Travel: Our Kodaikanal Holiday

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Anu and myself are just back from our memorable trip to Kodaikanal. We holidayed for 5 days in this beautiful place from 22nd September to 26th September, 2007. I would like to share our experience of this trip so that others may find it helpful.

Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station in Tamilnadu state. Its around 480 Kms from Bangalore and 12 hours journey by road. We booked seats in KSRTC Rajahamsa for our journey on 21st September Friday evening. The bus departed at 9.15 PM from Majestic and we slept soon after.

Day 1, 22.09.07
We woke up 7.15 AM the next day when the bus stopped for breakfast and we were still 60 KMS away from Kodaikanal. The Ghat section is for 55 kms and views on the way were pleasant. Below you can see the winding roads.

We reached Kodaikanal by 9.15 AM. The weather was nice but little cold. We checked into Hotel Hilltop Towers which is just 5 mins walk from the bus stand and also close to places like lake, Coaker's walk, Bryant Park and popular restaurants. The hotel staff were courteous and helped us with a smooth check-in. We had booked a delux double for Rs.800 + tax Rs.80 per night using travelguru.com. Our little cosy little room in the picture

After freshening up and coffee at hotel's restaurant we set out to see Kodaikanal Lake. The lake area is neat and colorful with shops offering lots of variety for shoppers. Anu could not resist shopping here for hand made and glass earrings.

Before we went boating, we enjoyed Kodai special masala tea. At the boating club we went to rent a boat. The charges vary from Rs.20 to Rs.200 depending on the type of boat. We rented a paddling boat for Rs.40 for 30 minutes.

The boating was a pleasant experience as the lake was not crowded and we could see many honeymoon couples enjoying the experience like us.
After boating we rented a two-seater bicycle.

The good thing about kodai lake is 5 kms cycling path around the lake. The cycling around the lake was non-tiring and we enjoyed cycling after a long gap. Midway, it started drizzling and the lake looked beautiful. We felt nice to cycle in the drizzle. We covered 5 kms in less than 20 minutes! Its something impossible to do in Bangalore traffic even on a high speed motor bike!

After cycling we had lunch at Tibetian Brothers Restaurant which offers tasty food. We rested for a while in our room after lunch.
During our stay we never hired a taxi within city limits as everything is within walkable distance.

In the evening we set out to see Coaker's walk. A scenic walk for around 1.5 Kms by mountain edge. The view around the walk was good but soon enough mist engulfed the entire view and we were left with no view.


Nevertheless, its a place worth visiting. They charge Rs.2 per person entry fee, Rs.5 for a still camera and little higher for a video camera.

I booked a trekking tour at the hotel reception for the next day. This half day tour by a Sumo cost Rs. 200 per person. Our day 1 ended with these activities.

Day 2, 23.09.07

The Sumo arrived at 10 AM and it was already full with 3 couples. The drive was scary as the visibility was so low due to mist.


We stopped at La Salette Church which is more than 100 years old.


Later, the driver took us to another point passing by narrow roads where only on vehicle can move at a time. From there he said we have to trek downhill to Dolphin nose. The trek was not smooth due to uneven path and it gave us a feel of proper trek. As you can see below we had to pass these tree roots

We just prayed that it does not rain as the path would become very slippery. As we went downhill further, the mist covered the way.

Finally we reached the Dolphin Nose which is a rock projecting forward from the rest. It makes a terrific place to take a photograph seating/standing on that rock. We made our way to get on this rock. However, while on top of it I just had a look at the depth below and felt dizzy. Due to fear I could not go further and stopped Anu too. We found other brave couples standing/sitting and having their photographs taken.

The trek uphill was very tiring and luckily there were many tea shops along the path offering places to rest and have tea. After 2 tiring hours we reached our vehicle and set out to see fairy falls.

This falls was nice and we took off our shoes to feel the chilling waters. On the way back we saw 500 year old tree. We had to see it from a distance of around 50 feet from the main road as going near is not allowed. The entire trip ended in just 3 hours and none of us were happy that it ended so soon. We felt Rs.200 for such tour is little more.

