Dec 20, 2023 By Sean William
Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station in India. It has many valleys, lakes, waterfalls, cliffs, and forests. Kodaikanal is an ideal place to visit in summer. It is approximately 2000 meters above the sea level. Travelers can explore the forests, take refreshing baths in the waterfalls, and enjoy boating in lakes. But, Kodaikanal forest is the major tourist attraction here.
If you also want to explore the Kodaikanal forest with your family, witness the wildlife, see the migratory birds, and soak yourself in the breathtaking views of the Kodaikanal, book the best forest tour in Kodaikanal. Before that, know more about the Kodaikanal forest and this hill station here.
The forest is situated in the Southwest of Kodaikanal. It is well-maintained and a preserved heritage of the town. Months from January to July are the best time to visit the forest. You can walk in the forest and relax in your mind. The tourists can enjoy horse riding and camping there.
Your tour will start from Madurai. After reaching Madurai, you will move towards Kodaikanal. After checking the hotel, you will visit the Pillar Rocks, Bryant Park, Pine Forest, Guna Cave, and Suicide Point. After exploring this land's beauty, you will return to the hotel. The next day, you will visit the Berijam Lake and explore the forest. You will drive through the dense forest, cross the beautiful valleys, and see the wildlife. It will be an adventurous journey.
After that, you will get back to the hotel, enjoy the dinner, and sleep well at night after an adventurous day. Next morning, you will have a delicious breakfast and check out the hotel. Before leaving Kodaikanal, you will explore the Murugan Temple Mannavanur, villages, and Poombarai. After that, you will head towards Madurai.
Below, you can find the top places to visit in Kodaikanal; let's look over them all one after the other:
These waterfalls are named so because the land used to be a favorite bear haunt and surrounded by Shola Falls. Therefore, these falls are known as the Bear Shola Falls. But now, you don't need to worry about the bears. You can visit the waterfalls anytime from 10 am to 6 pm. There are no entry charges. You can relax here, enjoy the beauty of nature, and witness the exotic species. The place becomes lush green during the monsoon season. When visiting the lake, wear comfortable shoes as the place is slippery. The monkeys dominate the region. So, be careful when visiting Bear Shola Falls.
The valley is near to the Pillar rock garden. You must visit the valley if you want to enjoy the stunning views of this peaceful valley. The best time to explore the valley is either early mornings or late afternoons, as during that time, the scenic beauty of the valley is at its maximum. Also, it is a perfect location to witness the sunrise and sunset. During the winter, the valley gets covered with white mist, giving panoramic views of the Silent Valley.
It is one of the top places tourists visit when visiting the Kodaikanal. It is an artificial water body that is surrounded by untouched greenery. Therefore, the lake gives you the most picturesque sights of Tamil Nadu. It's not the natural beauty that attracts the tourists but the thrilling activities that one can enjoy here urge the travelers to visit the lake. You can go for boating here and enjoy the stunning scenery in the surroundings. You can also walk around the lake and inhale some fresh air. The best time to visit the lake is from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
It is one of the few places where you can enjoy the views of Vaigai Dam. Besides that, you can also get a complete view of the enchanting greenery, lush mountains, and clouds. The route is tricky. Therefore, the valley is considered one of the most dangerous viewpoints. It is at a great height, and standing there can be unsafe. So, you must be very careful when visiting the Green Valley. The valley is just 5.5 kilometers away from Kodaikanal Lake. Entry is free; you can visit the lake anytime from 7 am to 6 pm.
When traveling from Kodaikanal to Madurai, you can stop at these waterfalls and relax for some time. These waterfalls were formed due to the overflowing of the artificial Kodaikanal Lake. You can also take a refreshing bath in the water of these waterfalls. The waterfalls at a height of 180 feet give a mesmerizing view. Also, many vendors are selling fruits near the lake. You can enjoy the fresh fruits under the Silver Cascade Falls.
The caves have a very interesting history. It is believed that Pandavas used to cook their food in these caves. Therefore, these caves were known as the “The Devil’s Kitchen”. But, in the 90s film Guna was shot here, and now these caves are known as the Guna caves. Shola trees surround these caves, and their surroundings have three gigantic pillars. Due to the altitude, cliffs, and steep drops, most people find these caves a little risky. You can visit the caves anytime from 8 am to 6 pm. Entry is free.
The major tourist attraction of Kodaikanal is its dense forest. The forest looks like a wonder of nature and is home to various plant and animal species. Therefore, the forest has become of great ecological importance. Thousands of travelers explore the beauty of this forest. If you plan to explore the Kodaikanal and its forest, book the tour and explore the hill station like a local.