When you have been to the hill-stations of North India and Northeast India, it is easy to come under the impression that hill stations in no other region of the country can beat them. But that would be a wrong impression.
Hill stations of South India have their own beauty.
Mannavanur Lake and Kodaikanal can give hill-stations of North India a tough run for their money. Collectively, they check all the boxes that make a perfect getaway destination.
In this travel blog of Mannavanur Lake and Kodaikanal, I have curated all the relevant details that you need to know for a perfect trip and what should be the ideal range of budget for it.
ON YOUR MAPS… GET SET… GO!!
The princess of hill stations, Kodaikanal (literal meaning ‘the gift of the forests’ in Tamil), is a hill station in Dindigul (Tamil Nadu) that features a lake, misty climate, thick forests, waterfalls, and locally-made chocolates.
Mannavanur is a quaint village, about 34 km from Kodaikanal, that has become a major tourist attraction lately, because of the majestic lake it preserves between the valley of the surrounding mountains.
Here’s my comprehensive guide for a relaxing getaway to Mannavanur Lake and Kodaikanal
My original trip was only to Kodaikanal. My visit to Mannavanur happened by chance, while I was in Kodaikanal. I must admit that Mannavanur was a surprise discovery.
Even though Mannavanur is one of the places to visit in Kodaikanal, I was so mesmerised by Mannavanur that I focused a large chunk of this Kodaikanal travel blog on Mannavanur only.
(All the information and prices in this travel blog for Kodaikanal and Mannavanur Lake are from 2019.)
My three-day trip to Kodaikanal and Mannavanur Lake cost me less than Rs 3000, inclusive of return transportation from Chennai. The complete breakdown of my total trip expenses is shared at the end of this travel guide.
How many days should be enough for Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. But the laid-back atmosphere there may convince you to stay longer.
I visited Kodaikanal to spend some quiet time away from the mundanity of Chennai’s city-life. And it offered me just what I was looking for.
How to reach Kodaikanal
How to reach Kodaikanal by air
Closest airports to Kodaikanal are Trichy 150 km, Madurai 120 km and Coimbatore 175 km.
How to reach Kodaikanal by train
Nearest railway station to Kodaikanal is Kodai Road, which is situated at a distance of about 85 km from Kodaikanal. From Kodai Road station, one can take either a taxi or a bus to reach Kodaikanal.
Dindigul is another railway station that is close by. Straight buses are available from Dindigul to Kodaikanal.
How to reach Kodaikanal by car
Kodaikanal is well connected with roads and the drive to Kodaikanal is a scenic one. A lot of the visitors from nearby cities, mainly Chennai and Bangalore, visit Kodaikanal via car.
How to reach Kodaikanal by bus
Buses for Kodaikanal ply from Chennai, Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Trichy, Madurai, Dindigul, Palani and Coimbatore.
You will have to check the frequency of these buses according to your location. For instance, the frequency of buses to and from Chennai is more than their frequency from Trichy.
Best time to visit Kodaikanal
There isn’t a bad time to visit Kodaikanal. Its beauty prolongs throughout the year.
Kodaikanal’s peak tourist season lasts from October to March, when people come here to enjoy the winters.
The temperature during winters here ranges between 8-28°C.
Looking for some respite from the blazing heat of the plains, the summer months between April and June also bring a lot of visitors to Kodaikanal.
The temperature in summer remains between 13-34°C.
People also flock here during the monsoon season to witness the glowing charm of the waterfalls and lush green forests.
It is best to avoid your visit during the weekends of summer season, as Kodaikanal witnesses huge traffic jams and massive crowds at that time.
Where to stay in Kodaikanal
The part surrounding the Kodai lake is the most developed part of the hill station and it is here where you will find most of the hotels. But it is also where the majority of tourist rush stays.
So if you want a peaceful scenic stay, amidst the shadow of trees and the chirping of birds, then you might want to accommodate yourself a little further from the city centre.
Here, you will be away from the noise of the crowd and you will also be able to enjoy some relaxing time.
My stay in Zostel Kodaikanal
I stayed in the ubercool Zostel Kodaikanal. They have done a super cool makeover of a colonial mansion and converted it into a classy hostel with beautiful mountain views.
It is located in a silent locality that is a few minutes walk away from the Kodaikanal lake.
Zostel Kodaikanal is so cool that you might opt to ditch some of your sightseeing plans just to have some laid back time amidst Zostel’s peaceful vibes.
