OOTY - COONOOR - COORG (FROM MYSORE)

Hill Station

Photo Credit: Flickr

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Trip Starting Point: Mysore City

Mode of Travel: Car (or Cab)

Trip Duration: 5 Days

Ideal Start Time: 7 AM:9 AM:9 AM:9 AM:9 AM

Total Places Visited: 23

DAYS

DAY 1 : TRAVEL TO OOTY & SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Mysore to Ooty

About Ooty Lake

At a distance of 1 km from Ooty Bus Station & Railway Station, Ooty Lake is an artificial lake situated in the beautiful hill station of Ooty. It is one of the top attractions you must include in Ooty packages.

Ooty Lake is surrounded by Eucalyptus trees and greenery all around and is a great place to experience the beauty of this hill station. One can also spot numerous streams coming out through the hills. This is a perfect place to capture some postcard pictures. The lake is filled with beautiful water birds with the exotic Nilgiri mountain ranges in the background.

History of Ooty Lake

Ooty Lake was built by John Sullivan in 1824 AD, the then Collector of Coimbatore. Covers an area of 65 acres with an average depth of 40 feet, the lake is fed by the mountain streams in the Ooty valley. The lake was originally intended to be used for fishing with ferries being used to travel across the lake. It is .....

About Botanical Gardens

At a distance of 3 km from Ooty Bus Station & Railway Station and 4 km from Ooty Lake, Ooty Botanical Garden is a beautiful garden situated on the foothills of Dodabetta Peak in Ooty. Maintained by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department, it is one of the best botanical gardens in India, and among the top places to visit in Ooty.

History of Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens in Udhagamandalam was laid out in 1847 AD. It was designed by the architect William Graham McIvor under the supervision of George Hay, the then Governor of Madras. The original purpose of the Botanical Gardens was to promote and study the various flora in and around Nilgiris. Now, it is open to the public as a park that can be enjoyed by visitors as part of Ooty Packages.

Layout of Botanical Gardens

The Gardens spreads over an area of 22 hectares with more than 650 species of flowers and trees. The Garden has a terraced layout and is divided into .....

About Doddabetta Peak

At a distance of 9 km from Ooty, Doddabetta is a mountain peak situated on the Ooty - Kotagiri Road in the Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. Literally means Big Mountain, Doddabetta is the highest point in the Nilgiri Mountains and one of the popular places to visit in Ooty.

Situated at an altitude of 2623 m at the junction of the Western and Eastern Ghats, Doddabetta is regarded as one of the highest peaks in South India. The area surrounding Doddabetta is mostly forested. Sholas cover the hollows of its slopes. Tall rhododendron trees, flowering sub-alpine shrubs, and herbs are common, even very near the peak. One can have a magnificent panoramic view of the landscape, beautiful valley, plains of Coimbatore, and the flat highlands of Mysore from the peak as part of your Ooty trip.

Telescope House at Doddabetta Peak

The Tamil Nadu Tourism .....

Overnight Stay in Ooty

DAY 2 : COONOOR SIGHTSEEING

Travel from Ooty to Coonoor

At a distance of 4 km from Ooty and 12.5 km from Coonoor, Ketti Valley View Point is a popular vantage point situated on Ooty - Coonoor Road in Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu. It is one the most beautiful sightseeing places in Ooty and also one of the top places to experince Ooty Tourism.

As the name suggests, the view point provides a panoramic view of the Ketti Valley, the largest valley in the Nilgiris, and its beautiful surroundings. Ketti Valley is home to several tribes, such as Todas and Badagas. There are over 14 villages in this valley that belong to the tribes of Badagas. These tribal people are experts in cultivating fresh vegetables and fruits in the valley.

Also known as Switzerland of Nilgiris, the Ketti Valley is a heaven for nature lovers and photographers. The view of Ketti from the viewpoint is majestic and often compared .....

At a distance of 3 Kms from Coonoor & 16 kms from Ooty, Wellington is a small and peaceful town in Nilgirs. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Coonoor.

Wellington is a military town with rows of barracks. It is the headquarters of the Madras Regimental Centre and also home for the Defence Staff College.

There are few accommodation options available here.

At a distance of 4 km from Coonoor Railway Station, Sim's Park is well-maintained garden located in the beautiful hill station of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most popular Coonoor tourist places.

