OOTY

The queen of hills

Ooty, the Queen of Hill stations, welcome you with mesmerizing meadows, a soothing environment, cool weather, and a wide array of sightseeing places to visit and admire. Each tourist attraction in Ooty promises a unique and lively experience that will leave you in awe for many days to come.Ooty nestles in an amphitheater created by four majestic hills. Doddabetta, Snow don, Elk Hill, and Club Hill. These hills are part of the Nilgiri ranges that are the meeting point for the Western and the Eastern Ghats. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots and had been a popular summer and weekend getaway since the colonial days.

Best Time to Visit Ooty

As a hill station, Ooty enjoys a cool and pleasant climate around the year. However, the best time to visit happens to be the summer months - from early March to early June, when the weather is absolutely at its best. Ooty enjoys moderate rainfall during the monsoons and winters are not too harsh either. Though the temperature may fall to 2°C or 3°C, despite that, exploring Ooty in winters has its charm

Some places to visit in Ooty are-

1. Rose Garden – A Spectrum Of Various Colours

With more than 3600 varieties of rose, the Rose Garden is one of the most gorgeous places you must cover during sightseeing in Ooty. Awarded as the ‘Garden of Excellence by the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS), this is one of the largest rose gardens in India, spread across 10 acres of land. Explore this place to cherish exotic species and to buy plants and saplings for your garden.

2. Ooty Lake – The Sparkling Beauty

Among the most popular and serene places to visit in Ooty in 2 days is Ooty Lake. With the backdrop of picturesque Nilgiris—the lake rests in the middle of the green valleys. During the Ooty summer festival in May, many thrilling boat races are organized here. The lake also works as an amusement park. Enjoy the experience of boating in Ooty on your holiday in the Nilgiris.

3. Pykara Lake – A Picturesque Attraction

Pykara is a sparkling lake nestled amid lush green Nilgiri valleys. There is also a roaring waterfall that goes by the same name. If you live near Ooty, then a day-long trip can be done by car, local buses or private cabs. People can trek up to the waterfall, enjoy boating, and witness the picturesque valleys.

4. Doddabetta Peak – A Wonderful Trekking Spot

Offering you the most breathtaking views of the highest peak of Nilgiri—Doddabetta Peak is a refreshing and mesmeric visual treat for all. Along with the peak, one can relish the luxuriant surroundings, thick forests, and picture-postcard view of Ooty. If you are a trekker, you are going to love this place.

5. Shooting Point – A Popular Location For Bollywood Shoots

Movie buffs will easily identify this lush-green meadow surrounded by thick forests and mesmeric Nilgiris, as it has been seen in many of the Bollywood blockbusters. Locally known as ‘Shooting Medu’, this place is perfect for relaxation, picnic, and stunning views. When traveling with your family, this place should top the list. This is one of the places to visit in Ooty in 1 day. Don’t forget to bring your cameras!

6. St Stephen’s Church – Nilgiri’s Oldest Church

Located in Upper Bazar Road—St Stephen’s Church is one of the popular places to visit in Ooty in 2 days and displays amazing architectural charm. This is one of the oldest churches of the region that features painted window glasses, wooden elephants procured from the palace of Tipu Sultan, and plaques of the colonial era. Those who have a thing for history should come to this church to satiate their curiosity. Make sure you include this church in the list of places to visit in Ooty to make your trip worthwhile.

7. Tea Museum – Nestled In A Picturesque Location

Spread across 1 acre, the Tea Museum is one of the not-to-miss Ooty tourist places. It is surrounded by aromatic tea estates and lush Nilgiri mountains. You must visit this museum if you are a tea lover. You can see the tea-making process and taste some incredible varieties while looking at the mesmerizing beauty surrounding the museum. This is one of the places to visit in Ooty in 3 days

8. Wax World Museum – A Must Visit For Kids

Wax World Museum in Ooty is one of the best places to visit in Ooty with kids. A 130-year-old Colonial Mansion located near Ooty Lake houses this fascinating museum that showcases lifelike wax statues of historical and political personalities. The museum also displays typical rural households and replicates the local lifestyle and all these are made of nothing but wax.

