Tea Estates of Pandalur, Needle Rock View Point & More: Pandalur Timings & Fees

Entry fees, opening hours, and best times for Trip Planning. Avoid crowds and plan ahead.

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Quick Reference

Attraction Hours Entry Best Time Duration
Tea Estates of Pandalur 09:00-17:00 daily Free Morning or afternoon, to see the tea pickers at work. 2-3 hours
Needle Rock View Point 08:00-18:00 daily ₹20 (Indians), ₹500 (foreigners) Morning or late afternoon for the best views, before the mist sets in. 1 hour
Frog Hill View Point Open daily Free Early morning for clear views. 1 hour
Mudumalai National Park 06:00-18:00 daily ₹30 (Indians), ₹500 (foreigners) for entry; ₹1500 for jeep safari. Early morning or late afternoon for wildlife sightings. 4-6 hours
St. Thomas Church Open daily during services. Free Sunday mornings for the service. 1 hour
Tribal Villages 10:00-16:00 (arrange visit in advance) ₹50 (Indians), ₹600 (foreigners) - includes guide fees and village development contribution Anytime during the day 3-4 hours
Pykara Lake and Waterfalls (Day Trip) 08:30-17:30 daily ₹10 (Indians), ₹500 (foreigners) for the lake; ₹20 (Indians), ₹500 (foreigners) for the falls Morning for boat rides and waterfall views. Full day trip

Best Times by Attraction

Tea Estates of Pandalur

Morning or afternoon, to see the tea pickers at work.

Needle Rock View Point

Morning or late afternoon for the best views, before the mist sets in.

Frog Hill View Point

Early morning for clear views.

Mudumalai National Park

Early morning or late afternoon for wildlife sightings.

St. Thomas Church

Sunday mornings for the service.

Tribal Villages

Anytime during the day

Pykara Lake and Waterfalls (Day Trip)

Morning for boat rides and waterfall views.

Crowd Notes

Tea Estates of Pandalur

Worth it if you enjoy nature and learning about tea production; skip if you have limited time and prefer urban attractions.

Needle Rock View Point

Worth visiting for the scenic views, but only on a clear day. Can be crowded during peak season.

Frog Hill View Point

A good spot for a quick photo stop if you're passing by.

Mudumalai National Park

Worth visiting for wildlife enthusiasts, but sightings are not guaranteed.

St. Thomas Church

Worth a quick visit if you appreciate architecture or religious sites.

Tribal Villages

A unique cultural experience for those interested in tribal communities and sustainable tourism.

Pykara Lake and Waterfalls (Day Trip)

A worthwhile day trip for nature lovers; skip if you have limited time in Pandalur itself.

Practical Tips

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What To Wear

Pack comfortable clothing suitable for warm days and cool evenings. Carry a light jacket or sweater. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

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Money

Daily Budget: Budget: ₹1000, Mid: ₹3000, Luxury: ₹7000+

ATMs: ATMs are available in Pandalur town. Carry sufficient cash for remote areas.

Cash vs Card: Cash is preferred for small transactions. Cards are accepted at larger hotels and restaurants.

Bargaining: Bargaining is expected in local markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers.

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Health

Water: Drink bottled water or purified water. Avoid drinking tap water.

Food: Eat at reputable restaurants and avoid street food from unhygienic vendors. Be cautious of spicy food.

Common Issues: Altitude sickness, insect bites. Bring necessary medications and insect repellent.

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Communication

SIM Cards: Airtel and Vodafone offer good coverage in Pandalur. Purchase a local SIM card for better connectivity.

WiFi: Wi-Fi is available at some hotels and restaurants.

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Language & Tipping

Language: English proficiency is limited. Learning a few basic Tamil or Malayalam phrases can be helpful.

Tipping: Restaurant: 5-10%, drivers: ₹50-100

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