Because I visited there in the winter, they had also lit their fireplace in the evening. All of us visitors had a nice session around the fire.
If you have a fondness for colonial architecture, then Kodaikanal will impress you with its many British buildings.
Zostel Kodaikanal has got such popularity that people now plan to a weekend trip to Kodaikanal just to stay in Zostel.
But mind you, it is not easy to get reservations at Zostel Kodaikanal, especially if it is a weekend. Some other cosy budget hostels that you can check out are Boho Kodai, Dostel and Trippr Kodaikanal.
How to get around in Kodaikanal
Like most hill stations, Kodaikanal does not have auto/rickshaws. The only way to travel around is via taxis.
Although, I never felt the need for a taxi as I mostly walked my way around Kodaikanal. The hill-station is not too big to hire taxis to get from one place to another. Almost all the places are within walking distance, given you have a decent appetite for walking.
On occasions when I was too lazy to walk, I took lifts from locals who were travelling towards the direction of my destination. And I was never disappointed by their kindness as someone or the other always obliged to my request. That too, without knowing the same language.
You also have the option of renting a bicycle, but I think it is easier to walk in the steepy terrains of a hill station than ride a bicycle.
Honestly, I feel that the real vibes of Kodaikanal can only be felt by exploring the hilltown on foot.
Things to do and places to visit in Kodaikanal
Every hill station has earmarked sightseeing places where all the tourists flock. These are the ‘must visit places’ according to internet guides. Kodaikanal is no different.
Because I went there to have some relaxing time, I skipped almost all of those places with touristy noise. And chose to go for some relaxing and easy-going experiences.
After ditching all the mainstream sites, this is what I did instead –
Visit Mannavanur Lake
The visit to Mannavanur lake tops my list of the best attractions in Kodaikanal. That’s why I am conveying detailed information on Mannavanur Lake specifically, in this Kodaikanal travel blog.
Tucked between a misty mountain valley and forest meadows, Mannavanur lake is a serene place that mirrors the paradise that one imagines in a dream.
Because of its remoteness, thankfully, the lake is not in the proximity of Kodaikanal’s tourist rush.
Most of the tourists in Kodaikanal do not care to venture to Mannavanur because it’s an off-the-beat destination. So you can enjoy the rejuvenating calmness of this wonderland without any disturbance.
How much time should you take out for Mannavanur
To the very least, Mannavanur is a half-day trip from Kodaikanal. But if you manage to find an accommodation there, spending a few peaceful days could also turn out to be a good idea.
How to reach Mannavanur Lake
The lake is located in Mannavanur village, about 34 km from Kodaikanal. If you go there in a public bus, like I did, it will take around 90 minutes to reach there.
Please note that some of the buses divert from some distance before Mannavanur. Unfortunately, I had boarded one of these buses. So I had to walk a few miles to reach Mannavanur. But make sure you check with the conductor before boarding a bus.
I really want to highlight that the journey to Mannavanur is a marvellous one.
You will miss out on a lot of beauty if you get asleep on the way to Mannavanur.
Upon gazing out the window, you can see terraced fields, dense forests and beautiful hamlets.
The journey will give you a peek inside the village life of people residing in Tamil Nadu’s hills.
You will also get the first glance at Mannavanur Lake’s beauty while you drive down the curvy roads of the hills.
Activities / Things to do in Mannavanur Lake
Dwell in the tranquility of the surroundings of Mannavanur Lake
The best thing about Mannavanur Lake is that it sways you with its relaxing vibes.
While sitting on the benches you can sigh in the fresh air from the surrounding hills and admire the raw beauty of nature.
Besides the beautiful flora all around, you can also keep an eye out for some rare birds that are frequent fliers to the lake.
With such a soothful atmosphere around, you can either indulge in some photography or merely stroll with a free mind. The surroundings will do the rest.
Boating in Mannavanur Lake
The authorities in Mannavanur Lake have arranged boats in the lake for visitors to enjoy the boating experience.
Besides the round boats, canoe boats are also available.
Do remember that there are only a handful of boats in the lake, hence, on days when there are significant visitors, you might have to wait to get on a boat.
Although I didn’t boat, I am sure that boating in a lake amidst such a serene setting would be a very nice experience.
Horse-riding in Mannavanur Lake
Horse-riding is another of the handful of activities available in Mannavanur Lake. If you are a horse-riding enthusiast, then there are a couple of horses that can take you around the lake premises on their backs.
