Kodaikanal Trip With Vattakanal Trek – Starts From Bangalore

• Have Breakfast at a restaurant on the way to Kodaikanal homestay.
• Check into our homestay, quick freshen up.
• Note: On a busy weekend, Kodaikanal stays check-in time will be only after 10 AM. In this case, we will use available washrooms at stay for fresh up.
• Hit the mountains, drive through picturesque valleys & curved roads to the beautiful Palani Hills view point and Poombarai village view point.
• Visit Rabbit farm on top of a hill, munch freshly grown sweet carrots, & pineapple overlooking picturesque Mannavanur lake in the valley.
• Have Lunch at a local restaurant at Mannavannur (Note that food options are limited in this remote location)
• Visit Mannavanur lake conserved by the Forest department. Go on an optional Coracle ride or Kayaking if you wish to. Mannavannur Lake entry closes around 4.30 PM so it’s important to reach there before this.
• Small nature walk around the lake to reach a wooden bridge and pose for innumerable pictures.
• Get back to homestay by late evening.
• Social gathering with hot Dinner.
• Have long conversations, indulge in some group activities organized by your trip leader.
• Rest for the night on your cozy beds & mattress.

• Start the day with a nice breakfast.
• Pack your bags, check out of the guest house early.
• Visit few tourist attractions of Kodaikanal hill station like Pine Forest, Guna Caves and Pillar Rocks en route a much quieter place – Vattakanal.
• Take a stroll in the streets of this Hippie haven, have Lunch at a local café.
• Set off on a trek to Dolphin Nose by hiking down the hill on a rocky path interspersed by roots of big trees.
• Mind your feet while posing for pictures at Dolphin’s nose, take good care of yourself, for it can be dangerous at the edge of the cliff.
• Get back to Kodai town, evening stroll around Kodaikanal Lake or just sit at a cafe and chill out for some time.
• Shop your bags full of spices, eucalyptus oil, chocolates at a flea market near the lake.
• Head back towards Bangalore, dinner on our way.

• Reach back Bengaluru early in the morning.
• Share your beautiful weekend trip experience of Kodaikanal & Vattakanal with friends and family.

• Toiletries, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, 
• A lightweight large Backpack for the trip (avoid suitcase/trolley)
• Photo identity proof with address (Aadhar/Passport/Voter ID)
• Poncho or rainproof jacket with a hood (from June to Nov)
• Cap/Hat (good to have)
• Sunglasses (to keep your eyes fresh)
• Power bank, charger, camera, binoculars (if you wish to)
• Proper water bottle for your trip. You may fill at our homestay
• Disposable garbage covers (To separate used/unused, dry/wet clothes)
• Your personal medications, if any
• Carrying a handwash/sanitizer/tissues will help during the trip
• Carry your jerkin/sweater – it can get very cold at night.
• Carry a bit of cash for the meals which are not included and misc. expenses.
• Don’t carry expensive items. You are responsible for your own belongings.

• A Whatsapp group shall be created on the trip day and Vehicle & Trip Leader details will be shared.
• Live location of the vehicle will be sent in the group once it starts at the first point.

• Feb to May (summer): Pleasant climate during days, clear skies, cold nights. Time to escape the heat of Bangalore and hit the mountains.
• June to Sept (monsoon months): Thick clouds, intermittent rains, wet climate. Weather is highly unpredictable, so we need to carry rain coats. The place really comes alive during the monsoons like all hill stations.
• Oct to Jan (winter): Dry and cold climate throughout the day. Very cold at night. Plenty of water in the lakes. Need to carry thick sweaters.

• Kodaikanal is a place for all seasons. Every season offers something special. In monsoons, one can witness river streams and brimming Lakes. Winters are extremely cold and misty. Summers are pleasant and offer clear views but less water in lakes. Common throughout the year is its cold climate, especially during nights.

• The itinerary is fixed. No special requests to change itinerary/schedule shall be entertained. Do not give advice(s) to the Trip Leader(s) to change the itinerary.
• Cooperate with the organizer(s) in following the schedule set for the day (especially getting up and getting ready in the morning). This will ensure travelers won’t miss out on the real fun part that is traveling.
• Every traveler is responsible for his/her for your own safety. Don’t indulge in any illegal or silly activity that causes harm to you or fellow travelers.
• Do not wander into the forest away from the designated trail for treks. There may be snakes, scorpions, and dangerous animals.
• Unexpected situations: It may happen we do not cover all the places mentioned in the itinerary because of unpredictable reasons like bad weather, landslides, wild animal presence, abrupt blocking of sites by the police/forest department, delay in travel because of an issue with our group itself, traffic conditions, etc. In most cases, if the time permits, the organizer(s) will take travelers to an alternative place. But in some cases, we may have to skip a place altogether.
• Absolutely no littering. We swear to protect our environment.
• No alcohol & smoking during travel, treks, and other outdoor activities. There would be a separate window and space (usually at night) to have these at the campsite/homestay for interested people.
• Travelers are expected to respect each other and help each other. Avoid discussing sensitive matters like sex, politics, and religion/caste/race.
• Using foul or abusive language, eve-teasing, arguing with fellow travelers/organizer(s), and/or involving in the physical assault will not be accepted and will stand a chance of being deserted by the group then and there.
• The event will stand canceled if less than 8 travelers signed up for the trip/trek which will be informed 24 hours before the trip start time.
• Every traveler is expected to sign a liability/waiver form given by the organizer(s) after boarding the vehicle. This liability form will discharge Muddie Trails of any unexpected incident like injury/death/theft etc.

Cancellation by Traveler

• 80% refund/100% postponement if you inform about your cancellation before 48 hours of the event start time. An email has to be sent to bookings@muddietrails.com to raise a cancellation request.
• No refund/postponing is allowed within 48 hours of the event start time whatever is the reason (Health, Accident, Covid, Family crisis, Office issue, or anything else).
• No refund/postponing is allowed even if you booked within 48 hours.
• Alternatively, you may postpone your ticket to the future event 48 hours before the event start time. (Allowed once per booking ONLY)
• No refund/postponing is allowed for partial payment – booking fee – which is done to book your slot.
• No refund during/after the event.

Cancellation by Muddie Trails

Muddie Trails may decide to cancel the event if there are less than 8 travelers signed up for the trip/trek.

What if we don’t get the minimum number of people for the trip?
We have 2 options in this case:
Option 1: Complete refund.
Option 2: Switch to any other trip of the same weekend or future weekends. The difference amount will be collected from you or paid back according to the new trip cost.

Cancellation due to external factors

Muddie Trails may have to cancel the event in case of external factors that are beyond our control like Natural Disasters, Extreme Weather Conditions, Red Alerts, Political Disturbances, Bandh/Curfews, Local Issues, Road Blocks, Train cancellations, Covid-19 or any other disease outbreaks etc.

In these scenarios:

• No Refund is allowed.
• 100% trip amount can be used for any other new trip of the same weekend or future weekends. The difference amount will be collected from you or paid back according to the new trip cost.
• Once you confirm your participation on the new trip, all the above Cancellation policies will apply for the same.