Sumith’s guidebook-OOTY

Sumith
Sumith’s guidebook-OOTY

Sightseeing

The Ooty Botanical Gardens Timings: 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM Entry Fee: Adults: INR 30, Kids: INR 20, Photography: INR 50, Videography: INR 100 Ooty Botanical Gardens, Ooty Overview Lying on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak, the Government Botanical Garden is a splendid garden in Ooty town, just 5 minutes’ walk from The Club House. Sprawled over an area of 22 hectares, the garden is divided into several sections that are trimmed beautifully to present an endearing sight. Visitors are greeted with astounding colorful natural beauty from the moment they pass through the gates. For more than 160 years, foreign and local travelers have strolled the lush green lawns of the garden, admiring the stunning variety of flowers, ferns and orchids present here. Another highlight of the Botanical Garden is the Toda hill, known as the Toda mund, which gives the visitors an insight into the lives and culture of the Todas (an ancient mountain-tribe of the Nilgiris). The Ooty Botanical Garden was laid down in the year 1848 and was designed so as to have a terraced terrain. The slopes of the hill lie at an ascent of 2500 meters above mean sea level, as a result of which the garden enjoys a temperate climate ideal for a number of plants and shrubs to grow. The Botanical garden in Ooty is home to many rare species of trees, chief among them being the cork tree, the only one of its kind in India. Other rare species include the paperbark tree, the monkey puzzle tree and an old fossilized tree estimated to be a staggering 20 Million years old!!!. The monkey puzzle tree has been named so because even monkeys fail to climb it. In addition to these, a number of exotic and indigenous vegetation of plants, shrubs, ferns, trees, herbal and bonsai plants are found here as well. It could take at the least a full day to enjoy the garden and its various assets briefly for any average tourist; and several days of exploration for the connoisseur. There is also a snack-bar for those seeking to refresh themselves. Parking is not permitted anywhere near the Gardens; guests/members are hence well advised to keep their vehicles parked in The Club House Car Park itself, and just walk up to the Garden.
29 recommandé par les habitants
Jardin botanique gouvernemental
29 recommandé par les habitants
The Ooty Botanical Gardens Timings: 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM Entry Fee: Adults: INR 30, Kids: INR 20, Photography: INR 50, Videography: INR 100 Ooty Botanical Gardens, Ooty Overview Lying on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak, the Government Botanical Garden is a splendid garden in Ooty town, just 5 minutes’ walk from The Club House. Sprawled over an area of 22 hectares, the garden is divided into several sections that are trimmed beautifully to present an endearing sight. Visitors are greeted with astounding colorful natural beauty from the moment they pass through the gates. For more than 160 years, foreign and local travelers have strolled the lush green lawns of the garden, admiring the stunning variety of flowers, ferns and orchids present here. Another highlight of the Botanical Garden is the Toda hill, known as the Toda mund, which gives the visitors an insight into the lives and culture of the Todas (an ancient mountain-tribe of the Nilgiris). The Ooty Botanical Garden was laid down in the year 1848 and was designed so as to have a terraced terrain. The slopes of the hill lie at an ascent of 2500 meters above mean sea level, as a result of which the garden enjoys a temperate climate ideal for a number of plants and shrubs to grow. The Botanical garden in Ooty is home to many rare species of trees, chief among them being the cork tree, the only one of its kind in India. Other rare species include the paperbark tree, the monkey puzzle tree and an old fossilized tree estimated to be a staggering 20 Million years old!!!. The monkey puzzle tree has been named so because even monkeys fail to climb it. In addition to these, a number of exotic and indigenous vegetation of plants, shrubs, ferns, trees, herbal and bonsai plants are found here as well. It could take at the least a full day to enjoy the garden and its various assets briefly for any average tourist; and several days of exploration for the connoisseur. There is also a snack-bar for those seeking to refresh themselves. Parking is not permitted anywhere near the Gardens; guests/members are hence well advised to keep their vehicles parked in The Club House Car Park itself, and just walk up to the Garden.
The Doddabetta Peak Timings: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Overview Towering at a staggering height of 8650 feet or 2,623 meters above the sea level, Dodabetta, which literally translates into 'the big mountain' is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills, and is actually the highest point in the whole of South India, second only to the Himalayas. It is hardly 10 km from Ooty town center. During cloudy days, you could actually experience those very clouds (that you normally way see up in the sky), passing right through all around you. It is indeed a freshening and invigorating experience. A treat to the eyes, this picturesque location is indeed a great sightseeing place. It is a wonderful place for shooting and capturing nature's scenic beauty in the camera. The hilly regions of Mysore and the open plain lands too can be easily captured in the camera and it is the best place to take a shot. The summit offers an astounding view of the nearby areas which are covered with dense forests. The Star-house here affords a telescope for views of the plains below. Dodabetta is strategically located between the Western and Eastern Ghats, thus it is an ideal vantage point for the entire Nilgiris. Another unique feature of this hill is that it can be accessed by foot by trekking enthusiasts as well as by vehicle, thus appealing to both younger and older holiday makers.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Road