Hiking around Mannavanur Lake
The gorgeous grasslands have trails spread throughout the lake site. You can venture in any direction and enjoy the beautiful nature in silence that is only breached by the sounds of melodious birds or the breeze ruffling the trees.
Before progressing on a hike, make sure you take guidance from the counter at the entrance, as Mannavanur Range comes under Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary and the area reports frequent spotting of wild animals.
Camping in Mannavanur
The lake side has been developed as a picnic destination, with shaded structures setup for people to relax. Most people come here just for a day’s picnic. However, in order to popularise Mannavanur as an eco tourism site, the in-charge authorities have also developed camping facilities.
Enthusiasts can avail the experience of camping near the pristine lake.
Tickets and timings of Mannavanur Lake
The lake is the property of Tamil Nadu forest department under the banner of Mannavanur Eco Tourism Site. Hence, it also levies an entry fee. Entry to the lake premise costs a fee of Rs 10 (price as of January 2019). It can be bought from the counter at the entrance gate.
The lake premises opens at 10 in the morning and closes at 5 in the evening. These timings remain intact regardless of the weekend.
For more details related to Mannavanur Lake, you can visit the Mannavanur information page of Tamil Nadu forest department.
Other attractions in Mannavanur
The area around Mannavanur is mostly that of farming villages. Therefore you will find a lot of small stalls selling fresh vegetables from the adjoining farms.
You can also take a tour of these vegetable cultivation by requesting the farmers. They will oblige in all probability.
The meadows are also home to sheep, rabbit, and deer farms. Tourists are allowed to visit these farms.
Places to eat in Mannavanur
Mannavanur is a very small village. And because it is not very popular among the tourists, the village does not have any big eateries. Only a few small shops offer tea and basic snacks. I will advise you to carry your own food.
It is not a problem if you don’t wish to travel one and a half hours to Mannavanur Lake. There are some good things to do in close proximity to the town of Kodaikanal.
Hike in the Kodaikanal pine forest
Kodaikanal is surrounded by dense forests. If you are not taking a vehicle to go to sites like Silver Cascade Falls, Bear Shola Falls, Dolphin’s nose and Guna caves, then you will get a chance to walk/hike in the shadow of the tall trees.
In fact, I would recommend you to not use a vehicle at all. You will miss the surreal experience of a forest walk if you reach these places through a taxi. Almost everyone hires a cab for these places and they miss out on the hike/walk in the forest.
You will find very few people walking their way through the jungles. I personally found walking through the silent forest similar to a meditation exercise.
Don’t be surprised if you suddenly spot a bunch of Israelis here. There are a lot of them staying in this remote part of Kodaikanal. Presumably, to consume shrooms, the famous ‘magic mushrooms’ of Kodaikanal.
Try the delicious chocolates of Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal has a homegrown chocolate industry that makes delicious chocolates. This is the reason why Kodaikanal is dotted with so many shops selling chocolates.
They offer a wide variety of chocolates with fusions of different flavours. Your trip to Kodaikanal will be incomplete if you don’t try some of these chocolates.
Bicycle around Kodaikanal
You can rent a bicycle and have the pleasure of riding it in the misty air of Kodaikanal. Bicycle rentals are located around Kodai lake.
Renting a bicycle can also give you a mode of conveyance because the other option of getting around Kodaikanal is hiring a taxi, which may not suit your budget.
Places I did not visit in Kodaikanal
Though I did not visit these sites, I am still mentioning them so that you should know about these places and decide on your own, whether they are worth visiting or not.
Coaker’s Walk
Arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Kodaikanal, Coaker’s walk is a 1 km long stretch of a walking path that possesses panoramic views of Kodaikanal.
Entry fee to Coaker’s Walk is Rs 30 (price as of January 2019), but additional charges are levied if you take along a camera.
The path is open from 7 am to 7 pm. And visiting the Coaker’s Walk during misty weather may be a very good idea. To avoid crowds, it is recommended to visit there early in the morning.
At the end of Coaker’s Walk is a telescope house that can be visited for zoomed-in views of the hill-station and the surrounding mountains. Telescope house charges a separate entry fee.
Boating at Kodai lake
The lake is an integral part of Kodaikanal and there’s no way that a person visiting Kodaikanal does not come across Kodai Lake. And boating in Kodai Lake is the most cliche thing to do in Kodaikanal.
