Kodaikanal Palani Hills

Trekking is a passion for those who love nature and those who love nature are connected to their roots with the strongest of bonds. Although Bangalore is a metropolitan city with technology upgrade everyday but this IT Hub offers the trekkers a treat that makes it an all-rounder. Around 550km or 10-hour drive from Bangalore is the opportunity for the amazing trek to Kodaikanal, Palani Hills also known as the “Princess of Hills”. As the name suggests it has a princess like royalty and beauty showered with the lush greenery and beautiful landscape, these mountains are an extension of the Western Ghats. The Trek to Kodaikanal Palani Hills from Bangalore provides a frequent spotting of rare and beautiful wildlife species. A great opportunity for all nature and wildlife lover. The sound of the nature surrounding us it is one whole of an experience. One of the specialties of the area is the shola forest (wet, temperate) from which originate many perennial streams. Shola is one of the most valuable treasure hills as prime watershed and as shelters for wildlife, in addition to the terminal refuge for endangered species of flora and fauna. Some of the flora and fauna found here are Orchids, Nilgiri Tahr, Grizzled giant squirrel.

Kodaikanal is a city in the hills of Dindigul District in the state of Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal is famous for the Palani hills which form the eastward splur of the Western Ghats on the western side of South India. Its name in Tamil means “The Gift of the Forest”. It is a famous tourist destination in Tamil Nadu and is referred as “The Princess of Hills”.  Meadows and grasslands cover the hillside. The place is known for its rich flora. The Cypress, Eucalyptus, and Acacia are among the big trees. Rhododendron and Magnolia are also found here. The Shola Forests are the jewel of the area. Mighty rocks and cascading streams lie above the valleys. Kodaikanal is one of the most favorite places for the tourists in South India.

The Trek to Kodaikanal Palani Hills from Bangalore starts from the Kodai campsite which is the base camp for the trek. It is an 18km trek that we complete in a day. We start in the morning trekking through the forest area and then reach the top in the afternoon. After spending some quality time in nature’s embrace we proceed back to the base camp and reach back the camp before night. The Trek to Kodaikanal Palani Hills from Bangalore is full of treats from nature. The scenic beauty of the hills is splendid. Trekking is always an amazing experience but this trekking to the Kodaikanal Palani Hills is just a two-day investment of time for a trek to the timeless beauty of “The Princess of Hills”. The Trek to Palani Hills gives us time from our busy schedules to take rest for two days and relax in the embrace of nature admiring the beauty of nature.

The Trek to Kodaikanal Palani Hills from Bangalore

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Maximum Altitude: 2133m
• Total Trekking Distance: 18km
• Trek duration: 2 days
• Location: Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu), India
• Nearest Domestic Airport: Madurai, India
• Nearest International Airport: Bangalore, India
• Nearest Railway station: Palani, India

Essential Trekking Equipment to carry for Trek to Kodaikanal Palani Hills

• Footwear: Walking boots, Sports shoes, and few pairs of socks.
• Luggage: Backpack (40 liters)
• Clothes: Waterproof breathable jackets and pants, Wind-cheater, t-shirts, cotton trekking pants, shorts.
• Gear for hand and head:  Sun Hat, Face Masks, etc.
• Accessories:  Sunglasses/Goggles, Anti-glare glasses, water bottle, Swiss knife, Hydra Pack, Headlamp with spare bulb and extra batteries.
• Trekking gears: Emergency Toolkit.
• Protection and first-aid: Sunscreen, Toiletry kit, Dettol solution or salt to avoid leach, Zip Lock bags, ear plugs, first aid and all essential medicines.
• Camping Equipment: Sleeping bags (extreme -5 to +5 Celsius) with liner, trekking poles, etc.