30 recommandé par les habitants
The Doddabetta Peak Timings: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Overview Towering at a staggering height of 8650 feet or 2,623 meters above the sea level, Dodabetta, which literally translates into 'the big mountain' is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills, and is actually the highest point in the whole of South India, second only to the Himalayas. It is hardly 10 km from Ooty town center. During cloudy days, you could actually experience those very clouds (that you normally way see up in the sky), passing right through all around you. It is indeed a freshening and invigorating experience. A treat to the eyes, this picturesque location is indeed a great sightseeing place. It is a wonderful place for shooting and capturing nature's scenic beauty in the camera. The hilly regions of Mysore and the open plain lands too can be easily captured in the camera and it is the best place to take a shot. The summit offers an astounding view of the nearby areas which are covered with dense forests. The Star-house here affords a telescope for views of the plains below. Dodabetta is strategically located between the Western and Eastern Ghats, thus it is an ideal vantage point for the entire Nilgiris. Another unique feature of this hill is that it can be accessed by foot by trekking enthusiasts as well as by vehicle, thus appealing to both younger and older holiday makers.
The Ooty Lake and Boat House Timings: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Ooty Lake, Ooty Overview Ooty Lake lies at a distance of approximately 2 km from Ooty town. The beautiful lake is spread over an area of 65 acres, and its foundation was laid down by Sir John Sullivan who was the collector of Coimbatore in 1824. The Lake is surrounded by Eucalyptus trees and greenery all around. One can also spot numerous streams coming out through the hills. This is a perfect place to capture for people who are genuinely interested in photography. The lake is filled with beautiful water birds with the exotic Nilgiri mountain ranges in the background. Ooty Lake is a pretty fun-filled and exciting place. One can hire paddle boats, rowing boats and motor boats from the boat-house here. There is a mini train too for kids to hop on and take a quick tour of the lake. Boat races, as well as other events, are also organized here for two days in the month of May. Since you are likely to find a lot of visitors during weekends, it is advisable to visit the lake during weekdays.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Maison de bateau de Tamilnadu Tourism Ooty
2 N Lake Rd
12 recommandé par les habitants
The Ooty Lake and Boat House Timings: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Ooty Lake, Ooty Overview Ooty Lake lies at a distance of approximately 2 km from Ooty town. The beautiful lake is spread over an area of 65 acres, and its foundation was laid down by Sir John Sullivan who was the collector of Coimbatore in 1824. The Lake is surrounded by Eucalyptus trees and greenery all around. One can also spot numerous streams coming out through the hills. This is a perfect place to capture for people who are genuinely interested in photography. The lake is filled with beautiful water birds with the exotic Nilgiri mountain ranges in the background. Ooty Lake is a pretty fun-filled and exciting place. One can hire paddle boats, rowing boats and motor boats from the boat-house here. There is a mini train too for kids to hop on and take a quick tour of the lake. Boat races, as well as other events, are also organized here for two days in the month of May. Since you are likely to find a lot of visitors during weekends, it is advisable to visit the lake during weekdays.
Timings: 9:00 - 17:00 Thread Garden, Ooty Overview The thread garden at Ooty is a popular tourist spot that exhibits some of the most magnificent and exquisite collection of artificial flowers and plants, all made by the expert hands of the skilful artists by using JUST thread. Antony Joseph, the mastermind behind this unique inception along with his 50 skilful and proficient helpers has worked constantly for 12 years, to create the marvels of thread we see today. Approximately 6 crore meters of embroidery thread have been employed in the creation of this one-of-a-kind attraction in the world. The most astounding fact has to be that not a stitch of a needle or any other machinery have been used in the production of these flowers. Stiff card boards for flowers and petals, steel and copper wires for stem were veraciously used along with a variety of colourful threads to create these visual delights. Here you can find more than 150 varieties of artificially made flowers which promise to remain fresh for a long long time to come. At the Thread Garden in Ooty, you do not only get a chance to behold these beauties in your eyes, but you can carry these astounding crafts home as well. However, you need to be a little cautious and preserve them well, in order to avoid imperfections.