An unusual park-cum-botanical garden, Sim's Park was developed around the natural contours of the land by JD Sims and Major Murray in the year of 1874. Spread over 30 acres of land, the park was started as a pleasure resort for the residents and visitors, and later developed into garden.

Sim's Park has wonderful landscaped gardens & walkways lined up with beautiful flowers spread across and variety of flower plants collected from different parts of the country. There is a lake situated inside the park that offers boating facility as well.

This park has more than 1000 species of 255 genera belonging to 85 families widely covering different group of plants. Also there are some naturally occurring .....

At a distance of 8 km from Coonoor Railway Station, Lamb's Rock is a spectacular vantage point situated at Burliar village near Coonoor, Tamilnadu. It is one of the popular viewpoints near Ooty, and among the must include places in Coonoor trip.

Lamb's Rock is a sheer precipice of jagged rock that drops down several hundred feet to bury itself in the luxuriant jungle below. The place got its name after Captain Lamb who attempted to open a path to this place. Counted as one of the best Coonoor places to visit, the Lamb's Rock offers some fascinating views of the surrounding valleys, which are hard to miss.

Lamb's Rock is a place where you can enjoy the cool breeze amid lush greenery and tranquillity. One can witness a panoramic view of Coonoor town, the tea estates, lush greenery, thick forests covered by clouds, and the plains of Coimbatorefrom this point. This place demands .....

At a distance of 12 km from Coonoor Railway Station, Dolphin's Nose is a wonderful viewpoint situated in the picturesque hill station of Coonoor. It is one of the popular viewpoints near Ooty, and among the must-visit places in Coonoor tour packages.

Located at an altitude of 1,500, Dolphin's Nose point is set amidst the rolling hills of the Nilgiris. The tip of the peak of this enormous rock resembles the nose of a dolphin hence the name Dolphin's Nose.It is one of the most visited tourist places in Coonoor.

It is an enormous rock formation that is completely unique. There are gigantic ravines found on both sides of the place and there is a view of inspiring Catherine Falls, another famous attraction which is located a relatively short distance away opposite of the Dolphin's Nose. This place demands moderate-level trekking.

Timings: 9 AM .....

At a distance of 8 km from Ooty Bus Station, Tea Park is a park situated near Doddabetta in Ooty. It is one of the popular gardens in Ooty, and among the must-visit places as part of Ooty tour packages.

The Tea Park at Doddabetta was developed by the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops to increase the awareness of the process of tea making amongst the tourists, and also to promote TEA as a healthy drink. This Tea Park also serves to de-congest the tourist traffic during the peak period as people may visit it after visiting Doddabetta and then go towards Kotagiri.

Tea trekking path inside the Tea garden with a display of tea history and its origin, entry to China, India, and to the Nilgiris by providing display materials engraved in granite stones at regular intervals with musical arrangements on the path. There are two gazebos- one at the top view the entire tea garden and the other near Kotagiri road end to view the Karnataka state sceneries as well as the mountain .....

Overnight Stay in Ooty

DAY 3 : OOTY SIGHTSEEING & TRAVEL TO COORG

Resume Ooty Sightseeing

At a distance of 9 km from Ooty Bus Station, Kamraj Sagar Dam, also known as the Sandynalla Reservoir, is a very quiet and scenic dam situated on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs in Ooty. It is one of the top Ooty tourist places and also a must include in every Ooty Tour Packages.

The dam, built on the Kamrajar Lake, is spread over 400 acres and is situated on the way to Wenlock Downs & Pykara. The dam is a monsoon fed water body and measures about 6 km in length. The dam and the serene location make it a heavenly place and a favorite haunt for the nature lovers. It is also a popular destination with honeymoon couples because of its picturesque natural beauty. It is a popular shooting location in Ooty.

There are several walking trails around the lake and visitors can also explore several tourist places in the area through these .....

At a distance of 16 km from Ooty, Wenlock Downs is a vast expanse of grassy meadow located on the way to Pykara in Ooty, Tamilnadu. It is one of the most scenic places in Ooty and also one of the best Ooty tourist places. Along with Ooty Lake, this place is most commonly represented for Ooty Tourism.

