Your Honey Moon at Ooty

In the early 19th century, the British established Ooty to serve as the summer headquarters of the Madras (now Chennai) government. Until about two decades ago, Ooty (altitude 2,240m) resembled an unlikely combination of southern England and Australia; single-storey stone cottages, bijou fenced flower gardens, leafy winding lanes, and tall eucalyptus stands. Ooty is an extremely popular tourist and honeymoon destination. During April to June it’s a welcome relief from the hot plains and in winter - October to March - it’s crisp and clear and the best time to come.

What to see ?

Botanical Garden : A variety of exotic and ornamental plants adorn this garden which is the venue for the Flower show held in May every year. There is a fossil tree trunk 20 million years old in the midst of the garden.

Lake : Boating is possible from 08.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs. on all days. The lake garden and toy train rides are other attractions.

Government Museum : The Government Museum, Mysore Road, Udhagamandalam has items of tribal objects, district’s ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamilnadu.

Mukurthi Peak and National Park : Mukurthi Peak is about 40 km from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius). The Silent Valley is located on the Western side of these ranges. Fascinating feature of the Mukurthi Sanctuary is its endemism and relationship with the Himalayan Flora and Fauna.

Ketty Valley View : Located on the road to Coonoor, this idyllic spot is a cluster of tiny Villages that extend to the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.

Pykara : Situated about 21 Kms on the Ooty-Mysore Road, boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlement, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a healthy wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam and the reservoir attract many tourists.

Upper Bhavani : 10 Kms from Korakundah and about 20 Kms from Avalanche, some of the best sholas like the Thar Shola lies enroute. The area is a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithappal via Sispara one can trek to Silent Valley.

Avalanche : Located at a distance of 28 Kms from Ooty, a beautiful lake surrounded by a thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate and abundant with a wide variety of avifauna is a Nature Lover’s Paradise.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary : Lying in the Nilgiris District abutting Kerala and Karnataka State, this is situated at an elevation of 1000 metres and extends over an area of 321 sq.kms. A variety of habitats ranging from tropical ever green forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grass lands and swamps are found. The wildlife includes elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse, Will Boar, Porcupine etc. The avifauna is varied with minivets, Hornbills, fairy Blue Birds, Jungle Fowls etc. The Reptilians are represented by Python, Monitor Lizard, Flying Lizard, etc.

Other picturesque scenic spots in the sanctuary include the Moyar Waterfalls, the Chief Minister’s watch tower. Ombetta Swamp, Theppakad elephant camp, etc. Elephant ride, vehicle ride along visitor’s routes on payment are enjoyable.

Doddabetta : It is the highest peak (2623 metres) in the Nilgiri’s and is 10 kms from Ooty. It lies at the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vista of the Nilgiri Hills ranges. There is a telescope house run by TTDC.

Kalhatty Water Falls : It is located on the Kalhall slopes and about 13 Kms from Udhagamandalam.

Wenlock Downs : A vast expanse of undulating landscape offering Gymkhana Club, the Government Sheep Farm and Hindustan Photo Films Company besides pleasure of long stroll on quiet roads.

Coonoor : It is located in an area of 13.2 sq. on the way from Coimbatore to Udhagamandalam, only 19 km from Udhagamandalam. It is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. It stands on a lower ridge of the plateau at an altitude of 1,858 mts. (6,100 feet). Population is 48,003.

Dolphin’s Nose : 12 kms from Coonoor, enjoy the micro climate; you can also take a glimpse of the Catherine Falls from here.

Lamb’s Rock (8 Kms): The lambs rock is a sheer precepice of several hundred metres and commands a good view of the Coimbatore plains.

Sim’s Park : This park - cum - botanical garden contains many species of trees not found in Ooty as it is shielded by the Doddabetta ranges from the onslaught of the monsoons.

Kotagiri : It is 19083 mts. (6503 ft) above the sea level and has a climate advantage over Ooty as it is protected by the Doddabetta ranges from the onslaught of the monsoons. It has a Population of 38,121.