Jardin de fils
North Lake Road
Timings: 9:00 - 17:00 Thread Garden, Ooty Overview The thread garden at Ooty is a popular tourist spot that exhibits some of the most magnificent and exquisite collection of artificial flowers and plants, all made by the expert hands of the skilful artists by using JUST thread. Antony Joseph, the mastermind behind this unique inception along with his 50 skilful and proficient helpers has worked constantly for 12 years, to create the marvels of thread we see today. Approximately 6 crore meters of embroidery thread have been employed in the creation of this one-of-a-kind attraction in the world. The most astounding fact has to be that not a stitch of a needle or any other machinery have been used in the production of these flowers. Stiff card boards for flowers and petals, steel and copper wires for stem were veraciously used along with a variety of colourful threads to create these visual delights. Here you can find more than 150 varieties of artificially made flowers which promise to remain fresh for a long long time to come. At the Thread Garden in Ooty, you do not only get a chance to behold these beauties in your eyes, but you can carry these astounding crafts home as well. However, you need to be a little cautious and preserve them well, in order to avoid imperfections.
Entry Fee: No entry fee Emerald Lake, Ooty, Overview Emerald Lake is situated in Emerald Village, around 20-22 kilometres from the main city of Ooty. The lake is a part of the Silent Valley National Park in the Nilgiris District. Serene and away from the maddening crowd, the lake and its surroundings are much cleaner and offer a perfect place to enjoy a leisurely time in the vicinity of nature and quietude. It is one of the unexplored and virgin places of this hill station, not yet encroached by the masses of tourists that visit the place every year. Emerald Lake is the ideal spot in Ooty for nature lovers. Tourists usually flock there for the picturesque scenic beauty of the lake, and the green Nilgiri slopes and tea plantations surrounding it. It is a paradise for nature photography enthusiasts as the delightful landscape offers a perfect subject and composition. Emerald Lake is a popular picnic spot for the locals, being a perfect place to spend a day with your family away from the town crowd. It is indeed a quiet, solitary place. The blue water of the lake and the woods around are home to a number of flora and fauna, and the most visible among them are the different types of domestic birds. Those who take interest in the avian part of the animal kingdom usually are in luck without much of a waiting. Tourists can also indulge in trekking and mountain-biking along the sides of the lake for a better experience of the place around. If you are not into all that excitement, then you can sit with a fishing rod or a book or simply in silence taking in the breath-taking view.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Emerald Lake
7 recommandé par les habitants
Entry Fee: No entry fee Emerald Lake, Ooty, Overview Emerald Lake is situated in Emerald Village, around 20-22 kilometres from the main city of Ooty. The lake is a part of the Silent Valley National Park in the Nilgiris District. Serene and away from the maddening crowd, the lake and its surroundings are much cleaner and offer a perfect place to enjoy a leisurely time in the vicinity of nature and quietude. It is one of the unexplored and virgin places of this hill station, not yet encroached by the masses of tourists that visit the place every year. Emerald Lake is the ideal spot in Ooty for nature lovers. Tourists usually flock there for the picturesque scenic beauty of the lake, and the green Nilgiri slopes and tea plantations surrounding it. It is a paradise for nature photography enthusiasts as the delightful landscape offers a perfect subject and composition. Emerald Lake is a popular picnic spot for the locals, being a perfect place to spend a day with your family away from the town crowd. It is indeed a quiet, solitary place. The blue water of the lake and the woods around are home to a number of flora and fauna, and the most visible among them are the different types of domestic birds. Those who take interest in the avian part of the animal kingdom usually are in luck without much of a waiting. Tourists can also indulge in trekking and mountain-biking along the sides of the lake for a better experience of the place around. If you are not into all that excitement, then you can sit with a fishing rod or a book or simply in silence taking in the breath-taking view.
Timings: Best time to visit: Oct to May Entry Fee: No entry fee Kalhatti Falls, Bellikkal, Ooty Overview Kalhatti falls is considered a 'Bird Watcher's Paradise' as it gives you a bird point view of the whole valley. The lovely beauty and calm atmosphere of the place makes it the best for spending vacations and for short trips. The lake is also a very important attraction of Bellikkal which is surrounded by lush greenery and it is a source of fresh drinking water for the surrounding areas. Elephants visit this lake frequently which is an enjoyable sight for travellers. Travelers can have a long walk on the shore of the lake which will offer them a memorable experience till the end of the day. Kalhatti Falls, situated to the south of Sigur Plateau is a beautiful waterfall that glides down from a great elevated area of 400 feet.
