Weather :
Timings : 24 hrs
Time Required : 1 - 2 days
Entry Fee : No Entry Fee
Endless mist pervading gorgeous and expansive hills, a breezy cool weather throughout the year, wide patches of lush greenery, a fun trekking experience, wild bisons idling amongst eucalyptus trees -- these are some of the things you’d associate with a trip to Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. Yet there’s a place just nearby that harbours the same charm and pleasantness, that offers the same enriching experiences but without the crowdedness that you’d expect out of the former.
This is the village of Vattakanal, and it’s quite the charming little hill station in the Western Ghats. At a height of about 2011 m and towards the western edge of Tamil Nadu, Vattakanal is a small hamlet at a distance of about 7-8 km from Kodaikanal. The name of the place translates from Tamil into ‘circle of forest’ -- and it is indeed quite accurate. The abundance of flora here not only freshen the air but also make for endearing scenery. One shouldn’t miss out on visiting it, especially if they’re in Kodaikanal.