Wenlock Downs is a spectacular meadow named after Sir Arthur Lawley's sibling Beilby Lawley, third Baron Wenlock. The downs spread majestically across 20,000 acres of rolling lands that seems to be stretching endlessly. The entire place is covered with Shola forest. More popularly known as the Shooting Point, Wenlock Downs has two popular movie filming points known as Sixth Mile and Ninth Mile named so because of they are located at 6 miles and 9 miles away from Ooty.

The extensive grassland of .....

About Pykara Dam

At a distance of 22 km from Ooty, Pykara Lake is a placid lake situated on Ooty - Mysore road in Tamilnadu. The dam amidst dense forest is a beautiful destination offering breathtaking scenery. It is one of the best places to visit in Ooty and an ideal place to experience a beautiful boat ride.

Situated amidst a lush green shola forest, Pykara Lake is formed as a result of the construction of the Pykara Dam over the Pykara River, the largest river in the Nilgiris district. The Pykara Lake formed by the dam is a blessed lake for the Todas, the local tribe of Nilgiris. The dam also has a powerhouse which is one of the oldest power plants in South India and is generating about 60 megawatts of electricity. It was declared a heritage plant in 1997, triggering the establishment of more hydroelectric power stations in the state.A few hundred meters north of the lake, the river tumbles down the rocks .....

About Pykara Falls

At a distance of 2 km from Pykara Lake and 23 km from Ooty Bus Stand, Pykara Falls is a majestic waterfall located in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. Situated on the Ooty - Mysore road, this is one of the best waterfalls near Bangalore, and among the most popular Ooty places to visit. Pykara Falls is formed by the Pykara River and is situated downstream of the Pykara Dam.

Height of Pykara Falls

The Pykara Waterfall drops down into two sections with a height of 55 m and 61 m through multiple layers on the rocky bed providing a unique beauty to the stream. The waterfall amidst the dense forest is a treat to watch. There are barricades along with the waterfall viewpoint for the safety of the tourists. It is one of the must-visit places for honeymoon couples and nature lovers as part of their Ooty tour. The surroundings .....

Overnight Stay in Coorg

DAY 4 : COORG SIGHTSEEING

Start Coorg Sightseeing

About Abbey Falls

At a distance of 8 km from Madikeri Bus Station, Abbey Falls, or Abbi Falls is a wonderful waterfall situated amidst the mountains of Western Ghats in Coorg. It is one of the best waterfalls near Bangalore, and among the must-include places in Coorg tour packages.

Abbey Falls is one of the top tourist places to visit in Coorg. It is situated in the middle of private coffee plantations and spice estates. It is one of the best waterfalls in the Coorg region.

Height of Abbey Falls

Numerous small streams and abundant rainfall combine to form the Abbey Waterfalls. It cascades down the rocky slopes from a height of about 70 feet into a pool. This waterfall flows to unite with the River Cauvery. A hanging bridge has been built across the .....

At a distance of 9 km from Talacauvery and 36 km from Madikeri, Bhagamandala is a sacred place situated in the Coorg district of Karnataka. Also known as Bhagundeshwara Kshetra, it is one of the famous pilgrimage sites in Karnataka and also one of the top places to experince Coorg Tourism.

Bhagamandala is situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Cauvery and the Kannike. A third river, the Sujyothi is said to join from underground. It is well known as Triveni Sangama and also considered as Dakshina Kashi. It is a common practice for pilgrims to take a dip in the sangama and perform rituals to their ancestors before proceeding to Talacauvery, the birthplace of Kaveri River. During 1785-1790, the area was occupied by Tipu Sultan and he renamed it Afesalabad. Then in 1790 King Dodda Veerarajendra took Bhagamandala back into an independent Kodagu.

A short distance .....

About Talakaveri

At a distance of 9 km from Bhagamandala & 44 km from Madikeri, Talacauvery is the origin of the Cauvery River in Karnataka. It is situated on the slopes of the Brahmagiri mountain ranges near Bhagamandala at an altitude of 1276 m. It is one of the best places to visit in Coorg and is among prime place to visit on a Coorg trip.

At Talacauvery, there is a square tank called Cauvery Kundike or Brahma Kundike, which is considered to be the birth place of River Cauvery. Here, River Cauvery emerges as a perennial spring and disappears underground. River Cauvery again emerges at Nagathirtha near Bhagamandala and joins with Kannike and Sujyoti at Triveni Sangam. Bhagamandala is the meeting of three rivers and is also referred to as Triveni Sangam.

