Things to Do & See in Kodaikanal - Best Season, Fun & Adventure Activities

Although cities have their own charm, long days within rows of concrete houses that block out the beauty of the sky, evenings filled with television and roads with sparse greenery peppered with drifts of hot dust, can sap our energy and leave us longing for the simplicity and serenity of the outdoors. 

Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu recharges your body, mind, heart and soul. This hill station has a pleasant, cool climate that allows you to take  treks along forested paths, sip on tea as you take in the enchanting vistas and sight the indigenous wildlife that make the hills their home. Sightseeing in Kodaikanal is a delight for naturalists with a plethora of natural wonders that will leave you speechless. If you love lakes, Kodai Lake, Berijam Lake and Mannavanur Lake are azure slices of heaven with glistening water that reflects the creamy clouds on its surface and lotus blossoms unfurling their petals during the summer season. You can skip rocks across the water or pack a picnic to have on its green banks as you take in the gorgeous vista. 

Sightseeing in Kodaikanal is incomplete without languorous treks to viewing points that will treat you to misty hued valleys and carpets of dense greenery. Dolphin’s Nose is a popular point that is known for its unique snub nose shape that resembles the snout of a dolphin and unveils views of rugged terrain, grassy slopes and towering trees. Uncover the mysterious secrets of the Guna Caves or gaze at the massive pillar rocks that mark the entrance. 

From activities to leisure, sightseeing in Kodaikanal is sure to leave you enthralled, beckoning you to revisit the ‘Kashmir of India’ again and again. 

When it comes to Kodaikanal, its beautiful outdoors are what its known for, lush, green and soothing, this hill station is a pearl hidden in Tamil Nadu and is best appreciated when you immerse yourself fully in its untamed loveliness. Camping in Kodaikanal gives you the chance to rough it in the outdoors as you break away from the traditional four walls of a hotel room and fall asleep under a night sky embedded with slivers of ice, and the sweet scent of grass wafting through your tent.  

Adventure is around every corner when you try camping in Kodaikanal. Even brewing a simple mug of coffee becomes thrilling when you spark a bonfire and use its flames to heat your saucepan of coffee. The ‘Princess of the Hills’ is a trekkers paradise with gorgeous spots that are well known and smaller trails that few have walked on, leading to waterfalls, craggy cliffs high in the air, gurgling streams surrounded by wildflowers and grassy meadows perfect for a picnic under a bright blue sky.  

Camping in Kodaikanal can take you to rustic spots far away from crowded homestays and towns, where simplicity is the main feature. Harmonize yourself with your surroundings and tap into serenity as you snuggle up amidst the grassy slopes of Kodai.  

Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu lies on the southern part of the Palani Hills, a mountain range that encompasses the eastern region of the Western Ghats. An emerald hub, Kodai is well known for its overflowing greenery, with waterfalls, deep valleys filled with stretches of dense Shola forests, and of course a cool, pleasant climate that allows both flora and fauna to thrive.  

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, the wildlife tours in Kodaikanal are sure to give you a taste of the rich biodiversity that Tamil Nadu has to offer. With your camera in hand, set off on foot to spot the animals that call Kodai home; from flying squirrels that glide from one tree to another like square frying pans, to porcupines studded with spikes, wild boar, and mouse deer. The glistening Berijam Lake is a watering hole that draws animals to its shores and at the lake; you can hear the eerie calls of the Nilgiri Langur, a primate with glossy black fur and a golden crown.  

Wildlife tours in Kodaikanal aren’t complete without appreciating the indigenous plants, trees and flowers that drape across the grassy landscape. Kodai is often called Blue Mountain thanks to the presence of the rare Kurinji flower that transforms the landscape into an incandescent shade of purplish blue. Blossoming only once in 12 years, the flowers are a unique draw of this hill station and if you’re planning to visit the region for this flower, plan it in advance and check-in with locals on its flowering cycle so you can enjoy this plant in all its glory!  

This hill station is a basket of nature’s beauty; set off on one of the wildlife tours in Kodaikanal and uncover what makes this enchanting region so special.  

The comfort of home is something we can seldom willingly leave behind. Wouldn’t it be perfect if we could carry home with us wherever we go and enjoy our surroundings as we sink back into love and care even when we travel? The homestays in Kodaikanal combine nature with simplistic luxury so you can enjoy the rugged outdoors of Tamil Nadu with the homely care you love.  

At the homestays in Kodaikanal, you can choose to camp in a cozy tent or stay within stone cottages that come complete with fireplaces, modern toilets, spectacular views of the misty hills and delicious home cooked meals that have a different flavour when you dine in the sunshine amidst grassy slopes. The hill station is bursting with beautiful spots in nature such as cliff edges that overlook deep, yawning valleys, waterfalls cascading forth in icy droplets and merrily bubbling streams that invite you to sit besides its waters and unwind surrounded by the fluting sounds of birdsong and crickets chirping.  

The homestays in Kodaikanal primarily aim to promote eco-tourism and sustainable living. You can traverse through organic farms, prepare your own meals and unplug from the endless Zoom meetings and work calls that pepper our daily lives in the city.  

In Tamil Nadu, this hill station has the wonders of nature around every corner. Kodaikanal is best explored on foot, with a camera in your hand to snap photographs of the hidden gems you’ll discover as you traverse the many forest trails. Trekking in Kodaikanal is one of the best things to do when you visit this lush, emerald paradise that promises gorgeous vistas from different viewpoints.  

From Bear Shola Falls that overflows in a spout of icy diamond droplets or the Kodaikanal Pine Forest with towering trees stretching above you, trekking in Kodaikanal reveals a different side of the ‘Princess of the Hills’ and increases your sense of wonder of the beautiful, untamed wilderness. Other spots that should be put on your trekking itinerary include the iconic Pillar Rocks and Guna Caves, Dolphin’s Nose, Silver Cascade Falls, and Canopy Hill.  

The magic of trekking lies in the thrill of discovering new sights and challenging your limits. While trekking in Kodaikanal, don’t forget to take the off-beaten track, walking along trails that wind through the forests, spotted with wildlife and indigenous plants. Maybe you’ll uncover your own waterfalls or viewpoints to take in the splendor of the ‘Princess of the Hills’ and this is part of the joy of trekking in Kodaikanal.