A friend of mine called on a Friday evening and told he will take me to a beautiful village if I come to Kodaikanal. I never say no to offers like this. Unplanned journeys like this usually turn out to be the most memorable for me. I travel frequently to Kodaikanal but didn’t hear about this place before. The village name is Kookal. The last thing he told before hanging up the call was to come as earlier as possible.
Next morning, I was on the bus to Kodaikanal. Finding an empty window seat in bus always makes me happy. I really enjoy looking outside feeling the wind through the window. The bus was moving through the hot plains of Tamil Nadu, the people here with their hard work turned these land a better place for agriculture.
Reached Palani, then another bus to Kodaikanal. It’s about 100 km from Palani. We can see vast stretches of wind farms on both sides of the road. Wind energy produced here contribute to a major fraction of the state’s power consumption. After some time, I could see mountains in front of us. The roads went forward, all the way to the Western Ghats. The temperature began to drop gradually.
Kodaikanal is one of the busiest tourist places in South India. Tourists come throughout the year, equally preferred by honeymooners, backpackers and casual tourists. The magic mushrooms which grow in the Kodai hills attract lots of international travelers also.
Reached Kodaikanal bus station by evening. My friend has already sent the location details. I have to reach Kookal. After enquiring at the bus station, understood why my friend told to reach as early as possible. There are no frequent buses, I had to wait 2 hours and it was the last bus.
It was getting dark. The bus was fully packed. Our bus moved out of the town, uncovering the fog in front of us. All I could see in the light from the bus was the trees which lined both sides of the road.
I asked my fellow passengers more about Kookal. Everyone in that bus was from the remote villages on the far away Kodai hills. They come to the city for job. They told this year the rain is less, so they can’t grow crops in their fields. Each day they travel hours to come to the city. The people were very friendly, since I was the only outsider in that bus, everyone was keen to know my purpose of travel in that bus in such an unusual time. They were surprised when told my destination was Kookal village. Soon I realized that the bus was not going exactly through Kookal, have to get down in the middle of the forest and walk few kilometers. They warned me not to go at this time, there are higher probabilities for an encounter with bison.
The bus entered the Poombarai village after an hour of travel through the forest. Most of the people alighted there. The roads were almost empty other than some trucks occasionally coming in the opposite direction.
After some time, a boy sitting in front of me turned around, told that I had reached. Thanked everyone and got down off the bus. It was pitch dark and I was in the middle of a jungle, shivering. I was relieved a bit looking up at the sky, it was clear and stars were shimmering. My friend was supposed to be there, but he only showed up after some time. Luckily, no bisons this time.
Our cottage was in a picturesque location, top of a hill with the view of Kookal lake. The view when woke up in the morning was a total bliss. Without any second thoughts, I walked down to the lake, enveloped by mountains on three sides and a valley on the other. A blanket of mist was spread on the surface of the lake. Few birds were out in the water looking for their breakfast.
At a distance, I saw Kookal village. Many small houses on the top of the hill, smoke coming out of the chimneys. The village is surrounded by farmlands, beautifully arranged in steps over the entire valley.
Walked towards the village, everyone seemed busy beginning their day. Houses were built in lines. There are walkways going in between these houses. There was a temple on one side. Found out a tea shop, I was longing for a hot tea on that cold morning.
There are villages further to Kookal, huge eucalyptus trees lined both sides of the road. Women walked past me, rushing to their houses carrying piles of firewood on the head. It was a pleasant day, first rays of the new day sun fell on the valley.
Kookal was peaceful, a beautiful village, away from the city. The best place to explore the nature and life in the hills. Kodaikanal is not just all those cliche tourist hotspots you find in the brochure of any tour company, there is much more here. You have to set your mind free and explore. The magic of Kodai will show up at the right time.
Read about Kurisadimeth , Villpatti and Poombarai; these are beautiful villages in the hills of Kodaikanal where you can spend some good time.
How to reach Kookal village?
30 km from Kodaikanal town. Taxis are available (approx. rate 1500 INR). Buses are cheap but not frequent. You can check the bus timings from the bus station in Kodaikanal. Always good to reach your destination before dark.
Things to do in Kookal
The best thing to do here is to spend your time on the banks of the lake and explore the village. Guides are available in the village itself, they will take you to some beautiful places on the hills.
Accommodation
Few cottages are available in and around Kookal and provide very basic amenities. It is better to reserve in advance.
