Table of Contents
Places to Visit in Kodaikanal and Things to do in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is rightly dubbed as the “Gift of the Forests“. One understands this analogy even before one sets foot in the place as you travel across a road winding through lush, verdant forests. Kodaikanal, a hill station in Tamil Nadu, India is an ideal weekend getaway for city dwellers who wish to lose themselves in the lap of nature and experience Nirvana of sorts, away from the stress and strain of the rat race that modern life has turned into. There are many places to visit in Kodaikanal, some well known and some off the beaten track. Kodaikanal is about 80 kilometres from Kodai Road and around 120 kilometres from Madurai. Kodaikanal is an ideal weekend getaway. We have listed out the best places to visit in Kodaikanal and also some offbeat things to do in Kodaikanal.
Kodaikanal has much to offer, both in terms of a standard tourist drill as well as off the beaten track activities for the more discerning or adventurous. Thanks to the hospitality of Great Trails by GRT Hotels, we were able to experience a host of experiences that your normal traveller or should we say tourists would not experience.
This post is about these experiences, however, we are by no means implying that the attractions and experiences that form the standard itinerary for a visit to Kodaikanal are less appealing. In fact, we have ourselves experienced these attractions in earlier trips and actually have listed out the standard places to visit in Kodaikanal in addition to our offbeat experiences.
Kodaikanal Map
Kodaikanal Location Map
The top attractions of Kodaikanal are listed below. They are listed in a random order here.
- Coaker’s Walk
- Kodaikanal Lake
- Mannavanur Lake
- Berijam Lake
- Pine Forest
- Poombarai Village
- Pillar Rocks
- Dolphin’s Nose
- Guna Caves
- Bryant Park
What you must see and experience in Kodaikanal – Best Places to Visit in Kodaikanal
1. Kodaikanal Lake
The Kodaikanal lake which is man-made and created in 1863 by the then collector of Madurai is indeed the epicentre of Kodaikanal. It is the most popular tourist destination in Kodaikanal and is a hive of activity. Boating, cycling, and horse riding are the activities in and around the lake. One can buy local spices, eucalyptus oil and homemade chocolates in the shops that line the periphery of the lake. The lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Kodaikanal. It is one of the top Kodaikanal tourist places.
Tip: The area in and around the lake tends to get too crowded for comfort, especially on weekends and public holidays.
2. Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a botanical garden with a wide variety of flowers and plants and is situated very near Kodaikanal Lake. A great lung space where families can enjoy together, the park also offers some amazing views of the valley. The park that stretches over 20 acres was built by H.D.Bryant, the Collector of Madurai in 1908.
3. Coakers Walk – One of the iconic places to visit in Kodaikanal
Coakers Walk is an enchanting and narrow mountain road that cuts across steep slopes and offers stunning views of the valley. An early morning walk here is a magical experience and sure to set the tone for the day. In winters, the walk affords an opportunity to experience the mist.
4. Pillar Rocks
The Pillar Rocks have virtually become a visual symbol of Kodaikanal. Two huge pillar-shaped rocks stand in majestic splendor towering over the valley and make for a grand, natural spectacle. During winters the Pillar Rocks seem to be shrouded in an aura of mystery as they get engulfed by mist. A trip to Kodaikanal is incomplete without seeing the beautiful Pillar rocks!
5. Pine Forests – One of the best places to visit in Kodaikanal
A visit to the Pine Forests is a must. A stretch of forest graced by the beautiful presence of lines and lines of Pine trees. The Pine forest is the fruit of the labour of H.D.Bryant who was also instrumental in establishing the Bryant Park which is named after him.
6. Bear Shola Falls – One of the popular places to visit in Kodaikanal
The Bear Shola Falls are seasonal waterfalls in Kodaikanal. They are in full flow after the monsoon and make for a great experience, especially if waterfalls fascinate you. Many years ago, bears were known to come here in search of drinking water and hence the name. Of course, those days are gone and you will not see any bears around this waterfall now.
Things to do in Kodaikanal – Off Beat Experiences that you must experience in Kodaikanal
7. Wander amongst the Undulating Potato Farms
The fact that we were staying in Great Trails Kodaikanal by GRT Hotels which nestles snugly amidst potato farms in a valley surrounded by hills was a great blessing. In the evening, when the wind assumed a chill that one usually experiences in the mountains, we set off on a walk that took us amidst potato farms that had green short shrubs of Potato neatly stacked row upon row, they were similar to sloped tea gardens and were a visual treat for eyes more habituated to the traffic and chaos of the urban jungle.