Mystique Ville, Kalhatti Falls, Ooty
Timings: Best time to visit: Oct to May Entry Fee: No entry fee Kalhatti Falls, Bellikkal, Ooty Overview Kalhatti falls is considered a 'Bird Watcher's Paradise' as it gives you a bird point view of the whole valley. The lovely beauty and calm atmosphere of the place makes it the best for spending vacations and for short trips. The lake is also a very important attraction of Bellikkal which is surrounded by lush greenery and it is a source of fresh drinking water for the surrounding areas. Elephants visit this lake frequently which is an enjoyable sight for travellers. Travelers can have a long walk on the shore of the lake which will offer them a memorable experience till the end of the day. Kalhatti Falls, situated to the south of Sigur Plateau is a beautiful waterfall that glides down from a great elevated area of 400 feet.
Dolphin's Nose, Ooty, Overview This is a unique natural site where a protruding rock looks like a dolphin's nose! Climbing up to the spot might require some effort, but it is totally worth it! From this point, one can catch the breathtaking view of the Catherine falls hundreds of meters below and also of the Coonoor stream meeting the Kotagiri stream.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Nez de Dauphin
10 recommandé par les habitants
Dolphin's Nose, Ooty, Overview This is a unique natural site where a protruding rock looks like a dolphin's nose! Climbing up to the spot might require some effort, but it is totally worth it! From this point, one can catch the breathtaking view of the Catherine falls hundreds of meters below and also of the Coonoor stream meeting the Kotagiri stream.
Kamraj Sagar Lake, Ooty Overview Kamraj Sagar Lake is a dam and is located in the suburbs of Ooty. It is located aloof and away at a distance between the woodlands and thus makes an amazing picnic spot. There is a wide variety of herbs and shrubs available in the terrain and a beautiful place to capture the scenic beauty in your camera. Several good movies are shot in the neighbourhood on the open roads and on the slopes of the Wenlock Sagar. The waters of this lake is icy cold and one can have a fine time fishing in this lake. Fishing industry has flourished here and the chief food available is fish and rice. The local delicacies are a treat to the belly and eyes alike.
Kamaraj Sagar Dam
Kamraj Sagar Lake, Ooty Overview Kamraj Sagar Lake is a dam and is located in the suburbs of Ooty. It is located aloof and away at a distance between the woodlands and thus makes an amazing picnic spot. There is a wide variety of herbs and shrubs available in the terrain and a beautiful place to capture the scenic beauty in your camera. Several good movies are shot in the neighbourhood on the open roads and on the slopes of the Wenlock Sagar. The waters of this lake is icy cold and one can have a fine time fishing in this lake. Fishing industry has flourished here and the chief food available is fish and rice. The local delicacies are a treat to the belly and eyes alike.
Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Entry Fee: No entry fee Droog Fort, Coonoor, Ooty Overview Droog Fort is located in the area surrounding Coonoor. A trekkers delight, one must undertake some by-foot-traveling to reach this destination. This old and worn out fort is located some 6,000 feet high above the plains below. Today, only a wall remains of this military outpost. Tradition says that this fort was used by Tippu Sultan as an outpost. With such an impressive location that allowed the fort to command extraordinary views in all proclivities, it is not a thing to ponder upon as to how this was chosen as an outpost. In order to get to this site, you must travel through the Nonsuch Tea Estate. Droog Fort is also referred to as Bakasura Malai. This name links it to the legend of a local demon, Bakasura, of Mahabharatha fame.
Droog Fort
Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Entry Fee: No entry fee Droog Fort, Coonoor, Ooty Overview Droog Fort is located in the area surrounding Coonoor. A trekkers delight, one must undertake some by-foot-traveling to reach this destination. This old and worn out fort is located some 6,000 feet high above the plains below. Today, only a wall remains of this military outpost. Tradition says that this fort was used by Tippu Sultan as an outpost. With such an impressive location that allowed the fort to command extraordinary views in all proclivities, it is not a thing to ponder upon as to how this was chosen as an outpost. In order to get to this site, you must travel through the Nonsuch Tea Estate. Droog Fort is also referred to as Bakasura Malai. This name links it to the legend of a local demon, Bakasura, of Mahabharatha fame.
