Coimbatore Adventure Club

Trip Dates: 22-24 May, 2026

If you’ve always thought Kodaikanal was just for tourists, we felt the same—until recently. After receiving requests for trips within Tamil Nadu, we decided to explore Kodaikanal more deeply. What we found were quiet, offbeat corners that most visitors don’t see.

We’ll be visiting two remote villages near Kodaikanal — Vellagavi and Kookal.

Vellagavi is accessible only by trek - no vehicles, no traffic, no constant noise—just a small community living close to the land, and a campsite that feels almost above the clouds.

In Kookal, we stay in a hidden retreat nestled in a peaceful valley, far removed from city life. Reaching the stay itself requires a 2.5-hour trek. It’s not rushed or extreme, but it does require intention.

This is a slow, nature-focused trip with basic comforts and minimal distractions. It requires moderate fitness and an openness to simple living for three days. If this kind of travel feels right for you, we welcome you, to join us!

🧗‍♂️ITINERARY

🚌 Day-0 (21 May, Thu)

The Journey Begins

Start from Coimbatore at 05:30 PM.
Have dinner on the way.
Reach Theni by 11:00 PM.

✅ Inclusions:

- Meals: NIL
- Transportation from Coimbatore
- Accommodation in Theni

❌ Exclusions:

Meals: All meals

ℹ️ Additional info:

- Travel time: 4.5 hrs by road
- This trip is going to be a road trip via tempo traveler.

Day 0 - Accommodation | The Riviera Hotel, Theni or similar

🚌 Day-1 (22 May, Fri)

Trek to Vellagavi & Camp Under the Stars

After an early breakfast, travel to the trek base point at Kumbakarai.
Begin the trek towards Vellagavi village.
On the way, stop at Kumbakarai Waterfalls for a refreshing dip.
Reach the campsite by late afternoon.
Camp under the stars for the night.

✅ Inclusions:

- Trek entry fee
- Trek guide
- Trek insurance (within trek route)
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
- Local transportation to trek start point
- Tented accommodation in Vellagavi

❌ Exclusions:

Meals: Breakfast

ℹ️ Additional info:

- Travel time: 1 hr by road
- Trek from Kumbakarai to Vellagavi:
  - - Distance / Duration / Difficulty / Terrain: 8 km / 5 hrs / Difficult / Uphill
- Vellagavi is a traditional village near Kodaikanal, accessible only by trek, with no motorable roads. Home to around 200+ families, it remains deeply rooted in its cultural beliefs—where walking barefoot in parts of the village is seen as a sign of respect for the land.

Day 1 - Accommodation | Camp stay in tents, Vellagavi

🚌 Day-2 (23 May, Sat)

Trek to Vattakanal & Into Kookal

After breakfast, begin the trek towards Vattakanal.
Reach the trek endpoint at Vattakanal and continue the journey by road to Kookal.
From Kookal village, begin the trek to our homestay, reaching by evening.

✅ Inclusions:

- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Local transportation from Vattakanal to Kookal
- Accommodation in Kookal

❌ Exclusions:

Meals: Lunch

ℹ️ Additional info:

- Travel time: 2 hrs by road
- Trek from Vellagavi to Vattakanal:
  - - Distance / Duration / Difficulty / Terrain: 6 km / 3 hrs / Difficult / Uphill
- Trek from Kookal village to homestay:
  - - Distance / Duration / Difficulty / Terrain: 3 km / 2 hrs / Moderate / Downhill
- Our stay at Kookal is reachable only by trek and is set deep in nature, surrounded by mountains with a small river crossing nearby. There are no roads or town areas close to the stay.
- The host here follows a simple, sustainable way of living, closely connected to the land and the surrounding environment.

Day 2 - Accommodation | Nomad's Abode, Kookal

🚌 Day-3 (24 May, Sun)

Farewell to the Mountains

Enjoy a quiet morning in the mountains with the sounds of birds.
After breakfast, begin the trek back to Kookal village.
From Kookal, travel by road and reach Coimbatore by 11:00 PM.

✅ Inclusions:

- Meals: Breakfast
- Local transportation from Kookal to Coimbatore

❌ Exclusions:

- Meals: Lunch & Dinner

ℹ️ Additional info:

- Travel time: 7 hrs by road
- Trek from homestay to Kookal village:
  - - Distance / Duration / Difficulty / Terrain: 3 km / 2.5 hrs / Moderate / Uphill

🧗‍♂️TRIP COST

Participants joining from Coimbatore: ₹13,000
Participants joining from Theni & departing from Kodaikanal: ₹12,000

Note for participants from Chennai & Bangalore:

Participants from Chennai & Bangalore can join us from Theni and depart from Kodaikanal.
- - Reach Theni by 6:00 AM. Pickup will be arranged from Theni bus stand. You can freshen up and breakfast will be arranged before the trek starts.
  - On the final day, you will be dropped at Kodaikanal bus stand by 5:00 PM. You can plan your return journey from Kodaikanal to your city.
  - If you need assistance booking transport to Theni or from Kodaikanal, please contact us. We can help book the same bus used by other participants traveling from your city.
Participants from other cities can join us from Coimbatore.

✅ Inclusions:

- Round trip transportation from Coimbatore via Tempo traveler (₹3,200)
- Accommodation in Theni (₹1,300)
- Vellagavi trek fee with camping (₹2,400)
- Accommodation in Kookal (₹2,200)
- Meals as mentioned in the day wise itinerary (₹1,600)
- Expenses for Trip lead from CAC (₹1,300)
- CAC operational cost (₹1,000)

❌ Exclusions:

Meals which are not included in the day wise itinerary (₹250 per meal for local food)
Any personal expenses.
Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks, landslides, floods and/or any factors beyond control.

