destinations like Manali, Leh, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, etc. If at times we choose to visit hill stations of southern India, we often pick popular places like Ooty, Munnar, Coorg, etc. to get the stunning images of picture-perfect green hills.
A hill station like Vattakanal, a small town in the vicinity of Kodaikanal, often gets ignored in the process. However, it is as good as any other hill station in the country and the place is tranquil and completely free of pollution as well. Vattakanal is also surrounded by breathtaking cliffs and dense forests. Better known as Vatta, it is a serene hill station that is about a 6km drive away from Kodaikanal, falling in the Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the ‘Little Israel of India’ due to its heavy Israeli tourist population.
How to Reach Vattakanal?
If you want to visit Vattakanal, you can board a flight to Madurai Airport and once you land in Kodaikanal, you can reach Vattakanal by bus. If you live in any of the southern states, the best option to reach Vattakanal is via bus. Buses from almost all the major cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore among others ply almost daily. You can also drive to Kodaikanal as the region is quite scenic for a road trip.
Places to stay in Vattakanal
You will get several accommodation options that offer splendid views. You can secure your stay in a wood house with perfect views offered by Shafa Wood House, Romans Pod House, The Kodai Heaven, etc. If you want to go with budget-friendly options, then you can pick either Vattakanal HomeStays or DOSTel: Backpacker Hostel.
In DOSTel: Backpacker Hostel, you will get to hang out with some like-minded and free-spirited travellers. It also offers a barbecue. As little as Rs 500 or 1000 is needed per day during the peak season for a homestay in Vattakanal.
Things To Do
Image Credits: Tourism TN
When you are in Vattakanal, it becomes mandatory to taste cuisines at Altaf’s Café. The Middle Eastern Cafe is located close to Dolphin Nose and offers a wide range of breakfast items and sabich with music and some mesmerising views. Dolphin’s Nose is another popular attraction in Vattakanal. It is a single narrow rock shaped like a dolphin’s nose that juts out from the edge of the cliff, overlooking the valley below.
The view from here is incredible, especially when the mist gets cleared out.
You can go on a 30–45-minute downhill trek from Altaf’s café. You can also wander through the forests and walk around until you hear the sound of cascading water. When you hear the sound, understand that the Vattakanal waterfalls are nearby.
Best Time to Visit Vattakanal
The best time to visit Vattakanal is September through December. During these months, the region is cold enough to warrant a fireplace in most homes due to downpours.
