Vattakanal, Tamil Nadu | Places to See | Things to Do

Vattakanal, Kodaikanal Overview

Vattakanal near Kodaikanal is a 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. In Tamil, ‘vatta’ suggests circle whereas ‘kanal’ translates to the forest. Vattakanal is popular among tourists from Israel and that can be seen in the overall hippie vibe of and the food served in cafes.

Vattakanal Highlights

1. Vattakanal Falls

Quite the gorgeous sight to behold, these falls can entice all those who choose to visit. Staying in this wonderful lap of nature, paying close attention to the meditative sound of water hitting the r (Read More)ocks as birds chirp in nearby trees, you’d find yourself mesmerised! This site is ideal for a picnic with friends or family. Additionally, the beauty of these falls gets especially heightened during monsoons when the falling waters form a clear, cold pool: some tourists even opt for taking a dip! At a distance of about 3 km from Vattakanal, these falls should definitely be your priority if you travel to Vattakanal, attempt nature photography, or simply intend to relax.

2. Vattakanal Shola Tree Nursery

If you’re enthralled by the diverse flora of Vattakanal on your visit and find yourself curious about it, then Vattakanal’s Shola Tree Nursery is the place you should consider visiting. Ma (Read More)intained by the Vattakanal Conservation Trust, this nursery houses native shola trees and engages in distributing and planting them all across the village. There are also hundreds of rare species of plants here. The nursery also has a glasshouse. If you’re a nature lover, then this is certainly not an experience to be missed.

3. Dolphin’s Nose

A half an hour trek downhill for those light on their feet, Dolphin’s Nose is essentially a rock protruding from the mountain. Standing upon its narrow surface and gazing at the valley down belo (Read More)w, you find yourself at once scared and wonderstruck. The experience becomes downright spooky when the mists are intense, whereas on a clear day you get to see a vast expanse of hills as well as the town of Periyakulam. As with most locations in Vattakanal, some of the most memorable and picaresque visits are to be made during the early morning hours. All in all, Dolphin’s Nose be has come to characterise the thrilling yet awe-inspiring experience that Vattakanal is capable of providing!

4. Echo Point

A mere ten minutes walk from Dolphin’s Nose, Echo Point is yet another unique vantage point that Vattakanal has to offer. Here you can -- as the name suggests -- scream your name and the hills w (Read More)ould reverberate it back at you! It makes for quite an eerie yet interesting experience. Overlooking lofty ridges and distant valleys, it still makes for a great view. The trail to this point is lined with shrubberies and plants, so be sure to watch out for those and pluck a few ripe Avocados straight from the belly of nature!

5. Trekking

At an altitude of about 6650 feet, Vattakanal is abundant in places that require trekking to reach. Whether visiting the various vantage points in the village by braving slippery trails or climbing at (Read More)op a cliff to get a view of clouds down below or reaching for an obscure nook that overlooks distant grassy Palani hills in the distance, all of these things are only made possible trekking. So make sure to dress comfortably, carry loads of water, and get ready to trek because this place yields its beauty to those willing to put in the effort!

Best Time To Visit Vattakanal

The best time to visit Vattakanal is during the summer, which means the months of April - September are really suitable. The temperature in these months remains between 10 - 20 degrees, making for pleasant if slightly chilly weather. Given Vattakanal's altitude, the winters tend to be really harsh are and the temperature is known to drop under five degrees.

Tips For Visiting Vattakanal

1. Dress comfortably and travel light for the trek.
2. Make sure that your shoes are not prone to slipping so that the trek is less jolting, especially during the monsoons.
3. It's very common to run into wild bisons around these parts. Be quiet and maintain your distance around them, so that they don't get provoked.
4. Remember that network connectivity is a problem in Vattakanal, so it's best to take care of important calls and emails before reaching the hamlet.
5. If you're visiting Dolphin's Nose with kids, then ensure their safety.
6. It's not advisable to roam in the forests at night.
7. While early morning travel is recommended, watch out for extreme mist because that blocks visibility during trekking.
8. Have small meals before trekking so that physical activity doesn't feel too harsh on the body.
9. Don't litter in the forests.
10. It's advisable to pack lots of warm clothes and protective gear against the rain.

How To Reach Vattakanal

Via Air: The nearest airport from Vattakanal is Coimbatore airport from where one can take a cab to Kodaikanal.
Via Road: Vattakanal is connected to Kodaikanal by road. At a distance of about 7-8 km, one has the option of either walking or hiking all the way through the inclined way to the hamlet or take the many buses that ply through the region. These buses are readily available at the Kodaikanal bus station. Cabs are also available and they will take INR 400 to drop you to Vattakanal.

Food and Shopping

Vattakanal is furnished with numerous cafes and restaurants where you can not only grab a delicacy of your choice but enjoy the view of distant cliffs and valleys. As it is a haven of Israeli tourists, there are multiple eateries where you can visit and feast on various middle eastern cuisine. Among tourists’ favourites are Falafels and Shakshouka (an Israeli egg preparation)
There’s also plenty of Indian foods available, including but not limited to South Indian delicacies like dosa, vada, sambhar etc. Among beverages that people choose to enjoy in the cold include ginger lemon tea and the popular South Indian filter coffee. For these feasts and more, you are best served at tourists’ favourite Altaf’s Cafe, Shola Cafe, Muncheez, amongst others.

Vattakanal is not as a shopping destination as such. Yet the village has a lot of treasures that you’d wanna take back home with you. Among these are the locally grown coffee and tea as well fruits like avocados, egg fruits, fresh apples etc.