Confused about where to go? Unable to decide between a relaxing getaway in the lap of nature, an adventure vacation, or a Hill Station? If so, Kodaikanal is where you should go. Kodaikanal, known as the "Princess of Hill Stations," provides the finest of both worlds. Kodaikanal guarantees a wonderful vacation to everyone, whether they are travelling alone, with their significant other for a honeymoon, with a group of friends, or with their family.
Kodaikanal is one of the most beautiful hill station - vacation spots in all of India. Kodaikanal is located on the southernmost point of the upper Palani hills at a height of around 7000 feet (2133 m). It is also a popular honeymoon location in India, situated in the Tamil Nadu state. Kodaikanal, a lakeside resort town in Tamil Nadu, boasts a stunning climate, groomed cliffs coated in mist, and a waterfall, which together provides the ideal environment for a great escape. "The gift of the forests" is what Kodaikanal implies.
It is a popular place for couples because of its many beautiful natural attractions, which are loved by tourists. Compared to Ooty, Kodaikanal is less commercialised and provides visitors with a pleasant experience. Some of the popular attractions in Kodaikanal are Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker's Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Pillar Rocks, etc. Beautiful views may be seen all around the hills, notably from Coaker's Walk.
History
Kodaikanal was first developed as a tourist attraction in 1845 by British administrators and Christian missionaries. Interestingly, the Sangam literature period contains the earliest mentions of the magnificent hill station. However, it wasn't until the British arrived that Kodaikanal entered its modern era. The colonial power used it as a summer resort and holiday place. Since then, hill station fans have made Kodaikanal their go-to destination for a short mountain getaway.
Places to Visit
1. The Green Valley View
Formerly known as Suicide Point, provides a stunning view of the plains, deep valleys, and hills. The Vaigai Dam's captivating vista is a breathtaking sight. Due to the steep, narrow, and deadly valley that lies below the point, which drops more than 5000 feet, it was formerly known as "Suicide Point."
The Green Valley View, which is 5.5 kilometres from Kodaikanal Lake, not only has a stunning view but is also surrounded by a lot of monkeys. Various stores sell handcrafted chocolates, trinkets, and a variety of flowers on the road to the destination.
2. Dolphin’s Nose
A flat, projecting chunk of granite in Kodaikanal that resembles a dolphin's nose serves as the foundation for the Dolphin's Nose viewpoint. This creates a cliff that can be seen from a height of 6,600 feet, where you can see Kodaikanal's greatest features, including its deep valleys, rough terrain, bright sky, and lush vegetation.
A 3 km long, moderately difficult walk among the rocks and pines of the Palani Hill Range is necessary to reach this location. Along the route, you may visit a neighbouring waterfall and a small town.
3. Coaker’s Walk
In the captivating city of Kodaikanal, there is a lovely man-made strolling plaza called Coakers Walk that is one km long and constructed on the mountains. The picturesque Coakers Walk has been built primarily for morning and evening strolls around the edge of the stunning mountain. The gorgeous area may also be explored while riding a bicycle. Adults pay INR 30 per hour, while kids pay INR 20 per hour. One nearly feels as though they are strolling in the clouds because of how stunningly lovely the scene is.
It was constructed in 1872, by Lieutenant Coaker. The Dolphin's Nose and the city of Madurai are to the south of Coakers Walk, while the Pambar River Valley is to the southeast of that location. Most of the time, the area has nice to chilly weather and people of all ages visit.
4. Thalaiyar Falls
Thalaiyar Falls, sometimes referred to as Rat Tail Falls, is situated amid the beautiful Palani Hill ranges in the Dindigul District of Kodaikanal. It is the sixth-highest waterfall in India and the tallest waterfall in Tamil Nadu with a height of 297 metres. An observation tower with a stunning view of the falls and the Manjalar Dam is located in the park at Dum Dum Rock. The waterfall is close to a hiking trail.
From the town of Perumal Malai, nine km downstream, clean river water flows to the falls. On the other hand, it can be contaminated, thus tourists are warned against drinking it.
5. Kodaikanal Lake
It is often referred to as Kodai Lake, Kodaikanal Lake is a man-made lake in Kodaikanal city. The resources and inventiveness that went into creating this lake in the middle of Kodaikanal town were the work of Vera Levinge. The British and early missionaries from the USASA constructed this lake.
The Palani Hills Range, the lake's primary watershed, surrounds the star-shaped lake, which sits in the centre of Kodaikanal. The lake has an average depth of 3.0 metres and is located at an altitude of 2285 metres above sea level. The distance between the Kodai Bus station and the lake is 3 kilometres.
6. Bear Shola Falls
The Bear Shola Falls is a well-liked picnic location in the area and is about 2 miles from Kodaikanal Lake. The monsoon season is when this waterfall, a seasonal attraction, comes to life to the fullest. The intriguing history behind this location's unusual name claims that a bear used to frequent this water feature to drink water, giving rise to the name Bear Shola Falls.
