Best time
October to March is clear and cold, down to 8°C in December and January, and the best time for the viewpoints. April to June is the summer season when the plains escape the heat. July to September is misty with heavy rain, when the valley views disappear for days at a time.
- October to March, 8 to 20°C: Clear and cold, the best months for the viewpoints and the lake.
- April to June, 11 to 22°C: The summer season; Bryant Park’s flower show is in May and rates peak.
- July to September, 10 to 18°C: Mist and heavy rain, valleys closed in for days, the cheapest time to go.
What to pack
Woollens from December to February, when mornings sit at 8°C, and a jacket the rest of the year. Shoes with grip for Coaker’s Walk and Dolphin’s Nose, a rain shell from July to September, and a torch, because the town loses power on stormy evenings.
Getting there
Kodaikanal is about 460 km from Bangalore, eight to nine hours by road through Salem and Dindigul, so the group departures travel overnight on Friday. Trains reach Kodai Road station, 80 km away, with a two-hour drive up the ghat.
Chennai to Kodaikanal is about 530 km. The overnight train to Kodai Road and a two-hour drive up is the classic way; by road it is 10 hours through Trichy and Dindigul.
Kodaikanal is about 950 km from Hyderabad. Fly to Madurai (120 km) or Coimbatore and drive three hours up, or take the train to Kodai Road and cover the last two hours by car.