Theme: Easy acclimatization and panoramic viewpoints

Morning:

• Arrive in Kodaikanal (from Madurai or Coimbatore)
  
  

• Check-in at your accommodation in Vattakanal or near lake in town for easy access.
  
  

• Have a hearty breakfast.
  
  

Late Morning Hike:

• Coaker’s Walk (2 km round trip)
  
  

  • Trail: Paved walkway starting near St. Peter’s Church.
    
    

  • Highlights: Stunning valley views, misty cliffs, telescope houses.
    
    

  • Duration: 1 hour
    
    

  • Difficulty: Easy
    
    

Afternoon:

• Bryant Park & Kodaikanal Lake Loop (5 km circuit)
  
  

  • Walk or cycle around the lake; you can rent bicycles.
    
    

  • Enjoy local snacks and relax by the water.
    
    

Evening Sunset Hike:

• Dolphin’s Nose & Echo Point Trek (6 km round trip)
  
  

  • Trailhead: Vattakanal village (~3 km from Kodai bus stand)
    
    

  • Trail: Descends through pine forests and terraced slopes.
    
    

  • Highlights: Dolphin’s Nose rock outcrop, Echo Point, and panoramic valley views.
    
    

  • Duration: 2–3 hours (moderate)
    
    

  • Best for: Sunset views and misty photo ops.
    
    

  • Optional: Stop by Mountain View Café or Altafcafé in Vattakanal.
    
    

Overnight: Stay in Kodaikanal.

Theme: Deep forest adventure and offbeat exploration

Morning:

• Pine Forest & Guna Caves Trail (5 km total)
  
  

  • Trailhead: Moir Point.
    
    

  • Trail: Walk through dense pine woods to the famous Guna Caves (Devil’s Kitchen).
    
    

  • Highlights: Surreal forest ambience, mossy rocks, mist-laden trees.
    
    

  • Difficulty: Moderate (watch your footing).
    
    

  • Duration: 2–3 hours.
    
    

Afternoon Trek:

• Pillar Rocks & Green Valley View
  
  

  • Trail: Short trails connect the viewpoints.
    
    

  • Highlights: 400-foot granite pillars, breathtaking drop views, monkeys, and birds.
    
    

  • Lunch: Local eateries nearby.
    
    

Late Afternoon Hike:

• Vattakanal Waterfalls Trail (3 km round trip)
  
  

  • Trailhead: Vattakanal village.
    
    

  • Highlights: Series of small waterfalls, serene forest, local cafés.
    
    

  • Duration: 1.5–2 hours.
    
    

  • Difficulty: Easy–Moderate.
    
    

Evening:

• Relax at Potluck Café or Muncheez in Kodaikanal town.
  
  

Overnight: Stay near Vattakanal or back in town.

Theme: hike to remote village in the mountains.

Option A:  Day Hike to Vellagavi & return

• Altitude: ~1300 m (used to be the old kodai route)
  
  

• Distance: ~10km one way (20 km round trip)
  
  

• Trailhead: Vattakanal village (5km from Kodai town)
  
  

• Duration: 8 hours total
  
  

• Difficulty: Moderate
  
  

• Highlights: Grasslands, 360° views of Palani Hills, sunrise or mid-day trek.
  
  

• Tips: Start early (by 6:30 AM); carry water and light snacks.
  
  

Option B: Over night Camping in Vellagavi & hike to Kumbakarai Falls

• Distance: ~14 km one way (can be done as midway camp in vellagavi & next day trek)
  
  

• Trailhead: Vattakanal-Vellagavi (5 km from Kodaikanal)
  
  

• Duration: 2 Days
  
  

• Difficulty: Moderate–Hard
  
  

• Highlights: tribal villages, lush shola forests, wildflowers, Wild Coffee and Honey.
  
  

• Option: Camp overnight at Vellagavi village (with local guide support).
  
  

Next Day:

• Return to Vattakanal.
  
  

• Relax at your hotel or enjoy a bonfire night with fellow trekkers.

Theme: Summit experience and high-altitude panorama

Option A: Perumal Peak Trek (Most Popular)

• Altitude: ~2,440 m (highest point in Kodaikanal region)
  
  

• Distance: ~7 km one way (14 km round trip)
  
  

• Trailhead: Perumalmalai village (11 km from Kodai town)
  
  

• Duration: 5–6 hours total
  
  

• Difficulty: Moderate
  
  

• Highlights: Grasslands, 360° views of Palani Hills, sunrise or mid-day trek.
  
  

• Tips: Start early (by 6:30 AM); carry water and light snacks.
  
  

Option B: Kukkal Caves Trek (Offbeat)

• Distance: ~10 km one way (can be done as a one-day or overnight trek)
  
  

• Trailhead: Kookal village (25 km from Kodaikanal)
  
  

• Duration: 6–8 hours
  
  

• Difficulty: Moderate–Hard
  
  

• Highlights: Ancient cave shelters, tribal villages, lush shola forests, wildflowers.
  
  

• Option: Camp overnight at Kukkal village (with local guide support).
  
  

Evening:

• Return to town.
  
  

• Relax at your hotel or enjoy a bonfire night with fellow trekkers.

• Guides: Local guides are available through the Kodaikanal Tourist Office or eco-tourism groups.
  
  

• Gear: Light rain jacket, good hiking shoes, trekking poles (optional), and insect repellent.
  
  

• Permits: Usually not required for day treks, but some forest trails may need local permission.
  
  

• Weather: Can change quickly—carry warm layers even in summer.

Itinerary Highlights:

Day 1 - Arrive in Kodaikanal

Stop at Manjalar Dam, Thalaiyar Falls, Silver Cascade Falls

Check-in and visit Rose Garden, Bryant Park, and Lake Boating

Day 2 - Nature & Viewpoints

Upper Lake View, Berijam Lake, Moir Point, Pine Forest

Guna Caves, Pillar Rock, Green Valley View

Day 3 - Day Trip to Poombarai

Scenic stops at Palani View, Poombarai, Manavannur, Kookal

Day 4 - Vattakanal Adventure

Fairy Falls, Dolphin’s Nose, Vellagavi

Day 5 - Perumalmalai

Anju Veedu Falls for a refreshing end to your trip