Here’s an amazing travel experience that lives in my memory forever. It was New Year’s and winter season, and a group of four friends, including me, wanted to go on a trip. The best nearby place for this season was Kodaikanal, known as the “Queen of Hill Stations.” This mesmerizing place is located in Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu.
After a long discussion, we planned a two-day trip to Kodai. Out of the four of us, one friend, Jose, lives in Kerala, and he said he’d join us in Kodai directly. Once he confirmed, Joey said, “Let’s book the tickets.” The best option we found was a KSRTC Airavat Clubclass bus from Bangalore to Kodaikanal. Buses to Kodai operate from various parts of the city, and the trip takes around 8.5 hours to cover the approximately 465 kilometers by road. Though trains are available, the nearest railway station is 80 kilometers from Kodai, and the nearest airport, in Madurai, is about 120 kilometers away. You could also drive, but taking the bus seemed more convenient.
Next, we found a “home away from home” for two days near the center of town. After considering many options, Rashmi and Joey chose a beautiful 3BHK villa. Kodai has numerous hotels and homestays to fit any budget.
Our final task was to draft a travel itinerary. Joey, Rashmi, and I noted a few places to visit, though we wanted quality time away from work and city life rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.
Finally, Friday evening arrived, and we packed our backpacks. Rashmi, who has traveled extensively, advised, “Santosh, make sure you pack winter clothes. It’ll be cold there.” Ready for the journey, I headed to the Shantinagar bus stop in a cab. Joey joined me there, and Rashmi, for convenience, planned to board at St. John’s Hospital Junction as the bus passed through.
The bus was slightly delayed, which was understandable with Bangalore traffic. After some searching, we found our bus. The conductor verified our bookings and IDs, and we boarded around 10 PM. The bus was clean, with luggage storage above the seats and air-conditioning. Shortly after boarding, the conductor distributed blankets and water bottles.
Once seated, I informed Rashmi of our seats and the driver that she’d join us at St. John’s Junction to avoid any confusion. Twenty minutes later, we picked up Rashmi and officially began our journey to Kodai. Around the same time, Jose messaged that he’d boarded his train to Madurai, where he’d catch a bus to Kodai.
Around 7 AM, I awoke to see my window fogged over like frosted glass. Wiping it away revealed lush greenery, foggy weather, and hairpin bends—all signs we were approaching “the gift of the forest.” Meanwhile, Joey shared that Jose had already reached Kodai.
Around 7:30 AM, we arrived at the Kodaikanal bus stop. The first thing I said was, “OMG, it’s freezing here!”—about 11 degrees. The bus stop was neat, with small shops and tea stalls, along with plenty of parked tourist vehicles. Joey called Jose, who was already waiting for us.
After reuniting, we decided to have tea at a nearby bakery. We enjoyed egg puffs, croissants, and tea. What an amazing start to the trip—the cold weather, a warm puff in one hand, and hot tea in the other. It was around 8:30 AM, and we headed to our villa, a 2.5-kilometer walk away. However, we soon realized the terrain was challenging, so we hired a cab.
We settled on Rs. 800 after Rashmi, fluent in the local language, closed the deal. On the way, the driver offered us a sightseeing package, but we decided to keep his contact for whenever we wanted to go out.
After a 15-minute ride, we arrived at the “Skyhigh Villa,” a beautiful 3-bedroom property with a fully equipped kitchen and three bathrooms. The villa had a cozy living area, dining space, and a small, well-maintained garden. The view was incredible—mountains textured by fog, perfect for a relaxing holiday. The caretakers were friendly, and the owner had even contacted us the day before to give directions.
By 9:30 AM, we settled into our “nest.” We freshened up and ordered lunch through a restaurant tied to the villa. Around 2 PM, after a satisfying meal, we had a fun conversation outside. We planned to visit Kodaikanal Lake, about 2.5 kilometers away, that evening.
Around 4 PM, we called the taxi driver, took photos in the garden while waiting, and by 4:30 PM, we set out for the lake. After a 20-minute ride, we arrived. The lake view was breathtaking. It’s a huge lake with shops, walking paths, horse riding, pedal boating, and cycling options. We opted for a boat ride, though standing in line was a bit of a wait. The entry fee was very reasonable, and the staff took all safety measures, although some jackets were in poor condition. The calmness of the lake and the cool breeze made for a soothing experience. After 30 minutes of peaceful paddling, we took selfies, though Rashmi worried about her phone slipping into the lake.
Next, we decided on a bicycle ride, my first in 11 years! I was unsure but decided to give it a go. Joey and Rashmi opted for a tandem bike, while Jose and I rented single-seaters. A slight scare came when I found my bike’s brakes weren’t working, but I managed to stop by dragging my feet! Despite the crowd, the place was worth the visit.
After returning the cycles, we shopped at nearby stalls. Around 8 PM, we dined at a restaurant and later stopped at a retail outlet for snacks. Rashmi spotted a few packets of “French letters” (condoms). They dared me to loudly ask, “Which flavor do you want?” Although embarrassed, I did it—softly!
After buying ice cream in the cold, we called the driver and reached the villa around 10:30 PM. We had planned to stay up talking, but by 11:30 PM, Rashmi was already asleep. Joey, Jose, and I played ludo and reminisced about our MBA days before finally sleeping at 2:30 AM.
The next morning, I woke up around 7 AM to find that Joey had caught the sunrise, while the rest of us missed it. The beauty of that sunrise is still something Joey teases us about. We went for a walk, exploring the area behind the villa and discovered a stunning viewpoint with foggy mountain ranges and clear blue skies. After a few photos, we returned to the villa and made breakfast.
Later, we played “truth or dare” and UNO, enjoying every moment. Around noon, we extended our stay with the villa owner’s permission, thrilled to have a few more hours to relax. After lunch, we packed up, then bought chocolates from a local shop. At 4 PM, we headed to the bus stop, where Jose caught a bus to Madurai for his train to Kerala.
With a few hours to spare, we visited Coaker’s Walk, a beautiful one-kilometer path built by Lieutenant Coaker in 1872. This manmade path has a breathtaking view and was definitely a must-visit. Finally, we returned to the bus stop and boarded our bus back to Bangalore, ending our fabulous trip.
As Benjamin Disraeli once said, “Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” This trip truly embodies that sentiment.
PC:Photo by Abhishek Prasad on Unsplash