Day 2 – Journey through the clouds
Date: 12-Apr-15
This turned out to be the most memorable and action-packed day of our Kodaikanal trip. We managed to cover nearly ten attractions in a single day, thanks to the compact layout of the town and the close proximity of its major sightseeing spots.
The day began with a beautiful sunrise. We quickly got ready, checked out the view from our cottage, and left at 7:30 AM. After enjoying a delicious breakfast at Hilltop Woodlands, we were ready for a full day of exploration.
Coaker’s Walk revisited
- Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM
- Entry fee: 10 Rs/person and 20 Rs for camera
I had specifically planned to revisit Coaker’s Walk because I wanted to see how different the mountains would look in the morning compared to the previous evening. The visit exceeded all expectations.
As we entered Coaker’s Walk, we watched the mountains gradually disappear behind drifting clouds. With every step along the pathway, more clouds rolled in until the entire landscape was covered in a blanket of mist. It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever witnessed. The constantly changing scenery made the revisit completely worthwhile. We spent nearly half an hour soaking in the magical atmosphere before moving on to our next destination.
Pine Forest
- Entry fee: None
Our next stop was the famous Pine Forest, located about 5 km from the town center.
By now, the number of tourists in Kodaikanal had increased dramatically. The Pine Forest was crowded, and the parking area was rapidly filling up with vehicles. Despite the crowd, the place was stunning.
The tall pine trees, arranged in neat rows, created a unique landscape that felt straight out of a movie scene. In fact, the location has appeared in several films over the years. As we spent more time there, the crowd continued to grow. We quickly realized that every attraction on the popular sightseeing circuit would be similarly busy throughout the day.
After spending some time enjoying the scenery and taking photographs, we continued towards Moir Point.
Moir Point
- Entry fee: 10 Rs/person
The drive to Moir Point was spectacular. The weather was at its absolute best, with thick clouds covering the landscape. By this point, Thilak had stopped checking Google Maps and simply followed the endless stream of tourist vehicles heading towards the viewpoints.
When we reached Moir Point (around 3 km from pine forest), the entire area was engulfed in clouds. Visibility was almost nonexistent, and we could barely see beyond a few feet. Strangely, that made the experience even better.
I had always wanted to visit a place completely wrapped in fog, and Kodaikanal was making that wish come true. Everywhere we went, the clouds seemed to follow us. I could not have been happier.
Guna Caves (Devil’s Kitchen)
- Entry fee: 10 Rs/person
Continuing along the same route, we soon arrived at Guna Caves (around 2 km from Moir point), one of Kodaikanal’s most famous attractions. Located beneath the Pillar Rocks, the caves are surrounded by dense forest and steep ravines. As we had read earlier, access to the actual caves was restricted for safety reasons. The area was extremely crowded and covered in thick mist.
For a brief moment, we managed to catch a partial view of the Pillar Rocks from the viewpoint. Within minutes, the clouds returned and completely concealed them again.
Pillar Rocks
- Entry fee: 2 Rs/person
Before visiting the viewpoint, we stopped for a quick snack and enjoyed some delicious hot vadas sold nearby. The weather at Pillar Rocks was similar to the other viewpoints that day: cloudy, misty, and unpredictable.
Initially, we could not see the famous rock formations at all. We waited patiently, hoping the clouds would clear. After a few minutes, the mist briefly parted, revealing the majestic Pillar Rocks in all their glory. The sight lasted only a few moments before the clouds swallowed them again. Even that fleeting glimpse felt special, and we were grateful to have seen them at least once.
Green Valley View Point (Suicide Point)
- Entry fee: none
Our next stop was Green Valley View Point, formerly known as Suicide Point. To reach the viewpoint, we had to walk through a narrow passage lined with shops selling Kodaikanal’s famous homemade chocolates, eucalyptus oils, handicrafts, and souvenirs. The crowd here was perhaps the largest we encountered all day.
After navigating through the busy passage, we finally reached the viewpoint. A large protective grill had been installed for visitor safety, and the valley could be viewed through it. The view was breathtaking. Deep valleys, lush greenery, and layers of distant hills stretched endlessly before us, creating one of the most impressive panoramas of the trip.