If you want to explore more in Kodaikanal, then you can trek to Vellagavi village from Dolphin nose. It will be a great experience, the village has more temples than houses, considered sacred, people won’t use chappal inside the village.
Also read about, Nirmala City: An offbeat travel destination in the Western Ghats
Share your feedback, suggestions, and queries using the comment section below.
Keep traveling…
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Always listen to your friend…
Yes Alex, next time definitely
Can u share contact number of cottage
Hi Jayajith,
Please check your inbox.
hey, can you share the cottage details please ??
CAn you please share contact number of the cottage
Thanks for taking me to kookal through your narration.
Thanks Arun.Happy to know that.
HI, I want to go Kookal with my family and wants to be stay there for 2 days, can you provide me the cottage contact number.
Hello Vijay,
I have sent the details via email. Have a good time in Kookal.
Hi,
Can you share the cottage contact details pls.
regards ,
Uma
Hi Uma,
Please check your inbox
Cottage number and more info on stay please
Hi Jithin,
I am planning to go to kookal solo, are the forests around the lake accesible for trekking, or do we need any permission from any government authority ?
Thanks in advance,
Zeeshan
Great post. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Thanks Noah..
nice
Aint it? Aint sitting on the window seat is one of the best part of a journey? Feelings the wind, looking at the trees, kids playing people going to their work and everything else. It feels great. And yes, great article.
Thanks Megha, Am glad that you liked the post.
I visited Kodaikanal a few years back but I wish I knew about Kookal village then 🙂 A great place to explore!
Hi Madhurima,
Do visit this village on your next visit to Kodaikanal. It is definitely a great place to explore.
this are the best places to visit as far as life is concern. thanks for sharing
Thanks Pospi, Am gald that you liked the place. Do visit this village.
I have never visited a village before. Seems like a must have experience!
Hi Veethee,
I am happy that you liked the post. The village of Kookal is one thing you should not miss on your trip ti Kodaikanal. I will be writing more about the places around Kodaikanal.
The Kookal village looks so divine! Today I explored another hidden gem of India from your bucket!
Thanks Ana,
Am glad that you liked it. I will be sharing about many such hidden places in coming days.
Hi jithin thomas
I am planning to visit kookal. i could not find any hotels/resorts. Can you provide hotels/resorts details if you have any?
We are planing to visit kookal by June. Please guide to find the accommodation and the places to see. Waiting for your valuable reply
Hi Srinivasan,
I have emailed you the contact details of the person who can arrange accommodation for you in Kookal.
Hope you will have a good time.
Hi..is it possible to drive down to the cottage where you stayed….anyways please inbox to my email regarding the stay. ..
Hi could you send me the contact details of the person so that we will visit kookal
[email protected]
HI JITHIN WE PLANNED TO VISIT KOOKAL WITHIN 10 DAYS IN THE NAME OF TREKKING. THATS GOOD IN THIS TIME OR WE LL TAKE TIME FOR A MONTH. PLS SUGGEST ME.
Hi Ragunanthan,
Glad that you liked the post. August to March are the best time to visit Kookal. You can experience nature at it’s best during this time. I have emailed you the more details about Kookal. Please check.
Hi Jithin,
Thanks for sharing the info about this place, was planning to visit this place since long.
Could you please guide me to find the accommodation near the lake.
Ashish, Please check your email. I have sent the contact details.
Hi Jithin,
Nice article to increase my eagerness to visit Kookal soon. So can you provide the contact details of the cottage or homestays in kookal ? thanks in advance
Hi Sreedhar,
Am glad that you like the blog post. I have sent you the details via email.
Hey Jithin,
What a lovely place!
Could you please provide me the details of the accommodation/home stay?
Thanks. 🙂
Hi Anya,
Thanks for the good words.
Please check your email inbox.
Hello Jithin,
I had a few queries regarding Kukkal and Kodaikanal. Would love if we could correspond over email.
Regards !
Yes.You can contact me via email.
Mail at [email protected]
Hi Jithin,
I’m planning to visit kookal very soon, i would be glad if you could help with the accomadation in kookal.
With reagrds,
AMAN
Hi Aman, I have emailed you the details.
Can you please send me the details for accommodation at Kookal?
Hi,we are from chennai planning to explore kookal .can you tell the accomodation details & necessary passes for two wheeler .
Hi Kannan,
You don’t require any passes to visit Kookal.
Hi Jithin,
I am planning to go to Kookal village with my friends. I just need some clarifications. Is it accessible completely by car? are there mobile signals? also please share with me the cottage details.
