Family-Friendly 2-Day Itinerary from Madurai to Kodaikanal

  1. Day 1: Kodaikanal Lake
    85.8 km (2 hours 39 minutes) from Madurai

    Start your day by visiting the Kodaikanal Lake, an artificial lake that was built in 1863. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and is a great spot for family picnics and boating. You can rent a pedal boat or a row boat and enjoy the serene surroundings. There are also horse rides available for children. Make sure to try the local street food, especially the corn on the cob and the hot chocolate, which is a local specialty.

  2. Day 1: Bryant Park and Coakers Walk
    3.3 km (9 minutes) from Kodaikanal Lake

    After spending the morning at the lake, head to Bryant Park, a botanical garden that houses a wide variety of flowers and plants. The park also has a play area for children. From Bryant Park, you can take a walk on Coakers Walk, a narrow pedestrian path that offers stunning views of the valley and surrounding hills. There are several viewpoints along the way, where you can take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

  3. Day 1: Kurinji Andavar Temple
    1.2 km (4 minutes) from Coakers Walk

    End your day by visiting the Kurinji Andavar Temple, a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. The temple is surrounded by hills and offers a peaceful atmosphere. The temple is particularly famous for the Kurinji flower, which blooms once every 12 years. If you're lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the flower during your visit.

  4. Day 2: Bear Shola Falls
    3.1 km (9 minutes) from Kurinji Andavar Temple

    Start your second day by visiting Bear Shola Falls, a beautiful waterfall that is surrounded by dense forests. The waterfall is named after a bear that used to drink from the falls. There is a small trek that you need to take to reach the falls, but it's worth the effort. The falls are particularly beautiful during the monsoon season, when the water flow is at its highest.

  5. Day 2: Pine Forest and Guna Cave
    2.5 km (7 minutes) from Bear Shola Falls

    After visiting the falls, head to the Pine Forest, a dense forest that is filled with pine trees. The forest is a great spot for a family picnic and also offers several trekking trails. From there, you can visit the Guna Cave, a natural cave that is surrounded by lush greenery. The cave is named after the Kamal Haasan-starrer movie "Guna", which was shot here. .

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Kodaikanal Lake (2 hours, INR 200 per person for boating)
  • Bryant Park and Coakers Walk (2 hours, INR 20 per person for entrance fee)
  • Kurinji Andavar Temple (1 hour, free entry)
  • Bear Shola Falls (2 hours, free entry)
  • Pine Forest and Guna Cave (2 hours, INR 10 per person for entrance fee)
  • Total Estimated Costs (per person): INR 230
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