Camping in Kodai Hills with 360 Inn

            With a wedding to attend in the ever hot Madurai in the middle of May, we set our thoughts on taking a short break in the cool hills of Kodaikanal. But the thought about the throngs of like-minded people that would end at Kodai town in summer wanted us to seek some other quiet place where we could enjoy nature and also the cooler hills. Some persistent googling lead us to www.360inn.com, which promised to offer customized off beat vacations around Kodaikanal. Couldn't find any reviews from families who had used their services but decided to give it a try. Shyam, who offers the service, was prompt in his e-mail replies answering my queries. We had just one day to spare and decided to camp at Kodai hills with 360 Inn.

            Since the drive from Bangalore was going to take us around 9 hours one-way, we decided to take a break at Dindukal. Stayed at Parson's Court, which was a good find in Dindugal.

            The final drive to the campground is on a steep tarred road where just one car can possibly fit in. Shyam received us and helped us settle in. The campground is on a 3 acre hilly plot, around 5 kilometers from Kodai town, with a bird's eye view of Palani, Perumalmalai, Vilpatty village and a waterfall. One needs to walk, around 300 feet down hill with a considerable slope, to reach the tents. It is better to settle in when there is enough daylight, even though the hills could be completely engulfed in fog anytime. The sight of the tents far away from the nearest road was beautiful to behold.

            For those who wonder that it could be lonely and scary, there is hope. A family of farmers lives in the plot and they provide with all possible assistance that they can. They helped carry some of our bags down and uphill, provided us warm drinking water with the meals, hot teas when it was foggy and raining and also got the fresh food that Shyam arranges down to the campsite.

           

            The campground was equipped with rustic pit toilets and a bath cubicle. It serves its purpose well but isn't for those who are not ready to rough it out. There is no electricity and we were provided with two, three-person Coleman, tents.

           

            After lunch, we took a short walk amidst the nearby orchards and enjoyed plums off the trees. Though we didn't have time to do long hikes during our stay, there are plenty of options. The campfire after dinner was cozy and kept us warm till it was time to get into our sleeping bags. The farmer's two dogs, both named Blacky, were a solace against snakes or bison that I imagined might wander closer. The night was beautiful with clear skies, twinkling stars, and lights from far away villages dotted the mountains around.

            The kids had the most fun and it felt very good to camp again. I wish more camping sites evolve in India…..not the Swiss tent camping stays that offer attached flush toilets but the ones like this one that takes us back to nature.