Nestled among the Nilgiri hills, Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a Tamil Nadu hill station, serving as a top-rated tourist destination. Formerly called East India Company 's summer headquarters, The Queen of the Hills is a picturesque getaway.
Ooty is the ideal respite for everyone, packed with tea gardens, serene waterfalls, winding country lanes and charming colonial architecture. Popular among couples and honeymoon, Ooty draws its tourists with panoramic views over the Nilgiri mountains.
Nilgiri mountain railroad is Asia's steepest line. Remember the hit song 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' where Shahrukh Khan and Malaika Arora take a train to match? Remember the lovely places the train was chugging its way through lush greenery? Oh, it was all over the Nilgiri Mountain Railways and the Nilgiri Mountains all along.
By Road
You get to Ooty by the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty road (i.e. the Tamil Nadu route). This is a extremely well maintained road. It takes on 3 and a half hours to reach Ooty as of Coimbatore. One more adventurous route can be the Mysore-Bandipur-Ooty route. This takes on 5 hours but the voyage is useful. You coerce during Bandipur national reserve and then the winding uphill climbs by 36 hairpin bends. This access to Bandipur closes by 5.30 pm as its a wildlife reserve. There aren't lots of restaurants on the way and its advised to carry next to a few water and food. Ooty is well linked by bus service from Bangalore, Mysore and Coimbatore.
By Rail
One of the finest ways to get to Ooty is via train. Ooty being a hill station has the narrow gauge rail line and you will require to first reach Mettupalayam(or Metupalaiyam) as of Chennai in the Nilgiri Express (Train No. 2671) at night and then vary into the Nilgiri Mountain Railway which leaves Mettupalayam at 7.10 am. This train is pushed with a little steam motorized locomotive imported in the 1800s by means of the Swiss Engine Trains. Guarantee you reserve your tickets in proceed to avoid last minute hurry and unavailability.
By Air
Coimbatore at 96 kms is the neighboring airport, linked with standard flights to Chennai. Hire a taxi from here to get to Ooty.
Mukerti National Park and Lake

Emerald Lake

Bison Valley Bellikkal

Ooty Lake

Tiger Hill
