Vellagavi · below Kodaikanal
Vellagavi Camping & Tent Stay
A night in tents at the edge of Vellagavi, the village with no road, reached only on foot from Kodaikanal.
Old Kodai Camping › Vellagavi Camping
Camping at Vellagavi
What camping at Vellagavi is like
Vellagavi is a small hamlet in the Palani Hills, below Vattakanal and Dolphin's Nose. It is said to be around 300 years old, older than Kodaikanal town, and it has never had a road. Our camp sits at the village edge on a spur at about 1,280 m, above the cloud line on most mornings.
You walk in through shola forest, settle into a tent that is already pitched, eat food cooked over a village fire, sit at a campfire set away from the homes, and wake for sunrise on a deck that looks out over the ranges. Old Kodai Camping is family-run and has hosted campers here for twelve years.
The stay
What's included in your Vellagavi tent stay
Ready-pitched tents
Set up and waiting when you arrive, with bedding for a cool mountain night.
Three home-cooked meals
Lunch on arrival, dinner by the fire and breakfast at sunrise. Simple village food, cooked fresh.
A guide on both days
Someone who knows every turn of the path walks the whole trail with you.
Forest permit
Camping here runs on a Forest Department permit under the state's registered trek scheme. We arrange yours.
The campfire
Lit each night, set away from the homes so the village sleeps undisturbed.
The sunrise deck
A viewing platform with more than 270° over the ranges.
How it works
Two days, one night at Vellagavi
You walk in from Vattakanal on day one and walk out through the forest to Kumbakarai Falls on day two, so you finish lower than you started and there is no long climb back.
Day 1
Vattakanal to the Vellagavi campsite
- MorningArrive at Vattakanal (breakfast on your own).
- 8:30 AMFormalities at Dolphin's Nose, then down the old forest trail, about 3.5 km.
- MiddayBlack coffee at the village, settle into your tent, home-cooked lunch.
- AfternoonWalk the village and its small temples, back to camp for sunset.
- 8:30 PMDinner, then the campfire and the stars.
Day 2
Vellagavi to Kumbakarai Falls
- SunriseFirst light from the deck, with a warm cup of black coffee.
- After breakfastDescend the forest trail toward Kumbakarai Falls.
- The fallsA dip and photos at Kumbakarai, where the trek ends.
Before you come
Vellagavi camping: common questions
How do you reach the campsite at Vellagavi?
Vellagavi has no road. You walk in from Vattakanal, past Dolphin's Nose, on a forest footpath of about 3.5 km, mostly downhill. It takes an hour or two at an easy pace. Village horses can carry you if you would rather ride.
How much does camping at Vellagavi cost?
₹2,999 per person plus ₹135 GST for two days and one night. This covers the tent stay, all three meals, a guide on both days, the forest permit and the campfire.
Do I need a permit to camp at Vellagavi?
Yes. Organised camping here runs on a Forest Department permit under the state's registered trek scheme. We arrange it as part of your booking.
What should I bring?
Water, comfortable walking shoes and a warm layer for the night. Please carry no plastic, and be ready to remove your footwear inside the village, which is held sacred by the people who live there.
Is there mobile signal at the camp?
Not much. Expect little or no signal at the camp. Most people find that is the point.
How do I book?
Check live dates and request your stay on our booking page, or message us on WhatsApp at +91 95856 54107. Cancellation terms are on our refund policy page.
Plan your night
Book your Vellagavi camping night
Pick your dates and see the price, or message us on WhatsApp and we'll come straight back to you.
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