Timings: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Entry Fee: No entry fee St Stephen's Church, Ooty Overview The St. Stephen's Church in Ooty is indeed a marvellous architectural edifice that the British left for us after they finally gave us our independence. Located on the road to Mysore in Ooty, the St. Stephen's Church is one of the earliest churches that you will find in the Nilgiris district. The structure dates back to the 19th century and was built by the British government. The date of the commencement of construction was cleverly chosen to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. The fabulous pale-yellow building of the St Stephen’s Church bears testimony to the marvels of British architecture that existed during those times. This grandeur is also reflected in the painting of 'The Last Supper' that can be found in the Church. The foundation of the church was laid down by Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the Governor of Madras, on April 23, 1829. Captain John James Underwood was in charge of the construction and designing of the entire church, and he ensured that only high-quality wood was used for the building of the St Stephen's Church. It would be interesting to note that the timber that was used in the construction process was brought from Tipu Sultan's palace after the British had successfully defeated him. Various attractions that appeal to visitors and tourists in the church include pretty stained-glass windows that depict a myriad of different scenes, such as Mother Mary holding Jesus in her arms; the exquisite wooden architecture and the painting of The Last Supper. A visit to this wonderful house of worship is indeed a delight.
Église Saint-Étienne
Road
Timings: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Entry Fee: No entry fee St Stephen's Church, Ooty Overview The St. Stephen's Church in Ooty is indeed a marvellous architectural edifice that the British left for us after they finally gave us our independence. Located on the road to Mysore in Ooty, the St. Stephen's Church is one of the earliest churches that you will find in the Nilgiris district. The structure dates back to the 19th century and was built by the British government. The date of the commencement of construction was cleverly chosen to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. The fabulous pale-yellow building of the St Stephen’s Church bears testimony to the marvels of British architecture that existed during those times. This grandeur is also reflected in the painting of 'The Last Supper' that can be found in the Church. The foundation of the church was laid down by Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the Governor of Madras, on April 23, 1829. Captain John James Underwood was in charge of the construction and designing of the entire church, and he ensured that only high-quality wood was used for the building of the St Stephen's Church. It would be interesting to note that the timber that was used in the construction process was brought from Tipu Sultan's palace after the British had successfully defeated him. Various attractions that appeal to visitors and tourists in the church include pretty stained-glass windows that depict a myriad of different scenes, such as Mother Mary holding Jesus in her arms; the exquisite wooden architecture and the painting of The Last Supper. A visit to this wonderful house of worship is indeed a delight.
Timings: 24 hours Entry Fee: No entry fee (at Charring Cross) Adamês Fountain, Ooty Overview Adamês Fountain is a gorgeous fountain situated at the Charring Cross junction in Ooty. The fountain was built in 1886 as a memorial to the then Governor of Ooty. The total construction costed between INR 13000 and INR 14000 and was collected through public funding. It is a very important tourist landmark in the city.
Fontaine Adams
Charring Cross
Timings: 24 hours Entry Fee: No entry fee (at Charring Cross) Adamês Fountain, Ooty Overview Adamês Fountain is a gorgeous fountain situated at the Charring Cross junction in Ooty. The fountain was built in 1886 as a memorial to the then Governor of Ooty. The total construction costed between INR 13000 and INR 14000 and was collected through public funding. It is a very important tourist landmark in the city.
Timings: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Entry Fee: Adults - INR 20 Kids - INR 10 Camera - INR 50 Videography - INR 100 Wax Museum, Ooty Overview Housed within a 130 years old ancient manor in Ooty, Wax Museum is a popular tourist spot in the city. The museum has life sized statues of prominent personalities, Indian freedom fighters and political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam etc. It also has wax replicas of traditional Indian villages, rural landscape etc.
Musée de Cire et Marché du Chocolat
Timings: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Entry Fee: Adults - INR 20 Kids - INR 10 Camera - INR 50 Videography - INR 100 Wax Museum, Ooty Overview Housed within a 130 years old ancient manor in Ooty, Wax Museum is a popular tourist spot in the city. The museum has life sized statues of prominent personalities, Indian freedom fighters and political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam etc. It also has wax replicas of traditional Indian villages, rural landscape etc.
Timings: 24 hours Entry Fee: No entry fee Stone House, Ooty Overview Stone House was the first bungalow built in Ooty by Sir John Sullivan when he bought one acre land for INR 1. Originally it was called Kal Bangla by tribal people, •kalê meaning •stoneê. Currently, it is the residence of the Principal of Government Arts College, Ooty.
Stone House
Timings: 24 hours Entry Fee: No entry fee Stone House, Ooty Overview Stone House was the first bungalow built in Ooty by Sir John Sullivan when he bought one acre land for INR 1. Originally it was called Kal Bangla by tribal people, •kalê meaning •stoneê. Currently, it is the residence of the Principal of Government Arts College, Ooty.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE-Ooty Toy Train.

