In the charming village of Poombarai, treat the adventurer, cultural buff, and sucker for landscapes in you to scenic lakes, ancient sites, and sweeping valley views.
With Zostel Plus Poombarai (Kodaikanal), treat yourself to a nature retreat among the terraced fields & lush peaks, just 3.5km from Poombarai village centre. Dive into the untouched outdoors of Tamil Nadu on a fun-filled getaway here.
Escape to Zostel Kodaikanal (Vilpatti) for Kodaikanal stays with endless valley views. Enjoy wood-fired pizzas at our cafe, relax in the outdoor spaces or play board games in the common room & choose between lively dorms or peaceful private rooms.
Close to the town’s centre and yet breathing in nature, Zostel Kodaikanal is a laidback backpacker hostel. Work at our dedicated workstations, unwind at cosy common areas indoors and outdoors, and cherish sunsets from the sprawling verandah.
Discovered by local travellers when the world was locked in, Poombarai is unlike your go-to weekend escape. 20 km from Kodaikanal, a U-turn away from the famous 10-mile road, this little hamlet remained shadowed by popular photo spots until 2020. But with carpeted fields of greens, forested hills on all sides, and a hub of brown-topped houses in the centre, Poombarai is worth exploring in its own right. While holidaying, a stroll through the village's narrow alleys will treat you to shy, smiley faces and a riot of colours splashed on the tiny houses. That’s not all, Poombarai also takes care of the adventurer, cultural buff, and the sucker for landscapes in you with easy access to scenic lakes, ancient sites, and sweeping valley views.
Kookal Lake: A scenic loop road takes you beyond Gundupatti village to Kookal Lake, filled with lilies. Plan ahead to take an hour's hike to Kookal Falls, one of the most photogenic spots near Kodaikanal.
Mannavanur Lake: For a perfect picnic lunch, take a 17 km drive from Poombarai to Mannavanur Lake. The rolling grasslands around the lake only add to the natural beauty of this stunning lake.
Coaker’s Walk: Shrouded by opaque mist, the 2 km downward trail offers stunning valley views. Take this walk early in the morning for a fantastic sunrise.
Passiflora Café: There’s hardly any other place where you can find better views of Poombrai, that too with a portion of lip-smacking Italian food. Also, the Goan hipster vibe of the cafe is unmissable.
Timings: 12-7:30 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
