After visiting Yelagiri, exactly a year ago, we spent the Independence day weekend this year at its bigger brother Yercaud. We landed shortly after 5 in the morning at Salem Junction. Caught a bus to the New Bus Stand @ Re.2/- per head and then a DVD coach (!!!) to the Yercaud hilltop @ 11/-. We had our fill of the sights of early dawn and the Salem town lights from the twisting hairpin roads. The bus was quite new and the driver seemed to have a penchant for F1 / Monster Truck Madness from the way he threw the vehicle around the curves with gusto. Anyway the trip was worth it and beat paying 450 bucks for a ride by car.
It was close to 7 when we alighted at the Yercaud bus stand. As we soon realized, it was better to get off at the earlier stop near the lake. Most of the prominent resorts / quality dwellings including TTDC’s Hotel Tamilnadu, Star Cottages, Silver Holidays etc. are located within walking distance from there. More exclusive places like Yercaud int’l, Shevaroys, Hillview & Sterling are located further interior / uphill. Nearby the busstand you get standard lodging places like Uma, Select and Subha. If you have the time and convenience, its worthwhile to cruise the hinterland and you’re sure to land up at some quieter places. During ordinary weekends there’s ample choice, but holidays / the tourist season (Oct-Jun) see prominent places booked fully.