Amirthi Falls Trek
Vellore, Tamil Nadu
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- Max altitude
- 290 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 4 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Only 4 km in about 3 hours, but the official portal rates it moderate: rocky, uneven stretches and stream-bed crossings around the falls, which get slippery after rain.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Amirthi Zoological Park → Amirthi Zoological Park (via Amirthi Falls and Neplampattu)
265 m → 290 m → 265 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Amirthi Zoological Park (reception point)
at 265 mLoading forecast…
High point · Amirthi Falls area on the Kad Ar stream, west of the zoo (approximate; the falls are not mapped in OpenStreetMap)
at 290 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Amirthi Zoological Park (reception point) (nearest town: Vellore)
- Nearest railway
- Katpadi Junction (about 32 km)
- Nearest airport
- Chennai International Airport (about 143 km)
- By road
- Vellore (about 25 km south of the city; Vellore Old Bus Stand is about 27 km from the reception point); Chennai (about 150 km via Vellore)
- Drive
- About 3.5 h from Chennai
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
| Permit | Issued by | Fee (Indian) | Fee (foreign) | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trek Tamil Nadu trail booking: Amirthi Falls Trail | Tamil Nadu Forest Department / Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation (Trek Tamil Nadu) | ₹1,154 | — | Book online at trektamilnadu.com (trail 'Amirthi Falls Trail', Vellore). The fee is ₹1,099 + 5% GST per adult (about ₹1,154); minors aged 6-17 pay ₹849 + GST. It includes the trek permit, a forest guide, trek insurance on the route, a cap, a bird pamphlet and light snacks. Groups of up to 15 start at 8:00 am from the Amirthi Zoological Park reception point. |
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹1,300–2,500
With an operator
₹1,154
Per person, ex-Vellore. The official Trek Tamil Nadu booking (₹1,099 + 5% GST adult, ₹849 + GST aged 6-17, seen 18 Oct 2026) already includes a forest guide, so every walk here is guided; transport to the reception point is extra. We found no operator selling this trail separately (Indiahikes only lists a longer 2-day Amirthi forest route run by its club members, with no published price). The 'self-guided' range is our estimate for doing it on your own transport: the portal fee plus a bus or taxi from Vellore (about 25 km) and food.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 21
Monsoon months (Sep): pack everything in plastic or a dry bag and wear shoes with good grip.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed by our sources; expect patchy signal inside the reserve forest.
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; carry cash from Vellore.
- Nearest hospital
- Vellore Government Hospital (about 19 km)
- Water
- The stream and falls are seasonal and bathing is prohibited on portal treks; carry at least 1.5-2 litres per person.
Highlights
- Seasonal Amirthi Falls tumbling over dark rock into a pool inside Amirthi Reserve Forest
- Short guided circuit through dry deciduous and riverine forest from the zoo to the falls and Neplampattu
- Chances of spotting gaur, spotted deer, pythons, pangolins, butterflies and many birds (Trek Tamil Nadu)
- Views of the forested hills on the Vellore side of the Javadhu range
- Easy add-on: the 2 km Amirthi Zoo Trail to the Perumal Koil, and the small Amirthi zoo itself
Risks
- Trekking in Tamil Nadu forests is allowed only through the official Trek Tamil Nadu booking with a forest guide; independent walking on this trail is not permitted.
- Rocky stream beds and pool crossings near the falls are slippery, especially during and after the monsoon; wear shoes with good grip.
- Gaur and pythons live in the reserve; stay with the guide and keep noise down.
- Indiahikes says the Amirthi forest is closed for trekking at the peak of summer (end of March) because of forest-fire risk; no second source or order confirms dates, so check the portal before a summer visit.
- The falls are seasonal and can be a trickle in the dry months; leeches appear in the monsoon.
Know before you go
Questions
How long is the Amirthi Falls trek?
The official Trek Tamil Nadu trail is 4 km two way and takes about 3 hours, starting and ending at the Amirthi Zoological Park reception point. Older guides describe only the short walk from the zoo to the falls (about 1-1.5 km).
Can I go to Amirthi Falls on my own?
The forest trail is run only through the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's Trek Tamil Nadu booking, which includes a forest guide. Book the 'Amirthi Falls Trail' on trektamilnadu.com; the 8:00 am slot takes up to 15 people.
What is the best time to visit Amirthi Falls?
Indiahikes recommends September to February and TripXL October to March. The falls flow best during and just after the monsoon; by late March it is hot and the forest may close for fire risk.
Is the Amirthi Falls trail suitable for children?
Yes for active children: the portal sells minor tickets for ages 6-17 (₹849 + GST). A reviewer on the portal called it a family-friendly, mostly gentle walk with a few rocky stretches. For very young children the 2 km Amirthi Zoo Trail is easier.
Can I bathe in Amirthi Falls?
No. Trek Tamil Nadu's rules allow you to enjoy forest streams and waterfalls but bathing is prohibited on its treks.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: VelloreTamil Nadu
- Nearest hospital
- Vellore Government Hospital (about 19 km)
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; carry cash from Vellore.
- Phone network
- Not confirmed by our sources; expect patchy signal inside the reserve forest.
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Amirthi Falls
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Amirthi Falls Trail — Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Trek Tamil Nadu trail list, July 2026 — Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Amirthi Zoo Trail — Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Amirthi Zoological Park | Vellore District — Vellore District Administration (Government of Tamil Nadu) (official)
- Vellore Amirthi Forest Trek — Indiahikes
- Amirthi Zoological Waterfalls: A Comprehensive Guide About This Quaint Jewel — TripXL
Photos: Owais (Sayowais at en.wikipedia), Public domain; V.Jayapriya, CC BY-SA 4.0; Shyamsharai, CC BY-SA 3.0