Bear Shola Falls, which is surrounded by thick trees and filled with the sound of birdsong, is a tiny slice of heaven. Additionally, the Western Ghats forest region around the falls is a hotspot for biodiversity where you can see many creatures.
7. Berijam Lake
It is a paradise for all nature and animal lovers and is located in a forest protection area. Berijam Lake is the ideal location for you if you want a peaceful morning or evening by the water surrounded by beautiful green woodlands.
The renowned Kodaikanal Lake is 22 km to the southwest of Berijam Lake. You may drive down to this natural freshwater lake amid lovely forest cover. Berijam Lake must be accessed through a forest route. The District Forest Office is the best place to get it. Everything you need to have a peaceful vacation is provided by the calm woodland, which boasts breathtaking lake views and is ringed by acacia and pine trees.
Activities To Do
1. Explore Guna Caves
Guna Cave, sometimes referred to as the Devil's Kitchen, is a network of caves positioned between three enormous boulders. The cave is constructed of eerie-looking deep, dark rock formations. Additionally, you can make out the spooky exposed tree roots that may have come from a horror movie. The deep underground chambers are inhabited by bats!
2. Night safari
In Kodaikanal, many companies provide night safaris. These take place in plantations and woodlands, which seem and feel very different at night.
The nighttime vistas of the Palani Hills, Mango Temple, and lakes are exhilarating and fantastical. A night safari may be scheduled at JC Residency.
3. Trekking
It is ideal for trekking and hiking because of the lush trees and steep slopes. Some of the top trek routes in Kodai are Bear Shola Falls, Pillar Rocks, 80-mile Round, Dolphin's Nose, and Devil's Kitchen. The moderately challenging 1 km hike takes around 3 hours and leads to the peak, which resembles a pointed rock.
4. Pine Forest
Spend some time strolling in the lovely Kodaikanal pine forest. Here, several South Indian and Bollywood films are filmed. Trekking through a stand of tall, entrancing pine trees is an experience you won't forget. Remember to keep it clean as the forest ministry keeps the area well-maintained. The woodlands are great for spending peaceful time in nature and are a photographer's dream.
5. Witness Solar Observatory
For all cosmic lovers, this place is a must-visit. The solar observatory is located 4.9 Km from Kodai Lake and 6.9 Km from Green Valley View and can be reached by a local cab.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal months to visit Kodaikanal are from October through June, but December and January might still be a touch cool. As a hill station, Kodaikanal draws a tonne of visitors in the summer when the lovely town is at its most colourful. Plan your vacation to Kodaikanal between October and February if you want to go hiking, though.
How to Reach
By Air: Flights are available to Trichy and Madurai, respectively, located 150 and 120 km from Kodaikanal. About 134 km from Kodaikanal, Madurai airport is the nearest airport that has regular flight connectivity with cities like Chennai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru.
By Train: Palani Railway Station, 64 km away. Kodai Road Station, 80 km away. Regular train services from Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore. Good Connectivity to Delhi, Tirupati, Rameshwaram, Dindigul, Kanyakumari, Howrah, Hyderabad, Villupuram, Mysore, Tirunelveli, Palani, Palakkad, Tuticorin, and Mumbai.
By Road: Direct bus connectivity is available from Madurai, Coimbatore, Palani, Dindigul, Ooty, etc. Kodaikanal Bus Stand, within the town itself.
Frequent bus services are available from Madurai Aarappalayam, Batlagundu, Palani, Oddanchatram, Kodai Road, and Dindigul.
Where to Stay
1. Sterling Kodai Lake: You get the chance to spend quality time at the star-shaped Kodai Lake, which magnetically draws travellers from far-flung locations, thanks to Sterling Kodai Lake.
Price for 1 Night: INR 8,058
2. Great Trails Kodaikanal by GRT Hotels: For those seeking to live in connection with nature, The GReaT Trails by GRT Hotels in Kodaikanal is a sanctuary. The resort, located in a tranquil area of the hill town, offers breathtaking views of Kodai's verdant valleys.
Price for 1 Night: INR 12,420
3. The Carlton: In Kodaikanal, only The Carlton is a 5-star establishment. This opulent hotel next to Kodai Lake was exquisitely constructed with a stunning design, welcoming tourists to enjoy their stay! One of the few surviving pristine hill resorts in the nation, KODAIKANAL is currently 22 sq km in size.
Price for 1 Night: INR 18,188
4. Sterling Kodai Valley: The most remarkable buildings can be seen over the lush green valley and tidy terraced gardens, including a ship-shaped hotel, a leaf-shaped apartment tower, a lotus-shaped office block and several dome-shaped rooms.
Price for 1 Night: INR 6,224
Welcome to Zacs Valley Resort in Kodaikanal, where you will enjoy the untouched world of mesmerising natural beauty all around you. The hotel is renowned for being among the best family hotels in Kodaikanal.
Price for 1 Night: INR 11,800
The hill resort of Kodaikanal offers guests a variety of ways to keep them entertained, including hiking trails, temples, museums, caverns, falls, parks, and lakes. Kodaikanal, whose name means "The Gift of the Forest" in its literal sense, is a hill station with several attractions.
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