Kodaikanal, India Reviews and Ratings

What is the Ideal Time to Visit ?Kodai is a wonderful off season holiday destination.Hotels give 50% discounts at this time. Off Season is from July to Feb and the season is from March to June.Travel options to KodaiWe travelled from Bangalore to Kodai Road railway station by Rails and took a cab to Kodai.It takes almost 2 hours to reach Kodai by car and the ride is really full of scenic beauty.You can see beautiful mountains trees as well as Waterfalls on your way up.Where to Stay ?In Kodai choose a hotel near the lake this is peaceful and scenic definitely worth the little extra you will have to pay compared to some other area. We stayed in a heritage stone cottage at the Kodai Club for Rs 1400 for 2 including buffet breakfast. The Hotel Tamil Nadu on the other side offers large deluxe doubles for Rs 490 off-season but it faces a litter strewn valley and is not the best located !What are the places to visit & relax?The best way to enjoy Kodai is to go for long and short walks or cycle around the laketo Bryants Park Coakers Walk Upper and Lower Shola Roads and to the several wonderful view points and mixed forests within 10 - 15 km of the lake. Enjoy the birds the wildflowers and the cool fresh air that permits you to walk endlessly without fatigue. Chances of spotting the Malabar giant squirrel and gaur (bison) are quite high in the forests. Must do - walk past TV tower (2100m) La Salette church Pambar shola ridge on to Pambar shola falls past Vattakanal (where hordes of Israeli youth stay) ending up at Dolphins Nose (1900m)- a rectangular slab of rock jutting out over the VERY deep valley below. When we went now in Feb 07 we were lucky to enjoy the last of the neela kurinji (strobilanthes / karvy) near Dolphins Nose. The red nilgiri rhododendrons and deep purple Melastoma malabarica were also in full bloom. Also do visit Suicide Point Pillars Rock view point & the famous Guna Caves.Also spend your evenings in the gardens.