3 DAY TRIP FROM MADURAI | KODAIKANAL LEISURE TOUR

Hill Station

Photo Credit: Flickr

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Trip Starting Point: Madurai Jn

Mode of Travel: Car (or Cab)

Trip Duration: 3 Days

Ideal Start Time: 7 AM (Day 1), 9 AM (Day 2) & 9 AM (Day 3)

Total Places Visited: 13

Day 1 Destinations | Day 2 Destinations
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

DAY 1 : TRAVEL TO KODAIKANAL & KODAI SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Chennai to Kodaikanal

Lake & Backwaters

Duration of visit: 1-2 Hours
Timings: Boat Club Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Entry Fee: Boating charges vary

At a distance of 1 km from Kodaikanal Bus Station, Kodai Lake is an artificial, star-shaped lake situated in Kodaikanal town. It is the most famous landmark of Kodaikanal & one of the top tourist places to visit in Kodaikanal town. The lake is often represented in promoting Kodaikanl Tourism.

Spread across an area of 60 acres, the Kodai Lake was built in 1863. Sir Vere Henry Levinge, then Collector of Madurai, was instrumental in creating the lake. The lake is surrounded by beautiful valleys, boat club, and buildings from colonial period. There is a walk way around the lake that offers wonderful views of the place. The 5 kilometers path that skirts the periphery of this lovely lake is a favorite walk for the locals and tourists alike.

Rowboats and pedal boats can be hired at the Boat Club. Horses and bicycles can be hired beside the lake for short periods. Cycling around the lake is a favorite .....

Park

Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Rs 30 for Adults, Rs 15 for Children, Rs 50 for Still Camera

At a distance of 700 meters from Kodaikanal Bus Station, Bryant Park is a wonderfully maintained garden situated towards the South-East corner of Kodai Lake. Along with Kodai Lake, this is one among the top Kodaikanal tourist places.

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. There is a children play area within the park. The park has also got a small lake filled with water .....

Museum & Gallery

Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 10 AM to 11.30 AM & 3 PM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: Rs. 5

At a distance of 5 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station, Shenbaganur Museum of Kodaikanal boasts of a vast reserve of the relics of antique pieces of art and craft of the region. It is one of the popular sightseeing attractions in Kodai.

A part of the Sacred Heart College of Kodaikanal, the museum reflects the rich traditional heritage and cultural ancestry of the region. The store house of traditional artifacts of Kodaikanal, Shenbaganur museum is easily accessible from any part of the city. A unique characteristic of Shenbaganur museum is its wide collection of rare and endangered species of birds and beautiful flowers that imparts a magical spell on the visitors.

Timings: 10 AM to 11.30 AM & 3 PM to 5 PM. Entry fee - Rs 5.

Waterfall

Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM
Entry Fee: FREE

At a distance of 8 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station & 500 Kms from Chennai, Silver Cascade is a 55 meters (180 ft) waterfall formed from the outflow of kodaikanal Lake. This is one of the most popular waterfalls near Bangalore and among the prime place to visit on a Kodaikanal tour.

Situated on Laws Ghat Road, Silver Cascade's water quality is reportedly poor and not good enough for bathing. This impressive waterfall is a popular stop for a nice view of the falls and surroundings. There are a few souvenir and fruit vendors and many monkeys here. There is also a smaller but more serene waterfall below the bridge which crosses the stream here.

This waterfall is close to the main road and does not demand much walking/trekking.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Overnight Stay in Kodaikanal

DAY 2 : KODAIKANAL SIGHTSEEING

Resume Kodaikanal Sightseeing

Nature & Scenic

Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 7 AM - 7 PM
Entry Fee: Rs. 5

At a distance of 0.5 km from Kodaikanal Bus Station, Coaker's Walk is the most scenic & beautiful tourist spot in Kodaikanal close to Kodaikanal Lake. It is also one of the prime tourist places to visit in Kodaikanal town.

Constructed by Lt.Coaker in 1872, Coaker's Walk is a 1 kilometer paved pedestrian path running in parallel to the Club Road along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai.

The walk, winding around Mount Nebo, starts in front of the Van Allen hospital, running parallel to the Van Allen Hospital Road and joins the main road beside St.Peter's Church, providing a stunning panoramic view of the valleys and plains. On a clear day one can view as far as Dolphin's Nose in south, the valley of the Pambar River in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai.

Evenings is the best time to experience the beauty of this place when the mystic clouds slowly .....

Waterfall

Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: FREE

At a distance of 4 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station.This magnificent falls is also popularly called as the 'Grand Cascade'. The town water reservoir overflows southwards forming the Fairy Falls which continues to join the Vaigai River forming the Pambar Falls through its course.

It can be reached by a steep, slippery path behind Pambar house. Racing down Pambar Ravine is the zig-zagging Levinge stream that cascades over a series of rock formations. The Pambar Ravine showers down the Waterfall and a series of steep and precariously slippery rocks during its meandering course.

There is a pond like formation at the foot suitable for bathing. Three or four adjacent small cascading falls can be seen as you go downstream. The wild vicinity of the falls flourishes in rare flora and fauna. Endemic birds and butterflies create a center of attention to this soothing spot.

Nature & Scenic

Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 7 AM - 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry

At a distance of 8 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station, Dolphin's Nose is flat rock projecting over a breathtaking 6,600 feet deep. It is an undisturbed area 1 km down a very steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge. It is one of the most scenic places in Kodai.