We went to a Punjabi restaurant for lunch and relaxed for a while at our room. In the evening, we went for a walk and also thought of locating Mahindra Coaker's villa as we had booking for next two days there. We found it quite close near Coaker's walk and it was around 15 mins walk from Hotel Hilltop. On the way we took some photographs as the sky was lit brilliantly by setting sun and there was lot of mist.

We returned to Hilltop hotel and for dinner we proceeded to Rice and Spice Dakshin Restaurant again within the Hilltop hotel premises. They had an interesting menu both veg and non-veg. Especially non-vegetarians will like it. You should go there to taste these interesting south Indian delicacies. We retired to bed early today as we were tired due to trek.

Day 3, 24.09.07

We checked out of Hotel Hilltop after booking a one day Kodaikanal sight seeing tour for Wednesday, 26th September. The lady at the Hilltop travel desk was very co-operative in booking our sight seeing tours. We walked to Coaker's Villa with luggage in tow.

At Coaker's villa we were given a warm welcome by staff who crowned us and provided welcome drink. The resort is excellent with all comforts and beautiful views all around. We were shown our room and we were awestruck seeing it. Room view below.

It had all modern comforts like wall mounted plasma TV, DVD player, home theatre system, world space radio,coffee/tea maker, heater, adjustable sofa, kids bunker accessed using the ladder, huge balcony and a round bathtub in bathroom. What else do we need, we thought. The view from balcony was infinitely beautiful and this was the same view one can see from Coaker's walk.

We were impressed with the view.

At Coaker's Villa DVDs are available for rent at Rs.50 per movie. They charge Rs.500 per person for 3 meals that is breakfast, lunch and dinner.
In the evening we came out of our room and enjoyed the dimly lit sky with different shades and the clouds in their varying shapes.



It was a treat to watch the clouds changing shapes as though some artist is behind it.

Our first dinner was made memorable by Mr. Prasanna who came with his guitar and sung some romantic songs for us.



Day 4 25.09.07
We got early at 6 AM to watch the sunrise from our balcony. What a sight it was! Though its a routine it never fails to impress. In city, its impossible to see such sights.





After watching this magnificent sunrise we went down to restaurant for breakfast. As you can see below, we had a yummy and filling breakfast.

Later we rented two DVDs and watched them without getting off the bed as the TV is bang opposite to the bed. Pure indulgence in laziness. By 8 PM we got a call from the reception that all is set for our barbecue dinner.

The barbecue dinner was set up exclusively for us and we enjoyed it immensely.

At Coaker's villa we just indulged in Nature, luxury and laziness. All we did was eat, watch movies, go for small walks and sleep. We didn't go out of the resort at all for 2 days!

Day 5, 26.09.07

Time to say adieu to this resort. We took a snap with the kind staff.

Our time for coach tour was given at 10 AM. Pick up point being Hotel Hilltop. We hurried to Hilltop hotel to catch our tour. This one day tour costs Rs.150 per person covering lots of places like Upper lake view, Green Valley View, Pine tree forest, Pillar's rock, Guna Cave, Shopping place, Chettiar Park, Bear Shola Falls and Kurinji Andavar Temple.

Our stop was at Upper lake view where you can catch view of kodaikanal lake below.

After we boarded the bus catching this view in our camera, our guide said that we will be entering the forest area now and there is a forest fees of Rs.15 per person. We thought this is fishy and later the hotel staff confirmed there is nothing called forest fees. The guide took us for a ride indeed!
We could not catch glimpse of Pillar's rock and Green Valley view due to thick mist. Green Valley view was formerly known as Suicide Point. They changed the name as some people started taking the suicide point seriously. This view is supposed to be beautiful as it is at a height of 8000 feet above sea level, Kodai's highest peak.

We enjoyed Pine tree forest as it was very unique and a calm place with natural surroundings. See the picture below.

We could not see much of Guna cave(called so because some scenes of movie 'Guna' was shot here) as they have put up fences to ward off people from risk of slipping. I found a memorial put up for a merchant who died by slipping here in 1955 and his body was found at 500 feet below.