8. Listen to the Whispers of the Drifting Clouds
As we walked beyond the potato farms, we reached a stretch of land that afforded a stunning view of the valley. The hills in the distance seemed to be smeared with dashes of white which moved slowly, they were actually clouds drifting merrily away without the bother of having to think where or how to get to wherever they were going.
As we stood watching the dance of the clouds, apart from the sound of the wind there was blissful silence. We revelled in the moment of absolute peace as currents of bliss enveloped us. At that moment the clouds seemed to whisper softly in our ears, “this is heaven, this is heaven.”
9. Trek up the Hills to Elephant Valley View – One of the most beautiful places to visit in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is a haven for nature lovers. If waking up early to the symphony of chirping birds and heading out into the great outdoors just as the first rays of the sun kiss the ground, is right up your alley, then Kodaikanal is the place for you.
One of the relatively easy and beautiful treks is to a rock high up in the hills which offer stunning views of the Elephant Valley and the Palani temple in the distance.
As you ascend the hills you are flanked by breathtaking views of the valley on your right and one can feel the spring in your step as you inhale the fragrant and unalloyed air of the mountains.
And then you reach this small rock that stands precariously overlooking the Elephant Valley below. As you stand looking down at the land stretches below you feel that the world is lying at your feet!
As you peer over the edge this is the scene that you behold.
10. Cavort with Horses
This place abounds in horses, who are a beautiful sight against the green backdrop, sadly some of them had their legs tied to prevent them from wandering far away by their owners. This beautiful horse who gave a stylish pose neighed heartrendingly to let him free. 🙁
11. Feast on Peaches plucked straight off the trees
On our hike to the Elephant Valley viewpoint, we passed through many peach farms and had the raw pleasure of feasting on some ripe peaches which tasted heavenly.
12. Interact with Locals
It was early on a Saturday morning and these ladies were off to work on the farms with their lunches packed and sitting neatly on their heads. They looked really happy and posed shyly for a picture.
13. Visit a Strawberry Farm
We visited a strawberry farm for the first time and really enjoyed looking at the small green shrubs with gleaming red strawberries.
The strawberry farms are owned by Great Trails Kodaikanal by GRT Hotels and hence visiting them was an exclusive privilege.
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14. Visit a 3000-year-old temple in a picturesque village
A scenic drive deep into the heart of the Palani hills, 18 kilometres here takes you to a picturesque village called Poombarai. The village is captivating and the centre of attraction is a lovely temple that has a history that can be traced back 3000 years. The idol of Lord Muruga is said to have been consecrated by a Tamil Siddhar called Bogar.
15. Visit the Picturesque Manavannur Lake
A 34-kilometre drive from here on a road flanked by Eucalyptus and Pine trees takes you to the village of Manavannur. Inside the Manavannur Eco-Tourism Site (a Tamilnadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project) is situated a beautiful lake – Manavannur Lake set amidst lush green meadows and flanked by hills in the background. a serene place to get close to nature.
16. Have A Picnic Lunch by the side of the Manavannur Lake
Small Picnic huts grace the banks of the lake. These huts can be used for having your lunch.
We had a full-fledged and grand buffet lunch set up for us on the banks of the lake, courtesy Great Trails Kodaikanal by GRT Hotels.
17. Counting Sheep at the Manavannur Eco-Tourism Site- One of the best places to visit in Kodaikanal
Watch the famed Merino sheep which have their origins in Spain but are widely reared in Australia and New Zealand at the sheep farm.
The Merino sheep have the finest wool and they do not have horns.
18. Be enthralled by the Beautiful Berijam Lake- One of the most ethereal places to visit in Kodaikanal
A beautiful lake called Berijam Lake which is so tranquil that it seems to be located somewhere beyond the realms of imagination. However, it is about 21 kilometres from here and is a restricted place. Entry with permission from the Forest Department in Kodaikanal is allowed between 9.30 Am to 3.00 PM.
However, a limited number of people only are given entry on any given day. When we were there we were the only people around and as we gazed at the placid waters of the Berijam lake, the sun partially slid behind the clouds creating a mesmerizing effect of light and shade on the waters of the lake.
19. Drive Deep into the Forests of Kodaikanal to spot Wildlife
The sound of our car was the only sound that could be heard as we drove deep into the dense forests of Kodaikanal, we had special permission to enter the forest, thanks to Great trails by GRT Hotels.