Entry Fee: First Class: INR 205 Second Class: INR 30 Unreserved Category: INR 15 Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Ooty Overview The Toy Train, also known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train, is a key attraction of Ooty. Initiated in the year 1899, it has continued to charm its visitors with equal zest winding its way through the best of nature. The Toy Train covers a distance of around 46 km in a span of 5 hours and takes one through a truly spectacular journey filled with picturesque views en route. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005. Another fascinating feature of the train is that its youngest X class loco is over 50 years old and the oldest is 80 years old! Weaving amidst the forests, dark snaking tunnels, sharp bends and amid the mist and fog, the Vintage Train is a spectacular trip up and down the tree-clad slopes, with the birds dancing along. As the train passes through the stunning gorge, the dancing sunlight above and dream-like drizzling makes it the experience of a lifetime. Apart from offering a beautiful journey, the uniqueness of the trip lies in the fact that the rail system is the steepest in Asia and worth a visit. The ride `starts from Mettupalayam, a small place along the river Bhavani. The first 5 miles are plain; but in the next 12 miles, the engine pushes the coaches upwards to a height of 4363 feet. Covering Mettupalayam, Kallaar, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale and Ootacamund on its way, this is the best means to discover the pristine treasures of the Nilgiris Mountain range.
Udagamandalam station
Mysuru - Ooty Road
Entry Fee: First Class: INR 205 Second Class: INR 30 Unreserved Category: INR 15 Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Ooty Overview The Toy Train, also known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train, is a key attraction of Ooty. Initiated in the year 1899, it has continued to charm its visitors with equal zest winding its way through the best of nature. The Toy Train covers a distance of around 46 km in a span of 5 hours and takes one through a truly spectacular journey filled with picturesque views en route. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005. Another fascinating feature of the train is that its youngest X class loco is over 50 years old and the oldest is 80 years old! Weaving amidst the forests, dark snaking tunnels, sharp bends and amid the mist and fog, the Vintage Train is a spectacular trip up and down the tree-clad slopes, with the birds dancing along. As the train passes through the stunning gorge, the dancing sunlight above and dream-like drizzling makes it the experience of a lifetime. Apart from offering a beautiful journey, the uniqueness of the trip lies in the fact that the rail system is the steepest in Asia and worth a visit. The ride `starts from Mettupalayam, a small place along the river Bhavani. The first 5 miles are plain; but in the next 12 miles, the engine pushes the coaches upwards to a height of 4363 feet. Covering Mettupalayam, Kallaar, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale and Ootacamund on its way, this is the best means to discover the pristine treasures of the Nilgiris Mountain range.

