Referred to as the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty (Udhagamandalam), is a pretty little town filled with beautiful lakes, lofty mountains and sliding grasslands. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level surrounded with forest area and beautiful tea gardens. A huge number of tourists are attracted to the Tea and Tourism Festival that takes place in this region.
Here’s a list of the top 10 places you should see during your visit in Ooty.
01. The Nigiris Train Ride
Travelling on a train route with elevations ranging from 1069 feet to 7228 feet is bound to generate abundant amusement, and the ride on a vintage train then excitement only gets multiplied manifold. To enjoy the same feel in Ooty, you must travel once in Nilgiri Mountain Railway which runs from Mettupalayam to Ootacamund or Ooty. You can either go for the entire 5 hours journey to get the most enchanting views of the nearby greenery enriched mountains or simply board the train from Coonoor to Ooty. The train that runs between Coonoor and Ooty is operated by a diesel locomotive and compliments your vintage train ride perfectly.
02. The Avalanche Lake
If you are looking for day trip options from Ooty avoiding sound and crowd, simply head to Avalanche Lake which is around 28km from the centre of the city. It is said that the lake got its name from a major landslide that took place in 1800s. The lake vicinity is also famous among the tourists for its undisturbed locale. For those who want some activities to enjoy during their break, trout fishing is an ideal option.
03. Ooty Botanical Garden
This place is a heaven for those who love trees and flowers. Even if you aren’t particularly interested in these, the aesthetic appeal of this attraction is sure to warm your heart. The popular tourist attraction was laid out in 1848 by Graham Mclvor. It is divided into six sections: New Garden, Conservatory, Lower Garden, Nurseries, Italian Garden and Fountain Terrace. The entrance is lined by varieties of gorgeous flowers, ferns, and orchids. The stunning shades of violet, red, white and green make every corner of this garden picture perfect.
Spread over 22 hectares, the gardens have many exotic as well as indigenous species of herbs, shrubs, bonsai, and trees. The most fascinating attraction is the fossil tree trunk that is more than 20 million years old.
04. Pykara Lake and Falls
Situated on the Ooty Mysore road, this waterfall is around 20 km away from Ooty. Developed as a picnic spot, this place is ideal to come and relax while admiring the scenic beauty of the waterfall and greenery around. There is boat house and a restaurant can be found also near the waterfall, where you can enjoy snacks while the beauty of pristine streams of water mesmerises you. The surrounding area is also popular for Toda settlements.
05.Doddabetta Peak
Literally translating to the “Big Peak”, the Doddabetta is the highest peak in Ooty and reaches a height of 8650 feet. It is a great place for sightseeing and the 10 km trek to the hill draws trekkers from all over the country. The summit offers some splendid views and one can see as far as Mysore city when the day is clear. The entire Nilgiri range can be seen from here as the peak has a strategic location between the Eastern and the Western Ghats. The Doddabetta Peak can also be accessed by vehicles so there is no need to worry if your elderly parents are traveling with you. The scenic beauty around is mesmerizing and there are a number of lodges and hotels near the foothills of the peak where you can enjoy a few days of leisurely stay as you explore the region around.
06.Dholphins Nose
Dolphin’s Nose is located about 1500 m above sea level and is frequented by all who come to Ooty. It can be reached in about a couple of hours drive and the view of the Nilgiri Hills en route is a visual treat. The place gets its name because of the peak that resembles the nose of a dolphin. The region has gigantic rock formations and there are canyons and valleys on either side which are filled with greenery and are home to a large variety of flora and fauna. One can also get a clear view of the Catherine Falls from here. There are innumerable tea plantations here but the most exciting part of the ride is traversing the various hairpin bends that come along the way. Once up the peak, one can get a splendid view of the hill villages strewn around the valleys of the Blue Mountain. The region is breathtaking and the play of clouds and mist adds a new dimension to its beauty.
07.Kalhatti Falls
This tourist site happens to be located about eight kilometres away from the main city and is a spot of great significance for the tourists. It is even more alluring to lovers of nature, especially animal and bird enthusiasts. Be prepared to see birds you have so far only seen in the pages of books and on television. This place is so located that you can get a fabulous bird’s eye view of the entire valley underneath. It indeed happens to be a pleasure for the eyes and this is one of the places to visit in Ooty that will bring you the much-needed peace in the monotony of regular life. The lake here presents a unique chance to tourists–to enjoy the best of Ooty and Bellikkal at the same time. The calmness and serenity of the place will feel like you are meditating. Peace can be seldom served better than here in Ooty. But even among the several attractions in Ooty, this is among the more peaceful and quieter ones. Plan a short trip like a picnic and enjoy the day curled up in the safe abode of nature.
08.Lamb's Rock Coonoor
This place is located around five kilometres from Coonoor stream and the view it presents can be expressed only by the best of poets. Whenever you visit this place you will find large crowds of tourists enjoying the scenic beauty on offer. It is among the most popular Ooty tourist places because of the kind of picnic spot it is. The Lamb’s Rock should be a must in your list of places to visit while you are at Ooty. While most of Ooty is well-known for scenic beauty, this particular spot is surely among the leaders in the charts. Spend some quality time here and bask in the golden sunlight amidst the greenery and rugged terrains. It makes even the most practical person a thoughtful philosopher, such is the charm of this beautiful place. Ooty is incomplete without a day spent here.
09.Bison Valley
The popular tourist spot in Ooty gets its name from the abundance of bison in this region. You will, in fact, get to see a lot of other wildlife in this part of Ooty. Tigers, bears, deer, and elephants, among others, are found here, too. The forests provide some narrow meandering alleyways which make great walks possible in the midst of nature. In Bison Valley, you will experience wildlife from close quarters and it would be a fascinating experience for all. The cardamom forests here will not disappoint the nature lover in you what with the breathtakingly exciting landscapes on offer here. The birdwatchers, too, are in for a treat. Here in these parts of Ooty, you will find some of the exotic and rare bird species besides the common ones. Bulbuls and woodpeckers are spotted occasionally. Be on your guard while roaming in the forests due to the presence of some wild animals. However, other than that, it happens to be a place where you can freely roam around and enjoy the best of nature and wildlife. Make sure to not skip this destination while you are planning the places to visit in Ooty.
10.Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
If you are holidaying in Ooty and have ample time in your hands you should not miss to explore Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary which is around 31km from Ooty. Mudumalai is a popular tiger sanctuary on the northwestern part of the Nilgiri Hills and shares boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala. The park houses around 266 species of birds along with critically endangered Indian white-rumped vulture and long-billed vulture. Among the mammals, Indian leopard, Bengal Tiger and Gaur are the major attractions of this park.
A Mesmerizing Experience . . . .
. . . the main tourist attraction are beautiful such as Ooty lake, as it gives a beautiful feeling to visit through hills and jungle in mini train, Dodabetta peak which is an very good experience as it is the highest peak of the south, the tea gardens are a learnable for students to knowing how tea and coffee are cultivated. Hope to see that this natural beauty does not fade away because of Human exploration.