'Kodai' (as it's popularly known as) holds a unique and one of the memorable destinations which once was set up as a Sanatorium in 1845 by the American Madurai Mission at Kodaikanal. Well! Let me add here an important piece of information to the India tourist visa holders that this happens to be the only hill station in India discovered and established by the Americans.

While Kodais 'nucleus' is the star-shaped lake for honeymooners and kids to take a customary boating ride, with ice-cream parlours and a perfect place to negotiating rates with the taxi-drivers for a package of 16-sight tour, there are other interesting activities for Indian visa holders to look beyond the facade. This other side of the splendid grandeur adds a different dimension to their experiences altogether.

Things to actually see and do

For India tourist visa holders to begin their exploration with, its ideal to own a vehicle rather than depending on taxis or if the India tourist visa holder is an adventurer then a geared -bicycle could be a perfect option. Kodai comes as utopian place of dwelling for different exotic species of birds, so carrying a binocular or a digital cam would be advisable which could enthral any Indian visa holder.

The trail of nature

The commencing of this beautiful tour in Kodai takes place from a customary amble down Coaker's Walk which is a strip of paved road on the steep south-eastern mountainside. This 1 km walk offers a great view as the Indian visa holder lands across a well equipped observatory offering a splendid view. Opposite this lies a park called Bryant Park, a Botanical Park which was in earlier times set up by a British forest officer. This road then meanders past Green Valley View Point and winds 7 kms to Kodai's most popular attraction, Pillar Rocks- an amazing 400-ft high vertical column of three rocks is the one among many for the India tourist visa holder to admire. 7 km outside town of Kodai is its famous waterfall known as 'Silver Cascade' which is formed by the back waters of Kodai Lake.

The 'Kid-centric' Place

If the India tourist visa holder comes accompanied with family and kids then Kodai has all the ingredients for being a kid's favourite- pony rides, waterfalls boating, parks and a market full of homemade chocolates ( including the tempting 'dark-chocolates') and marshmallow. The famous Shembaganur Museum shouldn't be missed out by the India visa holder.

Where to Eat

There are a motley bunch of eateries for Kodai to offer. As you walk past the hospital road, the Indian tourist visa holder can easily find the area around this littered with a number of shops and inns selling an assortment of Indian 'junk food'. If the Indian visa holder has a sweet tooth then a visit to Fay's confectionary which sells delicious pastries and cakes is a must. What more than this place also has extensive variety of Tibetan food to offer at Tibetan Brothers for 'momos' or 'Tibetan veg/non-veg Thukpas'.