There’s something magical about escaping the city chaos and heading into the hills — the fresh air, winding roads, and the slow pace of life that lets you just breathe. Recently, on a long weekend, I went to visit Kodaikanal. It has been there on my wishlist for quite some time and with the advent of Summers, it felt like a perfect place to be in. So, during a recent long weekend, I made an impromptu plan to visit Kodaikanal for 2 days.
Our Road Trip Begins!!!
We started from Bangalore at around 8:00 AM on a Saturday. As expected, the roads were busy — long weekends tend to bring out every road-tripper from the city! So we had to face a lot of traffic on our way. Once we were out of Bangalore though, the ride was smooth. The vibe was good. After all, the best part of a road trip is being on the road. Around 10:00 AM, we took a much-needed break for breakfast — classic South Indian fare with crispy dosas and steaming filter coffee. Nothing fuels a road trip quite like that combo. Later, we made quick stops for coconut water (because why not?) and then again for lunch at Dindigul Thalappakatti a plate of spicy, flavorful Chicken Biryani that hit all the right notes.
As we started climbing up towards Kodaikanal, our first proper “wow” moment was the Silver Cascade Falls. It’s the kind of place that just appears around a bend — a 180-ft tall waterfall crashing down beside the road, surrounded by greenery. The air suddenly felt cooler, fresher, and you knew you were in the hills. We didn’t stay long, but it was the perfect welcome to Kodai. We reached the city center at around 6:00 pm and we rushed to the very popular Meltiez to have an amazing cuppa of “Hot Chocolate”. That warm, creamy cup hit the spot after the long drive. We were staying at Dwara, a lovely boutique stay with comfortable rooms, tasteful decor, and a vibe that instantly relaxes you. After checking in and a quick dinner, we wrapped up the day and crashed — ready to explore properly the next morning.
Day 1
We woke up to a crisp Kodai morning and a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. With full bellies and excited hearts, we set off to explore some of Kodai’s most iconic spots. Our first stop was the Pillar Rocks — three towering stone pillars that rise dramatically from the valley floor, each about 400 feet tall. It was slightly misty when we arrived, but in those brief moments when the clouds parted, the view was breathtaking. There’s also a well-maintained garden nearby that makes the stop feel more complete. Next, we headed to the Guna Caves, made famous by the Tamil film Guna. The setting — dense pine forest, eerie roots, moss-covered rocks — is quite atmospheric. But the caves themselves are now cordoned off for safety, and the area was super crowded. It felt like a classic case of Instagram vs Reality. Still, the walk through the pine trees was nice.
Our next stop was Poombarai Village. A bit off the typical tourist trail, this small village offers stunning terraced landscapes, colorful houses nestled into the hills, and a peacefulness that’s hard to describe. We stood at the viewpoint in silence for a few minutes, just taking it all in. On our way back, we made a stop at Mannavanur Lake, and it honestly felt like stepping into a Windows wallpaper. Gentle meadows, grazing sheep, still waters, and zero crowds. It’s about 30 km from Kodaikanal town, but absolutely worth the detour. Perfect for a slow walk or just lying in the grass. There are many activities that one can indulge in here- Horse riding, coracle ride, zip-lining, boating etc.
By evening, the weather had turned cloudy and misty — classic Kodai! Around 6:00 PM, we reached the Kodaikanal Lake View Point. The view was somewhat blocked by the fog, but it had its own charm — kind of dreamy and mysterious. Then we drove towards Vattakanal Falls, grabbed a quick snack of bread omlette and hot tea here, and bought some fresh passion fruits from a local vendor.
We ended the day back at our hotel, warm and tired but totally content.
Day 2
Our last morning in Kodai started with a quick checkout and a visit to Pambar Waterfalls. It had rained a bit, which made the waterfall even more lively. You do have to walk a bit to reach it, but it’s peaceful and not very crowded.
Despite the drizzle, we squeezed in one final stop at Coaker’s Walk. It’s a narrow paved path along a steep slope with stunning valley views — when it’s not foggy. Luckily, we got a few clear moments and caught glimpses of the sprawling hills. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to Kodaikanal. From here we started our trip back to Bangalore. It took almost around 11 hours to reach, we were completely tired.
So, if you’re also planning for a trip to Kodaikanal, you can follow this itinerary.