Kodaikanal, the famous hill station in Tamil Nadu is undoubtedly a touristâs delight. Due to its famous for fog, lovely scenery, the raining and calmness of natural resource like lakes, then Kodaikanal well known as the ââPrincess of hill stations.ââ Oh, but donât you think that beauty ends only with that! There are many other beautiful places to visit around Kodaikanal, enchanting waterfalls, scenic and thrilling treks which still hold your breaths. There are plenty of places near Kodaikanal to visit if you are interested in staying connected with nature and looking for those hiking and adventure experiences.
In this blog, we will give you an insight into some offbeat places near Kodaikanal to visit that will make your journey incredibly memorable. Every location has something special and the area around Kodaikanal has to be the explorerâs paradise. For those who contemplate traveling with family, as couples, or as adventurers, people on nearby attractions are sure to impress every traveler.
Attractive Places Near Kodaikanal That Must Be Visited:
The surrounding area of Kodaikanal is filled with sightseeing destinations, beautiful queen of hills, charming lakes and hill stations. Here, we overlook some of the best tourist places near Kodaikanal to visit that must be a part of your travel map.
1. Berijam Lake
Berijam Lake, among all the tourist places near Kodaikanal to visit, is the most beautiful spot with only very few resorts and cottages. This is a splendid freshwater lake secluded about 23 km from the town surrounded by mostly virgin forests and is renowned for its serene zone. The lake can be considered as a nature lovers and photographersâ paradise. One may also take a boat ride and enjoy company with the beautiful sceneries of nature.
2. Pillar Rocks
Pillar Rocks for instance is situated about 7 kilometers away from Kodaikanal and is among the perfect places near Kodaikanal to visit for capturing breathtaking views! These three giant granite monoliths rise to 400 feet high providing stunning vantage points over the valleys below. The fresh wind and the foggy outlook make it a perfect spot for tourists all year round. For having splendid views, certainly, Pillar Rocks is one of the best places to photograph around Kodaikanal.
3. Silver Cascade Waterfalls
For tourists Silver Cascade Waterfalls is one of the favorite places near Kodaikanal to visit as it is on the route to Kodaikanal. This waterfall is located approximately fifty-two kilometers from Kodaikanal and it drops a distance of 180 feet- it provides a wonderful break for motorists. The water is icy cold and clear they say and the trees around make it a very good place to definitely take a break from the world and look at nature.
4. Poombarai Village View
If you want to get a feel of the local environment and enjoy stunning views of the mountain, the Poombarai village is ten kilometers from the town of Kodaikanal. This is a lovely village with terraced farms around it and marvelous vistas over the valley. It gives the experience an added advantage for people who want to have a taste of the local lifestyles they are surrounded with while in the hills, making it one of the best places near Kodaikanal to visit.
5. Mannavanur Lake
Situated about 35 kilometers away from Kodaikanal there is still a rather unknown place called Mannavanur Lake- a true treasure for everyone seeking for the quiet and the essence of nature. Located in areas that have several tourists this lake is different since it is surrounded by green pastures. As one of the most beautiful places near Kodaikanal to visit and a watering place you can take a boat on the lake, take a walk about the place or just lay down and look at the beautiful scenery.
6. Dolphinâs Nose
To have a wonderful experience or trek and scenic beauty visit Dolphinâs Nose. This small natural formation is a type of rock which sits about eight kilometers outside of Kodaikanal and provides breathtaking views of the lines of valleys and cliffs. This is one of the places to visit near Kodaikanal which requires you to trek on and while you are climbing up or trekking along, there are interesting trails to traverse through; once at the top, the view of the hills, the little forests in the distance will leave anyone breathless. Itâs among the ideal places near Kodaikanal to visit for those who like nature and trekking.
7. Kukkal Caves
If you are interested in off beat tourism then Kukkal Caves which is nearly 40 kms from Kodaikanal would be of much interest. These were the prehistoric shelters of the Paliyan tribes and at present harbors trek routes. This has an added advantage of affording one a beautiful scenery as one hikes through forests to arrive at the caves. It is one of the most exciting places to visit near Kodaikanal for history lovers and adventurers.
8. Vattakanal Waterfalls
For the lovers of water falls both in terms of sight and sound Vattakanal Waterfalls is no doubt an interesting place to visit. Just 3 kilometers away from Kodaikanal, this little known place is perfect for those seeking some quiet time nestled in the lap of nature. These are some of the right places near Kodaikanal to visit to take a nature walk, have your picnic and also to take great and memorable shots. It offers a cool and refreshing environment which actually has made it one of the most attractive destinations near Kodaikanal.
9. Palani Hills
The Palani Hills are also of the Western Ghats and it is situated near Kodaikanal. These hills are best for trekking, nature walks and also the bird watching exercise will be advantaged in these hills. Due to the high probability of afforestation and plants growing on hills, these areas are referred to as nature's best gift for birding and other fauna. You can also make a trip to the premier Palani Murugan Temple that is positioned right on the hills which has beautiful sightseeing tours around it.
10. Kurinji Andavar Temple
Kurinji Andavar Temple is a temple devoted to Lord Murugan and is about 3 km from Kodaikanal and has impressive capture frames of hills around it. The place is named after the famous flowers, Kurinji, which bloom once in twelve years only. Because of its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere it has emerged as one of the most tranquil tourist places near Kodaikanal to visit.
Conclusion
The city, and its environs hold numerous scenic wonders, thrilling adventures and pilgrim sites for travelers of all sorts. The Mannavanur Lake is so calm and serene while the Dolphinâs Nose gives the tourists an adrenaline rush. Both for the purpose of leisure and for adventurous chilly treks, the list of places near Kodaikanal to visit do not disappoint.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. When is the most appropriate time to visit Kodaikanal and its neighboring spots?
Based on the best suited traveling climate to the tourist spots in and around Kodaikanal, it is absolutely ideal to travel from March to June to get the best of weather that will allow tourists to pursue activities outside throughout the day with utmost ease.
2. What is the distance between Mannavanur Lake and Kodaikanal?
Mannavanur Lake trip is approximately 35 km from the city and one can plan their journey through car or taxi. Though the drive is approximately one and half an hour I have seen the magnificent scenery of the hills and valleys.
3. Which are the best trekking sites near Kodaikanal?
Some of the best places for trekking around the area of Kodaikanal are the Dolphinâs Nose, Kukkal Caves and the Palani Hills etc.
4. How viable is it to do a city tour of Kodaikanal and Palani on the same day?
Both Kodaikanal and Palani can easily be visited in one day trip but it is advisable to spend more days and hours to explore this wonderful spectacular scenery as well has other attractions in the areas.
5. Are there boats for hire in Berijam Lake?
Yes, boating is possible in Berijam Lake but tourists need to take prior permission from the forest department as this place belongs to forest area only.
