Vattakanal

Vattakanal – the magical village in the middle of the mountains, the "Himalayas of the South" is definitely a special gem that makes many travelers indulge in its tranquility and "get stuck" there for many days.

Weather in Vattakanal

12°C

Nearby airport

Cochin International Airport.

Nearby train station

Phlani

The magical village in the middle of the mountains, "the Himalayas of the South," as it is often called, is definitely a one-of-a-kind gem that makes many travelers indulge in its tranquility and "get stuck" there for many days.

Vattakanal, or Vattakanal, is a small village overlooking a wide, green, and stunning landscape from every corner, providing spectacular sunsets and sunrises worth waking up for. It has become a major destination for hummus, a kind of Israeli kibbutz in southern India, because most Israelis come there in groups and rent apartments with several rooms, a kitchen, and large gardens overlooking the view.

You don't have to do too much to enjoy this amazing place, hang out with good friends in front of the amazing view, go out to see the sunset (and sunrise), cook delicious dishes, jam in front of the fireplace at night, or practice yoga or meditation.

There are also a number of well-known excursions in Watta - a trip to Watta Waterfalls, the various cliffs, or the Dolphin's Nose lookout, which is about a twenty-minute walk from the village.

Arrival at Vattakanal

To get to Vattakanal, you have to get there first.Kodaikanal From there, take a tuktuk (a fifteen-minute ride), or walk for about an hour.

– Domestic flight: The nearest airport to Vathikanal and Kodaikanal is in Madurai (about a four-hour drive by taxi or local bus). Flights arrive from Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.

Buses: The most convenient way is to get there from Bangalore or Chennai, where there are night buses. There are also local buses to Madurai (4-5 hours away), Coimbatore (a large city in Tamil Nadu, about 5 hours away). From there, there will be more sleepers and buses to other destinations.

Recommended season for Vattakanal

Compared to other South Indian destinations, the most ideal season to visit the high and mountainous Kodaikanal is in spring when it warms up after winter and before the monsoon season, that is, in the months of April-June. However, many travelers come there in the winter months as part of a trip to South Indian destinations. Don't worry, during these months it is sunny, the visibility is excellent, the view is amazing and the sunsets and sunrises are spectacular, but it is worth considering that due to the height of Kodaikanal compared to other destinations in South India, it may be cold at night! That is exactly why the apartments are equipped with a fireplace that heats the entire house.

Good to know

– Despite vatta being a small and isolated village, there is a Chabad house that has been operating for years, hosting Israelis with love and helping where needed.

– Although there is no travel agent in Vattakanal, there is no need to go down to Kodaikanal to book travel. Go to Altaf's cafe and he will be happy to help you purchase tickets wherever you need.

– There are only clinics and ATMs in Kodai, so it's worth taking that into account (in Vattakanal you can exchange money with high fees).

– As mentioned, Israelis come to Vattakanal, live in houses and run a household, and go shopping every few days in Kodaikanal.