Suggested time
1-2 hours
Distance from town
21 km
Entry fee
Free permit (from Forest Dept.)
Timings
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM (must exit by 3 PM)
Best season
Oct-May
Ratings
Spread over 59 acres inside the Palani Hills reserve forest, Berijam Lake is a protected drinking-water source for the town of Periyakulam below, which keeps it free of the crowds and shops found at Kodaikanal's other lakes. It's reached via Moir Point on a scenic but narrow forest road, with a real chance of spotting bison, deer, or the crested serpent eagle along the way.
Safety precautions
- Swimming or bathing in the lake is prohibited — it's a drinking water source and considered dangerous
- Wildlife encounters are real here, not just scenic — if elephant activity is reported near Moir Point, the Forest Department will deny permits that day entirely
- Leeches are common on the forest route, especially after rain
Know before you go
- A Forest Department permit is mandatory and issued same-day only, typically 8:30–9:30 AM at the check-post near Moir Point — arrive early, as only a limited number of vehicles are allowed per day
- Carry a valid photo ID and vehicle documents; you must exit the lake area by 3 PM with no exceptions
- Smoking, alcohol, plastic, and boating are all banned inside the forest area
Local warnings
- There's no mobile network once inside the forest area — plan accordingly if you need to stay reachable
- Permits aren't guaranteed — they can be refused on a given day due to weather, wildlife activity, or vehicle quotas already filled
Practical tips
- Booking through a local taxi operator who handles the permit for you removes most of the uncertainty around arrival timing
- Combine this with other Moir Point-area stops, since the drive out is long enough to justify pairing it with something else nearby