As we drove in silence, we craned our necks out of the windows, in excited anticipation with the hope of spotting wildlife.
We were not disappointed as we were able to spot a Giant Grizzled Squirrel, some wild Buffaloes, and Black Monkeys also known as Nilgiri Langurs. This is one of the off-beat places to visit in Kodaikanal.
20. Be Amazed by multiple Eco-Systems at one place
When you drive deep into the forests of Kodaikanal, you will reach a spot where multiple ecosystems seem to seamlessly merge. Grasslands seem to brush shoulders with rain forests and Montane tropical forests also known as Sholas locally. A few moments spent in the hypnotizing silence of these forests is sure to remain etched in once being for a lifetime.
Some Useful Information
How to Get to Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is located in the Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is about 527 kilometres from Chennai and 464 kilometres from Bangalore. The nearest airport is Madurai which is about 120 kilometres away. One can fly to Madurai and then travel by road. Madurai is well connected by air to the major cities of India. Alternatively one can take a bus from Bangalore or Chennai. One can reach Kodaikanal by train, one needs to alight at a small station called Kodaikanal Road and then travel by road for 80 kilometres uphill to reach Kodaikanal.
You can book flights right here to reach Bangalore or Madurai or Chennai in India through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline and then travel by road – by self-drive car or cab or bus.
Where to Stay at Kodaikanal
This place has a host of accommodation options to suit every need and budget. There are many hotels in Kodaikanal across budget ranges. There are many Kodaikanal resorts that offer a lovely stay in the mountains. Some of the Kodaikanal hotels offer beautiful valley views. The choice of Kodaikanal hotels includes a range of hostels and homestays. For a luxurious, unique and rejuvenating stay, we would recommend staying at The Great Trails by GRT Hotels.
You can book hotels suiting your preference and budget through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.
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When to visit Kodaikanal – The best time to visit Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal has a moderate climate throughout the year and one can plan a trip there any time of the year to get different experiences. The monsoon is the off-season, however, if you want to immerse yourself in the romance of the rains, we recommend to get there and get wet in the rains. Also, it is preferable to avoid long weekends when the main town tends to get a little too crowded.
Where to eat in Kodaikanal
Check out the best places to eat in Kodaikanal.
Planning a trip to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, India – Best things to see and do in Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, India
You can book Kodaikanal package tours that can take you on a sightseeing tour of Kodaikanal, Madurai, Palani, Chennai, Ooty, Podicherry, Munnar, Thekkady etc. You could plan to spend a couple of days in Kodaikanal and do a local sightseeing tour in Kodaikanal and then plan to do trips to places around Kodaikanal. Plan your trip and book online places to visit in Kodaikanal.
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Places near Kodaikanal
- Madurai, a major pilgrimage place in South India is 114 kilometres away
- Kanya Kumari, the southernmost tip of India
- Rameshwaram, an important pilgrimage centre of the Hindus
- Dhanushkodi, a ghost town swept away in a tsunami
- Valparai, a secluded and lesser-known hill station of Tamil Nadu
- Thanjavur which is also known as Tanjore is famous for art, architecture, and paintings
- Tiruchirapalli which is also known as Trichy which is another temple town
- Palani, a hill on which is located a famous temple dedicated to Lord Muruga and is visited by 7 million pilgrims every year
A Kodaikanal trip can be planned with a two-day itinerary so that you can cover it over the weekend. 2 days in Kodaikanal will enable you to visit most if not all of the places to visit in Kodaikanal, however, to really enjoy and slowly relish your Kodaikanal trip experience, we recommend that you plan a longer stay in Kodaikanal. The natural beauty and adventure activities will make a 2 day trip to Kodaikanal from Bangalore an ideal weekend getaway from Bangalore and other urban centres.
If you are planning a getaway to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, India then you can book cheap flights through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline right here. You can fly to Madurai and then from there you can travel to Kodaikanal by road. Some of the options to reach Kodaikanal could be by self-drive car or bus. One can travel till Madurai or Kodaikanal Road by train also.
Here is an FAQ section that answers many of the common questions regarding Kodaikanal.
What is the best time to visit Kodaikanal?
Kodaikanal is a place that can be visited all year round and each season offers a different face of the place. It is a pleasant relief in the summers from the heat of the plains, in winters a mystical mist covers Kodaikanal and lends it a surreal aura, in the rainy season the hill station seems to dance to the tunes of nature.
