Top 10 tourist places in Ooty

Picking up Ooty as an ideal break from your bustling city life allows you to rejuvenate amid the fresh nature.Ooty is one of the ideal honeymoon destinations in India. Ooty dwells a pleasant climate throughout the year that attracts leisure tourists as well.

Ooty, is also known as "Udhagamandalam". It’s been rightly titled as the as Queen of Hills. Ooty, the headquarters of The Nilgiris district (Tamilnadu) is one of the famous hill stations in India. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above mean sea level. The word Nilgiris means Blue Mountains. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots and had been a popular summer and weekend getaway for the British during the colonial days. There are plenty of interesting tourist spots like Botanical Gardens, Lakes, Boat houses, water falls, shooting spots, Wildlife Sanctuary, Tea estates and many more.

1. Nilgiri Mountain Railway 

The 'Nilgiris toy train' connect Ooty to mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris. The construction of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky. It was in 1854 that the first plans were drawn to build a mountain railway from mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. But it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that the first train chugged up this track. This railway is widely regarded as a marvel of engineering. The train itself is a charming blue and cream with wooden coaches and large windows. It is hauled up hills by stream engines, designed and built by the Swiss Locomotive Works. Twelve of such locomotive engines survive even today.

2. Dottabetta Peak

The Doddabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It is the highest point in the district, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty. It is merely 10kms from Ooty so you can simply grab your camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of the valley below. On a clear day, which is honestly not that often, one can see far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore.

3. Ooty Lake

From just behind the central Bus Stand (also near to the Railway station) the famous Ooty Lake stretches, in an irregular 'L' shape, for about 2.75 kms in length and varying distances in width(100m - 40m). For the curious, this lake was artificially formed by John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1823-25 by damming the mountain streams flowing down Ooty valley.The lake which breached thrice, completely emptying itself, originally extended up to the present day market and ferries were used to get across one side to the other. The lake gradually shrunk in size giving place to the present racecourse, the bus stand and mini garden.

4. Botanical Garden

Think of Ooty, the very first thing that comes to our mind is botanical garden. This garden was laid out in the year, 1847, and is the most famous tourist spot of Ooty. Exquisite fossils, manicured lawns, large variety of ferns, orchids, extremely rare flowering plants, different types of roses and several other types of plants adorn this place.

5. Rose Garden

Next popular destination is the lovely rose garden. Around 3600 mindboggling varieties of roses are found in this stunning garden. It just transports you to a different dream world.  It has won accolades world-wide and is considered one of the fifteen most popular rose gardens of the world. Don’t ever miss this place.

6. St. Stephen's church

St. Stephen's Church is prime tourist attraction in Ooty situated on the Ooty - Mysore Road, recognised as one of the oldest and ancient churches in the Nilgiris District and the first ethereal Christian Church to be erected in the Nilgiris. St. Stephen'™s Church is a Gothic Church and is best known for its formidable and stunning colonial architecture seen only in Ooty and a few other places in India.Highly visited by tourists and visitors just to catch a glimpse of its imposing structure still intact and operational, St. Stephen'™s Church is where people visit to offer their prayers and a few to make a wish within a serene atmosphere where you truly feel the presence of the almighty.

7. Pykara Lake and Pykara Falls

This serene lake is surrounded by lush green forests and is one of the secluded peaceful tourist spots. You can also find a small rest House, a boat house and Pykara Dam here. The scenic Pykara falls is another picturesque attraction found nearby. A trip to Ooty is incomplete without a visit to Pykara Lake.

8. Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary

An ideal adventurous place, located in Nilgiri Hills, where the offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. Area :32,155 hectares. Along side the adventures of the sanctuary, you will also find a varied mixture of flat land, open grassland, swamp, valley and nullas at this place.

The Famous Mudumalai wild life Sanctuary is situated at an elevation of 1000 metres and extending over an area of 321 sq.mts lies this sanctuary between Kerala and Karnataka states. Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer, wild boar, rodent and flying squirrel are part of the wildlife in Mudumalai. This is one of India's best sanctuaries.

Mudumalai wildlife reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. Within the sanctuary is an elephant camp called "Theppakkadu", where there is a rest house.

9. Kodanad view point

It is about 16 kms. from Kotagiri on the eastern edges of the Nilgiris. On either side of the road one can see the panoramic view of the tea estates and the river Moyar is breath taking. A watch tower is there to view the panoramic view of Rangasamy peak and pillar. From Kotagiri bus services are available.

10. Dolphin nose and St.Catherine water falls

Dolphin’s Nose around 10 km. away from Coonoor is an excellent viewpoint. It encompasses the Catherine Falls. Lambs nose is another point on the way to Dolphins Nose. From Dolphin's Nose of Coonoor one can have a magnificent view of St. Catherine Water falls which is about 250 feet height. But it can be reached from Kotagiri at a distance of 8 kms. To reach the top of the hills tourist should take a diversion at Aravenu on Kotagiri - Mettupalayam road.

Popular in Ooty:

Fresh Carrot, Nilgris's famous Tea, Ooty's famous buns, varkis, cakes, and other baked goods, as well as home-made chocolates.