Orange juice vendors along the trail offer a welcome rest stop. Beautiful views of steep rocky escarpments rising from the plains can be seen. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through a rugged bridle path here. A short paved walkway leads from the road here to Pambar falls.

This place demands 20-30 mins of moderate level trekking.

Nature & Scenic

Duration of visit: 30 Mins - 1 Hr
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: FREE

At a distance of 7 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station, Pillar Rocks is a set of three giant rock pillars which stand 400 feet high from the ground. The rocks stand majestically and offer wonderful views amidst thick vegetation and cloudy mountains. This is one of the best tourist places to visit in Kodaikanal and among the most scenic places in Kodai.

Managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the viewpoint of Pillar Rock is situated on the Moir Point road. A small and beautifully garden, glowing in the colors of the seasonal blooms adds to the charm and the picture perfect beauty of the place. In the shadows of the pillars are shady woods that invite picnickers. The dramatic view and the scenic surroundings make Pillars Rocks a popular picnic spot among locals and tourists.

During winter and monsoons, the rocks are surrounded by thick clouds and tourists keep waiting for long time for the clouds .....

Nature & Scenic

Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 9 AM to 4.30 PM
Entry Fee: Rs. 5, Rs. 10 for Camera

At a distance of 8.5 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station and 1.5 km from Pillar Rocks, Guna Cave is wonderful tourist spot in Kodaikanal on Moir Point road. The cave is formed between two large Pillar Rocks. It is one of the best tourist places to visit in Kodaikanal. This large, dark and ancient cae is also called as Devil's Kitchen.

Situated amidst thick forest on hilltop behind Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves is one of the top visited places in Kodaikanal. The path to Guna Cave passes through a beautiful pine forest with roots of the trees emerged on to the ground providing unique setting to this place. Apart from the historical importance, the beauty of the nature makes it a popular tourist spot in Kodaikanal.

Visitors can view the cave from a distance as the surroundings of the cave are closed for security reasons. From the hill top, visitors can get a glimpse of beautiful valleys and Pillar Rocks on .....

Nature & Scenic

Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: FREE

At a distance of 10 km from Kodaikanal Bus Station and 3 km from Pillar Rocks, Moir Point is a historic place and beautiful view point in Kodaikanal on Berijam Lake road.

Moir Point offer breathtaking views of the highest peaks around Kodaikanal. It is one of the important view points in Kodaikanal and a beautiful tourist spot. There is a small park developed at this spot with a monument.

The site is named after Sir Thomas Moir, an engineer who constructed the Goschen Road in 1929. This point joins the Berijam Lake raod with Kodaikanal here. There is a monument remembering Thomas Moir at the viewpoint.

The park near the Moir Point was recently upgraded making it more attractive. This is a major tourist spot and attracts lot of crowd. There are several shops selling the basic needs. It is adjacent to the main road towards Berijam Lake and easily accessible.

Overnight Stay in Kodaikanal

DAY 3 : KODAI SIGHTSEEING & TRAVEL TO MADURAI

Resume Kodaikanal Sightseeing

Waterfall

Duration of visit: 1-2 Hours
Timings: 7 AM - 6 PM
Entry Fee: FREE

At a distance of 3 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station & 512 Kms from Chennai, Bear Shola Falls is a tall waterfall in a Reserve forest. It is said that bears used to drink water at top of the falls, and the falls are called so. This is one of the top places for sightseeing in Kodaikanal and one of the best waterfalls in kodaikanal.

The approach road to the falls is bumpy and hilly. The falls offer best views just after monsoon during the months of September & October. You don't find any water in summer season. The pathway from the main road follows through dense forest amidst serene location. Apart from the majestic waterfall, the walk through the forest itself is a wonderful experience.

Height of the falls is about 40 feet and the water drops into a small pool. Swimming here is safe if the water flow is not fierce. This place demands a 10 minute walk from the road point. The waterfall attracts large number of visitors during .....

Pilgrimage

Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry

At a distance of 4 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station (on the edge of Kurinji Andavar Road), the Kurinji Andavar Temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga, the God of Hills. As per the Tamil literature, Kurinji means 'hill region' and Andavar means 'God', hence Lord Muruga is referred as 'God of hill'.

The Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple is famous for its Kurinji flower which blossoms in the area only once every 12 years. The deity here is called Sri Kurinji Easware. The temple was built by Leelavathi Ramanathan. Born as a European, she was influenced by the religion of Hinduism and adopted the religion. She patronized the construction of the temple that was erected in the year 1936. Thousands of devotees visit this temple during the summer festival to seek the blessings of Lord Muruga. It gives you beautiful views of Northern Plains and Palani Hills.

Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM

Park

Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: NA

At a distance of 3 kms from Kodaikanal Bus Station (on the way to Kurinji Andavar Temple), Chettiar park is a nice park managed by the township.

This park is very quite and a large variety of exotic flowers can be seen here. Bushes cut and kept in beautiful shapes adorn the garden. The amazing purple bloom of the Kurinji Flowers can be seen here once in every twelve years. It last bloomed in 2004. A well kept grass meadow and shady trees create an atmosphere of cool calm and make the Chettiar park a pleasant resting place. It has decked floors for flowering plants, and lots of lush green lawns.

Timings: 8:30 AM to 5 PM

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