What can I buy in Kodaikanal?
If you are in Kodaikanal, you must buy the fresh homemade chocolates. Other things to buy are Eucalyptus oil, honey, and spices.
How can I go to Kodaikanal by train?
The nearest railway station to Kodaikanal is Kodai road located at a distance of about 80 km. Trains from Madurai and Trichy pass through Kodai Road station. From Kodai Road one needs to travel by road to the hill station of Kodaikanal.
Which is the nearest airport to Kodaikanal?
The nearest airport to Kodaikanal is Madurai at a distance of about 120 km.
How many days are sufficient to visit Kodai?
How many days we can spend in Kodaikanal? is the question many people ask us and there is no exact answer. Kodaikanal is a place to relax and experience in and one should spend at least 4 to 5 days there to really have an immersive experience of the place.
How far is Ooty from Kodaikaal?
The distance between Ooty and Kodaikanal is approximately 252 kilometres.
We hope you liked reading this Kodaikanal blog post which is about Kodaikanal places and experiences. Have you been to Kodaikanal? What was the experience that you liked most about the gift of the forest? If you have not been to Kodaikanal India, we hope this Kodaikanal travel post which for all-purpose is a guide to Kodaikanal helps you when you plan your visit to this beautiful hills station in South India.
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Super informative and very insightful! Would recommend this guide to anyone visiting Kodaikanal 🙂
What an amazing place to visit. I had never even heard of it until today, but now I am super excited to visit someday.
I’m amazed that the man-made lake was created so many years ago. There are so many fun things to do in Kodaikanal. I would love to visit the waterfall and I’m thankful that I won’t see any bears.
Kodaikanal looks like a wonderfully serene place to connect with nature. Thx for introducing me to it.
This is my kind of place to visit. I would surely enjoy the scenic lakes, the magnificent falls, the natural sites and the heritage attractions.
What a gorgeous place to visit. I’ve never been out to India that reading this post makes me really want to go visit some of these areas. That lake is beautiful scenic would be a wonderful place to explore for days on end.
Kodaikanal has been on my wishlist for so long… your post has made me more curious about this beautiful place.
Once again I don’t know where this place was or hadn’t even heard of it. Won’t be visiting any time soon but enjoy looking at your photos.
Wonderful. Especially the whisper of the drifting clouds. 🙂
It looks like there is so much to do and see in Kodaikanal. I would love to check out all of these places someday.
India truly has so much to offer and not just have is shown to us on TV, I would love to check out Kodaikanal one day
What gorgeous views…I especially loved the pillars…so many beautiful places all over the world.
Oh my goodness I want to do it all, how absolutely stunning do all those places look to be. The waterfall and rocks just WOW.
Wow, the scenery is beautiful. I would love to visit th Eco Tourism site and also a strawberry farm.
Fantastic insight about such a interesting area. The Pillar Rocks and Bear Shola Falls look like must see spots!
I’ve never been to India, but it sure does look beautiful!! I’m a little naive, I admit, but when I think of India I think of the Taj Mahal, I don’t think of countryside like this! It’s beautiful!!
All of the amazing scenery! Where to start first!? I would love to visit Kodaikanal Lake just to see the man made lake and how gorgeous it looks in person!
Wow! That looks amazing! I would love to see all of these if I could. The pillars are just breathtaking and there are definitely plenty of things to do here that makes it worth going to.
Wow, this is such a thorough list. I would love to visit Kodaikanal.
I never realized there was so much greenery in India until I read this. I’d enjoy traveling this area I think.
Wow there are so much to see in Kodaikanal! I would definitely love to see the pillars and go visit the falls. I never knew India has so much nature! The pictures are gorgeous, so I can’t even imagine what everything looks like in person!
Judging by your photos the place looks serene! You’re so right – perfect weekend getaway to relax and enjoy this lush nature. Lovely landscapes really! 🙂
What a beautiful and picturesque region! As several others have shared, the Pillar Rocks are so striking. You’ve definitely inspired me to add Kodaikanal to my travel wish list!
What a place! It promises adventure for sure!
Kodaikanal sounds as though it offers a vast range of things to do and experience! Pillar Rocks looks especially impressive
Kodaikanal is stunning! Lately, I am more drawn to liking places like this. It would give me that much needed peace to just sit there and marvel at nature’s beauty. The waterfall is beautiful!