🧗‍♂️GENERAL INFO

➡️ Basics:

Total number of slots: 12
Age group: 18 to 40
Gender ratio: To encourage female travelers, we will ensure that there is a min of 50% female participants.
Trek Difficulty: Medium to difficult for regular trekkers and very difficult for first timers.
Strictly no alcohol or smoking at any time during the trip.
First preference for solo participants and couples. Generally, we don't allow group participation in any of our trips. However, female participants are welcome to bring one of their friends or family members along with them, while male participants can only join solo.
Couples are welcome to register. The total number of couples in a trip will be limited to one. Please note that you may need to share accommodation with your respective genders.

➡️ Accommodation:

Day 0: Theni
- - Double/ Triple sharing rooms
Day 1: Vellagavi village
- - Double/Triple sharing tents
  - Electricity is available only for charging phones.
  - Proper washrooms are available at the campsite.
  - Hot water for showers is not available.
  - A campfire may be arranged, depending on weather conditions.
Day 2: Kookal homestay

- - The accommodation is very basic — a raw, close-to-nature experience, away from all forms of luxury.
  - There are no private rooms. Male participants will sleep in a common living space.
  - Female participants will be provided a bunker-style room (without a door, separated by a curtain). Please use the restroom for changing.
  - There is only one restroom in the property. Kindly keep it clean and give priority to women when required.
  - There is no electricity at the accommodation.
  - Hot water for showers is not available.
  - There are no charging facilities. Please carry a power bank if needed.
  - The homestay follows a plastic-free, eco-friendly lifestyle. Avoid carrying items that you may leave behind, as waste disposal is not possible in the village.
  - Campfires are not allowed. After 6:30 PM, doors remain closed due to wildlife movement. Please strictly follow the host’s instructions.
  - The host is an environmentalist who built this space himself. Bookings are limited and not open to random groups. The entire stay, including cooking, is managed by him. You are welcome to lend a helping hand in the kitchen if interested.
  - We request all participants to be respectful of the host’s lifestyle and way of living.
  - Drinking and smoking are strictly prohibited.
  - This trip is not suited for those expecting resort-style comforts.
  - No customized food options are available. Meals will be simple, local dishes prepared by the host.

➡️ Trek:

You will be carrying your bags during all the treks, so please pack light and bring only the essentials.
The trail is a dirt track, mostly off-road, with a mix of uphill climbs, descents, and uneven, sometimes steep sections. Stones and pebbles can make certain parts slippery, especially during rains.
This is a physically demanding trek and may not be suitable for everyone. It is recommended for those with a reasonable level of fitness and who are used to regular physical activity.

➡️ Weather:

Theni: Max 37° C | Min 24° C
Vellagavi & Kookal: Max 27° C | Min 15° C

➡️ Trip instructions:

Things to carry will be shared at the time of trip confirmation.
A detailed trip instructions including do's and don'ts will be shared few days prior to the trip.

➡️ Selection criteria:

- Selection for the trip will be at the complete discretion of Coimbatore Adventure Club. Please send us the payment only if you get a confirmation from us. We will be keeping 50:50 ratio for repeating participants and new participants. Here are some of our criteria:
- New participants:

> Solo participants will get first preference.

> Or if you have a referral from our previous participants.

> Or if you have registered for some other trip with us and didn't get a slot.

- Repeating participants:

> Preference if you have engaged us in your social media posts/stories

> Or if you have referred us to someone.

> Solo participants will get preference.

➡️ Registration & Selection Process:

Registration: If you are interested in joining this trip, please complete your registration by clicking the link provided at the end of this itinerary.
Invitation and Selection Process: Once registered, shortlisted participants will receive an official invitation to join the trip along with details for making the advance payment.

Please note that the selection process is solely at the discretion of the Coimbatore Adventure Club. If all slots are filled, we will notify you and place you on a waitlist.

Advance Payment: Shortlisted participants will receive advance payment instructions. Your slot for the trip will be confirmed only upon successful payment of the advance.
Please Note: Registering for the trip via the provided link does not guarantee a slot. Confirmation is subject to the selection process and availability of slots.

➡️ Payment process:

Shortlisted participants will receive a confirmation along with advance payment information through WhatsApp message. In case you are not selected, you will get a regret message from our side.
You'll be required to pay an initial advance payment of ₹7,000 to confirm your slot for the trip.
The advance payment is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable to someone else or to any other future trip.
The balance payment should be settled during the trip.

➡️ Cancellation Policy:

1) Cancellation by participant:

Advance paid during trip confirmation is strictly non-refundable at any circumstances, as we group book the trains/vans, and accommodation. Also note that the advance payment will strictly be not transferrable to someone else or to a future trip, in case you are not joining the trip. In case a participant cancels at the last moment (within 48 hours of trip starting time), they will be requested to settle the balance trip cost.

2) Cancellation due to unforeseen situations beyond our control:

In the event of trip cancellations due to natural calamities or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., extreme weather, political unrest, or government-imposed restrictions)—essentially, any situation beyond CAC’s control—cancellation charges of ₹500 will be non-refundable. The remaining amount can be fully transferred to rescheduled dates or applied to any other trip of your choice.

➡️ For Queries:

- Send your queries to 9488800444 (WhatsApp text only).
- At present, we're available from 10 AM–6 PM (Mon–Fri) and 10 AM–1 PM (Sat) via WhatsApp text messages only. If you would like to connect over a call, we’d be happy to schedule one at a mutually convenient time.

🧗‍♂️ REGISTRATION

Click here to Register

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