When our coach stopped for shopping at an government approved shop, we bought lots of home made chocolates as it is quite famous here. Others bought spices, eucalyptus oil etc. Be careful where you shop as there would be low quality items sold.

Post lunch, we visited Chettiar Park first and took photos of some beautiful flowers like the one below.

Later we stopped at Kurinji Andavar temple. Kurinji is rare flower which blooms once in 12 years. Last bloom was in 2006. Near the temple we could have Kodiakanal view.

Kodaikanal town looked jam packed with so many buildings in so little space. Our last stop was Bear Shola Falls, which was 10 mins trek in dense forest. We enjoyed the trees around the path. See the path and the falls in the picture.


After this we were dropped to kodaikanal city. We still had some time left so we went for a stroll near the lake for the last time.

We had a memorable stay thanks to Kodaikanal's pleasant weather and nice people. With heavy heart we boarded our Bangalore bus at 7 PM and bid adieu to Kodaikanal. We reached Bangalore next day at 7 AM welcomed by noisy traffic. Back to work for both of us now.

General information:

1. Its always better to book hotels in advance using travel sites like travelguru.com or makemytrip.com. After my extensive research on travel sites I have found that they offer very competitative rates. Before booking check for any offers on both sites. I booked Hotel hilltop on travelguru.com using SBI card and got 25% discount.

2. Be careful of conmen who come to you once you reach Kodaikanal, promise you sightseeing/accomodation and take advance. Later, they may not turn up at all.

3. If your hotel is within Kodai city, check with the hotel for the proximity of the places before you hire a taxi as most of the places are within walkable distance. Taxi charges are high.

4. For sightseeing, most of the travel agents offer tours by mini-bus. Its better to go by them as they are cost effective. If possible, book the same at your hotel travel desk and not through some conmen.

Where to stay
1. Hotel Hilltop Towers
Offers affordable and clean rooms. Also within close proximity to Coaker's walk, Bryant Park and the lake. Tariff starts from Rs.800.
www.indiamart.com/hilltoptowers/

2. Villa retreat Next to Coaker's walk offering beautiful views. Tariff starts from Rs.1200.
www.villaretreat.com

3. Mahindra Coaker's Villa Offers luxurious amenities and beautiful views. Tariff starts from Rs.3500.
www.zestbreaks.com/r_kodai_dest.asp

4. Kodia Resort Hotel: Near to Coaker's walk. Tariff starts from Rs.1750.
www.kodairesorthotel.com

5. Carlton hotel
Five star hotel lake facing rooms and having some exclusive features. Tariff starts from Rs. 6500.
www.krahejahospitality.com/carlton/kodai.htm


There are numerous budget hotels which even offer rooms at Rs.250 onwards. Dormitories are also available starting Rs. 60 per bed.

How to reach Kodaikanal
By Air(Nearest airport):
Coimbatore 180 kms, (5 hrs drive)
Madurai 120 kms (4 hrs drive)
Service providers:
1. Indian Airlines
2. Air Deccan
3. Paramount Airways

By Train:
Kodai Road is the nearest Railway station to reach Kodaikanal which is 80 kms and 3 hrs drive.

The next nearest station is Madurai.

By Bus:
Bangalore - Kodaikanal - Bangalore - departure evening and arrives in the morning. Journey time is around 12 hours by bus.

Service providers:
1. Sharma Transports
2. KPN Travels
3. KSRTC

I would recommend KSRTC www.ksrtc.in and KPN travels www.kpntravels.in . Online reservation is possible in both the sites.

Chennai – Kodaikanal – Chennai - departure evening and arrives in the morning.

Service providers:
1. PARVEEN Travels
2. KPN Travels

Also there are regular mini coaches and govt buses to Madurai and nearby towns

Distance by road from Kodaikanal:
Bangalore 480 kms
Chennai 500 kms
Ooty 280 kms
Munnar 180 kms
Thekkady 120 kms
Cochin 360 kms
Kanyakumari 400 kms
Rameshwaram 300 kms
Madurai 120 kms
Trichy 200 kms