Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal is one of Tamil Nadu's finest hill stations, 7,200 feet above sea level amongst the Western Ghats of India, in the Palani Hill Range and under the administrative control of Dindigul District.

• In Tamil, Kodaikanal means "Seen in Summer".
• Kodaikanal is also referred to as "Princess of Hill stations."
• Kodaikanal relies upon agriculture and tourism as the two major parts of its local economy.
• Unique to the Western Ghats, the Kurinji Flower is in full bloom around December once in 12 years, and it bathes the valley in a beautiful sea of blue. The name Nilgiri (blue mountains) was derived from the blue color. It was last in full bloom in 2018.

• Bear Shola falls. This is a really beautiful water falls. But during some seasons there may not be any water there. But climbing up the falls is a good trek.
• Berijam Lake. Perhaps the most pristine of the three lakes in Kodai. This is a plastic free zone and it is beautiful and serene. The lake lies within a reserved forest region. You need to get permission to visit this lake. Permissions need to be obtained on the morning of the intended day of visit from the forest office. Usually the person who arranges the vehicle will arrange the permit. Moreover, in peak season, a limited number of vehicles are allowed in per day.
• Bryant park. A must see. Its main entrance is on the road surrounding the lake and is a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the boat club. Nicely maintained and a huge park. Their flower shows during summer are very famous.
• Coakers Walk. If you wish to catch the scenic valleys, the best time to visit the place would be before 2PM. But if you want to watch snow-like clouds (only in winter) beneath you form an ocean, reach the place between 3PM and 6PM. Try and catch the sunrise here or in the nearby Greenlands Hostel. At evenings a view of the Jewel Box (evening view of Theni and Periyakulam)is also an attraction. A marvel. Also try out the telescope near the main gate. This place is very near the bus stand.
• Devil's Kitchen. A cave known more to the locals, First being "Green Valley View" and "Pillar Rocks" and then finally "Guna Cave". Watch out for the deep hidden ravines. What would appear like mere dark gutters are actually a deep fall. Many unsuspecting people have fallen prey to the "devil's trap", so watch your step!
• Dolphins Nose. To reach Dolphins Nose at a distance of 8 km from the bus stand, one has to follow the route specified here. There is an old road after crossing Pambar Bridge near Levinge Stream. A rough curve rounds the hillside which leads to a point where a flat rock projects over an awful chasm of 6600 feet deep. This is Dolphins Nose. On the way, beautiful views of plains and steep, rocky escarpment called rolling hills can be seen. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through the rugged bridle path.
• Guna Caves. A cave which became very famous after the movie Guna. Very steep and risky to get in. The public may not be allowed to enter this cave nowadays, though it's a very good place to take pics. But if you are not a professional spelunker, a trip to this cave may be your last. Getting back will be problem as it's very dark and there could be about a 90% chance of suffering a free fall.
• Green Valley View. has a more than 5000 ft steep drop from this point. The monkeys are a good attraction at this point. Renamed Green Valley View, apparently to prevent people from being lured to commit suicide.
• Kodai Lake. If you are going in winter, go boating in the evening, as it's an amazing experience to boat through fog settling on the lake. The lake is very near the bus stand. This is a star-shaped lake and walking around it during the night is one of the best walking experiences you can have in your life. Be cautious, there are lot of dogs around this lake and some places are extremely dark. Walk between 6 and 7PM, then head back to your room.
• Kurinjiandavar Temple. About 4 km from the lake is a temple whose presiding God is Lord Muruga. The flowers inside the temple bloom once in 12 years. One can get a view of the Palani Hills and the Kodaikanal Town from this temple. During the winter, the view of Kodai city and Palani from the two ends of the temple is blocked. However, in summer, the visibility is good and hence the experience, too.
• Lasaleth Church and Lion's cave. Has the 100yrs old tree, 500yrs old tree and Lion's Cave.
• Old Suicide Point. This place is about 5 minutes before the main/old pine forest. In recent days tourists get down to see the pine forest in many places as an entire stretch is full of pine trees) while driving from the observatory side. You need to get down and walk towards the cliff. Here you will see a small pathway on the left side. If you take this path and walk for about 10 minutes you will reach the old suicide point. The view from there is simply breathtaking.
• Pillar Rocks. It has huge steep cliffs. During summer rainy days, the cliffs get completely hidden due to excess of fog. Watch out for the cross at the top of the mountain hoisted by an English adventure enthusiast.You can see the cross by an available telescope.
• Pine Forest. It's a really very good forest of pine trees. You can ride horses there. It's on the way to the Guna Cave.
• Shanthi Valley. Another pine forest nice place.
• Silent Valley View.
• Silver Cascade. It's a nice waterfall on the road side from Kodai Road, just before 4-5 km from Kodaikanal. The cold water flows and it's really super to bathe in the cold water and travel in between the eucalyptus trees. If you are going to Kodaikanal by private vehicle on the way, you can visit the place. Buy fresh carrots and some exotic veggies around here.
• Thoppi Thuukum Paarai. It's en route to Berijam Lake. Wonderful tourist Spot. Children should be careful near the cliffs.

