OOTY
Ooty which is a is a scenic, mind refreshing cool Hill Station, is said to be the QUEEN of Hill stations and is situated on the western Ghats. Ooty is also called Uthagamandalam or Oottakamand. It also has another name the Nilgris or Neelagiri Mountains, which means Blue Mountains. Located in the confluence of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu at a height ranging from 900 metres to 2,636 metres above sea level, is the one of the most sought summer destinations in India. Nature has been particularly generous in her bounty as she has blessed this region with most spectacular sites.
One of the most tourist attractions when we visit Ooty is
the Toy Train (Nilgiri Mountain Train) journey which
starts from Mettupalayam and ends in Ooty after travelling
a distance of 46 Kilometers in a time span of 4.5 to 5 hours
watching the picturesque flora and fauna. Amidst the route,
there is an important station named Conoor. The most
interesting part is that the train goes at a very slow pace
and the engine keeps on pushing you from behind. You can
actually have a cup of cofee, taste snacks walking at the back
of the train, you still won't miss the train. But you are not
allowed to alight from the train enroute for safety reasons.
There are very many tunnels, waterfalls and other mind
sticking scenery which you will never like to miss. There are
a lot of monkeys on the way. You can taste the famous
tamil snack 'Dal Wada' on the way. The distance from
Coonoor to Ooty is about 20 Kilometres. Rates for First Class (16 seats) - Rs. 500/- each and Second Siting (160 seats) Rs. 250/-. For booking seats in train,you have to CLICK HERE. Please CLICK HERE for train timings
Another imporant place to visit near Ooty is the DODDABETTA PEAK, which is the highest peak in Tamilnadu ituated at a distance of 10 Kms from Ooty at a height of 2,637 m (8,652 ft). Being over crowded during tourist season, visitors to Doddabetta often complain of hours of waiting to reach the view point because of unorganised parking of vehicles. on a clear day, you can not only have a sky view of the Ootty city, but if the sky is clear and not foggy, you can see as far as Coimbatore. There is also a Telescope Point where telescope is available to see places nearer. Visit timing : All days of the week : 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Entry Fee : Rs. 5/- per person
The SHOOTING POINT is a place very interesting for photography. This is a place where many song sequences have been shot, and hence got the name. There is no entry fee. Timings to visit : All days of the week 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. One can spent around 30 minutes in this place enjoying scenic beauty and taking snaps. Locals charge Rs.20/- for a photo on the Horse and Rs.300/- for riding on the horse.
Government Botanical Garden
Situated at a distance of 2 Kms from City, this garden covers an area of 22 acres. A fossil tree trunk of 20 million years is preserved here. The flora of the garden consist of six section comprising varieties of tree species, grass carpet, variety of ferns, fashioned beds laid beds laid out in an Italian style, multi coloured flowering plants, house ferns and orchids and nurseries. This garden will create tourist's mind a memorable one. Annual flower show is held here in May every year. This garden is maintained by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Dept.
[Timing - 8 A.M -6 A.M. Entrance fee: Rs. 5 per head for adults, Children- Rs.2.]
Lake View
About one Km. distance, an artificial lake can be seen with a charming look, which was formed in 1824 by Mr. John Sullivan,the then Collector of Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu tourism Development Corporation provided the following facilities to the tourists.
A) Boat House: (Prices are subject to changes)
Entrance fee : Re.1.
Parking Fee : Rs5 for bus, Rs 3 for Car and Rs. 2 for two wheeler.
Camera Fee : Rs3.
Video Camera : Rs10.
Video Games : Rs. 2/- per coin
Boating: (Prices are subject to changes)
Boats Duration Rates
2 Seat Pedal 30Mts Rs. 30.00
4 Seat Pedal 30Mts Rs. 40.00
2 Seater Row 30Mts Rs. 30.00
4 Seater Row 30Mts Rs. 30.00
6 Seater Row 30Mts Rs. 40.00
8 Seater Motor 20Mts Rs. 80.00
15 Seater Motor 20Mts Rs. 115.00
C) Mini Train: (Prices are subject to changes)
Rs.3/- for adult and Rs. 2/- for Children
Pony ride facilities are also available near boat house
Mini Garden
Tourists can visit this mini garden which is on the way to the Boat House. The children amusement park is housed here. A snack bar is also available. It is maintained by T.T.D.C.
Timing : 8 a.m to 6 p.m.
Entry fee : Rs 1 per head.
Camera fee : Rs 3.
Video Camera : Rs. 100.
(charges may vary)
Thunder World
Thunder World Centrally Located @ OOTY,
..recommended for Family with kids & teens.. Lot of Fun & Activity to do..
1. Third Eye- museum of cameras, Big Collection & veriety of cameras..
2. 5D Movie- thrilling experience..
3. Haunted House..
4. Rain Forest.. creepy & Funny..!!
5. Dinosaur Park..Well placed.. Moving Dinosaurs , almost every type & Size..
Nearest Airport : Coimbatore
Nearest Railway Station : Coimbatore
Ooty is about 89 Kilometers from Coimbatore and 290 Kilometers from Bangaluru
If you prefer to have a nice stay in the lovely lap pf nature, without thinking about expense, the most suggested place to stay is the KURUMBA VILLAGE RESORT situated between Ooty and Metypalayam. This is the resort which advertises as one which resonates with nature.There are about 1 cottages surrounded by trees. This resort has a waterfall of its own. This resort is truely a nature lover's delight. The restaurant there is not only a delight for the stomach, but also for the eyes. South Indian Dishes, North Indian Cousine relish our hunger in height of its hospitality.
Please check their website, for bookings, room rents.
http://www.natureresorts.in/kurumba
Address :
Kurumba Village Resort,
Hill Grove Post,
Kurumbadi,
The Nilgiris,
Tamilnadu, 643102
Telephone :+91 - 8088855855
+91 - 7710029815/16/17
+91 - 22-23514592/93
Office Timing :Monday to Saturday : 9 am to 6 pm.
E-Mail : kurumba@natureresorts.in / teanest@natureresorts.in
ITINERARY
Day 1 –
- Visit Doddabetta Peak (highest point in the district)
- Ooty Lake preferably in afternoon. Activities- (boating, cycling, walking, deer park)
- Thread Garden
- Botanical Garden
Day 2 –
- Kalhatti Water Falls (13 kms from Ooty) ; Pykara Falls ( 19 kms away from Ooty)
Shooting Point
There are various other Hotels which provide budget stay. I am not suggesting any of them as I am not quite sure of the quality of rooms and food they provide. You have to ascetain by yourselves such details :
Hotel Hills Palace - 0423 244 6483
Hotel Vinayaga Inn - 0423 244 4395
Hotel Khems - 0423 244 4188
