Kodaikanal Travel Guide

If you love to explore nature and trek through the adventurous trails while you enjoy the surreal view around you, then Kodaikanal is the place to be. Not only a scenic beauty, Kodaikanal is also a hub of a number of beautiful treks. Trek to Dolphin's nose, where you will be greeted by one of the most beautiful sceneries that you had ever seen in your life. Trek of Periyakulam Adukkam is one of the most challenging treks in Kodaikanal. Unknown to many, Kodaikanal is also a hotspot for the hippies. As you take a step out of the conventional sightseeing of Kodaikanal, you will come across the little hamlets which offer the same beauty with a tinge of hippie and psychedelic culture. You can also trek to Vattakanal and enjoy the virgin beauty of biodiversity and experience the infamous hippie culture.

References of this hill station were found in the early Tamil Sangam Literature. The native tribe of the place was called the Palaiyar tribe. After them, Kannuvar Vellalans from Coimbatore plateau, who did farming businesses with this tribe emigrated to Kodaikanal. They ruled the place for some time followed by the Maratha and then the Muslims. The Kodaikanal that exists today was built by British bureaucrats and American Christian monasteries. As this city remained cold even during the summers, they sought refuge here from the heat of the plains. The Anglican Church of St. Peter was the first church built here in the year 1853. Kodaikanal got its fame as the 'honeymoon destination' in the early 20th century and has been a famous one ever since.

One of the most famous landmarks of Kodaikanal is the Kodai Lake, which is a huge lake spread across an area of 60 acres. You would be surprised to know that this huge star-shaped lake with rolling hills surrounding its borders is actually a manmade lake. The place has ample opportunities for tourists to avail of services like boating, cycling, and even horse-riding.

A big part of the experience of visiting Kodaikanal lies in visiting the various viewpoints that the town has on offers, such as Green Valley Viewpoint, Pillar Rocks Viewpoint, and the famously-known Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint. You need to partake in a moderate uphill trek to reach a few of these viewpoints, but the view from the top – clear skies and rugged mountain terrain at its finest – is worth it.

A big part of Kodaikanal still remains untouched by the tourist influx, and anyone looking to acquaint themselves with the old-world charm of the town only has to take a stroll along these areas to experience the best of Kodaikanal’s tradition and culture. For travellers who prefer engaging in a little hustle and bustle to get a feel of the place, the town has plenty of markets where you can spend hours exploring and relaxing.

The one place you really need to visit when you go to Kodaikanal is Coakers Walk, which is a beautifully decorated one-kilometre walkway that promises stunning views of the city and the mountains. Located at a very high point, taking a walk along the path of Coakers Walk actually feels like walking among the clouds. It is a very popular location preferred by tourists and locals alike for morning and evening walks, and for capturing stunning views of the hills and valleys of Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal is famous for its homemade assorted chocolates, so make sure that you don’t leave the city without shopping for these chocolates on your way back.

Chocolates, Sandwiches, Brownies, cheeses and some hot 'chai' are the most sought after eateries of Kodaikanal. Other than these, there is a lot that stands out in this town such as locally produced organic foods, a rich and spicy dash of Punjabi cuisine, popular items of Tibetan cuisine, an absolutely lip-smacking variety of Biryanis, as well as an elaborate Gujarati platter. Find local and traditional platters here too, with essentials like Dosas, idilis, Upma, Parota, Sambhar, Rasam, Paysam, Kesari, Sweet pongal and lots more.
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Day 1: Arrive at Kodaikanal. Check-in at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for local sightseeing after some rest. Visit Coaker's Walk. Afterward, Visit Kurinji Andavar temple. Later, visit Green Valley point, another viewpoint famous for its natural vistas.
Day 2: Trek to Dolphin's Nose: One of the must-visit places of Kodaikanal. Then visit Shola falls and Pillar rocks. Afterward, you can visit Guna caves also known as Devil’s kitchen to complete your day.
Day 3: Leave for Kodai Lake after breakfast. You can also visit Silver Cascades, the waterfall formed by the Kodai lake. Later, pay a visit to the Bryant park, a botanical garden with the vibrant variety of flora. Visit Berijam lake, a freshwater lake located amidst the dense Shola forests of Kodaikanal. You need a special permit from Forest Department to visit this lake.
Day 4: Collect souvenirs from the local market. You can buy various handicrafts, clothes and hand-made chocolates from the market. Back to your respective cities.

Abundant in natural beauty. Kodaikanal is an ideal spot for the family trips, honeymooners, adventure freaks and also for those who love to explore the untouched places.

Nearest railway station and airport are situated far away from the main city. Since there are very few means of transportation from the airport, cab charges are generally higher and non-negotiable.

Kodaikanal is a place to be for every kind of traveler. Ideal for family vacations, romantic getaways, adventure lovers and also for the hippies.

The best time to visit Kodaikanal is early summers from October - June, however, the weather remains a bit chilly during December and January. Ideal for a vacation in each season, Kodaikanal is the most colourful in summers and most picturesque in monsoons. If your trip consists of an itinerary that includes a lot of sights to see, then summer is the best time to visit this place and those who wish to go for trekking, plan your trip to Kodaikanal between October and February. 
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Chocolates, Sandwiches, Brownies, cheeses and some hot 'chai' are the most sought after eateries of Kodaikanal. Other than these, there is a lot that stands out in this town such as locally produced organic foods, a rich and spicy dash of Punjabi cuisine, popular items of Tibetan cuisine, an absolutely lip-smacking variety of Biryanis, as well as an elaborate Gujarati platter. Find local and traditional platters here too, with essentials like Dosas, idilis, Upma, Parota, Sambhar, Rasam, Paysam, Kesari, Sweet pongal and lots more.
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The packages for Kodaikanal start at INR 10710 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here