Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu

Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu

Kodaikanal is undoubtedly a beautiful hill station and is one of the larger hills in Tamilnadu. It's so special and unique that the place is cool even in the middle of scorching hot summers across the other places in South India Kodaikanal is known for this very pleasant and chilly weather. The soothing clouds that hover around you and move alongside you, when they hit head-on, its's an experience ever to remember. The noise, the clouds make is so mesmerizing that you end up being with them. 

The clouds as low as they can get...

Kodai Lake

Largest Telecommunication Tower

Park

Shows Certain critical details like, peak season, off season etc...

Kodaikanal is very green and has a large forest area spread several KMs. However the town itself is populated enough just to be aware of the vehicle density. There are peak seasons, off season and just season to visit Kodaikanal. Simply avoid the peak season as its not worth it. Every sight seeing place would over crowded and other major disappointment would be the traffic. The time you spend on the roads will 2 to 3 times of time you spend at a sight seeing place. Its a mad rush and completely uncontrolled and unmanned many times.

Places to visit:

Plenty of places to visit. Question, are all worth it? probably not. Then which ones are?
In the best of opinions, below are the ones that might be definite worth to visit when you are in Kodaikanal

Sight Seeing Places
1. Coakers Walk, 
2. Vaigaidam View point, 
3. Guna Cave,  
4. Pine Tree Forest, 
5. Pambar Falls, 
6. Kodai Lake, 
7. Piller Rock, 
8. Bryant Park.

Pine Tree Forest

Byrant Park

Byrant Park

Trekking Places
1. La Saleth Church
2. Vattakanal Falls
3. Bearshola Falls,
4. Echo Rock
5. Dolphin Nose
6. 500Years Old Tree  

Tallest Telecom Tower

Lush Green Lake

Thick Hills

Strange Pine Tree Forest

Inside Pine Tree Forest

Hill View

Boating in Lake

Byrant Park

Byrant Park

Byrant Park

Byrant Park

Travel:

This is one aspect which is the most simplest among the complete trip. One needs absolute no worry when it comes to travel. The only challenge is the time it takes, 7 hours of driving.
Typically, this is how it works, 
Start early Morning @7:00am from Bangalore
Reach Salem 10:00am
Reach Namakkal 11:30am
Lunch Break of 45mins
Reach Dindigul : 2:00pm
Reach Bathlagundi : 3:00pm
Kodaikanal: 5:00pm 

Actually, its just 45 kms to Kodai from Bathlagundi, but takes 2 hours. Simply because its a complete uphill ghat section drive. 45 kms of uphill is little surprising but true and takes away your energy. 

But be assured, one will enjoy the drive to the fullest. The roads are quite wide and peaceful to drive. Beware, the toll charges are applicable full length. It would cost your anywhere between 200 to 250/-. Well its worth it as it offers a great connectivity, safety and speed.

Stay:
Plenty of options, I chose a home stay called Stay Inn (reasonably priced). Fabulous food and accomodation experience. The home stay offers a barbeque and camp fire in a considerably large balcony. The view from the balcony of the homestay is outlandish. Its is so picturesque that you would worry take your eyes off from it.  

sumptuous food

View from the home stay

The family that operates this is so very hospitable and kind that you would indeed get a home away home feeling. 
Whats make this place even more special is the food. It is heavenly. Simply flawless taste and quite consistently good with every dish thats served on the table. Super rich aroma and tantalizing experience. Here are some of the pictures of the food.

Best Time to Visit:
Basically Anytime as each season offers unique experience. However if you want to avoid crowd, avoid April, May and June months.