Bear Shola falls. This is a really beautiful water falls. But during some seasons there may not be any water there. But climbing up the falls is a good trek.

Berijam Lake. Perhaps the most pristine of the three lakes in Kodai. This is a plastic free zone and it is beautiful and serene. The lake lies within a reserved forest region. You need to get permission to visit this lake. Permissions need to be obtained on the morning of the intended day of visit from the forest office. Usually the person who arranges the vehicle will arrange the permit. Moreover, in peak season, a limited number of vehicles are allowed in per day.

Bryant park. A must see. Its main entrance is on the road surrounding the lake and is a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the boat club. Nicely maintained and a huge park. Their flower shows during summer are very famous.

Coakers Walk. If you wish to catch the scenic valleys, the best time to visit the place would be before 2PM. But if you want to watch snow-like clouds (only in winter) beneath you form an ocean, reach the place between 3PM and 6PM. Try and catch the sunrise here or in the nearby Greenlands Hostel. At evenings a view of the Jewel Box (evening view of Theni and Periyakulam)is also an attraction. A marvel. Also try out the telescope near the main gate. This place is very near the bus stand.

Devil's Kitchen. A cave known more to the locals, First being "Green Valley View" and "Pillar Rocks" and then finally "Guna Cave". Watch out for the deep hidden ravines. What would appear like mere dark gutters are actually a deep fall. Many unsuspecting people have fallen prey to the "devil's trap", so watch your step!

Dolphins Nose. To reach Dolphins Nose at a distance of 8 km from the bus stand, one has to follow the route specified here. There is an old road after crossing Pambar Bridge near Levinge Stream. A rough curve rounds the hillside which leads to a point where a flat rock projects over an awful chasm of 6600 feet deep. This is Dolphins Nose. On the way, beautiful views of plains and steep, rocky escarpment called rolling hills can be seen. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through the rugged bridle path.

Guna Caves. A cave which became very famous after the movie Guna. Very steep and risky to get in. The public may not be allowed to enter this cave nowadays, though it's a very good place to take pics. But if you are not a professional spelunker, a trip to this cave may be your last. Getting back will be problem as it's very dark and there could be about a 90% chance of suffering a free fall.

Green Valley View. has a more than 5000 ft steep drop from this point. The monkeys are a good attraction at this point. Renamed Green Valley View, apparently to prevent people from being lured to commit suicide.

Kodai Lake. If you are going in winter, go boating in the evening, as it's an amazing experience to boat through fog settling on the lake. The lake is very near the bus stand. This is a star-shaped lake and walking around it during the night is one of the best walking experiences you can have in your life. Be cautious, there are lot of dogs around this lake and some places are extremely dark. Walk between 6 and 7PM, then head back to your room.

