Location: India>Tamilnadu>Dindigul>Kodaikanal To Kerela>Munnar

Nearest Towns: Kodaikanal, Munnar

Distances: Kodaikanal is 480 km from Bangalore.

Rail Route: Tutikorin Express departs from bangalore at 9:45 pm and reaches Kodaikanal Road station (80 km from kodaikanal) at 7 a.m.

Bus Route: Daily night bus from Majestic Bus Stand in Bangalore to Kodaikanal takes 12 hours.

Route:

Camping Sites:

Trek Length: 36 km.

Difficulty Level:

Best Time To Visit:
Worst Time To Visit:

Summary: Kodai to Munnar was formerly a motorable road built in the Britsh Era, used for sometime by the Indian Forest Department. But, after its closure, it has regained its beauty and has a mysterious charm about it

The first thing required is permission from the District Forest Officer (DFO) office at Kodaikanal. They say that your letter must reach them about 3-4 weeks before the intended day of the trek, but I seriously doubt that any such letter would stay out of the dustbin. Physical presence there is a must, I feel, as we managed the permission on the same day we started the trek!!! There are a lot of middle men who claim to obtain permission for you for a ‘processing fee’ - my only advice is to beware of such people. However, be warned that access to the DFO might be prevented by a lot of people in the DFO office who might claim to ‘help you’ for the ‘fee’.

The permission should be obtained for a trek from Berijam lake to Top Station. Berijam is a secluded lake about 24 kms from Kodai and special permission is required to enter this place. This permission too is available at the DFO office at 10 am everyday (except Mondays and Tuesdays). In case the permission is not available for Berijam, you might have to start your trek from Poondi village. At the other end, Top Station is 34 kms from Munnar and is in Theni district of TN. However, in the course of your trek, you would be crossing into Kerala for sometime atleast. The trek distance is 22 miles or about 36 kms. The initial 20 kms would be on a wide jeep track which is still in use. Diversions could be confusing. The first major one is about 2 kms from Berijam where there are 3 roads intersecting - take the right. Proceed further through beautiful Pine forest for another 4 kms where you get a fork - a track to the right going downwards and one straight on, in the same plane — Continue straight on. Another 4 kms later, you should see around 4 dilapidated buildings which were formerly forest quarters at ‘Vandaravu’. Berijam to this forest quarters should take about 3 to 3.5 hours of trekking. This might be a good place for lunch since there is a stream nearby. Continuing on from Vandaravu, after about 2 hours of trek, you would encounter a T junction. The road to the right is the one coming from Poondi village and the one to the left is what you would have to take. Another hour from here would take you to a second set of broken houses - in better shape than the first, next to a stream, where one might camp for the night. Less than two kms later, the wide dusty jeep track ends near a bridge and all that you find is the remnants of an asphalted road of ages ago. All you need to remember for the next part of the trek is that there was a tar road from here to top station!!! Follow any track which has some tar or ‘jelly stones’ visible and you would be through. This part of about 10 kms is through some thick jungle which apparently has a lot of wild-life including leopards.
It would take someone 3.5 to 4 hours of climb to reach the next landmark - a watch tower at the Kerala - TN border. But before that, one significant confusion would be at another T junction. The route to the right is a wide jeep track and seems inviting. But, my guess is that it either goes to a waterfall or to Kilaver/Koiloor villages which I cannot comment upon. The route to the left, though narrow and seems unused is the one that leads to the watchtower.
Climb up the watchtower for spectacular panoramic views of the Chinar wild life sanctuary. When you get down, take the tar road to the left for just one km and you would be at the Wireless Station, Bandar in the Kerala forests. No further confusions from now on and a 2-2.5 hour trek (through around 10 kms) should see you at the Forest Checkpost at Top Station on the Kerala side where you will be told that the DFO permission from Kodai is not enough. To tread the Kerala forests, you need to obtain permission from the Forest Officer at Munnar as well.

Direction to Berijam Lake:
take the radio station road towards Mannavanur. after few miles you see a divertion to Berijam .

Other Treks In Kodaikanal:
1. Kodaikanal - dolphins' nose - vallagavi - kumbakkarai (8kms) it takes 5 to 6 hours. The return trip would be very rough and the hiking need strong physique.

2. Kodai - Thopi thooki parai - periyur - periyakulam - roughly 5 hours and 19 km trek includes steep rise and one can have a glimpse of Guar. Coffee plantations are in abundance.

3. Kodai - vilpatty - ganesapuram - puliamarathope - palani - a 6 ½ hours trek of 16 kms distance takes you to

4. Kukkal - kudiraiyar Dam - A difficult 13 kms long trek route takes 5 hours for a trained trekker. Water falls, sholas and decidious forests will arouse interest. Better take a guide.

5. Pallangi - poruthalur Dam - A 5 hours trek covering 14 kms runs through sholas, teak forests and plantations. It is advisable vilpatty village and from there, a zig zag step path runs along the river Palar . Elephants may cross. Be alert.to have a guide.

6. Leving (Pambar) Stream A short walk from Kodaikanal. For a longer stretch, go up to Pambar falls.

7. Dolphins Nose - A two-hour trek.

8. Mount Perumal : the up hill task from Perumal Malai village will take you to 2234 meters altitude. Up & down trek will be 3-½ hours duration.

9. Pig valley - pallangi - kodai : Orchards small sholas, rushing streams, rice fields, and the Pallangi village will enthuse the visitors.

10. Vembadi Peak : it gives you a magnificent view of Berjim Lake, Vandaravu range, Mannavanur Sheep farm, pumbarai village etc. Trekking to this 2466 meter peak, second highest in the palani hills is normally a full day affair.

11. Gundur Valley: a days's trip. Wattle forests, sholas, Gudar River and the falls will arouse interest. Excellent picnic spot.

12. Kukkal caves Poomparai 8 km trek takes 2 hours. In Kodaikanal hills, trout streams are pulavachiyar and Kolanar. Carp fishing is recommended in Kodai Lake. Director of Fisheries, Observatory Road, issues fishing license for a fee.

Important Phone Numbers:
District Forest office (DFO): 91- 04542 -240287
Conservator of Forrest (DINDIGUL): 0451-2460010
http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/ContactUs_dist/cu_dgl.html

Dr. C. K. Sreedharan, I.F.S., Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
Govt. of Tamil Nadu
No.1 Geenis Road
Panagal Maligai,Saidapet,CHENNAI - 600 015
PH: 044-4348059,24348059
Fax : 24337307