About Ooty

Country: India | State: Tamilnadu

Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 Days

Nearest City to Ooty: Coimbatore (89 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Ooty: October to May

Peak Season: October & December to January & May to June

At a distance of 89 km from Coimbatore, 128 km from Mysore, 158 km from Kozhikode, 244 km from Munnar, 254 km from Kodaikanal, 265 km from Bangalore, & 556 km from Chennai, Ooty is a stunning hill station as well as the headquarters of the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. It one of the best hill stations in Tamilnadu, and among the must include places inTamilnadu Tour Packages.

At an altitude of 7,440 feet, Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is often referred to as 'Queen of hill stations'. Nilgiris means 'Blue Mountains. A land of picturesque picnic spots & lakes, it was a popular summer and weekend getaway for the British during colonial days. Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden and Rose Garden are among the must include places in your Ooty tour packages.

Ooty was originally a tribal land occupied by the Todas along with other tribes. The Nilgiri territory came into possession of East India Company as part of the ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan in 1799. In 1818, Wish and Kindersley, Assistant and Second Assistant to Collector of Coimbatore visited this spot and submitted their experience report to the Collector of Coimbatore John Sullivan. John Sullivan later began the construction of his bungalow at Dimbhatti the first European dwelling on the hills. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency and other small kingdoms, much visited by the British during the colonial days. Its stunning beauty and splendid green deep valleys inspired the British to name it Queen of Hill Stations. Sullivan later developed the town and encouraged the establishment of tea, chinchona, and teak trees.

Apart from pleasant weather, Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Wenlock Downs, Pine Forest, and Emerald Lake are the popular places to visit in Ooty. The toy train, known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway that runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must be experienced. The train route winds its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams, and tea gardens. The train route was developed by British engineers in 1908, covering 42 kilometers in length with 108 curves, 16 tunnels, and 250 bridges.

The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands, and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the visitors on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival (Jan) and Summer Festival (May) attract crowds in huge numbers. Ooty is one of the popular hill stations near Bangalore.

About 87 km from Ooty, Coimbatore Airport is the nearest airport that has well flight connectivity with all the major cities of India including Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune. Coimbatore Junction about 85 km is the nearest railhead, which has connectivity to Mettupalayam from where you can get Ooty Toy Train which is an exclusive train service from Mettupalayam to Ooty and few other minor stations. Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs once a day from Mettupalayam to Ooty at 7:10 AM. Coimbatore also has well train connectivity from all the other major cities of the country. Ooty is also connected by bus with major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, and Coimbatore.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 0423
Languages Spoken: Tamil, Hindi, English
Major Festivals: Tea and Tourism Festival (Jan),
Summer Festival (May)
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Ooty

By Air

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore - Coimbatore Peelamedu Airport (91 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Ooty Railway Station (0 Kms)
Metupalaiyam Railway Station (46 Kms)
Coimbatore Junction (82 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Ooty Central Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 12 Places to Visit in Ooty

#1 of 46 Places to Visit in 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 .....

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#2 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

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 .....

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#3 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

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 .....

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#4 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

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 .....

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#5 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

About Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

At a distance of 12 km from Bandipur National Park, 37 km from Ooty, and 92 km from Mysore, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, or Mudumalai National Park is located at the foothills of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Tamilnadu, and among the must-include places in the Ooty tour.

History of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

The word Mudumalai is a Tamil word with 'mutu' meaning old, and ancient, and 'malai' means hill or mountain. The name 'Mudumalai forest' was already in use when the British Government rented the forest in 1857 for logging purposes from the Raja of Neelambur. An area of about 60 km2 was established as Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in 1940. This is the first wildlife sanctuary in South India and one of the best Ooty tourist places. The sanctuary was .....

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#6 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

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 .....

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#7 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

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 .....

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#8 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

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 .....

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#9 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

At a distance of 17 km from Ooty and 27 km from Coonoor, Emerald Lake, a serene lake with emerald blue waters, is located near Emerald village in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Situated amidst dense forests, it is one of the top Ooty tourist places. The lake is part of the Silent Valley National Park situated on the way to Avalanche village.

The blue waters of Emerald Lake surrounded by lush green meadows and forest is simply mesmerizing. The water is crystal clear and of course cold. This is a great place to enjoy the day with breathtaking views of the slopes of Nilgiris. Emerald Lake is also a haven for a variety of birds. It is a mini paradise for bird lovers and ornithologists as they get to see and study a number of native birds. It is also notable for the scenic sun rise and sun set views near the lake. The Tea gardens is a great spot to spend some time as it gives a memorable experience. Trekking .....

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#10 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

At a distance of 4 km from Doddabetta Peak and 5 km from Ooty Bus Station & Ooty Railway Station, Tea Factory & Museum is situated on Doddabetta Road in Ooty. Amidst the blue hills of Nilgiris, it is one of the popular tea factories in Tamilnadu and among the must visit Ooty Tourist Places.

Perched at an altitude of 1839 m, the Ooty Tea Factory is spread across nearly an acre; all covered with the emerald green tea plants. Visitors can see the entire processing method right from the freshly plucked green leaves to its packaging at the factory. It also houses the Tea Museum where visitors can learn about the origin of different kinds of tea leaves that are used across the globe along with the history of tea in India and its evolution in the Nilgiris. The Doddabetta tea factory in Ooty also offers beautiful views of the valley, and the towering mountain peaks surrounding it.

The Ooty Tea Factory features a small shop where free tea is offered to all visitors. This hot cup of .....

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#11 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

At a distance of 2 km from Ooty Bus Station & Railway Station and 3.5 km from Ooty Lake, the Government Rose Garden is a beautiful garden situated near Charring Cross in the beautiful hill station of Ooty. Formerly known as the Jayalalitha Rose Garden or Centenary Rose Park, the Rose Garden is one of the largest rose gardens in India and also one of the popular Ooty tourist places.

The Rose Garden was established in 1995 to commemorate the centenary of Ooty flower show. It is situated at an altitude of 2200 m on the slopes of the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram area of Ooty town. This garden consists of five terraces in an area of 10 acres and has more than 2800 variety of roses. This garden has been beautifully laid out in terraces with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers with rose creepers. This garden is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department. .....

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#12 of 46 Places to Visit in Ooty

At a distance of 0.5 km, Ooty Bus Station, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, also known as Toy Train, is a world heritage toy train in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the mountain railways in India and among the must-visit places as part of Ooty Tour Packages.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was built by the British in 1908 and was initially operated by the Madras Railway Company. Now it is operated by Indian Railways, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty, and is one of the popular train journeys in India. In July 2005, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was declared a UNESCO world heritage site of the Indian Mountain Railways along with the Himalayan Railway in Darjeeling, and the Shimla-Kalka Toy Train.

The idea of the toy train was thought of in the year 1854, which took around 40 years to be finally executed. The initial line was built by a Swiss inventor, Riggenbach, and created a lineup to Coonoor by the year 1899. The line was later extended up to Fernhill .....

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