Kurinjiandavar Temple. About 4 km from the lake is a temple whose presiding God is Lord Muruga. The flowers inside the temple bloom once in 12 years. One can get a view of the Palani Hills and the Kodaikanal Town from this temple. During the winter, the view of Kodai city and Palani from the two ends of the temple is blocked. However, in summer, the visibility is good and hence the experience, too.

Lasaleth Church and Lion's cave. Has the 100yrs old tree, 500yrs old tree and Lion's Cave.

Old Suicide Point. This place is about 5 minutes before the main/old pine forest. In recent days tourists get down to see the pine forest in many places as an entire stretch is full of pine trees) while driving from the observatory side. You need to get down and walk towards the cliff. Here you will see a small pathway on the left side. If you take this path and walk for about 10 minutes you will reach the old suicide point. The view from there is simply breathtaking.

Pillar Rocks. It has huge steep cliffs. During summer rainy days, the cliffs get completely hidden due to excess of fog. Watch out for the cross at the top of the mountain hoisted by an English adventure enthusiast.You can see the cross by an available telescope.

Pine Forest. It's a really very good forest of pine trees. You can ride horses there. It's on the way to the Guna Cave.

Shanthi Valley. Another pine forest nice place.

Silent Valley View.

Silver Cascade. It's a nice waterfall on the road side from Kodai Road, just before 4-5 km from Kodaikanal. The cold water flows and it's really super to bathe in the cold water and travel in between the eucalyptus trees. If you are going to Kodaikanal by private vehicle on the way, you can visit the place. Buy fresh carrots and some exotic veggies around here.

Thoppi Thuukum Paarai. It's en route to Berijam Lake. Wonderful tourist Spot. Children should be careful near the cliffs.

• Boating at the Kodai lake - paddle and row boats are available at the lake. Entrance is via the Kodaikanal Boat Club.
• Cycle around the lake - and watch the clouds while they slowly descend onto the water; cycles are available for hire at the lake on an hourly basis. It is possible to cycle to other places although cycling one way will be difficult due to the hilly terrain. Do check the cycles before setting out.
• Fun park, near fairy falls (via peter school through fairy falls road, +91 94871447131.
• games, near fairy falls (via peter school, +91 94871447131.
• Horse Riding - Right near the front of the entrance to the boat club, you can rent a horse (with the trainer) to take you around the lake.
• Kodaikanal Yoga Center, Karuna Farm, Prakashapuram (Reachable only with a 4X4 jeep from Kodaikanal town, +91 9360750817. Regular daily Morning & Afternoon classes as well as Yoga workshops. For those that wish to come, please get in touch and make sure to book your accommodation in the farm before arriving. Complementary Morning Yoga to all farm guests. Afternoon Yoga on Request.
• Trekking - Kodai offers several scenic trekking spots, including one which is to walk along the stream which goes to Dolphin's Nose. Kodai tourist office has a trekking guide which is available for free there, which lists all the possible trekking routes and difficulty levels. The tourist office advises people to take guides and offers to provide them, although this is not necessary. An easy trek is to Perumalmalai, the tallest mountain in the area.
• Wander About - Kodai has numerous waterfalls and beautiful views not mentioned in the tourist guides, so wandering about can bring you to some spectacular place.
• Watch a Tamil movie - go down the PT road, continue to S-road. Then turn left, after the petroleum station. Just ask which way is to cinema, almost every local knows it. Vellaiyappan cinema theatre is an old building with relatively big screen and cheap tickets - great experience. Ticket cost ₹30 (15 May 2009)
• Bodhi zendo, Perumalmalai / Kodaikanal (Up a hill from Perumalmalai, +91 - 90 - 475 46 879. Bodhi Zendo is a zen retreat center open to spiritual seekers from all over the world who wish to train in zen. Includes a zen garden, library, as well as a zendo. Costs are 500 rupees for non-Indians for a private room with a bath and three vegetarian meals a day. It's a popular place with many meditators staying on for days, weeks or months. Zen Sesshins (days of more intense instruction & practice) are held for several days each month. Reservations are encouraged well in advance.