Kodanad View Point: 20 kms from Kothagiri on the eastern edges of the Nilgiris. On either side of the road one can be delighted to see the panorama of the tea estates and the River Moyar.

The annual Tea and Tourism Festival is celebrated in the Nilgiris jointly by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in January/February. Cultural programmes, visits to Tea Estates and factories, fun and frolic etc., mark the celebrations.

Other Activities

Trekking - Trek Routes: A number of Trek routes have been identified. Trekking is also organised in breath-taking picturesque routes.

Hand - Gliding - Hang - Gliding courses are also organised during March to May every year, with the assistance of the Deptt. of Tourism. Contact the Tourist Office, Ooty for assistance. Phone : 43977.

Angling, Goad trout, Carp and mixed water fishing is possible in various streams and lakes in the Nilgiris. Fishing licence for a fee is issued by the Assistance Director of Fisheries. Fish Dale, Udhagamandalam, near bus stand.

Places of Worship

Temple : Murugan Temple, Elk Hill, Venkateswara Perumal Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Subramania Temple, Vittaba Temple, Muniswara Temple etc.

Church : St. Stephen’s Church, Union Church, Holy Trinity Church, Sacred Heat Church, St. Mary’s Church, St. Therasa’s Church and Kandol Shrine.

Fair & Festivals

Important Festivals are: Tea & Tourism Festival (January), Thaipoosam in Elk Hill Murugan Temple (February), Bookkapuram Mariamman Annual Festival (February), Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival (April), Coonoor Mariamman Temple Festival (April), Boat Races and Boat Pageantry in Ooty (May), Flower show in Ooty (May) and Fruit show in Coonoor (May).

Summer Festival : In summer, regular cultural programmes, fashion parade, flower and fruit shows are arranged. During summer festival Boat races, Boat pageantry, dog show etc., add more festivity to the celebration. All these are jointly organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Where to stay?

Ooty is a sellers’ market in the high season (1 April to 15 June), hoteliers double their prices, and these don’t necessarily equate with quality. Hotel accommodation suited to different categories of tourist is available in Udhagamandalam. Hotel tariff range : Rs. 75 to Rs. 5,000.

Mid -Range Hotels

Hotel Tamil Nadu (Tel. 44370, fax 44369), on the hill above the tourist office, Hotel Khems (Tel. 44188, Shoreham Palace Rd)
Nilgiri Woodlands Hotel (Tel. 42551, fax 42530, Ettines Rd) Hotel Dasaprakash (Tel. 42434, Ettines Rd)
Regency Villa (Tel. 42555, Fernhill), set within eight wooded hectares (along with Fernhill Palace)
Hotel Nahar (Tel. 42173, fax 45173, Commercial Rd).

Deluxe Luxury Hotels

Savoy Hotel (Tel. 44142, fax 43318, 77 Sylks Rd)
Fernhill Palace (Tel. 43910, Fernhill).

Where to eat ? Restaurants: Blue Hills, Chandan Vihar, Tamizhagam, Tandoor Mahal, Pankaj Bhojanalaya, Ooty Coffee House, Raghuram, Chinkos Chinese Restaurant, Hills Palace.

How to reach ?

Air : The nearest airport is Coimbatore (100 km) which is connected to Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Rail : Udhagamandalam on the narrow gauge railway is connected to Mettupalayam which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai on broad gauge.

Road : Udhagamandalam is connected by good motorable road. It is 535 km from Chennai (Via Salem, Mettupalayam); 89 km. from Coimbatore.

Bus Services

There are regular bus services connecting Udhagamandalam to Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanniyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut and Tirupathi.

Local Transport

Unmetered auto-rickshaws and taxis are available in plenty near the bus stand. Bicycles can be hired in the market but are difficult to ride uphill and there are many steep roads. Motorcycles can be hired from U-Rent (Tel. 42118) in the Hotel Sapphire Buildings of Ettines Rd.