Brings back some good childhood memories, although Kodai was not so crowded back then and we could easily head out to the woods nearby. Great post and great writing style.
Do visit our blog too, we are also a traveling couple.
So much greenery! I totally get the forest label. Thanks for introducing me to yet another new place.
I always tell people how beautiful India is, be it the beautiful Himalayas in the North or the lovely green cities of the South. I’ve heard a lot about Kodaikanal but never had the opportunity to visit. Your pictures depict what a beautiful place it is. I particularly love the Kodaikanal Lake and the Pillar Rocks. I can’t believe I haven’t been to these lovely places in my own country. I’ll bookmark this post for when I plan my trip to the gorgeous South of India.
It appears there is quite a lot to do in and around Kodaikanal and yet until reading this article I have never heard of it. Time to do some more research on the area. Thanks for highlighting a new place to me.
So much green space, wildlife, and fresh food. Kodaikanal looks like a great retreat.
Bryant park looks lovely and so quiet! And being in love with hiking, I’m sure we’d have fun in the Pine Forests or getting to climb to the Pillar Rocks! How awesome!
Wow, Kodaikanal is so pretty, all your photos are gorgeous! I would love to visit 🙂
Ah! So nice to see a story on Kodaikanal 🙂 This was the first place I visited solo and so is extremely special to me…hoping to return to it again someday…
There’s so much to do in Kodaikanal and most of it outdoors in fresh mountain air. It looks sensational. Pinned for later use.
I have been to kodaikanal 2 years ago. I would suggest elephant valley and the waterfall there, that’s a lovely place to be.
I had never heard of Kodaikanal before reading this post but it looks beautiful, what a great guide! I would love to see the waterfall and the Pillar rocks. We plan to visit India early next year so perhaps we will make it there 🙂 Thanks for the tips!
Beautiful article and photography. Thank you for showing me a side of India that I hadn’t seen much about.
It’s easy to see why Kodaikanal is a weekend retreat for both locals and visitors. The peacefulness of the area comes through your photos. The views, lakes, and wild beauty like that of the pine forest would all be on my list. I’ve bookmarked this post as I hope India is in my near future.
I wish I had been able to see more of the countryside when I was in India. Pillar Rocks are stunning! And I can never say ‘no’ to a waterfall:)
I love your blog for giving me so many more ideas for our next trip to India. Kodaikanal looks absolutely stunning. I would happily go hiking in those mountains, pick me some strawberries and then hang out at the awesome looking Pillar Rocks. Thanks again for sharing!
Wow this looks incredible. I love the waterfalls. I never heard of this place. Thanks for introducing it to me.
Yet another place to add to my India bucket list. Looks fabulous
I would love to visit Kodaikanal and check out the scenery, do some hikes and just take it all in. I would prefer to visit this place in India than a huge city. I sure do love the quiet life 🙂
So much beautiful nature and greenery in Kodaikanal – such a beautiful destination! I love the options for hiking, spending time in the forests, and mix of wildlife and ability to chat with locals. Kodaikanal Lake looks like fun – I heard that house boats were a big thing in India, are there any which operate on this lake?
I could definitely go for a strawberry farm visit right now! My favorite fruit 🙂
Thank you for making this list. I have never heard of this place but now want to visit. The pillar rocks looks incredible and terrifying!
Seems like it’s impossible to get bored in Kodaikanal, the view from Elephant Valley and the Pillar Rocks are amazing, I need to add this place on my list!
I had never heard of this place before until now but it looks amazing, especially the pillar rocks
What a beautiful place Kodaikanal is! I love hiking so for me this would be a perfect destination. I would love to hike up to the Pillar Rocks and enjoy the views from up there, but also to stroll thought the forest. From your photos I realise this place is also great if you are searching for relaxation and bonding with the nature.
As I can see, there is lots of things to see and do in Kodaikanal! I would try the hiking activities, I would be curious to see those rock pillars by myself. If the lake proposes also kayaking I would end the day with that
Wow, Kodaikanal looks amazing! The landscape is so different to most of India, and I love the abundance of hiking and outdoor activities available. I always find that India just has a way of mesmerising it’s visitors.
Wow! This looks like an awesome place. So much to see and do. Thanks for all the great information.
Kodaikanal is a place I’ve never heard of but looks like a great place to travel. The landscape looks very lush and beautiful and the wildlife very interesting. I’d love to visit that strawberry farm and do a bit of hiking and meeting with locals.