Boating at the Kodai lake - paddle and row boats are available at the lake. Entrance is via the Kodaikanal Boat Club.

Cycle around the lake - and watch the clouds while they slowly descend onto the water; cycles are available for hire at the lake on an hourly basis. It is possible to cycle to other places although cycling one way will be difficult due to the hilly terrain. Do check the cycles before setting out.

Fun park, near fairy falls (via peter school through fairy falls road, +91 94871447131.

games, near fairy falls (via peter school, +91 94871447131.

Horse Riding - Right near the front of the entrance to the boat club, you can rent a horse (with the trainer) to take you around the lake.

Kodaikanal Yoga Center, Karuna Farm, Prakashapuram (Reachable only with a 4X4 jeep from Kodaikanal town, +91 9360750817. Regular daily Morning & Afternoon classes as well as Yoga workshops. For those that wish to come, please get in touch and make sure to book your accommodation in the farm before arriving. Complementary Morning Yoga to all farm guests. Afternoon Yoga on Request.

Trekking - Kodai offers several scenic trekking spots, including one which is to walk along the stream which goes to Dolphin's Nose. Kodai tourist office has a trekking guide which is available for free there, which lists all the possible trekking routes and difficulty levels. The tourist office advises people to take guides and offers to provide them, although this is not necessary. An easy trek is to Perumalmalai, the tallest mountain in the area.

Wander About - Kodai has numerous waterfalls and beautiful views not mentioned in the tourist guides, so wandering about can bring you to some spectacular place.

Watch a Tamil movie - go down the PT road, continue to S-road. Then turn left, after the petroleum station. Just ask which way is to cinema, almost every local knows it. Vellaiyappan cinema theatre is an old building with relatively big screen and cheap tickets - great experience. Ticket cost ₹30 (15 May 2009)

Bodhi zendo, Perumalmalai / Kodaikanal (Up a hill from Perumalmalai, +91 - 90 - 475 46 879. Bodhi Zendo is a zen retreat center open to spiritual seekers from all over the world who wish to train in zen. Includes a zen garden, library, as well as a zendo. Costs are 500 rupees for non-Indians for a private room with a bath and three vegetarian meals a day. It's a popular place with many meditators staying on for days, weeks or months. Zen Sesshins (days of more intense instruction & practice) are held for several days each month. Reservations are encouraged well in advance.

• Cheese Factory - Various cheeses.
• Eucalyptus Oil and herbal oils- A Variety of oils that claim to relieve joint pains and other aches are also available at every shop.
• Home made Chocolates - Kodai's shops are stocked with home made chocolates. These are a lot cheaper compared to the major brands.
• Spices Corner. Has an exclusive range of essential and aromatic oils, herbal teas, coffees, mouth watering chocolates & spices.

There is a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM near the petrol pump at the Seven Road Junction which accepts other banks cards as well.

• The Potters Shed, PT Road (near seven roads junction, +91 4542 240244. 09:00-19:30. The Potters Shed produces a wide variety of handmade stoneware pottery ~ both crockery and artefacts. All products are microwavable, dish-washer safe and oven-proof. The factory is in a village 7 km outside Kodai.

Cheese Factory - Various cheeses.

Eucalyptus Oil and herbal oils- A Variety of oils that claim to relieve joint pains and other aches are also available at every shop.

Home made Chocolates - Kodai's shops are stocked with home made chocolates. These are a lot cheaper compared to the major brands.

Spices Corner. Has an exclusive range of essential and aromatic oils, herbal teas, coffees, mouth watering chocolates & spices.

The Potters Shed, PT Road (near seven roads junction, +91 4542 240244. 09:00-19:30. The Potters Shed produces a wide variety of handmade stoneware pottery ~ both crockery and artefacts. All products are microwavable, dish-washer safe and oven-proof. The factory is in a village 7 km outside Kodai.

