As the curvy winding ghat roads take you up to the quaint hill station of Kodaikanal, you are instantly hit by the refreshing smell of pine trees. It is no wonder that the name Kodaikanal literally translates to ‘Gift of the forest’. Engulfed by misty mountains and seemingly endless stretches of forests and wild flowers, Kodaikanal radiates a soul warming tranquillity. Despite the touristy crowds and colour-coordinated honeymooners that continue to flock here, Kodaikanal never fails to impress. From the archetypical sunset and sunrise points to hidden trekking trails to exotic cheeses and chocolates, at Kodaikanal, there’s something for everyone. So here’s our list of some of the must visit places and things to do that are sure to make your trip to Kodaikanal truly memorable.
Kodaikanal Lake: A visit to Kodaikanal is incomplete without visiting this serene lake. Enjoy a boat ride in the lake in the evenings, take a leisurely walk along the lake, or rent a bicycle and pedal away; this lake is definitely Kodaikanal’s most famous attraction. Don’t forget to pack a picnic basket; this lake is undoubtedly the most popular picnic spot in Kodaikanal.
Coaker’s Walk: Constructed in 1872 by Lt. Coaker, Coaker’s Walk is a scenic narrow pedestrian path beautifully winding along the edges of mountain slopes. Often covered in an opaque mist, at Coaker’s Walk you can literally take a walk through the clouds. On a clear day, you can enjoy mesmerising views of the surrounding valleys and hills.
Chettiar Park: Chettiar Park is one of the most popular Kodaikanal tourist spots attracting thousands of visitors each year. This well-maintained park is aesthetically landscaped with a fascinating variety of the flowers. The star attraction of this park is the purple Kurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years!
Bryant Park: It’s a must visit attraction for flower and nature lovers. Get marvelled by over 325 species of flowers, trees and plants, and an astounding 740 species of roses that abound this park. Thanks to the annual horticulture and flower shows, this park becomes a hotspot for tourists during summers.
Pillar Rocks: Put on your trekking shoes and trek up the famous Pillar Rocks, a cluster of three massive granite rocks. A short and slightly risky uphill walk will take you the top of the rocks from where you can soak in the best view of the verdant mountains surrounding Kodaikanal.
Devil’s Kitchen (Guna Caves): Nestled between the pillar rocks lie the mysterious Devil’s Kitchen caves or popularly known as Guna Caves, after the Tamil film Guna (1992) that was shot here. Tucked about 500 feet deep into the ravines, these caves are home to thousands of bats. A lush green pathway lined with ancient trees having unique formations leads you to the caves, adding to the mystery element of the caves.
Sheep Farm: Hang out with cute little sheep at a sheep farm in the idyllic terraced village of Poombarai. Misty mountains covered in shades of lush green and dotted with white sheep idly grazing along make a postcard worthy setting. A walk around Poombarai offers a beautiful glimpse into the simple untouched farm life of hillside villages near Kodaikanal.
Berijam Lake: Bejiram Lake is an idyllic lake cocooned amidst dense Shola forests in the outskirts of Kodaikanal. A spellbinding drive through thick reserved forests will take you to this pristine lake. In the mornings, bisons, deer, and myriad birds are spotted around this lake, making it perfect for photography.
Dolphin’s Nose: Trek up the craggy trail to Dolphin’s Nose for a bird’s eye view of scenic mountains, farmlands and valleys. Dolphin’s Nose is a flat rock resembling a dolphin’s nose protruding out of the edge of a mountain overlooking a deep cliff. With natural stairways formed by tree roots and a narrow trail lined with tall pine trees, the trek up to Dolphin’s Nose is as picturesque as the view from the top of the hill.
Kukkal Caves: An excursion to Kukkal Caves is ideal for those who love trekking and adventure. Believed to be one of the oldest caves in the country, Kukkal Caves are ancient rock caves belonging to the extinct Palaiyar tribe. The breathtaking trekking trail to Kukkal Caves will take you through gorgeous pine forests, fields of geranium and gushing mountain streams.
Waterfalls: Home to the stunning Bear Shola, Glen Falls, Fairy Falls, and Silver Cascade waterfalls; Kodaikanal is the favourite destination among waterfall lovers. During monsoons Kodaikanal’s waterfalls become alive, drawing throngs of tourists.
Kodaikanal yoga centre: A yoga and meditation workshop at the Kodaikanal Yoga Centre is a must for the soul-searching wanderer. This yoga centre is ideally situated in the midst of an ecological farm and offers a variety of short and long-term workshops in yoga. For short stay travellers, the yoga centre offers quick orientation workshops in yoga and meditation.
With Spice Route Destination Management Company, you can experience all this and more at Kodaikanal. Offering an array of tour packages, you can choose a package based on your preferences or even customise it. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get in touch with us to experience Kodaikanal like never before.