Kodaikanal

This is about Kodaikanal - highlands in Tamilnadu along the western ghats.

Recently, I visited this picturesque place with my wife. We stayed there for 2 days and 2 nights, and overall I had a very pleasant trip. So I felt that I should share some of my experiences and useful tips with you all, to make your trip a pleasant one.

Kodaikanal, also known as Kodai, is a quiet hill resort in Tamil Nadu. Nestled at an altitude of 2133m on the Palani Hills of the Western Ghats, it is 120km away from Madurai. Kodaikanal was established by American missionaries around 1845.Besides being an escape from the heat, the town is also filled with residential schools. Today it has some of the best residential schools in the country, with the Kodaikanal International School topping the list.



General Information -

* Altitude: 2,133 metres
* Temperature (*C):
* Summer: Max 19.3, Min 11.3
* Winter: Max 17.3, Min 8.3
* Best Season: April to June and September to October
* STD Code: 04542

Useful Tips

• For those of you affected by motion sickness, make sure you carry a pack of anti-nausea tablets, and lots of peppermints to chew. The journey up-hill to Kodaikanal, along the winding roads can be really exhausting. Believe me, I know!
• During the winter season, make sure you carry warm woollen clothings and socks, as the hotel rooms do not contain heaters and can be quite chill
• If planning to do cycling in Kodaikanal, carry clothes appropriate for cycling
• While exploring forest areas or caves, wear comfortable clothes and ideally wear shoes(non-slippery)

Sightseeing

DAY1

The first day, we arrived at Kodaikanal in the morning and checked into our hotel. After having our breakfast, we decided to explore Kodaikanal on foot. We visited the following sights:

• Kodai Lake: On our first day we walked down to the Kodai Lake (which is quite near the hotel). Bicycles are available for hire near the lake at a nominal charge of Rs. 10 per hour. Horse riding enthusiasts can also hire horses near the lake. We both hired a cycle each and cycled the Kodai Lake. It was very refreshing to breathe the fragrance wafting from the eucalytus trees fringing the lake. While cycling you can also enjoy ice-cream cones, hot roasted corns and tasty bhelpuri with boiled groundnuts.
• Coaker's Walk:Coaker's Walk derives the name from Lt. Coaker, who prepared the map of Kodai and it is about a kilometre from the lake. It also has a Telescope House. Some of the best views of the plains can be seen from here. We cycled upto the entrance of Coaker's Walk and walked from theron. Entrance cost is Rs 5, Rs 2 for a still camera. Freshly picked carrots and fried bhajjis are available at the entrance.
• Bryant Park: While circling the Kodai lake, you can visit Bryant Park, which is on the way. It has beautifully landscaped gardens with colourful flowers and shady trees. When we visited the park, it was winter and hence many flowers were not in bloom. Entrance Rs 5, camera Rs 20.

After having roamed quite a bit on our cycles, we both started feeling hungry and decided to head back to our hotel for lunch. In the evening, we explored Kodaikanal on foot and visited the nearby Kodai Bazaar. A variety of goods were on display in the numerous shops lining either side of the road. Woollen sweaters, homemade chocolates, fruit-stalls, clothing stores, handicrafts and plenty more! Fruits like pear, guavas, peaches, figs and avocados can be purchased.

You can also find many tea/coffee shops and restaurants on the way. Do not miss the opportunity to drink some hot filter coffee. Nothing like freshly brewed coffee to get you started! Also do try out the masala/elaichi tea. Simply superb!

After having roamed quite a bit, we purchased packets of filter coffee & masala tea, a pack of assorted home made chocolates & eucalytus oil bottles. We drank some hot masala tea on the way, and headed back to our hotel... weary but elated!

DAY2

The next day we hired a private taxi (arranged by Sivapriya Hotel) for our sight-seeing. You can also hire a mini bus.

We chose the Full day Sightseeing tour by private taxi (Rs. 550). We visited the following places:

1. Coaker's Walk
2. Green Valley View
3. Golf Course
4. Pillar Rocks
5. Devil's Kitchen (Guna Cave)
6. Pine Forest
7. Moier Point
8. Upper Lake View
9. Bhadra Kaliamman Temple
10. Kurinji Andavar Temple
11. Chettiar Park
12. Silver Cascade
13. Natural Science Museum (Sunday Holiday)
14. Bryant Park
15. Kodai Lake Drop

Our taxi driver cum guide was very friendly and gave us lots of local information about each place.

Tour Packages

• Picnic Tour (Trekking)
  Full Day : 10 AM to 3 PM
  
  • Mini Bus: Per Couple Rs. 350
    (Lunch Included) Pure Veg. Thali
    
  • Taxi:
    • Off Season - Rs.500
    • Season - Rs. 600
• Forest Tour
  Full Day : 10 AM to 3 PM
  
  • Mini Bus: Per Couple Rs.350
    (Lunch Included) Pure Veg. Thali
    
  • Taxi: Rs. 700 (No Lunch)
• Full Day Sightseeing
  Full Day : 10 AM to 5 PM
  
  • Mini Bus: Per Head Rs. 100
    Lunch Break at Sivaruchi Restaurant
  • Taxi:
    • Off Season - Rs.550
    • Season - Rs. 650