• Astoria Veg Reasturant - This is one of the best vegetarian restaurant in Kodai.
• Chocolate factory. Chocolate factory - Good collection of home made chocolate. They also have a good varieties of fruit syrup filled chocolate. Try the hot chocolate, ₹60 per cup.
• Cloud Street, PT Road. 8:30-8:30. Serves pasta, sizzlers, Continental food and other international cuisine. Barbeque chicken sizzlers, pastas, lemon cake and chocolate biscuits.
• Eden Paradise Restaurant, Paradise Compound, Laws Ghat Road. Serves Tasty ethnic Keralite cuisine.
• Pastry Corner - Cakes, Pastry, Coffee and Tea are excellent in this place. People here are well educated and kind. Located near bus stand and Astoria Veg Restaurant. Never miss this small but a good place.
• Pine & Petals, JC Residency, Convent Road, Naidupuram. Multi-cuisine restaurant.
• PotLuck, PT Road (Opposite the milk union. 10:30-7:00. A cute little European style cafe with outdoor seating on the verandah (balcony); PotLuck serves fresh food and off-the-shelf delicacies carefully cooked in Kodai kitchens. The fresh food consists of an international menu including pastas, quesadillas, sandwiches, Spanish omelettes and waffles/pancakes. You can take away off-the-shelf items like coffee-bean chocolates, lemon curd, Mexican salsas, burgers, fresh thin crust pizzas, garlic pickles and marmelades. All profits go towards providing scholarships for needy children. ₹40-₹110.
• Rasoi, 106 Maratha Shopping Complex, Annasalai. Serves excellent Gujarati and veg. Punjabi thali. The Chola batora and alu paratha are their specialities.
• The Royal Tibet -PT Road. In this restaurant you will get best momos specially potato cheese momo for vegetarian, for non-veg you can choose beef, chicken and mutton. Noodles are freshly made everyday and you get fantastic soups. It gets bit noisy when restaurants gets jam packed with kodaikanal international school students.
• Sree Krishna Restaurant Bhojanalaya, Nellai Nadar Bazaar, Fairy Falls, Pambarpuram (Kodaikanal, 624103, +91 9047856670. 100% pure veg Bhojanalaya, serving North Indian, Rajashthani & Gujarati food
• Tava, 7 road junction. Outstanding Sindhi food, express service.
• Tibetan Brothers - PT Road. The food is mouth watering and authentic Tibetan and Chinese. Try the steamed momos or the Thukpa. The owner who doubles up as a waiter is very courteous - and very passionate about his country. So the restaurant walls are plastered with photos of Lhasa, Potala palace and the Dalai and Panchen lamas.
• Altaf's Cafe, Dolphin Nose Road, Vattakanal (near Dolphin's Nose, +91 94871 20846. A nice eatery for people looking for continental food

Astoria Veg Reasturant - This is one of the best vegetarian restaurant in Kodai.

Chocolate factory. Chocolate factory - Good collection of home made chocolate. They also have a good varieties of fruit syrup filled chocolate. Try the hot chocolate, ₹60 per cup.

Cloud Street, PT Road. 8:30-8:30. Serves pasta, sizzlers, Continental food and other international cuisine. Barbeque chicken sizzlers, pastas, lemon cake and chocolate biscuits.

Eden Paradise Restaurant, Paradise Compound, Laws Ghat Road. Serves Tasty ethnic Keralite cuisine.

Pastry Corner - Cakes, Pastry, Coffee and Tea are excellent in this place. People here are well educated and kind. Located near bus stand and Astoria Veg Restaurant. Never miss this small but a good place.

Pine & Petals, JC Residency, Convent Road, Naidupuram. Multi-cuisine restaurant.