Neighbourhoods

Kotagiri, Ooty Overview A town and a picturesque hill station in the Nilgiris, Kotagiri is famous for its sprawling tea plantations. It is located at an altitude of 1985 m above sea level and is the third largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills after Ooty and Coonoor. It is an ideal place for some trekking expeditions leading into the Nilgiri ranges. Schools are a significant contributor to the local economy of Kotagiri. These fine but expensive residential schools are a feature of the Nilgiris and Coonoor. Modeled initially as British boarding schools, these have now become comprehensive schools based on the Indian schooling systems. With the development of infrastructure and roads, the importance of this gorgeous hill station quietened; as before the Ghat Road was built, every traveller travelling to Ooty had to cross Kotagiri as well. This increased the tourist footfall in the area. The lush green landscape of Kotagiri holds a lot of opportunities for activities like hiking, trekking and rock climbing. Since Kotagiri is surrounded by tea plantations, it is the perfect place to indulge in some leisurely strolls and bask in the surreal beauty of nature. You can also visit one of the huge tea factories present here to know more about how the plantations operate in this region. The picturesque beauty, lush green landscape and cool climate of Kotagiri make it an ideal place to visit.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Kotagiri
6 recommandé par les habitants
Kotagiri, Ooty Overview A town and a picturesque hill station in the Nilgiris, Kotagiri is famous for its sprawling tea plantations. It is located at an altitude of 1985 m above sea level and is the third largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills after Ooty and Coonoor. It is an ideal place for some trekking expeditions leading into the Nilgiri ranges. Schools are a significant contributor to the local economy of Kotagiri. These fine but expensive residential schools are a feature of the Nilgiris and Coonoor. Modeled initially as British boarding schools, these have now become comprehensive schools based on the Indian schooling systems. With the development of infrastructure and roads, the importance of this gorgeous hill station quietened; as before the Ghat Road was built, every traveller travelling to Ooty had to cross Kotagiri as well. This increased the tourist footfall in the area. The lush green landscape of Kotagiri holds a lot of opportunities for activities like hiking, trekking and rock climbing. Since Kotagiri is surrounded by tea plantations, it is the perfect place to indulge in some leisurely strolls and bask in the surreal beauty of nature. You can also visit one of the huge tea factories present here to know more about how the plantations operate in this region. The picturesque beauty, lush green landscape and cool climate of Kotagiri make it an ideal place to visit.

Conseils aux voyageurs

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REACHING OOTY by AIR

The nearest airport is Coimbatore, around 105 kms away, Mysore Airport, 120 Kms away, Calicut International Airport is 140km away and Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport is 273 kms away. Ooty has three helipads, one at Theettukal and two at Kodanad.
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REACHING OOTY by TRAIN

Ooty is connected to Mettupalayam by narrow guage Toy Train. One of the most picturesque train rides of India, the train goes through several tunnels, over waterfalls, edge of cliffs, tea estates, etc. While coming up, the nostalgic steam engine pushes the coaches from behind and while going down, the engine goes in reverse, pulling the coaches. A ride on this scenic train route is a must. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is one of the oldest mountain railways in India and was declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2005.
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REACHING OOTY by ROAD

Ooty is connected by road to several cities. 89 km from Coimbatore, Calicut is 187 km via Gudaur, Mysore is 160 km via Gudalur, Bangalore is 290 km. Ooty is situated on NH 181 and is connected by road via the five main accepted Nilgiri Ghat Roads. Bus services operated by TNSTC, KSRTC (Karnataka) and KSRTC (Kerala) connect major towns in the state, nearby towns in the district such as Coonoor about 18 km, Kotagiri about 31 km, and Gudalur about 50 km and nearby cities to Mysore, Bangalore, Gudalpet, Mandya, Hassan, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram & Calicut.
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LOCAL TRANSPORT-OOTY

Tourist taxi, mini tourist bus service, city bus services and auto rickshaws are available.
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HIGH SEASON

April to June and September to November
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CLOTHING/TEMPERATURE

CLOTHING: Heavy woolen in Winter; Light woolen in Summer. TEMPERATURE: Summer :25.0ºC - 10.0ºC Winter :21.0ºC - 0ºC
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Ooty varkey

Since the colonial rule, Ooty is famous for its Varkey. Ooty varkey is a type of biscuit food, made out of wheat flour, rava, rice, semolina, water, ghee, sugar and salt. It can be either deep fried or baked.
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Higginbotham's Bookstore OOTY

Iconic bookstore The oldest and most renowned bookshop in Ooty set against the backdrop of the mountains, offers a quiet refuge to book lovers, amidst the din & bustle of Ooty market. A must-visit for book-lovers.
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Radio Astronomy Center, Muthorai-OOTY

Radio Astronomy is located in Muthorai near Ooty. The Radio Astronomy Center (RAC) is part of the National Center for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) of the well-known Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) which is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Atomic Energy. The Ooty Radio Astronomy is a 530-meter (1,740 ft) long and 30-meter (98 ft) wide Cylindrical parabolic telescopes. Most of the students who come for Educational Visit or Industrial visit in Ooty firstly visit Radio Astronomy Center. Entry is restricted. Need to get prior permission to enter.