Ooty is a renowned tourist destination in South India as well as the rest of the nation. The hill station is also known as the “Queen of Hills.” Located at an elevation of 2240 metres above sea level, the hill station is one of Tamil Nadu’s most well-liked tourist attractions. While on vacation, there are plenty of breathtaking tourist locations that will wow visitors. The stunning tea plantations and red-roofed bungalows continue to evoke memories of its colonial history, captivating the attention of every vacationer who comes to visit.
Thousands of nature enthusiasts come here every year to enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty and its misty green pathways, where they can just relax and take in the immaculate surroundings. Aside from exploring the vast tea estates and taking in the red-roofed bungalows, Ooty offers a plethora of activities that will leave you with lifelong memories.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railways is one of the main tourist destinations in this Queen of Hills. A trip on the Nilgiri Mountain Railways, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an unforgettable experience.
The Emerald Lake, Upper Bhavani Lake, and Avalanche Lake are a few other tourist destinations. One of the most thrilling activities in the hill resort is boating at the well-known Ooty Lake.
Ooty is the perfect place to go for anyone on a honeymoon, a solitary trip, a family holiday, or just to hang out with friends. Our Ooty tourist Guide includes a comprehensive list of things to see, do, and where to stay in this popular Tamil Nadu tourist destination.
Ideal Time to Visit
Ooty, being a hill station, experiences a year-round mild and pleasant temperature. But the summer months, which run from early March to early June, are the best time to go because of the perfect weather. Ooty experiences moderate monsoon rainfall, and its winters are mild as well. Even though it may go as low as 2°C or 3°C, there is something special about visiting Ooty in the winter.
Activities and Attractions in Ooty
UPPER BHAVANI LAKE
The upper Bhavani Lake in Ooty is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Nestled between dense forests and the Nilgiri mountain range, the lake’s stunning beauty is truly breathtaking. To get to Bhavani Lake, one must go through thick forest. If you are fortunate, you may be able to see some wildlife along the route, including wild cats, parrots, and peacocks.
Railways in the Nilgiri Mountains
In Ooty, the Nilgiri Mountain Railways are just another well-known tourist destination. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the railways were first accessible to the public in 1908. The 46-kilometer railway travels through various tunnels and bridges. Because of the surrounding rocky landscape, tea plantations, ravines, and wooded hills, the trip is quite scenic. The Nilgiri Mountain Railways provide a fantastic experience all around.
Pykara LAKE
Of all the lakes in Ooty, Pykara Lake is a well-liked tourist destination since it provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. A few hours spent at Pykara Lake, which is surrounded by dense forests and lush green slopes, will leave you feeling completely delighted. Tourists can opt to unwind at a boat house with a restaurant and rest house that is close to the Pykara Dam.
Shooting POINT
As you approach Shooting Point, another popular tourist destination in Ooty, acres of gorgeous grassland greet you. Many film filmmakers, including well-known ones from Bollywood, have always loved the lush, green meadows encircled by a variety of coniferous trees. It is possible to go up to this place, and the hike is not too difficult. For small groups of people travelling together, The Shooting Point is the perfect hideaway.
St. Stephen’s Church
One of Ooty’s most important religious sites, St. Stephen’s Church, is renowned for its lavish construction. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists like to visit the site every year. Constructed in the 1800s, the church was built on the day when King George IV was born. You can view one of the masterpieces of British construction.
SANCTUARY AVALANCHE
A remarkable natural feature in Ooty is the Sanctuary Avalanche, a wildlife reserve bordered by the Nilgiri Mountain Ranges and featuring dense forests. The avalanche that occurred back in 1823 is the reason for the sanctuary’s name. Surrounded by rhododendron, orchid, and Shola trees, this natural treasure is very amazing. There are several hiking alternatives available within the area. To get an aerial perspective of Ooty, hikers can ascend the nearby hills.
ROSE GARDEN
A popular destination in Ooty, hundreds of tourists visit the Rose Garden every year. The orchard is one of the largest rose gardens in India, spanning ten acres. The rose orchard, which is set out on curving terraces, is home to over a hundred different species of roses, including ramblers, hybrid tea roses, and miniature roses. Numerous rose species were imported from throughout the globe, including Australia.
Thunder World
Thousands of tourists visit Thunder World, a well-known amusement park, every year, making it one of Ooty’s top tourist destinations. Models of several dinosaur species may be seen in Thunder World, which is sometimes referred to as Dinosaur Park. It goes without saying that children love the park. Alternatively, the park appears to be unique in Ooty because of the use of music and technology.
TOY TRAIN
One of the hill station’s most visited tourist destinations is the Ooty Toy Train. One of the most spectacular train rides in the southern regions of the nation, the narrow-gauge railway connects Metupalayyam and Coonnor and was built more than a century ago. Because of its novelty and popularity, the Toy Train has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
DODDABETTA PEAK
The Doddabetta peak, which is the highest point in both Ooty and the Nilgiri Mountains, is also one of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the area. Once at the point, explore the top and its environs, discovering expansive fields of rhododendrons along with a variety of other flora. Go to the telescope tower to get a better view of Ooty’s skyline and the expansive Bandipur National Park woods.
MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK
In addition to its hills and mountains, Ooty is home to several hidden gems, such as the Mudumalai National Park, which is home to a considerable variety of flora and animals. The park, located on the northwest face of the Nilgiri Mountains, is a must-see location when visiting Ooty. The park, which was also designated as a tiger reserve, is home to several Indian leopards, sambar deer, chital deer, vultures, snakes, vipers, and many more species.
Thread GARDEN
The Thread Garden, a well-liked tourist destination, is a flower-lover’s and creative person’s paradise. The garden is a creative and striking example of an artificial garden made of plants and flowers connected by threads. Remarkably, the procedure didn’t involve the use of needles. It took 50 women artists 12 years to finish the artificially embroidered garden with flower models using hand-woven embroidery and self-developed technologies.
Where in Ooty can I stay?
Ooty is a popular hill station, so it goes without saying that there are plenty of lodging alternatives available there. Ooty offers a wide range of lodging choices to suit the needs of all types of visitors, including luxury-seeking visitors, lone travellers, families, and backpackers. Numerous accommodations, including budget hotels, resorts, and backpackers’ hostels, are dispersed across the area and may be reserved online.
How do I reach Ooty?
Ooty is readily reachable from the rest of the nation by plane, rail, and even road because it is a well-known hill station. Access to the Queen of the Hills is made possible by a good rail and road network.
VIA AIR
With a distance of 88 km, Coimbatore is the closest airport to Ooty. Buses and taxis that may transport you to Ooty are readily accessible after you arrive at the airport. Bengaluru and the Chennai airport are more possibilities, from which Ooty may be reached by trains and other local transportation.
VIA RAIL
The Nilgiri Toy Train is an excellent way to go to Ooty, even if Coimbatore is once again the closest train station. The 52-kilometer Mettupalayam station is where tourists may board the Toy Train, which facilitates travel to Ooty.
VIA ROAD
Road travel is also a fantastic experience, with several routes departing from major South Indian towns. Buses from Bengaluru, Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore travel to Ooty. Alternatively, visitors may decide to drive themselves from Coimbatore to Ooty via National Highway (NH) 181. However, those travelling from Bengaluru must go through Mysore on State Highway 17.
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