Places to Visit in Kodaikanal on Your Weekend Getaway

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Distance from Bangalore: 222 Kilometers

In Tamil, Kodaikanal translates to ‘The Gift of the Forest’. And the hill station stays true to its meaning even today. Considered a summer getaway from Madurai during the British Raj, the hill station is now frequented by travellers across India. If you’re here for a weekend getaway, don’t miss out on these places!

Top 5 Places to Visit in Kodaikanal

1. Kodai Lake: The town of Kodaikanal is centered around the sprawling Kodai Lake. If you’re here with family, opt for a relaxing shikara or pedal boat ride, or go cycling around the lake in the afternoon!

2. Coaker’s Walk: A kilometre long pathway along the edge of a steep slope, Coaker’s Walk offers breathtaking views of Dolphin’s Nose (a cliff that resembles a dolphin’s nose), Pambar River, and even the city of Madurai. It opens 7 am onwards, so try and get there early to catch the sunrise.

3. Bear Shola Falls: A popular picnic spot, Bear Shola Falls is located close to Kodai Lake. Earlier, bears would come here to quench their thirst. Now, however, travellers take a hike to visit these unique falls nestled in the forest.

4. Guna Cave: Between two of the vertical Pillar Rocks (a set of three towering granite rocks which are up to 400 feet high) lies Guna Cave. This location was used for shooting Kamal Hassan's movie Guna and has become popular ever since. 5. Berijam Lake: Around 20 kms from Kodaikanal, Berijam Lake is a hidden jewel. Surrounded by pine forests, the lake lies in close proximity to Mathikettan Shola National Park. Expect to find flying squirrels and deer here!

Travel Tips

Here are a few tips if you are planning a short trip to Kodaikanal:

Where to Stay? Of the popular hotels in Kodaikanal, we recommend Pleasant Stay Kodai Hotel (3 star), Kodai Resort Hotel (4 star), Le Posche by Sparsa (5 star)

Budget: Rs. 5,000 per person (inclusive of stay in a 3-star hotel for 2 nights)

Distance from Kolkata: 460 km (8 hrs by road)

Traveller Type: Family, Solo Travellers

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