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Tamil Nadu

Kodaikanal

Misty Palani lake town loved by trekkers, backpackers

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Best time to visit Kodaikanal

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: April to May and September to October
  • Shoulder: November to March, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to August

Planning a specific month? AprilMaySeptemberOctober

Kodaikanal season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Cold and often thickly foggy - Coaker's Walk views can vanish for days, but log-fire evenings compensate

Summer March to May Prime time

Warm days, cool nights, best visibility of the year - the classic escape-the-heat season, expect crowds

Monsoon June to September Prime time

Heavy rain and near-constant mist, Ghat road landslide risk, most viewpoints socked in - skip it

Autumn October to November Prime time

Skies clear after the rains, waterfalls run full, greenery peaks with fewer crowds than summer

What Kodaikanal is actually like

Backpacker trekking hub - goStops hostel, bike rentals, easy to team up for treks

Things to do in Kodaikanal

The local places worth your time in and around Kodaikanal, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Kodaikanal Lake

    Lake · in town

    The star shaped lake at the town's centre; hire a cycle at the boat house and ride the 5 km loop before the day trippers land.

  • Coaker's Walk

    Walk · 1 km out

    One km paved cliff path with a straight drop to the plains; small entry fee, come at 7 am before mist rises off the valley.

  • Dolphin's Nose

    Viewpoint · 8 km out

    Flat rock jutting over a huge drop, about 30 minutes downhill on foot from Vattakanal; the same climb back is the hard part.

  • Pillar Rocks

    Viewpoint · 7 km out

    Three granite pillars over a small garden; there is an entry fee, and by noon cloud usually swallows the view, so go early.

  • Berijam Lake

    Lake · 21 km out

    Reservoir in shola forest inside the reserve; you need a day permit from the forest office in town, issued each morning.

  • Vattakanal

    Village · 6 km out

    Hamlet of cheap rooms and traveller cafes below town, the backpacker end of Kodai; walk down in 45 minutes or take a jeep.

  • Poombarai

    Village · 18 km out

    Terraced garlic village in the Palani valley with the Kuzhanthai Velappar temple; the drive out is the reason to go.

  • Silver Cascade Falls

    Waterfall · 8 km out

    Tall roadside falls on the ghat road up from Batlagundu; every bus stops, monkeys work the parking, no bathing allowed.

Getting to Kodaikanal

Fly to Madurai (120km, 3hr) or train to Kodai Road + bus/taxi

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Easy solo
Altitude
2133 m
State
Tamil Nadu
Coordinates
10.2381, 77.4892

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Kodaikanal?

April to May and September to October is peak season in Kodaikanal. November to March is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to August. Warm days, cool nights, best visibility of the year - the classic escape-the-heat season, expect crowds.

How many days do you need in Kodaikanal?

3 days is the usual stay. Backpacker trekking hub - goStops hostel, bike rentals, easy to team up for treks.

How do you get to Kodaikanal?

Fly to Madurai (120km, 3hr) or train to Kodai Road + bus/taxi. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Kodaikanal expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Easy solo.

Is there a festival in Kodaikanal?

May: Kodaikanal Summer Festival (boat pageant, flower show). Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Kodaikanal?

Kodaikanal Lake, Coaker's Walk, Dolphin's Nose, Pillar Rocks, Berijam Lake and Vattakanal, and more. The star shaped lake at the town's centre; hire a cycle at the boat house and ride the 5 km loop before the day trippers land.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Tamil Nadu

All 41 destinations in Tamil Nadu