Chennai to Kolli Hills Van Rental

Kolli Hills sits about 360 km from Chennai in Namakkal district, roughly 7 hours of driving, and the last stretch is the part people remember: 70 hairpin bends climbing up from the Rasipuram side. It is a road that rewards a driver who has done it before, which is the main argument for hiring a van with a driver rather than taking your own car up.

At a glance

• About 360 km each way from Chennai, roughly 7 hours, longer on the climb itself
• Vans available: 14 seater, 17 seater, 18 seater, and the Mahindra Tourister
• Outstation rate from Rs.22/km with a minimum of 300 km a day
• Driver bata Rs.800 a day, Rs.700 a day on the Touristers, charged per calendar day
• Hill charge applies for the round trip climb
• No inter state permit, because Kolli Hills is inside Tamil Nadu

The tariff table further down this page carries the current rate for each van.

The road up

The run is Chennai to Ulundurpet on the NH, then Attur and Rasipuram, and the climb begins after that. The bends are tight and continuous rather than steep, so the climb is slower than the distance suggests. Allow an extra hour over what a maps estimate tells you, particularly if you are travelling with children or anyone prone to motion sickness.

AC is switched off during the climb. That is normal practice on every ghat road and it keeps engine temperature down on a long first gear ascent.

Which van suits the group

A 14 seater carries 14 passengers plus the driver and is the usual choice for one family or a small group. The 17 and 18 seater give you the same vehicle class with more room, which matters on a 7 hour run more than it does on a short trip.

The Mahindra Tourister is worth asking about if you want the lower driver bata and your group fits. Seat counts are legal capacity, not a comfort rating, so if your group is at the limit with a suitcase each, take the next size up or ask us to fit a roof carrier.

What the fare covers and what sits on top

The per km rate covers the van, fuel and the driver. Charged on top, at actuals: toll, parking, and the hill charge for the ghat section. There is no state permit on this route.

Outstation trips are billed on a minimum of 300 km a day. Chennai to Kolli Hills and back is about 720 km, so a two day trip bills on the distance actually covered rather than the minimum.

How long to give it

Two days is the common booking: leave Chennai early, reach by afternoon, see the falls and the viewpoints the next morning and drive back. Three days is more comfortable if you want the temple, the waterfall and the viewpoints without rushing any of them.

Most groups leave Chennai by 5:00 AM so the climb happens in daylight. We will suggest a departure time when you book rather than leaving you to work it out.

What people go up for

Agaya Gangai falls is the one most groups come for, a roughly 300 foot waterfall reached by a stepped descent that takes a fair bit of effort both ways. Beyond that there is the Arapaleeswarar temple, the viewpoints along the ridge, and the terraced farms and pepper and jackfruit plots that cover the slopes. Semmedu is the town centre and the point most itineraries work out from.

Booking

Send your dates, the number of passengers and whether you want two days or three on WhatsApp at +91 73055 59949 and we will come back with a written quote. An advance confirms the vehicle for your dates.