Manambolly Trek
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
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- Max altitude
- 1,106 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 16 km
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Rated moderate by the official Trek Tamil Nadu portal: 16 km out and back in about 5 hours. Trekkers describe the 8 km outward leg as mostly downhill through forest, so the return leg is a steady climb, and it gets warm after about 10:30 am.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Urulikkal Forest Check Post → Urulikkal Forest Check Post (via Manambolly rest house)
1,090 m → 1,106 m → 1,090 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 · Urulikkal Forest Check Post
at 1,090 mLoading forecast…
High point · Near Urulikkal Forest Check Post, start of the trail (approximate)
at 1,106 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
- Urulikkal Forest Check Post (nearest town: Valparai)
- Nearest railway
- Pollachi (about 72 km)
- Nearest airport
- Coimbatore International Airport (about 122 km)
- By road
- Valparai (Urulikkal is about 15 km from Valparai bus stand); Pollachi via Aliyar and the Valparai ghat road; Chalakudy / Athirappilly (Kerala) via Malakkappara and Sholayar
- Drive
- About 4 h from Coimbatore
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
| Permit | Issued by | Fee (Indian) | Fee (foreign) | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trek Tamil Nadu trail booking: Manambolly | Tamil Nadu Forest Department / Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation (Trek Tamil Nadu) | ₹1,099 | — | Book online at trektamilnadu.com (trail 'Manambolly', Coimbatore, Anamalai Tiger Reserve). ₹1,099 per adult (18+) and ₹899 per minor aged 6-17, plus 5% GST; the fee includes the trek permit, a forest guide, trek insurance on the route, a cap, a bird pamphlet and light refreshments. The listed start slot is 8:00 am; report at the Urulikkal Forest Check Post with photo ID. |
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹1,500–3,000
With an operator
₹1,154–1,399
Per person, ex-Valparai. The official Trek Tamil Nadu booking (₹1,099 + 5% GST = about ₹1,154 per adult, ₹899 + GST aged 6-17, seen 18 Oct 2026) already includes a forest guide, so every walk here is guided. Thrillophilia resells the same trek at ₹1,154 (list price ₹1,399). No independent operator price was found. The upper figure of our range is our estimate: the portal fee plus a taxi or bus from Valparai to Urulikkal and food; trekkers report a government bus back from the Manambolly side at about ₹17 to Valparai.
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 17
Hot days in Mar: start at first light and carry extra water and ORS.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Trekkers report no mobile signal on the trail.
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; carry cash from Valparai.
- Nearest hospital
- Valparai (about 25 km, per Trek Tamil Nadu)
- Water
- Not confirmed by our sources; carry at least 2-3 litres per person. Streams near Manambolly are in a tiger reserve and bathing is prohibited.
Highlights
- Dense semi-evergreen rainforest of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve between Sholayar Dam and Valparai
- Chance to see lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, Malabar giant squirrels and great hornbills
- Forest guide from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, with snacks and a bird pamphlet included
- Turn-around at the old Manambolly forest rest house near the Sholayar power house
- Option, reported by trekkers, to ride the government bus back towards Urulikkal or Valparai instead of walking up
Risks
- Elephants, gaur and marsh crocodiles live along this route (Trek Tamil Nadu); trekkers report fresh elephant dung on the trail. Stay with the forest guide.
- The outward leg loses height, so the return is uphill and gets hot after mid-morning; start at the first slot and carry water.
- Valparai has a very wet south-west monsoon (roughly June-September); expect slippery trails and leeches. Our best-months list is an estimate, not sourced: check the portal for open dates.
- Trekking in Tamil Nadu forests is allowed only through the official Trek Tamil Nadu booking; entering on your own is not permitted.
- Trekkers report needing an e-pass to enter Valparai; check current rules before you travel.
Know before you go
Questions
How long is the Manambolly trek and how long does it take?
The official Trek Tamil Nadu trail is 16 km two way (8 km each way) and takes about 5 hours. It starts and ends at the Urulikkal Forest Check Post near Valparai.
Can I do the Manambolly trek without a guide?
No. Manambolly is inside the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, and trekking in Tamil Nadu forests is allowed only through the Forest Department's Trek Tamil Nadu booking, which includes a forest guide, permit and insurance.
What does the Manambolly trek cost?
On the official portal it is ₹1,099 per adult and ₹899 for ages 6-17, plus 5% GST. Transport to the Urulikkal check post is not included.
How do I reach the start point?
Reach Valparai by bus or car from Pollachi (the nearest railway station, about 72 km) or Coimbatore (nearest airport, about 122 km). Urulikkal Forest Check Post is about 15 km from Valparai bus stand. Trekkers report small shops there for breakfast.
What wildlife can I see?
The portal lists sambar, gaur, Nilgiri langur, elephant, crocodile, barking deer, porcupine, lion-tailed macaque and many birds. Trekkers have reported Malabar giant squirrels, langurs, deer and woodpeckers.
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: CoimbatoreTamil Nadu
- Nearest hospital
- Valparai (about 25 km, per Trek Tamil Nadu)
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; carry cash from Valparai.
- Phone network
- Trekkers report no mobile signal on the trail.
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 Manambolly
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Manambolly — 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)
- Manambolly – Trek Tamilnadu Atlas — Trek Tamil Nadu Atlas (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Manambolly Trek, Coimbatore — Thrillophilia
Photos: DivyaCM, CC BY 4.0; T. R. Shankar Raman, CC BY-SA 4.0; DivyaCM, CC BY 4.0
