Ooty is a famous hill resort in Tamil Nadu.
It has an undeniable charm and the hills and forest around are sensational for trekking. The journey to Ooty in the miniature train can be romantic and the scenery can take your breath away.
April to June people go here to escape from the summer. But October to March also is good weather and a good time to avoid the crowds.Ooty spreads over a large area of rolling hills and valleys.
The Botanical Gardens are a popular attraction. They are very well maintained and have Italian and Japanese sections. A fossilised tree trunk believed to be around 20 million years old is a big draw.
St.Stephan’s church is a very old church with old wooden beams which came from the palace of Tipu Sultan. The Tribal Research Centre is another place you can drop in. The thread garden where realistic looking flowers have been woven with thread is worth seeing.
To appreciate the splendour of Ooty though you need to trek through the forests with a local guide. You can also trek in the Mudumalai National Park.You can also do Horse Riding and boating in Ooty.Accommodation options in any price range are available in Ooty.There are buses from Tamil Nadu and also from Mysore.
There's a lack of any historical record to suggest that Ooty was part of any kingdom. Ooty was originally a tribal land occupied by Todas along with other tribes who handed over the area to the then Governor of Coimbatore, John Sullivan who developed the town. Ooty was the summer capital of the Madras Presidency and a favorite retreat of the British.
Being a very popular tourist destination Ooty is very well connected to other neighboring cities by road. It is located 80 km away from Coimbatore and 155 km away from Mysore while Bangalore is 290 km away. Ooty is situated on the National Highway 67 and it is a well serviced bus route.
Coimbatore International Airport is the nearest airport to Ooty.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway connects Ooty to Mettupalayam.
Ooty is one of the most sought after hill stations in India. Due to its pleasant climate, Ooty is a popular summer retreat in the region attracting thousands of tourists every year with its many attractions, parks and natural beauty. Ooty is surrounded by dense forest, and tea and coffee plantations. Lakes, waterfalls and many viewpoints add to the appeal of this scenic hill station.
Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden are some of the most popular tourist spots in Ooty. Pykara Lake and Doddabetta Peak are two of the most popular spots around Ooty. Ooty Lake is an artificial lake created in 1824. The lake stretches for about 2.75 km in an irregular ‘L’ shape and is surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Doddabetta Peak is one of the highest peaks in South India and a popular viewpoint to enjoy the splendid view of the plains of Coimbatore and the beautiful valley.
The Botanical Garden is among the most popular tourist destination in Ooty. Founded in 1847, the botanical garden covers an area of 22 hectares and houses many rare species of trees. It also houses an Italian style garden featuring a wide variety of flowers and plants.
Avalanche which is a popular spot for trekking, St. Catherine Water Falls, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Ketti Valley View and Arranmore Palace are some of the other prominent attractions in and around Ooty!
When I travel I normally eat club sandwiches or I bring my own food. When you go into a new town, it's very had to find a good place to eat.