What a hefty list this is! I didn’t know you could do so much in Kodaikanal. I especially love the idea of sightseeing at those Pillar Rocks. They are breathtakingly beautiful! And Bryant Park looks like the perfect place to unwind too!
I studied in Coimbatore, and my first trip while in south India was Kodaikanal, a lovely hill station. I totally loved it but I did not see the places you showed us, guess I have missed. I should visit again…..
It looks so incredibly open and idyllic! Such a contrast from chaotic and bustling cities of India. Thanks for you sharing.
The man made lake is really a wonder. Also the Pillar Rocks are a must visit. Can’t miss out on that one.
I have been to Kodaikanal twice:once with my family and once with my friends.You have listed that this little green paradise has so many fun things to do other than site seeing.I could go here more often if I lived in Chennai.I miss living there now
Kodaikanal looks like an amazing place to visit – I wouldn’t have envisioned such a massive lake, waterfall AND strawberry farm. Definitely a hidden gem to add to my bucket list!
The Pillar Rocks that remind of Meteora in Greece, merino sheep, strawberry farms…I didn’t know all this! Glad I came across your post.
I must agree that Kodaikanal is indeed a haven for nature lovers. The place looks nice and peaceful. Great for a relaxing vacation!
Wonderful list..you have covered almost everything. Your post brought back nostalgia from my own trip to Kodaikanal. It is my favorite hill station amongst all in South India and holds a special place.
Love learning about new places – had not heard of Kodaikanal but it looks absolutely beautiful!
This is amazing! I’ve never heard of this place before! Thanks for sharing it. I would love to go hiking in those woods, breathe the fresh air and listen to the waterfalls…
Wow!
The Pilar Rocks reminds me of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, where there’s the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain that inspired the Hallelujah Mountain in Avatar (movie). So beautiful! Also driving in the Forests of Kodaikanal seems a bit spooky, yet very daring.
About those peaches, is it healthy to just eat them like that?
Such an incredible place with beautiful and varied landscapes! Love the lakes, towering rock formations and farms dotting the area. Great list and so many exciting things to do. Seeing wildlife is also an incredible bonus! Thanks for sharing
Kodaikanal looks like an amazing place to visit! The views, the lake, and the Pillar Rocks just look amazing! And I love animals, so would definitely like to go to the Manavannur Eco Tourism Site
Wow the lake and the Pillar Rocks are screaming my name! Kodaikanal looks absolutely breathtaking and there are quite a few incredible things to do there. I love learning about new destinations I had never heard of before, now we will have to give it a visit when we make it in the area!
What a beautiful place!
To be surrounded my mist on the Coakers walk, and those pillars are like something out of Avatar!
Did see Eucalyptus trees as well?
I’m surprised to see how many parts of the world these hardy trees have been exported to!
Wow, there is just so much to do and see in Kodaikanal. I truly love all the stunning landscapes and everything that I’ve read and see. From the beautiful scenery with their own distinct innate beauty to the rich and colorful culture of this place. I wish I can experience all these 20 things in Kodaikanal soon. Thank you so much for sharing about these beautiful scenery with us.
I can help add a couple of places- Try out Vattakanal which features in the Malayalam movie ‘Premam’ for the Malare song. Vattakanal and Suicide points are great places by itself to chew on a weekend there.
So much informative detail about Kodaikanal. India has been at the top of my daughter’s bucket list for several years now and I will definitely be showing her this blog post.
Such a beautiful place to visit! Really informative article about Kodaikanal and the things you can do there. I’ve not been to India yet but I’d like to and it’s on my list. I’ll definitely keep this article in mind for when I visit India. Manavannur Lake looks amazing too, plenty of photo opportunities I’m sure!
Simply amazing! Wow so many things to do in this place! The pillars looks so amazing! The falls, the field, the lake everything here is so wonderful. I can’t wait to see India 🙂
Wow Kodaikanal is truly a nature lover’s paradise. We missed visiting it years back when I was a kid. We had been to Ooty and were supposed to travel there, but got cancelled due to one of us falling ill. I would love to visit one day especially those lakes, waterfalls, peach and strawberry farms. Nice to know it has an Ecotourism Site and those Pillar Rocks look interesting too!
Wow such an amazing and diverse place! This is such a great guide for lesser known parts of India!