I skipped boating because I am not a boating enthusiast and I didn’t want to spend my money on boating just because travel guides say that boating in Kodai Lake is one of the top things to do in Kodaikanal.
Bryant Park and Chettiar Park
Both the parks are just like regular ones which have been touted as tourist destinations. Bryant Park is located just adjacent to the parking lot of Kodai lake, so you can decide if it is worth a visit or not while strolling around the lake.
Chettiar Park is about 4 km away from the Kodai Lake.
Waterfalls, Caves and other view-points
Kodaikanal has a bunch of waterfalls – Silver Cascade Falls, Fairy Falls, Liril/Pambar Falls, Vattakanal Falls,Bear Shola Falls, Kundaaru Falls.
I saw Vattakanal Falls on my way to Dolphin’s nose and I was very disappointed by the garbage and trash flowing around in the water there. That’s why I didn’t care to visit any other waterfalls.
Among caves, it has Lion Caves, Guna Caves and Kukkal Caves. And some of the view points include – Upper Lake View, Moir Point, Green Valley View / Suicide point, Pillar Rocks, Palani Temple view, etc.
All these caves and view-points demanded some trekking to visit and I didn’t want to take the stress of visiting these points at the cost of some relaxing time. Hence, I ditched all of these.
Churches and Temples in Kodaikanal
Due to a sizable presence of Christians, Kodaikanal has quite a few Churches. Some of them are really old, beautiful and quaint. You can ask locals about them and pay a visit.
Among temples, you have Kurinji Andavar Temple, Jain Temple, Mahalakshmi Temple, and Murugan Temple.
Places to eat in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal didn’t disappoint with its food. Rather, its food had an impressive variety. This is because tourists from all around the world visit Kodaikanal.
So, other than Indian food, it also has some good places to eat international cuisines like Italian, Israeli and Chinese.
From small eateries to big restaurants, you can easily find decent places to eat, not just in the main market, but all across Kodaikanal.
Here are the places whose food I would recommend to you:
Aby’s Cafe
This cosy cafe is situated in a tiny lane between the Kodai Lake and the bus stand. The menu at the Aby’s consisted of the usual pizzas, sandwiches, french fries, etc, but the taste of all these items was simply delicious.
I really liked the food at Aby’s Cafe. The testimonials stuck in the cafe also say that it is the favourite place for students at the nearby Kodaikanal International School.
Pastry Corner
It is arguably the most famous eatery in entire Kodaikanal. Tourists don’t miss grabbing a bite here. Besides pastries, their menu has sandwiches, pizzas, icecreams, etc.
Pastry Corner is located closer to the bus stand.
Tibetan food stalls
Due to a sizable presence of Tibetans in Kodaikanal, you will find many Tibetan shops just around the Kodai Lake. Tibetans here sell woolen clothes, antiques, etc.
The food joints of Tibetans there offer really good food.
I really enjoyed having hot momos and spring rolls in the cool climate of Kodaikanal.
A word for being a responsible tourist in Kodaikanal
As I explored the beautiful hill-station of Kodaikanal, I was saddened to see the beauty being dampened with garbage littered around at all the major tourist attractions in Kodaikanal.
Filthy water at waterfalls, plastic wrappers spread around forests and hiking trails – sights like these are disturbing to watch, especially in Kodaikanal, a place known for its natural beauty.
If you are visiting Kodaikanal, please be a responsible tourist and don’t litter. It may save a future visitor from a spoiling experience. We can’t afford to foil such a pretty destination due to our foul habits.
How I travelled to Kodaikanal in less than Rs 3000
I was based in Chennai when I travelled to Kodaikanal. I reached there via an overnight bus journey from Chennai.
It was a 2 Night-3 Day trip. The return bus trip from Chennai cost me Rs 1200 (Rs 600 one way)
I spent Rs 998 for two nights of stay at Zostel Kodaikanal (Rs 499 for one night in a 8-bed dormitory)
The bus ticket to Mannavanur Lake was around Rs 40 (Rs 80 for the return trip). Entry ticket was Rs 10.
The bicycle rent was about Rs 60 for 2-3 hours.
The expenditure on food and chocolates came at about Rs 600. Lower expenses on food was courtesy Zostel, because they provided complimentary breakfast, which I availed to the most.
This is how I did my budget trip to Kodaikanal.
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