Manambolly
Manambolly
Moderate
16.0 KM
Two way
5 Hours
Overview
Explore the dark and deep forests of Manambolly, nestled in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve between Sholayar Dam and Valparai. This vibrant habitat is a botanist’s delight and home to iconic wildlife such as the Lion-tailed macaque, the Great Hornbill, and the Nilgiri tahr. With nearby attractions like Top Slip and Parambikulam, Manambolly is a photographer's paradise.
⇒ Explore Trek Atlas of Manambolly
KEY ATTRACTIONS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
- Butterfly park, Aliyar
- Chinnakallar Falls
- Amaravathi Crocodile Farm
- Thirumoorthy falls
- Attakatti view point
Maximum Elevation: 1106 MSL(Approx.) Meters
Forest Type: Semi Evergreen
Nearby Medical Facility: Valparai - 25km
Nearby Bus Stand: Valparai - 15 km
Nearby Airport: Coimbatore - 122 km
Nearby Railway Station: Pollachi - 72 km
Parking Facilities: Yes
- Sambar Deer
- Indian Gaur
- Nilgiri langur
- Elephant
- Crocodile
- Barking Deer
- Porcupine
- Variety of Bird Species
- Lion Tailed Macaque
- Daypack or small hiking backpack
- Hiking boots or trail shoes as per your convenience
- Reusable water bottle
- Breathable and quick-drying Clothes are best for changing conditions
- Fleece or lightweight down jacket
- Sun hat or caps
- Trail mix, energy bars, nuts, dried fruits
- Personal medication
- Personal Identity Card
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Hand Sanitizer
- Trash Bag
- Water-Resistant Wrap for Electronic Devices for rain protection
- Rain Jacket or Poncho
- Sunglasses with UV protection
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Guests
Extra prices:
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Know Your Package
Included
Excluded
Your transport up to reception point prior to the trek
Everything that falls outside the inclusions stated above
Things to remember before you book a trek
- Trekking in forests invariably requires physical endurance depending upon the category of the trek.
- Right planning and adequate preparations will make treks immersive and memorable.
- Pick the right trail that matches your fitness level and experience.
- Research your trek destination, be aware of local weather conditions and prepare for it.
- Know the Rules before you embark on the trek.
- Camouflage is the key to observe wildlife; Striking colours, aromatic sprays and Noise will easily give you away.
- Follow appropriate dress code and wear comfortable trekking shoes.
- Carry your backpack: water, snacks, jacket, personal medication etc.
- Please be aware that amenities at the destinations may be offering minimal comfort.
- Pay attention to instructions of the trek leader/ guide.
- Maintain lane discipline and stay with the group; short cuts may turn adverse.
- Observe carefully and do not miss out the little surprises and signs of the animal world.
- It's not a race, listen to your body and take adequate breaks as and when required.
- Selfies at your own risk.
- Refrain from picking wild plants and flowers though they may attract you.
- Treat wildlife with respect: approaching and feeding wild animals can endanger yours and group’s safety.
- Enjoy the scenic view of forest streams & waterfalls; Bathing is prohibited.
- Be a responsible trekker and leave no trash.
Guest reviews
A Memorable Trekking Experience at Manompalli RF
My recent trekking experience at Manompalli Reserve Forest (RF) was truly an unforgettable journey into the beauty and richness of nature. It was not just a trek through the forest, but an opportunity to closely observe and appreciate the incredible biodiversity that surrounds us. As we walked through the forest trails, every step brought a new surprise. The trekking experience gave us the wonderful opportunity to observe different species of insects, snakes, colourful butterflies, fascinating birds and a variety of plants in their natural habitat. Each sighting made the journey more exciting and reminded us of how beautifully interconnected the forest ecosystem is. The butterflies added vibrant colours to the green surroundings, while the calls and movements of different birds made the forest come alive. Spotting insects and observing their unique behaviour was equally fascinating. Encountering snakes in their natural environment gave us a deeper understanding of their importance in maintaining the ecological balance. The diverse plants, trees, climbers and other vegetation further highlighted the richness of the forest. What made the trek even more special was the opportunity to experience nature without disturbing it. Walking quietly, observing wildlife from a safe distance and appreciating the small details of the forest made the experience both educational and refreshing. It was a wonderful reminder that nature has countless stories to tell if we take the time to slow down and observe. The memories of walking through the forest, discovering insects, snakes, butterflies, birds and plants, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings will remain with me for a long time. Thank you, Government of Tamil Nadu and Trek Tamil Nadu, for giving us this wonderful opportunity to explore, experience and appreciate the beauty of our forests.. 🙏
Great Experience
