Kodaikanal and Munnar: Lakes, Tea Hills and Mist

The great temple of Madurai with its painted towers. Phones stay in the car or at the counter. Cover shoulders and knees, no shorts. The temple closes at 12:30 PM for the afternoon.

A pedal or row boat on the lake as the light softens. One boat for up to 3 guests is covered, extra boats are paid at the counter. Carry a jacket.

A 1 km clifftop path with the plains far below. Go early, as mist often rolls in by late morning.

A 20 acre garden beside the lake with flower beds and old trees. Easy, flat walking.

A roadside viewpoint over the forested valley. Quick stop, good for photos.

Tall straight pines on a soft slope. Cool, quiet and photogenic.

A short walk on a railed path to see the rock gaps from outside. The deep crevices are closed to visitors.

Three huge granite pillars from a viewing point. On clear days you see them fully, and on misty days they appear and vanish.

A wide valley view on the way back. Mist often fills the valley by evening.

A tall waterfall right beside the ghat road. A short stop and a last look at the Palani hills.

A roadside viewpoint on the Bodimettu to Munnar road, with a deep valley and tea slopes below. Mist often rolls through by afternoon.

A forest bus takes you up to Rajamalai and you walk a paved path among grassland and Nilgiri tahr. We book your time slot online. Closed in February and March for the tahr calving season.

See how tea goes from leaf to cup, with old machines and a short film. Closed on Mondays. On a Monday we swap it to Day 3.

Wide views over tea slopes and cardamom hills, lovely in the late light. Carry a jacket, it cools fast after 4 PM.

A calm green reservoir ringed by tea hills. Speedboat and pedal boat rides are extra, paid there.

Shout across the lake and hear it come back.

A quiet lake among the tea estates. Boats are extra, paid there.

The highest point on this road, looking down over the plains of Tamil Nadu. There are steps down to the viewpoint. Late morning is usually clearer than the afternoon.

A 1636 palace with huge white pillars and painted domes, a short walk from the temple. Entry ticket included.