Best Time To Visit Kodaikanal |Tamil Nadu Travel Guide

Are you looking for the best hill stations in India? Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu will surely be on your list as a year-round escapade amidst mesmerizing scenic views.

Further, the mysterious Verdant Hills, waterfalls, and the pristine countryside have boosted the number of footfalls in the “Queen of Mountains” in Tamil Nadu. In fact, Kodaikanal witnessed a major tourist boom during the summer festival in 2023.

So, there is no wonder that an E-Pass has become mandatory to visit Kodaikanal in the summer of 2024. The government of Tamil Nadu issued this E-Pass, and it was applicable between 7th May and 30th June 2024.

Further, this was a move to keep a check on the number of tourists and vehicle visits to this beautiful hill station.

So, is summer the best time to visit Kodaikanal? Let’s find out about Kodaikanal weather conditions across various seasons and the ideal time for your visit.

Diverse And Unique Seasonal Charm Of Kodaikanal: Know The Best Time To Visit Kodaikanal

Like the diverse culture, the Kodaikanal weather shows many colors in the diversity of nature.

If you like to enjoy the sunlight and the hot summer weather, the Kodaikanal summer season is the perfect time to enjoy the bright sun and the warm weather.

And if you like to enjoy the chill in the air, winter will be the best Kodaikanal season to visit.

1. The Little Hot Summer In Kodaikanal

Months: April to June

Temperature: 31ºC to 20ºC

Do you want to know the best month to visit Kodaikanal? The months of April, May, and June constitute the summer season. These are the best months to visit Kodaikanal and enjoy its refreshing breeze.

So, Kodaikanal is a delightful summer escapade, offering you relief from the high temperature and humidity felt across the country.

Further, summer is the best season to cherish the beauty of rivers and lakes in Kodaikanal. Moreover, trails like The Pillar Rocks and Thoothor Waterfall here are great for trekking in summer.

However, like trekking in Bangalore, October to March is another great season to visit Kodaikanal and hit the trekking routes.

What To See In Kodaikanal In Summer?

The beauty of the place is almost similar to the beautiful landscape of Scotland. Kodaikanal is the place where you can see and experience the internal outlook of Scotland. The best part is that you can explore the places by walking and bicycle riding during the summer and explore the different hiking routes and mountain paths.

Here are the five places for travelers to feel the real essence of Kodaikanal.

Croakers Walk – For hiking and walking and enjoy the natural views of the hills.
Berijam Lake – Popular picnic spot for enjoying the mysterious environment
Kodai Lake – For an outdoor picnic, cycling, and boating
Bryant Park – Visit the Annual Horticulture show organized in May
Pillar Rocks – The princess of the hill station

2. Rain And Rainbow Of Kodaikanal

Months: June to September

Temperature: 27ºC to 20ºC

The green mountains of the Kodaikanal look refreshing after the rainfall. The whole mountain station gets covered under the clouds, and the atmosphere turns to be mysterious and calm.

Further, the chilly breeze of the mountains makes the atmosphere ideal for romance. Every waterfall and river overflow with rainwater, showcasing their full prowess and might.

What To See In Kodaikanal During Monsoon?

Every rose is coming with the thrones. And this beauty also comes with a price. Nature is looking fresh and gorgeous, but the slopes of the hills are becoming slippery, which is pretty dangerous for the hikers and the riders.

Along with that, the forest is going to fill up with different kinds of poisonous insects and leeches. So when you are going to visit the place in the monsoon, keep your dress well protected.

Here are the four places for travelers to feel the beauty of the monsoon Kodaikanal.

Silver Cascade Falls
Bear Shola Falls
Fairy Falls
Glen Falls

These falls are always the best picks for travelers who like to experience the beauty of heavy rainfalls. Also, don’t forget to behold the beauty of Kodaikanal Lake and Berijam Lake during the monsoon season.

3. Soothing Chilly Weather Of Kodaikanal

Months: December to February

Temperature: 20ºC to 10ºC

For adventure seekers, winter is the best time to visit Kodaikanal. The days have the brightest sunlight, and the nights make you feel the nip in the air.

However, Kodaikanal does not have a snowfall. So you can enjoy the whole night outside gazing at the night sky. Moreover, the winter season is the perfect time for outdoor camping.

Furthermore, the winter season is the best time to enjoy the views of Pillar Rocks. Most travelers plan outdoor camping in the Pillar Rocks.

The daytime of the winter season is the most attractive time when you can do almost anything from hiking adventures to picnicking near the falls.

What To See In Kodaikanal In Winter? Is It The Best Time To Visit Kodaikanal?

The winter climate in Kodaikanal is very different from that of the other hill stations.

The weather of Kodaikanal is very bright and soothing in the winter. Further, the views of the winter mountains in the Kodaikanal are fantastic.

So, for many tourists, winter is the best time to visit Kodaikanal, and you can visit the following places during this season.

Coakers Walk – Hiking and camping place
Devil’s Kitchen – This is a heritage site and visits the guna caves outskirt of Kodaikanal.
Pillar Rocks – Most popular picnic and the outdoor camping ground.
Dolphin’s Nose – Tracking and the hiking route for the adventure lovers.
Kodai-Palani Trek – For adventure trekking and camping

Kodaikanal Exudes Festive Energy Before Winter Tourism Kicks In

With clear skies and pleasant weather conditions, winter has been one of the biggest crowd-pullers to Kodaikanal. However, before the winter sets in, Kodaikanal also has an influx of tourists during the festive season.

The year 2024 has not been an exception. We have just celebrated Diwali and Bhai Dooj. This time, it was a long weekend, and places in Kodaikanal, like Pine Forest, Guna Cave, Coakers Walk, and Pillar Rocks, were suddenly bustling with unprecedented crowds.

So, if the presence of many tourists is not an issue for you, you can also plan a Diwali trip to Kodaikanal next time. However, the majority of the tourists were from Kerala.

“The tourists were mostly from parts of Kerala. Hotels and cottages were mostly occupied by the vacationing tourists. The next season of tourism would kick off in December when foreign tourists are expected.”
A Robin, President, Kodaikanal Tourist Guides Association

However, the e-pass system and verifications at the counter are creating traffic issues in places like Silver Falls. This needs to be addressed quickly.

Nevertheless, if you want to visit Kodaikanal on a budget, make an inquiry about Tamil Nadu Hills Tour Packages offered by Tamil Nadu Tourism.