We reached Valparai on the 18th evening and stayed at a valaparai home stay , next day june 19 just see few site scenes on , 20 june morning we reached Urulikal Checkpost by around 7:30. There are a small shops nearby ( behind the bus stop) where you can quickly grab breakfast before starting the trek ( dosa was nice ) . We started around 8:30 am and the weather was really pleasant at first. It did get a bit sunny by 10 or 11, but nothing too bad. We were accompanied by two forest dept trek guard , who knew the route really well , actually this is bus route so every one knew the route , near manambolly estate there in one more bust stop and last bus stop is Sholar power house 1 , They kept stopping in between to point out things we would have otherwise missed. We saw squirrels, monkeys, deer and even a woodpecker and some fresh elephant waste looks few hrs before do crossing , The trek is mostly downhill, around 8 km, through dense forest. The best part for me was the silence. No signal at all, just trees everywhere, sunlight coming through the canopy, and constant bird sounds. It felt very calming, almost like you could just get lost in the greenery and not care about anything else. We reached the manampolly guest house around 11:30 from there we can use the rest room . then walk back forest guard quarters , that place They gave us veg -biryani which honestly tasted amazing after the walk. From there you can either trek back or take the government bus around 1.00 pm which drops you back at the checkpost or valaparai directly , we book to valaparai it around Rs 17 ruppes person . Overall, it was very well organized and felt completely safe. Definitely looking forward to doing more like this. the most good part is happen when awaiting for the bus , lot of our groups waiting in the bustop , look bus stop full , so myself & my friend babu sitting near the some old closed building , we meet some families who also awaiting for the bus , the are tneb officer families who are staying the quarters , even it is govt job, i heard their everyday struggles , we enjoyed in the city life with electricity , this families stayed in forest for us , also we noticed there no proper protection from the animals for this quarters , i can imagine that time , how much struggles they face for this place , even they want to buy something , cinema or school all the way came to the city valapari , big thanks for all TNEB , TN PWD families , at last thanks for our travel agencies PEAK N BEACH from Pondicherry arrange for this wonderful trip . final thanks to forest dept for arranging this wonderful trip
Manambolly trek
It was my first trek with Trek Tamilnadu and it was amazing. They made everything smooth from booking till you complete the trek and get the certificate. No followup needed. Thier expect team knows the same very well and friendly. I am looking forward for my next trek with Trek Tamilnadu. I would definitely recommend this Manambolly trek for everyone even elderly people can do it..
My First TN Trek
Manambolly Trek is a great beginner-friendly forest trek — around 9 km downhill one way, with the return being uphill. What makes it ideal is that you can test your endurance on the descent and decide later whether to trek back up or simply take the bus from Manambolly (Sholayar Power Station). I did this trek in May 2026, right after a rainy day, so leeches were expected in full force. A useful tip: carry NC (nicotine) powder — available at the small shop near the checkpost. I used it and thankfully escaped without a single leech bite. The trail itself is mostly broken tar and concrete road cutting through dense forest, opening up to scenic stretches at intervals. The real charm was the atmosphere — birds singing throughout the trail, with the guides enthusiastically spotting and explaining different species along the way. Very soothing experience overall. Wildlife sightings for me included Malabar giant squirrels, langurs, and a few deer spotted near the river at a distance. After around 10:30 AM, the trek starts getting noticeably warmer as the sun comes up and the route loses elevation, so starting earlier (~7:30 AM) would make the experience even better. A light lunch and tea were provided during the trek. I took the bus back towards Valparai, which passes through the Uralikal checkpost (starting point). Special mention to Mr. Kamaraj from the Forest Department, who was extremely helpful with bus timings and route guidance from Thrissur to Valparai. If you’re coming from Kerala, planning via the scenic Chalakudy – Athirapally route makes the journey even more memorable. The checkpost itself is about 30 minutes from Valparai, and there are early morning buses available (Sekkal Mudi route). There’s also a forest rest house at the endpoint which can be booked separately for stay — you need to bring your own groceries, and they cook for you there. Overall, a very enjoyable and peaceful forest trek. Not extremely adventurous, but definitely worth it for the greenery, birdlife, and beginner-friendly nature. I’d rate it a solid 7/10.
My first trek
We reached Valparai on the 17th and stayed at a homestay. We had got e-pass to enter Valparai. Next morning we reached Urulikal Checkpost by around 7:30. There are a few small shops nearby where you can quickly grab breakfast before starting. This was my first trekking experience and honestly I didn’t know what to expect. We started around 8 or 8:30, and the weather was really pleasant at first. It did get a bit sunny by 10 or 11, but nothing too bad. We were accompanied by three forest guards who knew the route really well and made the whole thing feel very safe. They kept stopping in between to point out things we would have otherwise missed. We saw squirrels, monkeys, deer and even a woodpecker. The trek is mostly downhill, around 8 km, through dense forest. The best part for me was the silence. No signal at all, just trees everywhere, sunlight coming through the canopy, and constant bird sounds. It felt very calming, almost like you could just get lost in the greenery and not care about anything else. We reached the powerhouse around 11:30. They gave us lemon juice and lemon rice which honestly tasted amazing after the walk. From there you can either trek back or take the government bus around 12:30 which drops you back at the checkpost. Overall, it was very well organized and felt completely safe. For a first trek, I really enjoyed it. Definitely looking forward to doing more like this.
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