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
Mukerti National Park and Lake are popular attractions in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. The park, situated in the southern region of the Nilgiri, is home to a large variety of animals and attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all parts of the region. The lake is part of the park where a big variety of birds and ducks live in an eco-friendly environment. The place is visited by nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts in big number.
A visit to Mukerti National Pa...
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is a popular tourist attraction in the Silent valley region of Nigiri district of Tamil Nadu. This beautiful lake in Ooty is surrounded by captivating tea farms and makes for a perfect place to enjoy picnic. Here, you can unwind, soothe the mind and calm the soul, as such amazing place is this! It’s a perfect place or nature lovers to savor the visual treat on offer.
A big number of people visit this charming lake to enjoy sig...
Bison Valley Bellikkal
Ooty in Tamil Nadu is a place of immense natural beauty. At some 20 km away from here is a small yet scenic village of Bellikkal which is a pure nature delight in the Majestic Blue Nilgiri Mountains. The Bison Valley is an endless range of greenery and forests and a perect place to spend a weekend in the serene environs. You can relax and unwind right in the lap of nature.
In Bison Valley, you find a peaceful and idyllic spot near Ooty dotted wi...
Ooty Lake
The beautiful Ooty Lake is a major tourist attraction in Ooty in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India. Covering an area of 65 acres, the lake is ideal for picnic and it also offers fun prospects to kids. Visitors can enjoy boating facilities here at this artificial lake. The lake, constructed by John Sullivan, in 1824, was created by damming the water flowing down mountain streams in the valley.
The groves of Eucalyptus trees that surr...
Tiger Hill
Ooty in Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu has lots of beautiful places and Tiger Hill is surely one of them. Lying east to the hill station town, the hill is truly mesmerizing offering natural beauty of matchless variety and some good activities for adventure seekers. Visitors can take a trek up to the hill which is some 6 km off the main town. The place is a paradise for trekkers.
Tiger Hill is a place of great scenic beauty but it has some religi...