This hilly town is at a high altitude, which makes the local attractions quainter than the other, making it difficult to leave out any from the list. The monsoon season oxygenates several hilly regions that emit more than one striking waterfall in the town. For those who want to experience some thrill, there are a number of steep hike routes that makes the trek a unique one. The great mountain heights open up several top viewpoints that offer a breathtaking view of the town.
Kodaikanal Lake
The Palani Hills ranges make an extraordinary surrounding the main lake. One can sit by, meander around, or go boating which is chargeable. If you get the permissions, then you can even go fishing at this lake. Kodaikanal Lake is renowned for preserving the Kurinji Flower, which blooms only once in twelve years. Flower shows, and Boat Pageants are consistent fascinations in the summer season.
Timings: 06.00AM to 05.00PM
Entry Fees: Free
Coakers Walk
If you want to see with your own eyes the epitome of beauty on Earth, then you should know that Coaker’s Walk is the highlight of the tourist places in Kodaikanal. Driving through the mountains is one experience, but walking an entire km on that path while you look at the lush green mountains on the other end is something else.
The weather is pleasant throughout the year, but it is frigid and foggy during the winter due to its height.
Timings: 07.00AM to 07.00PM
Entry Fees: Rs.10/person; Rs.30 for camera and Rs.20 to visit Telescope House
Silver Cascade Falls
The Silver Cascade Waterfall resembles its name in every essence. Falling from a humongous height of 180ft, this pour is unimaginably ethereal. It draws its water from the overflowing Kodai Lake and gushes down with loud thuds. Many take a dip into them when the weather is apt. Sitting by the lake, and chomping off on local fruits and delicacies at the waterside restaurants is a binding memory!
Timings: N/A
Entry Fee: Free
Dolphins Nose
The Dolphin's Nose viewpoint is where you can experience Kodaikanal at its best - plunging valleys, rugged terrain, clear skies, and the splendour of green embellishing the scene. As the name suggests, this viewpoint is based on a flat, protruding piece of rock that is shaped like a dolphin's nose. This forms a visible cliff at the height of 6,600 feet, with the best part being that it is accessible to the public. This destination is perfect for those who desire an adventurous addition to the otherwise laidback trip that Kodaikanal offers.
Timing: 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Green Valley View
Green Valley View is amongst the very few places to visit in Kodaikanal that offers a bird’s eye view of the Vaigai Dam. Apart from that, it is a one-stop-shop to get a wholesome view of the enthralling greenery, the cloud-bound valley, and the lush mountains behind. The mist takes over the crowd post late afternoon, and that might disrupt the spectacle from there unless you are there for the haze.
Timing: 07.00AM to 06.00PM
Entry Fee: Free
Thalaiyar Falls
Falling from a height of about 297m, this cascade has been recorded as the highest one in Tamil Nadu. If you catch a glimpse of it from a distance, then you will notice that it is a large strip flowing out of nowhere, in the middle of nowhere amidst the gigantic Palani ranges. Hiking at the base of the falls is a popular activity which covers an unbelievable distance of 15km!
Timing: 10.00am to 06.00PM (Closed on Sundays)
Entry Fee: Free
Berijam Lake
Hidden within the forests, this immaculate lake is a wonder for bird-watching, photography, and chilling.
The friendly fishes may come around by the banks to entertain you into staying longer. A trip to the Berijam Lake calls for a lot of planning, as it is not open after 03.00PM since the fog enters the area after 01.00PM; also they do not allow many people to enter at once, so it is best to make your way there in the morning.
Timing: 09.00AM to 03.00PM
Entry Fee: Rs.100/person
Pine Forest
The Kodaikanal Pine Forest seems much like a painting that has come to life with its splendid colors and picturesque feel. This is amongst the favorite places to visit in Kodaikanal on every tourist’s itinerary. The semblance of the place is fantastic for nature walks, or just to rejuvenate.
The Magic mushrooms border these forests in large densities. It might not surprise you to know that it has been a picture perfect background in several Indian movies.
