One of the best kept secrets of Kodai, the Kookal Caves {sometimes called Kukkal Caves}, it’s about 40kms out of the main town. The trek down to the caves is rather steep {and of course, on the way back up, worse}, but when you reach the dwellings of the Paliyan tribes, then you’ll forget your aching muscles. Known to be one of the earliest tribes who inhabited the area, the caves are actually hanging slabs of charconite and granulite, both metamorphic rocks. To get to the caves you need to trudge through pine and wattles forests, and in the monsoon, a whole lot of leeches, so be careful. Gum boots really save the day, but that doesn’t mean you should not be careful. Oh, and take water, a torch, and stick to the path.