Upper Lake View Point
While returning towards the town, we noticed a signboard directing visitors to Upper Lake View Point. Curious, we followed the road and were rewarded with a beautiful elevated view of Kodai Lake framed by rolling hills and dense greenery. The viewpoint offered a completely different perspective of the lake and turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Afterward, we spent some time simply driving around the town. The roads themselves were an attraction. Tall green trees lined both sides, and the ever-present clouds added an almost dreamlike quality to the surroundings.
A relaxed afternoon
We returned to Astoria Veg Restaurant for lunch and once again enjoyed a satisfying meal. After lunch, we headed back to our cottage for some rest.
Thilak was eager to visit Dolphin’s Nose that afternoon. However, we were unsure about the route and needed more information before attempting the trek. After researching, he discovered that visitors could park near La Saleth Church and walk to Dolphin’s Nose from there. Since the route required additional time and planning, we decided to postpone it until the following day.
Kurinji Andavar Temple
With Dolphin’s Nose moved to the next day’s itinerary, we looked for nearby attractions and decided to visit Kurinji Andavar Temple, located just 2 km from our cottage. By the time we left, it had started raining. Fortunately, the shower lasted only a short while, and the weather cleared soon after.
The road to the temple was narrow and steep, passing through charming residential neighborhoods filled with beautiful cottages and gardens. Kurinji Andavar Temple was peaceful and relatively uncrowded. Dedicated to Lord Muruga, it is a small temple known for its scenic surroundings. The views from both sides of the temple were stunning.
We spent some time exploring the temple area and browsing through the nearby craft shops before continuing our journey.
Chettiar Park
Our next stop was Chettiar Park, located just around 2 km from the town. Unlike Bryant Park, this park was quiet and uncrowded, making it far more relaxing. The gardens were beautifully maintained, and we personally found the atmosphere here more enjoyable than Bryant Park.
It was a pleasant place to slow down and appreciate the natural beauty of Kodaikanal away from the tourist crowds.
La Saleth Church
La Saleth Church is a beautiful little church located on St. Mary’s Road. There were very few visitors during our visit, which added to its peaceful atmosphere.
Since we were unsure about what could be explored inside the church, we did not spend much time there and returned shortly afterward. Interestingly, Google Maps redirected us to this church when we searched for St. Mary’s Church, while searching for La Saleth Church did not show any route. This made us wonder whether both names referred to the same place.
Thilak was interested in exploring the surrounding area, so we drove further down the road and discovered a walking trail leading towards Dolphin’s Nose. The trail looked interesting, but the area was deserted and darkness was approaching. I was beginning to feel uneasy, so we decided to turn back and continue our exploration the next day.
Evening by Kodi lake
It was around 6:30 PM when we returned to the town. Thilak parked the car near Kodai Lake. There were plenty of bicycles available for rent to ride around the lake. Unfortunately, I was experiencing severe back pain and could not consider cycling. Instead, we walked towards the boating counters to check whether boating was still available. By then, the counters had already closed for the day.
With no specific plans, we simply sat on a bench near the lake, munching on churmuri and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. As evening approached, the clouds once again began floating through the town, just as they had the previous day.
The evening atmosphere around the lake was magical. The combination of fading daylight, mist-covered streets, and clouds gliding across the landscape created a scene that felt almost unreal.
Shopping in the clouds
By around 7:30 PM, it was fully dark, and we decided to do some shopping before returning to our cottage. The streets were completely covered in clouds, resulting in very low visibility. We visited a craft store called Danish Display on Bazaar Road. The handcrafted items on display were impressive, and we ended up purchasing a few gift items for our home.
Afterward, we had dinner once again at Astoria Veg Restaurant and returned to our cottage.
Travel snapshot
Travelling through dense forests, walking among drifting clouds, and experiencing all of it alongside the person you love is truly special. Being able to touch, feel, and immerse ourselves in the clouds throughout the day made this one of the most unforgettable experiences of our trip.
I am grateful to have experienced such a beautiful day in Kodaikanal.
- Route travelled: Spring Valley Residency > Coaker’s walk > Pine forest > Moir Point > Guna caves > Pillar rocks > Green valley view point > Upper lake view point > Spring Valley Residency > Kurinji Andavar temple > Chettiar park > La Saleth church > Kodai Lake > Spring Valley Residency
See also:
Beautiful sights! My favorite spot would be Moir point 🙂
That is a lot of sightseeing in one day! Loved the photo haul though!
Thanks Mridula..
Lovely!