Three Days In Kodaikanal – “The Princess of Hill Stations” in South India

Three Days In Kodaikanal – “The Princess of Hill Stations” in South India

Live life the way you want to, not the way you are forced to…

We all compromise, during some phases of our lives, as life doesn’t always flow the way we plan it.

Not everything is under our control, though we can take some baby steps to rejuvenate ourselves from the hustle-bustle of city life.

If hills are a fascinating factor for you, then this place is the perfect fit.  The best part is that Kodaikanal is not very commercialized like other hill stations of South India (i.e. Ooty or Munnar).

Located at an altitude of 7,000 feet, this place offers everything for rejuvenation that tourists dream of.

 

Is Kodaikanal A Place For You?

If you are living in IT city Bangalore or Chennai and tired of visiting more local weekend getaways, then yes this mesmerizing place is for you.

Even if you are from the north part of India and are looking for a change of scenery from Himachal or Uttarakhand, then you should consider exploring this hill station for a completely different and unique experience.

The ideal duration for a visit would be 2-3 days in Kodaikanal.

 

Things to do

Bryant Park

To be very honest you shouldn’t expect much from this place. The park has mixed reviews. The nursery located within the park is an attraction factor for plant lovers.

There is a nominal entrance fee of Rs.20/- per person, place is available for visitors from 8 am till evening.

Silver Cascade Falls

I wouldn’t outright recommend this place. If you are a nature lover and like to explore waterfalls, then you should visit this place and enjoy tea along with pakoras at the waterfall.

You may prefer to remove this place from your bucket list if waterfalls don’t interest you.

There is a nominal entrance fee of Rs.20/- per person, the place is available for visitors from 8 am till evening.

 

Kodai Lake

The lake is situated in the main city itself. It is spread over 60 acres with an average depth of 3 meters. It is a pretty spot to spend a few hours.  Bring a picnic with you.

Along with a boat ride, you may also enjoy a bicycle ride around the lake. 

Note- Bicycle is available at lakeside itself for Rs.50/- for 30 minutes.

There is no entry fee though the lake is open for boating from 9:00 am till 5:30 pm.

Eat homemade chocolates and drink hot chocolate from street shops

You will find many shops offering chocolates of more than 100 flavors.  Caramel, hazelnut, and other nut varieties are available.  These are some of the yummiest chocolates you will have ever had.

 

Drive to Guna Caves

We weren’t fortunate to visit the cave, as it was temporarily closed for a couple of days during our visit, but the view of the valley en route in the lap of mother nature was worth traveling.

 

Coakers Walk

Coaker's walk is named after Lieutenant Coaker who in the year 1872, cut the lofty south east side of the ridge to make a walkway for individuals. Coaker's walk is around 1 Kilometer (0.6 miles) and a nice long stroll around the edge of the valley.

The breathtaking view from the walkway is one of the best views across the hill station.

There is a nominal entrance fee of Rs.20/- per person, place is available for visitors from 8 am till evening.

 

Dolphin Nose

Envision yourself standing on the edge of a flat stone, projecting over a breathtaking height of 6600 feet. All you can see is an endless sky with awesome views of the Palani hills.

This spot is located around 8 km from the main town and requires a 1 km trek, but it is worth hike.

There is no entry fee or time-bound restrictions to visit this place.

 

How To Reach

Overnight tourist buses frequently operate from cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai. You may also opt for a night journey on a sleeper bus, as that will help you to start exploring the city the moment you enter Kodaikanal.

There is a train station “Kodai Road” that is also located nearby, although connectivity with major towns is not that good or frequent.

                                                      

Where to stay

Accommodation for backpackers start from as low as Rs.500/- per night (single occupancy) in travel hostels (Zostel, Dostel, Greenland Youth Hostel).  There are also a variety of budget and luxury hotels available starting from Rs.1000/- per night per room (double occupancy).

 

Where to eat

There are plenty of chain restaurants, Domino’s and others, available in town, although I prefer to have local cuisine when I travel. Among all the available options, I found Munchy’s Café as the most amazing one.

 

I originally planned to visit Kodaikanal for only an overnight stay, but I ended up spending 3 nights and 4 days. I am quite sure that Kodaikanal won’t disappoint you either.

The best part about Kodaikanal is that Kodaikanal has a moderate temperature throughout the year. The only months I recommend to avoid visiting Kodaikanal  are July and August because of monsoon rains.

Happily available to assist travelers at 9910326647 or prateeksapra.p@gmail.com.

About the author

Prateek Sapra is based out of New Delhi. A crazy nomad who loves to explore unexplored and offbeat destinations. He believes that every destination has a message that communicates with him. With each trip, he tries to express the message he receives from each destination through the mode of words and tells the world. "Be what you are, others are already sold" This is what he lives by.