Kodaikanal and Poombarai Trip with My College Buddies

Before the trip began, we gathered in Madurai, staying at a friend's house. The night was made memorable with a delightful dinner at the Sulthan Hotel, offering fabulous and mind-blowing dishes. The day ended with early sleep, and an exciting journey awaited us the next morning.(மதுரை பரோட்டா மதுரை பரோட்டா தான் யா ❤️)


Day 1:
We all woke up at 4.00 AM and had a quick refreshment. We were excited about our first bike trip together. We started our ride with a blessing from the Pillayar temple.

After an hour, we reached Vadipatti, where we had a small tea break and finished our breakfast. From there, we continued our ride towards Vathalagundu, which we reached around 7 AM. The road was clear and perfect, with no traffic to slow us down.

As we reached the middle of the hill, we stopped for a photoshoot. The place was beautiful, and we took many photos to capture the memories.

At 7.30 AM, we reached Silver Falls. We had suda suda egg bondas and tea before continuing our journey to Kodaikanal.

In Kodaikanal, we booked a room at Vijaya Cottage Naidupuram (Hill-view Stay) Near Kodaikanal Lake. After refreshing ourselves, we went for a trek to Dolphin's Nose and Echo Rock. The trek was 8 km long, and the highlight was the rock that resembles the snout of a dolphin.

After completing the trek, we had lunch at Sri Lakshmi Restaurant, a pure veg restaurant.

In the afternoon, we went for a walk on Coaker's Walk, enjoying the panoramic views of the hills. We also visited Bryant Park, a well-maintained botanical garden with a variety of plants and flowers.

Later, we went for a boat ride on Kodaikanal Lake. We had a lot of fun interacting with some small kids who were also on the boat.

After the boat ride, we rented cycles and rode around the lake for 5 km. It was a great way to relive our childhood memories.

At 7.30 PM, we went back to our room and refreshed ourselves. We then had a non-veg dinner at one of the many restaurants near the lake.

After dinner, we danced to some music on TV before finally calling it a night.

Day 2:
We started our day with a visit to Kurinji Andavar Temple, a Murugan temple famous for its stunning views of the Palani and Vaigai dam.

From there, we went to Pillar Rocks, a set of three giant rock pillars offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. We also explored Guna Caves, a fascinating natural cave formation.

In the afternoon, we had lunch at a restaurant in Kodaikanal.

After, we visited Vattakanal, a serene and less crowded alternative to the main town. We had dinner at a local eatery before heading to Poombarai.

We reached Poombarai at 9.45 PM and checked into our tent stay rooms. We spent the rest of the night chatting, playing cards, and enjoying each other's company.

Day 3:
On our 3rd day, we started with a visit to Kuzhanthai Velappar Temple, another Murugan temple known for its ancient idol and annual Pusam festival.

We then explored the picturesque Poombarai village, known for its terraced farming and beautiful landscapes. We also visited Poombarai Village View Point, a hidden gem that offers stunning views of the valley.

For lunch, we had a simple home-cooked meal at a local eatery in Poombarai.

If we had more time, we would have loved to visit Berijam Lake, known for its pristine beauty.

Finally, we had a cup of tea before heading back to Madurai on our bikes, with countless memories to cherish.

The total cost for this trip is Rs. 5,500 per person.

Tips for planning your own Kodaikanal and Poombarai trip:
  • The best time to visit Kodaikanal is between October and March when the weather is pleasant.
  • If you are planning to go on a bike trip, make sure your bikes are in good condition and that you have all the necessary safety gear.
  • There are many accommodation options in Kodaikanal, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury hotels.
  • There are plenty of restaurants in Kodaikanal serving both Indian and international cuisine.
  • Be sure to bargain when shopping at the local markets.
  • Take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kodaikanal and Poombarai.

Magic's POV: More friends, More trips!!

Thank you for reading!!

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