My visit to the Queen of hill stations, nestled with Nilgiri mountains and frequently visited by tourists every year. A place known as Udhagamandalam, more popularly known as Ooty.
My visit was targeted for a three day trip to the city for a long weekend. A break from a regular work life. I wanted to make sure that everyone who visits this place gets benefited from my experience and learns the do’s and don’ts to have an enriching trip.**
Caption:**A picture taken from my hotel room, capturing the beautiful city of Ooty.
When I visited the destination, I was unaware how well the roads are and how the place is famous for tea and cascading tea gardens. Being a curious local guide I rented a car to drive to the destination and I spent my planned vacation capturing the beautiful and scenic beauty along with places to visit for families / couples / friends to make the most of it. Following is the itinerary that is recommended, it also includes visits to temple which otherwise may be skipped by younger generation.
Day 1: (post checking into a hotel)
Visit to the Tea Factory
Tea Garden
Rose Garden
Botanical Garden
The day is planned keeping in mind the timings and the exertion levels as you are likely to visit to high altitude so you should take the day to adapt and acclimatize to the surroundings and weather. Start by visiting the Tea Factory (is adjacent to chocolate factory) which will take an hour, followed by tea gardens which is a great place to click pictures. The Rose and the Botanical Garden are a place for a good walk or to sit idle by for as much as you prefer. The botanical garden is in the center of Ooty and is the key market area (the tibet market), to buy local stuff like accessories, eat, clothes, etc.
Caption: Tea Gardens, very near to Tea and Chocolate Factory
Day 2:
Visit to Coonoor on a toy train
Visiting the Tamil Nadu Boat House
Elk Murugan Temple
The day 2 is the onset of marking the adventure. Start your day early and take an hour+ ride on the toy train ride to Coonoor, the tickets can be booked on www.irctc.co.in The train ride is scenic and makes you ponder upon the natural beauty. It is like gazing through the greenery and the mountains making hard for you to close your eyes. Return back to Ooty and visit Tamil Nadu Boat House which is near the station, you can have a boat ride, shop locals, watch a 7D movie, etc. and is must visit place for families (even for couples).
Just before you enter the hotel, you can visit the temple Elk Hills Murugan Temple, which has the massive statue of the goddess. The place has 50+ stairs (just a quick warning for people with breathing problems).
Day 3:
Pyakara
Mudumulai
Bandipur
Day 3 is the real adventure, as you would have settled well in the weather. You have now covered Ooty and its time to explore the nearby places. So let’s go on a fabulous drive to Mudumalai for a jungle safari. Pykara will be on the way, which is again a scenic place where you can take a break. Pykara only offers you boating and nothing much. Once you reach Mudumalai, you can also extend the drive by an hour to Bandipur, as it has better safari options. Booking in advance is recommended. The roads are amazing and you will see the wilderness on both sides of the road.
Day 4:
Isha Foundation (Coimbatore)
Departure to your home city.
If you have a flight from Coimbatore, then visiting the Isha Foundation is a key.
The place is for devotees and is under Sadhguru, who has millions of followers. They also offer stay facilities and if you don’t want to stay, there is a meditation session for 15-30 minutes.
Points to remember:
The places close by 6 PM so it is wise to wrap up your day before that.
Ooty is a plastic free zone. No water bottles for 1 lt is available. Buy 5 liters minimum.
Alcohol is rare to find, so you can carry your own.
You will notice the bars and pubs but the crowd isn’t very great and should be skipped if you are couple.
Wish you the best for the trip.
Let me know how you feel about the blog and shoot out any questions that you may have
