Kodaikanal is one of the most popular peaceful hill stations in Tamil Nadu. It is a striking hill resort on the Palani hill. Me and my wife are just back from our trip to Kodaikanal. We holidayed for 2 days in this beautiful place from 28th December to 29th December, 2008.
We booked seats online through KSRTC for our trip for 27th December 2008. The bus departed at 9.30 PM from Shanti Nagar Bus stop. Bus stopped after about an hour as soon it entered in Tamil Nadu for a 15 min break. Kodaikanal is about 500 Kms from Bangalore and 12 hours by road.
We woke up 7.30 AM the next day when the bus stopped for breakfast at a small hotel about 60 Kms from Kodaikanal. We got refreshed and had a cup of masala tea.
The bus departed at 7.45 AM towards Kodaikanal, and started climbing the ghats, It took abot 2.15 hrs reach Kodaikanal, the journey on the ghats seemed to be endless as the bus moved on the narrow roads of the ghats.
We reached Kodaikanal by 10.00 AM. We had booked a Super Deluxe room in Hotel Mount View(online – 2200 Rs/night). We got down at Zion School. The weather was cold and we felt the chill as soon as we got down. We checked into Hotel 5 mins walk from Zion School. Hotel Mount View is little far from places like lake, Coaker's walk, Bryant Park and popular restaurants. The hotel staff was courteous and helped us with a smooth check-in.
The Hotel room was small one, but we didn’t bother much, as we had planned to roam around all day. After freshening up we had breakfast at a hotel restaurant nearby.
We booked a cab(Maruti Van) nearby restaurant for whole day trip, driver was Mr Mani(9865077293). He introduced himself to us, and speaks Hindi, English, Tamil and Telegu so it was easy conversing with him. He agreed to take us to 17 places the whole day and for Rs 600. I suggest anyone to book the same driver as you can trust him, as well as he is a good guide and helps you to take your pictures too. Throughout our trip he took care of our belongings and guided us well.
You can also book local tour vans, they charge you about 200-300 per person, and it is a group tour, but you are not independent and don’t have much choices too.
The first place we visited was Chettiar Park and took photos of long lawns of green grass and rose plants. We spent about 20 minutes there. Further we went to see the Pine Tree forest and took a lot of pictures there.
Chettiar park
Chettiar park
Pine tree forest
Then moved to see the Green Valley View, Silent valley view and Vaigai dam view and finally reached to see the Pambar Falls.
Silent valley view
Silent valley view
Silent valley view
Pillars rock
Me and my guide/cab diver at Pambar falls
Had lunch at Royal Tibet hotel near the lake, then moved to the lake for a nice boating trip in a twin paddle boat for half an hour. As the time was passing by and evening approaching, the temperature started to fall again. It was quite chilly. We bought a pair of gloves and a woolen cap to keep ourselves warm and had a cup of masala tea. Spent some time sitting beside the lake and then headed back to hotel.
More about my trip shortly….
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