Ooty to Kodaikanal

We are reaching Coimbatore by 28th Dec 09 we'll reach ooty by the after noon. Here is the schedule we planned.

Day1: Ooty Local Sight Seeing

Day2 (29th Dec): Ooty Local Sight Seeing.

Day3 (30th Dec): Trip to Coonoor, Start to Kodaikanal on the Same day at night.

Day4 (31st Dec): Reach Kodai Kanal in the Morning Time Cover the local Sight Seeing.

Day5 (1St Jan): Kodai Local Sight Seeing

Day6 (2nd Jan): Get down to Madurai cover local sight seeing catch the train to our destination.

Here are my doubts can any one clarify

-How is the transport facility to kodaikanal from ooty?? are there any alternative routes? How about the fare.

-Can some one suggest the gud accomdation at Kodaikanal

-What are the temple timings of Madura Meenakshi Temple, Madurai?

Someone I hope will give you more recent information, but years ago there was a good bus going between Ooty and Kodaikanal - but it was a full day's journey. I guess there will be an overnight bus, but someone will need to confirm this for you.

I hope the landslides in both Kodaikanal and ooty is set right before you come.

As Aisha said, there used to be a bus service from ooty to kodaikanal. Now its no more.

Your plan looks too tight. I would prefer you reach madurai from Coimbatore and head to kodaikanal.

Spend 2 days in Kodaikanal than rather exhausting yourself traveling from ooty to kodaikanal. That way, you can reach back madurai and finish Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple and then head for your destination.

Moreover, ooty is devastated due to the recent floods and traffic up and down the hill has become slow and horrible.

Think about it.

Temple timings and all other info about Meenakshi temple at:
http://www.maduraimeenakshi.org/

I agree with the suggestion that you ought to check road conditions in Ooty prior to making firm bookings. You could also consider skipping Ooty and spending more quality time at Kodaikanal and Madurai. From Coimbatore you can go by road to Kodai, its about 5hrs in a taxi, will be longer by bus. If you are coming by train, you can take a train that passes Dindigul or Kodaikanal Road. Alternately do your trip from Madurai both ways if possible.

I think most roads will be more or less back to normal by then! Even now, the few tourists who are coming are managing to get around without too many problems by light vehicles. Quite a few diversions (due to land-slips etc) are in place at the moment, but by Decemeber end, there should be no problems!

The overnight journey from Coonoor to Kodai is the problem! As far as I know there are a few busses per day (Govt) which run this route, but nothing will leave Ooty or Coonoor in the late evening! If you want to maximise your day in Coonoor, you have 2 options: First you could spend one more night there (on the 30th) and start for Kodai on the morning of the 31st! This way though you will reach Kodai quite late on the 31st! However, you could also take a late local bus from Coonoor to Coimbatore on the evening of the 30th. This journey will take maximum 3 hours! I think there are some busses that go from Coimbatore to Kodai, but like Ooty, I do not think any of these will start late in the evening. So you can spend a short night in a lodge close to the bus stand in Coimbatore, and then take an early morning bus on the 31st to Kodai! Most likely you will actually have to take a bus to Palani or Dindigul and then on to Kodaikanal! Frequency is good!

Maybe someone from Coimbatore will have more details?

ooty is vastly down due to rains.it may be fine by december end.but,sorry,ur trip looks very tight.from ooty u have to come down to cbe and take a bus to dindigul and from there to kodaikanal.if u coming with kids then will be very tough.please take a relook at the schedule.upto you.

acco at kodai is very easily available in december end .anyway u can try http://www.hotelsinkodai.com/budget.htm

@All
Thanks for your suggestions & replies.

I talked to one of the cab driver. He asked me 9k(excluding toll taxes) From Day1-Day6.

He will pick up us at Coimbatore on Day-1 from there to Oooty, Coonor, Mettupaliam, Palani, Kodai kanal, Madurai.

Though we have planned our return journey from Madhurai he will drop us at Madurai station.

Is that the price worthy or reasonable?? can any please confirm.

Can any one post me the budget hotels at Kodaikanal under 800-1000(If possible, Including ph no's, address).

Dude, I am not cuming wid kids we all are young ppl at age of 23.

Hi,
Can anyone suggest me any iternary of around 7 days ( 11th July '10- 18th July) from chennai and back. Would be reaching kodaikanal on 12th July Morning --- and thereon I am yet to decide on the iternary. Considering this time would be monsoon -- so not sure whereon to travel ?? We are looking for budget accomodation and dependent mainly on public transport/train.

Tia.

Hi POMZ,

Kodaikanal Sight seeing

First day, Go to places inside kodaikanal.

1. Coakers Walk
2. 500 years old tree(Not sure if its 500 or more)
3. Pine Forest
4. Guna Caves
5. Pillar Rock
6. Kodai Lake. Dont forget to go cycling around the lake. Its 5.5 Kms. You will enjoy if you dont rush

Second Day

Bary Jam Lake (No food available at that place as it is dense forest) If you can carry your food, you can choose a nice spot and sit there with your family and have a nice picnic)
Enroute to Bary jam lake you can see the following places
1. Silent Valley View
2. Thoppi Thooki Parai
3. Madhikettan Solai
4. Upper view of Barry jam lake
Then directly to Barry jam Lake. Spend a good amout of time there, but you got to leave before 3.30.
Permission is needed from the forest department and hence inform the cab drivers atleast one day in advance, so that they will arrange for the same. 100 rs is the fees for the permission.

Third day

Lakshmi Temple enroute to Poomparai village
Rose Plantation facility enroute to poomparai village
Poomparai Village (Fully surrounded by mountains)
Poomparai Murugan temple(One of the oldest temple and very famous)Dont miss to pull over and see the breath taking view
Kurinji Andavar temple in Kodaikanal.

Last day, Dont forget to buy Home made chocolates which is Kodai's speciality. If you want, you can also buy Fruits.

Do let me know if you need any other information.

Normally a local drop by cab will cost you 60 Rs. Rest of the tours will cost you on selection basis.

Now you have 4 days left I guess

Take a Bus to Madurai

You can spend 2 days in madurai for the following

1. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple (Would require a day)
2. Thirumalai Naicker Mahal & Thiruparankundram

Travel to Tanjavur and see Brahadheswarar Temple

From There travel to Trichy and see Uchi Pillayar Koil, Srirangam Temple, Thiruvanaikaval Temple and Samayapuram Mariammam Temple.

Option B:

After Tanjavur, You can head to Kumbakonam and you have a moe than a dozen temples to see in and around Kumbakonam (Every temple is so huge and you will be amazed with the architecture work)

What a great itinerary for Kodaikanal, bsprasad! I wish I had known about all these other features you have listed in the environs - I loved Kodaikanal, was there for 10 days years ago, but didn't see nearly as much as I could have. I seemed to do a lot of daily walks however, which was good for health.

A lot of thanks indeed...
Was wondering if the trip could be as such :
12/july mon- 14/july -- kodaikanal(3 day)
15/july thrus-16/fri -- coonor(2 day)
17/july sat - 18/july sun -- pondicherry(1 day)

planning to catch night train from kodai rd to coonor on 14th nite and from coonor to pondicherry on 16th nite.

{havenot visited coonor, had visited ooty twice but missied on the train journey to ooty ,-- is it worth visiting coonor/ooty considering that it wud be rainy season and by that time I had already visited kodai(hill station), have already visited madurai so planning to drop it}.

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plz to suggest any better iternary. Should I book any hotels in adv considering [I] wud be thr in offseason ( some gud hotels in ard Rs.700 -- plz to suggest)


thanksoos