A farm that's been converted into a resort, Ambrra is in sylvan surroundings, on the banks of River Aliyar.

Six little red brick cottages make up the resort. The aesthetically minimalist rooms have balconies facing the river. Herons, egrets, storks and a myriad other birds go about their business of fishing and soaking up the sun, quite oblivious to my presence. Pea fowl, shy as they are, nest on the farm. You can't miss their enchanting mating calls.

Ambrra really gives you a taste of Kongunadu hospitality. The menu has no limits, almost every cuisine feature in it. So let the hosts surprise you. The prawns are a definite do.

Krishnaraj, who owns the farm, takes me to the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. Thirty-six kilometres uphill from Pollachi, Anamalai is cloud country. A steady wind follows us along the hair-pin bends, spraying a drizzle through the windows.

A wild boar herd, rummaging the undergrowth, spare a minute to stare at our jeep. Krishnaraj spots a giant squirrel hidden in the tall teak. A naturalist, Krishnaraj is an encyclopedia on conservation and these cloudy hills.

Anamalai is home to rare species of squirrels, macaques, langurs, deer (including the endangered Nilgiri Tahr), panthers, elephants, gaurs and of course, the tiger. As luck would have, the tigers proved elusive, but the weather was beautiful and gaurs, tuskers and langurs aplenty.

Topslip is right out of a picture postcard and is a must-see for its awe-inspiring natural beauty. It's very Ruskin Bond-ish and kids will love it.

I return with breath-taking frames of a place that can only be described in poetry. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of the Ghats soon.

How to get there

The resort is an hour-and-a-half, by road, from Coimbatore or Palakkad (both about 50 km away). Coimbatore is the closest airport. Pollachi (11 km) has a railway junction, but the nearest major rail head is Palakkad.

Things to do

Relax. Smell the earth, listen to the river and watch the birds.

Hike through the lush green fields and trek up the Ghats. The hotel organises trips to eco hotspots such as Valparai and Topslip for Rs. 250 per person. There is also a heritage tour to places of worship in the area.

For those interested in dams, the Aliyar, Sholayar and Kadamparai dams are close by.

Tariff

A double-bed air conditioned cottage costs Rs. 1,500 on weekends and Rs. 1,200 on weekdays. This includes the complimentary breakfast.

Non-AC cottages are available on weekdays for Rs. 850. An extra bed costs Rs. 250.

For reservations contact 9750761001, 9750761002, 9750761008

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Pollachi is one of the nature rich places in TamilNadu and its proximity to Kerala gives it a very fertile land, abundant supply of water and great climate all through the year.

Some places of interest near pollachi

* Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary
* TopSlip
* Vaalpaarai
* Aliyar dam
* Pallakkad
* Athirampalli falls (known as 'punnagai mannan'/'dil se' falls)
* the whole place around pollachi. Just take a drive along the interiors and i am sure you will plan your next visit soon.

Ideal to spend 2-6 days, as Pollachi has lot to offer for tourists.

Pollachi is very well connected by Road to Coimbatore,Tiruppur in Tamilnadu/Trissur in Kerala.

The nearest rail head is Coimbate/Tiruppur.

Please share your experience here, if you happen to visit this place.