9. Thunder World – A Place For Fun And Thrill

When you are holidaying with your family, especially kids, you should keep Thunder World on your list. Also known as Dinosaur Park and Bigfoot, this is an amusement hub that features more than 20 models of dinosaurs, coupled with sounds and special effects. Along with this, the place has an artificial rain forest and a haunted house that fascinate children and adults alike.

10. Avalanche Lake – Get Closer To Nature

Even though the name suggests otherwise but this lake was instead originated as a result of a landslide. Here, you will bring near various vibrant flowers and lush greenery. The flowers like rhododendrons and magnolias can be easily found around Avalanche Lake. You can stop by this lake to indulge yourself in a peaceful fishing session or can even spend the whole day here by pitching a tent.

11. Deer Park – Behold The Beautiful Creatures

This park is located at a distance of around 1 kilometer from Ooty Lake and is considered to be quite accessible. Apart from just the deer, you can witness many other animals, including Sambhar and Chital along with various birds. This park has been carefully maintained and is one of the most-visited Ooty tourist places. If you’re visiting Ooty for a couple of days, then this is the best place to visit. So, when thinking of the ideal places to visit in Ooty in 2 days, then don’t forget to include this one.

12. Kalhatty Waterfalls – The Most Picturesque Backdrop

These falls are situated at a distance of approximately 15 kilometers from Ooty. All the adventure junkies out there can plan a visit to these falls as they can reach there after a 2-mile trek from village Kalhatti. Mythologically, it is believed that Saint Agastya used to live in this region. While going to witness these falls, it is advised that you stay careful, for there are many wild species in this region.

Ways to reach Ooty

By Air

Approximately 88 kilometers away, Coimbatore is the nearest domestic airport from Ooty which is well-connected with most of the Indian cities. You can also take a flight from Bangalore (which is 295 kilometers from Ooty) as Bangalore airport is connected with most of the cities across the globe. There are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai connecting Bangalore and Coimbatore. Once you reach the airport, you can take a taxi or bus from there to reach Ooty.

By Bus

Ooty is a major tourist attraction in South India. You will get both government and luxury buses from Bangalore, Mysore, and Chennai to Ooty. These are overnight buses and the journey is quite comfortable. Note that a special government bus leaves daily at 5pm and 7pm from Calicut and it takes just 6 hours to reach Ooty.

By Train

The nearest railhead is Mettupalyam, 40 kilometers from Ooty. There are trains from Chennai, Coimbatore, Mysore, and Bangalore connecting Mettupalyam. Some of the popular trains are the OotyUdagamandalam Passenger train, MettupalyamUdagamandalam Passenger train, Mangalore Mail and Mangalore Express. From here on, you can also board the heritage train known as the Nilgiri Mountain train which takes you uphill on an exciting journey. However, if you wish to reach faster, take a taxi from the railway junction.

Road/Self Drive

The best part of a road trip to Ooty is that you drive through the reserve forest area and stunning scenery, and that surely is some experience. If you wish to drive from Bangalore to Ooty there are 2 routes you can take: via Mysore or Chamarajanagar. Finally, you reach Gundlupet, the border town, and enter the forest road amidst Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Look out for elephants on this stretch!

How to Commute Within Ooty

By Foot Exploring this exquisite destination by foot is perhaps the most exhilarating experience of them all. The meandering paths and trails will lead to stunning panoramic viewing points. From tea plantations to rose gardens, there’s much to uncover.

By Autorickshaw This popular 3-wheeled marvel is a convenient and accessible option to avail of, especially when touring the commercial spots. However, one must ensure that the meter is switched on or negotiate a price before stepping in. Autorickshaws are especially great for short distances.

By Sumo Individuals can hire a Tata Utility Vehicle for their local sight-seeing itineraries. The comfortable Sumo fits 7-8 people and is ideal for families. With an average price of Rs. 350, this is an affordable and efficient means to get about the hill station.

By Taxi Individuals may hire a private taxi for maximum exclusivity and comfort. There are cost-effective and hassle-free car rental services available by the dozen. The cost fluctuates anywhere between Rs. 1,000-1,200. For those with infants, this is a safe and easy option.

By Bus A popular way to traverse the emerald landscapes of Ooty is via local bus. It will cost anywhere between Rs. 125-150 per person. If you’re tolerant towards large crowds and can handle the hustle-bustle, this might be the way to go.