PotLuck, PT Road (Opposite the milk union. 10:30-7:00. A cute little European style cafe with outdoor seating on the verandah (balcony); PotLuck serves fresh food and off-the-shelf delicacies carefully cooked in Kodai kitchens. The fresh food consists of an international menu including pastas, quesadillas, sandwiches, Spanish omelettes and waffles/pancakes. You can take away off-the-shelf items like coffee-bean chocolates, lemon curd, Mexican salsas, burgers, fresh thin crust pizzas, garlic pickles and marmelades. All profits go towards providing scholarships for needy children. ₹40-₹110.

Rasoi, 106 Maratha Shopping Complex, Annasalai. Serves excellent Gujarati and veg. Punjabi thali. The Chola batora and alu paratha are their specialities.

The Royal Tibet -PT Road. In this restaurant you will get best momos specially potato cheese momo for vegetarian, for non-veg you can choose beef, chicken and mutton. Noodles are freshly made everyday and you get fantastic soups. It gets bit noisy when restaurants gets jam packed with kodaikanal international school students.

Sree Krishna Restaurant Bhojanalaya, Nellai Nadar Bazaar, Fairy Falls, Pambarpuram (Kodaikanal, 624103, +91 9047856670. 100% pure veg Bhojanalaya, serving North Indian, Rajashthani & Gujarati food

Tava, 7 road junction. Outstanding Sindhi food, express service.

Tibetan Brothers - PT Road. The food is mouth watering and authentic Tibetan and Chinese. Try the steamed momos or the Thukpa. The owner who doubles up as a waiter is very courteous - and very passionate about his country. So the restaurant walls are plastered with photos of Lhasa, Potala palace and the Dalai and Panchen lamas.

Altaf's Cafe, Dolphin Nose Road, Vattakanal (near Dolphin's Nose, +91 94871 20846. A nice eatery for people looking for continental food

There is a shop near the bus stand, where you can get some standard Indian whisky, beer, vodka, etc.

• Carlton Hotel, Carlton Lake Rd, +91 4542-241231.
• End Of The Road, C/O The Carlton Hotel, Lake Road, +91 4542-240056.
• Oasis Bar, No 17/328 Kodai International Hotel (near Zion School, +91 4542-245190.
• Sterling Resorts, Pallangi Road, Vilpatti, +91 4542-242437.

Carlton Hotel, Carlton Lake Rd, +91 4542-241231.

End Of The Road, C/O The Carlton Hotel, Lake Road, +91 4542-240056.

Oasis Bar, No 17/328 Kodai International Hotel (near Zion School, +91 4542-245190.

Sterling Resorts, Pallangi Road, Vilpatti, +91 4542-242437.

You will see lots of monkeys in some parts of Kodaikanal, so be extra careful when moving with kids and carrying food. Try to ignore monkeys while passing by. Any abrupt move from you may convey the wrong message to these unpredictable creatures.

Don't leave cash or any valuables in the hotel room. Cross check all hotel, restaurant and lounge bills for errors.

Prefer to eat healthy breakfast. After arriving at your desired destination, the chances are very high that you will not be paying any attention to your meal. So, do yourself a favor and consume healthy food while traveling around the destination.

Drink plenty of water and consume lots of multivitamin, mainly if you are flying. It will save you from dehydration and keep your immune level high.

• Van Allen Hospital - The only hospital available in Kodaikanal. It is established by American missionaries. For major treatments, you have to go to Madurai hospitals.

Van Allen Hospital - The only hospital available in Kodaikanal. It is established by American missionaries. For major treatments, you have to go to Madurai hospitals.

• Madurai - on the bank of Vaigai River People from diverse culture and religions reside at Madurai. Festivals of all different kinds are celebrated in this place.
• Munnar - At a height of 6000 feet, Munnar is one of the most reputed summer resorts in Kerala.
• Palani - Known for the Hills, it is part of oldest mountain ranges which can be explored in India, made up of rocks such as schists, charnockites and gneisses.