Hi Praveen,
Kookal is accessible by car. Mobile signals are not good, I don’t think that will be an issue.
Hi,I was planning on going to kookal next weekend can you suggest me some good private house for a group of 5people.And where can we book hotels?
Hi Aanjaney, there is a cottage available in Kookal.
Hi Jithin,
I am planning to visit kookal next week,
Can you suggest a good cottage with cooking facility for 6? & this is our first visit…hence please do provide me details of the cottage and transporation…since we will be travelling by train & local transoptation.
Thank you.
I was happy to know & see that you have replied to every comment…that’s really great…looking forward for your prompt reply on the same.
Hi Jennifer, am glad that you liked the post. Kookal is a nice place to visit in Kodaikanal. I know a person called Anandan from Kookal. He is the one who arranged me the accommodation there. Just go there and ask for him in the village. You can find him. His contact number is not valid now.
Nice to the some of the offbeat location through your post. good work.
Can you please send me the details for accommodation at Kookal..
Hi Senthil, There are only a few options for accommodation in Kookal. Once you reach there, just ask any of the villagers. They will help you. I had a contact number but it is not valid now.
Very interesting post! never heard about Kookal village before. Thank you for sharing your experience on an unexplored place Kookal.
Thanks Sahitya, Am glad that you liked the post.
Hey man! Great article. Thanks for sharing 🙂 can I please get your email id would love to ask you a couple of questions!
Hi Ammaar, mail me at [email protected]
Hi bro, I’m an architecture student …. Out next semester is based on rurals( means village study)…. I want to know that whether this place is an pakka village and suitable for our study activities…. If you have more photos of this place it would be more helpful for my study activities…. By the way your article is awesome bro…. I want to know more about that region… If you provide your contact number it would be convenient for me …..
Thank you….
Thanks Surya.
I have sent you the details
Hi there,
Can you share me the contacts for homestays near or around Kookal.
Thank you
Glenn
Hi Jithin,
Can you share me the stay details available near or around Kookal.
Thanks,
Glenn
Hi,
Thank you for the post. It was an interesting read. Can you please share the contact info of the stay at Kookal?
Thank you.
Hi jithin,
Can you share me the stay contact details available in kookal.
Hi jithin I went to kookal lake with my hubby yesterday.. beautiful location.. actually v went to poomparai and one of d villagers suggested this place to us. Very quaint n nice place
Hi,
Kookal is more secluded and beautiful. I was there in Poomparai a few days back, a nice village but a little crowded with tourists.
Am glad that you liked the place.
Hello jithin,
Wana discuss with u about kukkal….can u plz correspond in email nd sent me ur watsapp number?
Jessim,
You can mail me at [email protected].
Hello Jithin,
Can you please give me the details of the accommodation and trekking places around?
Regards,
Rachana
Hi Rachana, check your inbox.
Have a nice journey
Hello,
Would like to know whether the roads are good for bike ride. Also would like to get the contact details of the cottage. Also if you can provide your contact number, it will be great to discuss before I start.
Regards,
Mahesh
[email protected]
Mahesh,The roads to Kookal is all good now. Please avoid traveling to Kookal in bike during night, there can be wild animals on the way.
Hi jithin thank u for sharing ur post.
Want to visit kookal Village
Can u send me the contact details
Sure..
Check your inbox
HI Jitin,
Thanks a lot for sharing the post, it was very interesting to read, the way of your narration was good…i was into imagination while reading the post..can you share me the cottage or home stay details? i am planning to visit next month.
Thank you
Thanks Shalini,
Check your inbox
Your post was so amazing….would like to visit kookal,, please share details regarding the stay….
Hi Kalai,
Glad that you liked the post. Check your inbox for the contact details.
Wow ! What a narration …
It gave me chills to visit this place and I made my mind to leave this week to Kookal.. Thanks much Buddy …
Thanks Aisha..
Am glad that you are going to explore Kookal. Let me know your story from Kookal once you come back.
Cottage details and Contact number please
Hi Jithin,
Planning to go there with my friends. We are 10 of us, need the contact details for accommodation. Preferably near to the lake and needs to a serene and secluded location. Please help us with the right info
Hi Jithin,
We are 5 bikers planning to ride to Kookal from the 7th Mar to 10th Mar’20. Your blog was inspiring. Kindly advise on accommodation and exploring Kookal. Thanks
Awesome blog. my friends are planning to visit Kodai, we are a gang of 5, can you please share the contact number to stay in Kookal
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience. Please share the contact details for the cottages.