Timing: 10.00AM to 06.00PM
Entry Fee: Free
Vattakanal Falls
You can sit by Vattakanal Falls and relish some hot lip-smacking delicacies sold by localities while the falls amaze you with all its glamour.
Hiking up the route of the falls is also an option, and is indeed loved by many. There are several viewpoints on the way up here that testify the splendor that the city owns. If you feel like taking a plunge, then you can move to the bottom of the falls where the water collects to form a pool. The cold water is revitalizing and energetic, especially in the monsoons.
Timing: 24-hours
Entry Fee: Free
Kukkal Caves
Kukkal Caves in Kodaikanal is a treat for the city owing to its deep history of giving refuge to the Palaiyar tribes. The walls inside that are full of paintings confirm the presence of this tribal group, until they finally disappeared. Now, the area is so rich in its biodiversity, that people from different parts of the country visit the caves to study the unexplored flora and fauna it preserves.
The place is soothing for it is on one of the highest elevations of the mountain ranges which is why it experiences lower temperatures throughout the day and year. The Forest Department conserves these caves to protect it from human interruption.
Timing: 10.00AM to 05.00PM
Entry Fee: Free
Bear Shola Falls
If you are looking for privacy, serenity, a glimpse at nature’s beauty and want to say hello to some exotic species and fauna, then a visit to Bear Shola Falls is a must! It gets this attention-grabbing name from the fact that Bears visited this water body to quench their thirst.
This spout breathes to life in the monsoons as it streams down the green mountains and the stylishly shaped rocks. This white water area is a perfect place for trekking which takes one through the thick forests. One must make sure to wear comfortable shoes in this area, as it is slippery and is dominated by monkeys!
Timings: 10.00AM to 06.00PM
Entry Fees: Free
Guna Caves
The Guna Caves in Kodaikanal have an engrossing history; it is believed that the Pandavas used to cook their meals in these caves, and hence it was initially called The Devil’s Kitchen. The name was later changed in the ’90s when the film Guna was shot here.
The caves are hugged by three gigantic rock pillars and are sheltered by the Shola trees. You cannot visit the caves anymore since they are now jailed for people’s safety, but it is still worthy of your time to even set your eye on it from a distance as you walk through the pine forest.
Timings: 08.00AM to 06.00OM
Entry Fee: Free
Pillar Rocks
These rocks narrate a yarn of a love story that still touches many hearts. Protruding from within the tall mountains, these pillars reach up to a height of 400 feet thus offering the paramount contour of the hills.
There was once a white wooden cross that rested on these rocks which were a symbol of love, but it is lost with time. Hold your hearts, for you might fall in love with the place.
Timings: 09.00AM to 04.00PM
Entry Fee: Rs.5/person and Rs.20 for camera
Solar Observatory
One of the oldest observatories in the world, Astrophysical Observatory is perfect for Kodaikanal sightseeing. Located in the rolling hills of Palani, it was established in 1899. The observatory has a 20 cm refractor, which is sometimes used for cometary and occultation observations, and sometimes made available to visitors for night sky viewing. It also has an astronomy museum displaying models and pictures. This observatory deserves to be on the list of places to visit in Kodaikanal.
Timings:
- April 1st to June 15th. 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- For the rest of the year, it remains open to the public only on Friday between 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.
Bryant Park
Occupying an area of 20.5 acres, the park was planned and built in 1908 by a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant, and named after him. With 325 species of trees, shrubs, and cactuses, the park is a rainbow of stunning flowers during the monsoon and winter season. A large section is dedicated to nearly 740 varieties of roses. Ornamental plants are cultivated in a nursery for sale. The park organizes horticultural exhibits and flower shows every summer, to coincide with the peak season.
There is a beautiful glass house inside the park with nicely organized flower pots. The park has also got a small lake filled with water plants.
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM.
Entry fee - Rs 30 for Adults, Rs 15 for Children below 10 years, Rs 50 for Still Camera and Rs. 100 for Video Camera.
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