Amazing!! The 3000 year old temple, Pillar Rocks, and the views of Elephant Valley stood out to me the most. I’m not a big hiker, but I would definitely put my boots on to take those pictures! One day I’ll make it to India.
I have done some of these.
You can add one more – meet the fortune tellers there. 🙂
One of them kept asking as to check out our fortune with him… We didn’t take him seriously. But he told my husband – Lucky face sir, you will buy a house soon.
We laughed it off… but within a couple of months circumstances turned out such that we ended up buying a house. I have this wish to meet that man again. 🙂
I can see why the Pillar Rocks are an iconic image of Kodaikanal. They are incredibly beautiful (and so cool-looking!) Cascade Falls are also gorgeous. You have included so many things and beautiful sights to see and do!
You’ve got well-framed and composed photos. It seems you have the best of nature but also a bit of history and culture in Kodaikanal.
This looks like a wonderful place with beautiful lakes, waterfalls and wildlife. What an amazing experience it must have been to visit this area of India. To locals seem to be very friendly too!
This is totally my thing… I love India and I love trekking. I know people say this a lot but I will visit here, it looks perfect!
So much to see in Kodaikanal! No wonder this place is a strong rival to Ooty! By the way, did you set the horse free?
Wow, I had never heard of Kodaikanal before, but I already want to learn more. Looks like a great place to travel slowly, enjoy the nature and mingle with locals.
I not heard of Kodaikanal before but nature there so very pretty. You have some great things to do there and I would just love to go to Pillar Rocks wow that is stunning. I have been wanting to go back to India for years and now this one is being added to the list.
Kodaikanal looks like my kind of place, nice outdoor areas and hey, you can’t go wrong with a buffet lunch! I’ve seen plenty of Merino wool sheep in Australia so it interesting to see them in Kodaikanal.
Kodaikanal is in my mind from a long time but I never expected the place to have so many viewpoints and things-to-do ! I was thinking of making a 3-day trip to Kodai but now 3 days sounds insufficient. Sometimes I wish these waterfalls of south India were perennial! I hate it when they dry up. I had been to strawberry farm once in Mahabaleswar, but that was a whirlwind trip.
Some of these pictures of Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, India, look almost like places in the Austrian mountains. So green and lush, beautiful.
400+ kms and 500+kms from Bangalore and Chennai, this sounds like a roadtrip O_O this looked so far from the city. How long will it usually take if driving from Bangalore?
I can’t believe this is in India! I’m pleasantly surprised. The Pillar Rocks looks so stunning. It kinda reminds me of this place in China. Thanks for sharing.
Kodaikanal looks quite lush and serene. Your post is well detailed and quite informative. The mentioned offbeat experiences too sound amazing. The Kodaikanal Lake and the pillar rocks are fascinating and that horse picture is heart winning.
Once again telling us about some new place in India! The rock pillars and that huge waterfall look awesome.
Kodaikanal seems lovely, it has so much nature and we love these destinations more than anything! Pillar Rocks looks so amazing and the Pina forest is quite great as well. So many photo ops!
Never heard of Kodaikanal! Love adding new places to my travel list, thanks for sharing 🙂
Had visited Kodaikanal when I was 10 years old! Your post is bringing back so many memories! The sheep are so cute! Love your photography.
Coakers walk seems very nice. I love views like that. Bear Shola falls would be incredible to see in person. I always like going to farms. Walking amongst the fruits and veggies is very serene and tranquil to me.
When I look at the hills of Kodaikanal, I never fail to notice their unique formations. Any idea about the reason behind their origin? Secondly, these forests are called Shola forests, no? What is the meaning of the word, ‘Shola’?
What a great weekend visit to Kodaikanal. How lovely to see the “Gifts of the Forest”. You have given us some good information which includes places to see and stay. I have pinned this for later. Thanks for sharing! #feetdotravel
Wow! Look at those mountains! Stunning. I’m interested that it has sheep too. It’s not something I associate with India. #feetdotravel
There are so many places to go in Kodaikanal. Personally, I’d love to visit Bear Shola Falls. The others are worth visiting, too.
Probably the best post i read till now. You just shared a great info of what to see and where to stay in Kodaikanal.
Wow this place looks awesome and like there is a lot of nature and culture to explore. I particularly like the look of The Kodaikanal lake 🙂
I have been to Kodaikanal only once and I absolutely fell in love with the place. I do wish to go back there for a longer time to spend more time in that amazingly beautiful hill station. Thanks for this list, I have seen only a very few of them in that.