Ooty (Udhagamandalam) Tourism And Travel Guide

Ooty is one of India's most famous hill stations and makes for a perfect weekend getaway. The hill station is located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu and is accessible throughout the year. Known for its dense greenery and high peaks, this is a perfect destination for not just explorers and trekkers but also families and honeymooners. Tourism in Ooty is mainly nature-related and relaxation oriented. Want to know how to reach and when to go? Find the answers to your questions in this travel guide to Ooty.

By Air: Coimbatore airport is just 88 km away and Bangalore airport is 295 km away. Both these airports are connected to the rest of the country through frequent flights. Bangalore Airport is connected to most major International destinations. Drive to Ooty from here. It would take you anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending where you start from.

By Rail: The closest railway station to Ooty is Mettupalayam. It is 40 km away and one could take the road from there on. Another option is to take a toy train ride to Ooty from Coonoor. This is more exciting and scenic.

By Road: A road trip to Ooty would be a great option. Besides, there are plenty of bus services that connect the hill station to all neighbouring states. The road travel would be more scenic and picturesque compared to other options due to the reserve forests that mark the way to Ooty.

The summers here are colourful and pleasant. The winters are cool but not unbearable and monsoons are romantic and blissful. However, the best time to visit Ooty is from October to June. The temperature in October stays to a pleasant 15 degrees which then dips slowly but steadily till January, reaching a minimum of 5 degrees.

Pykara Lake: The Lake in Pykara village holds historic importance. It is considered sacred by the Toda tribe. It is also of utmost importance in one of the hydro electric projects of the state. The lake is quite the boating destination. Don't miss the two waterfalls in close vicinity.

Doddabetta Peak: One will find slightly stunted rhododendron trees and thick coarse grass around this peak. The Doddabetta peak is the highest in the Nilgiris. It is situated 9 km from Ooty. In the early 1980’s, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation had set up two observatory telescopes for public viewing here and they are still in good use.

Wax World Museum: The Wax World Museum is situated in a 130-year-old Colonial mansion 2 km from Ooty. It is a museum of wax figures of personalities that have been crucial to the Indian history and culture. The Museum opens at 9.30 am and allows visitors till 10 p.m.

Besides south Indian and north Indian cuisines, one finds continental and Chinese cuisine as well in Ooty. Some of the must visit food joints are Nahar’s Sidewalk café and Earl’s Secret. Not just the food, but the view outside is also totally worth your time and money.

Exclusive Nilgiri Products like Nilgiri Tea, fruits, natural oils, hand crafted Toda embroideries are few of the famous picks among the tourists. But what you will find in abundance here are home-made chocolates. Make sure you buy enough for everyone back home.