History of Talakaveri

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BREAK FOR MEALS / HOTEL CHECK-IN | CHECK-OUT / SHOPPING / LEISURE

At a distance of 1.5 km from Madikeri Bus Station, Raja's Seat is a popular viewpoint towards the south of Madikeri Fort in the picturesque hill town of Madikeri, Coorg. This is one of the top tourist places to visit in Coorg and also a famous sunset point in Madikeri.

The Raja's Seat, which means the Seat of Kings, is a brick and mortar structure with four pillars connected by arches. It is built on a high elevation with a commanding view of the cliffs and valleys. This lovely spot was once a favorite place of recreation for the King of Coorg. He used to spend time with his queen in the garden and watching the setting sun. The spot offers a breathtaking view of towering hills, green valleys studded with paddy fields. It is fascinating to watch the road to Mangalore like a curved ribbon lying in the valley.

Raja's Seat stands inside a splendid garden of .....

At a distance of 1 km from Madikeri Bus Station, Omkareshwara Temple is an ancient and magnificent temple situated near Madikeri Fort in Madikeri. It is one of the must include places in Coorg Tour Packages.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Omkareshwara Temple was built by Lingarajendra in 1820 CE. It is one of the must-visit Coorg tourist places. The shivalinga inside the temple is believed to be brought from Kashi. According to the legend, the king had killed a pious Brahmin to fulfill his political ambitions. However, the king started to have nightmares for his cruel deed. To free himself from the nightmares, the King sought the advice of a few wise men and they told the king to build a temple of Lord Shiva to regain his mental peace. The king followed their advice and brought a Shiva lingam from the holy town of Kashi and installed it at a newly constructed temple. .....

Overnight Stay in Coorg

DAY 5 : COORG SIGHTSEEING & TRAVEL TO MYSORE

Resume Coorg Sightseeing

About Dubare Elephant Camp

At a distance of 15 km from Kushalnagar, and 29 km from Madikeri, Dubare Elephant Camp is an elephant training center situated on the banks of the river Cauvery in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. It is one of the most famous places to visit in Coorg, and also one of the top attractions you must include in Coorg packages.

Dubare is a natural island formed by Cauvery River. It is an important base for the Karnataka Forest Department's elephants and among the must include places in India wildlife tour packages.

History of Dubare Elephant Camp

Dubare Elephant Camp is a project undertaken by the forest department and jungle lodges & resorts. This camp has plenty of elephants which are trained under naturalists. The elephants used for Mysore Dussehra .....

About Cauvery Nisargadhama

At a distance of 3 km from Kushalnagar, 7 km from Bylakuppe, 12 km from Dubare Elephant Camp, and 29 km from Madikeri, Cauvery Nisargadhama is an island formed by the River Cauvery in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. It is one of the most scenic Coorg tourist places and also a famous picnic spot for the people of Coorg.

This island was developed as a tourist spot in 1988 by the Forest Department. Spread over a sprawling 64-acre land, the island is filled with thick bamboo groves, sandalwood, and teak trees. The island is accessible through a hanging rope bridge. This island also features a deer park, Rabbit Park, Peacock Park, and Orchidarium. The Island is perfect for a picnic with the children. It is also an ideal destination for those who love nature and spend time by themselves. It is .....


BREAK FOR MEALS / HOTEL CHECK-IN | CHECK-OUT / SHOPPING / LEISURE

About Bylakuppe Golden Temple

At a distance of 5 km from Kushalnagar, 7 km from Cauvery Nisargadhama, 34 km from Madikeri, and 87 km from Mysore, the Golden Temple or Namdroling Monastery is a beautiful Buddhist Monastery situated in Bylakuppe, Karnataka. Bylakuppe is the second-largest Tibetan settlement in India after Dharamshala and is among the most popular places to visit in Coorg.

History of Golden Temple

Bylakuppe is a Tibetan refugee settlement area established by Lugsum Samdupling in 1961 and Dickyi Larson in 1969. It was an amalgamation of about twenty villages that came together to be called the town of Bylakuppe. The main tourist attraction here is the magnificent Namdroling Monastery. Popularly called as Golden Temple, the Namdroling Monastery was established by Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinpoche in 1963. This is the largest teaching center of Nyingmapa, .....

Travel from Coorg to Mysore