Udagamandalam, popularly called Ooty, the queen of Nilgiri Hills, is a town nestled among the shola forests and the tea plantations. Originally planned and developed as the summer capital of British India, under the Madras Presidency, Ooty is now the most visited hill station in south India. It has many beautiful places to visit and nature trails to explore with an abundance of filmy landscapes, colonial architectures, enormous gardens and heritage railways. Below are the 12 best tourist places that you must see while in Ooty.
How to reach
The nearest airport of Ooty is Coimbatore which is 84 kilometres away. Coimbatore is well connected to other cities in India. The driving time from Coimbatore to Ooty is 2 and a half hours. Alternatively, one can reach Mettupalayam by train from Coimbatore or Chennai and then experience a Nilgiri Mountain Railway journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty.
Mysore is another city that is well connected to Ooty by road. Mysore is 156 kilometres away from Ooty and takes five hours to reach by car.
Places to see
- Nilgiri Mountain Railways
- Ooty Rose Garden
- Ooty Botanical Garden
- Pykara Lake
- Pykara Falls
- Ooty Lake
- Kamraj Sagar Dam
- 6-mile and 9-mile viewpoints (Wenlock Downs)
- Avalanche Lake
- Emerald Lake
- Doddabetta Peak
- St Stephens Church
Nilgiri Mountain Railways
About
Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a part of Mountain Railways in India. The railway line extends from the hills of Ooty to the plains of Mettupalayam. The distance between the two terminal stations is 46 kilometres. While the uphill journey from Mettupalyam takes 4 and a half hours, the downhill journey takes 3 and a half hours to complete. There is a total of 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges to cross along the way. The X-class steam locomotives run the trains from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. Then from Connor, coaches are attached to a diesel locomotive instead of the steam locomotive and run till Ooty.
The journey from Mettupalayam to Coonoor is most scenic, with lots of tunnels and bridges to cross. The view is picturesque because of the surrounding forested hills and rocky terrains. The train stops at Kallar and Hillgrove station with a couple of more pit stops for water.
From Coonoor, the train track ascends till Fernhill and stops at stations like Wellington, Aravankadu and Ketti. Then from Fernhill, the tracks descend in altitude until Ooty, the terminal station.
The journey from Ooty to Coonoor takes around 1 hour. If you reach Ooty by car, you can experience the NMR journey only for this stretch, which is nothing less spectacular. The valleys of Ketti, the pine forests near Lovedale and the tea estates of Coonoor makes the journey a wonderful experience.
Train Timings
Every day three trains run from Ooty to Connor. One of them goes until Mettupalayam.
| Train no. | Ooty or Udagamandalam (UAM) | Coonoor (ONR) | Mettupalayam (MTP) |
| 56139 | 9:15 | 10:25 | – |
| 56142 | 12:15 | 13:20 | – |
| 56137 | 14:00 | 15:15 | 17:35 |
| 56140 | 18:00 | 19:10 | – |
Train Fare
Ooty to Coonoor: First class – ₹320, Second class – ₹140
Ooty to Mettupalayam: First class – ₹545, Second class – ₹270
Reservation Details
Reservations can be made in Indian Railways booking counters or the IRCTC website and IRCTC mobile app.
Google Map
Ooty to Mettupalayam Nilgiri Mountain Railways
Ooty Rose Garden
About
Ooty Rose Garden is one of the largest rose gardens in India. Situated at an altitude of 2200 feet, this Government Rose Garden was established in 1995 to commemorate the centenary Flower Show in the Botanical Garden in Ooty. Ooty has a unique tropical climate with low temperature and uniform rainfall that helps roses grow across the seasons.
The garden is arranged in five curving terraces covering four hectares. It has many varieties of rose plants, some of which are imported from other countries while some are indigenous ones; one is named as per the name of the state’s ex-chief minister. Today there are more than 20000 varieties of roses with 2800 cultivars. You can see miniature roses, hybrid tea roses and some rare coloured roses like black or green ones. There is a platform inside the garden from where you can get a view of the entire garden. Ooty Rose Garden received the prestigious “Garden of Excellence Award” from the World Federation of Rose Societies in Osaka, Japan.
Entry Time
8:30 am – 6 pm, all days
Entry Fee
- ₹20 per person
- ₹30 per still camera
- ₹75 per video camera
Google Map
Ooty Botanical Garden
About
The Government Botanical Garden in Ooty is another large garden that you should not miss while in the town. The garden was commissioned in mid-nineteenth-century British India and took ten years to complete the layout. There were initially an upper and a lower garden. Now the park consists of many sections like a rose garden, Italian garden, conservatories and nurseries. Another main attraction of the garden is a fossilised tree trunk which is 20 million years old.
During the Ooty Summer Festival, a flower show is organised in the garden for two days. The show consists of an exhibition of a wide range of flowers, a display of decorated stalls with flowers, shops to buy plants and seeds, and competition for the best gardens in public and private properties. Each year this flower show witnesses more than one lakh visitors from different part of the world.
Entry Time
7 am – 6:30 pm, all days
Entry Fee
- ₹30 per adult
- ₹15 per children
- ₹50 per still camera
- ₹100 per video camera
Google Map
Pykara Lake
About
Pykara Lake is formed due to the construction of a dam over the Pykara river. Surrounded by lush green shola forests, this place offers an idyllic experience to tourists. Located beside Ooty-Gudalur road, it can be reached within half an hour from Ooty town.
There is a TTDC operated boathouse beside Pykara Lake, where boating facilities available. Motorboats and speed boats are available for 10 minutes – 30 minutes ride. The adjacent restaurant also serves delicious foods.
Entry Time
8:30 am – 5:30 pm ( All Days)
Entry Fee
- ₹10 per adult
- ₹770 for 8 seater motorboat (20 minutes)
- ₹890 for 10 seater motor boar (20 minutes)
- ₹1240 for 15 seater motor boar (20 minutes)
- ₹800 for 2 seater speed boat (10 minutes).
Google Map
Pykara Falls
About
Pykara river originates from the Mukurthi peak and flows northwest. During its course to the Pykara Lake, it forms a couple of cascade waterfalls frequently visited by tourists. The first waterfall is 55 metres, and the second one is 61 metres in height.
Tourists can reach both the waterfalls by 10 minutes walking from parking, followed by stairs for another 5 minutes. There are battery-operated vehicles from the car parking to the stairs which can be availed for senior citizens and children. The waterfalls are in full glory during the monsoon. There is a viewpoint to enjoy the magnificent sight from a distance, as going closer to the waterfalls could be dangerous due to uneven rocks and uncertain water level.
Entry Time
8:30 am – 5:30 pm, all days
Entry Fee
- ₹5 per person
Google Map
Ooty Lake
About
Ooty Lake is a prime attraction among locals and tourists. Originally constructed for fishing back in 1824, this lake now becomes a place of many enjoyable activities throughout the day. Surrounded by eucalyptus trees, the lake and has a boathouse, a cafeteria and a garden on its bank.
Apart from boating in the water of Ooty Lake, you can enjoy cycling and horse-riding around the lake. There is a mini-train that can give you a ride around the lake too. The amusement park beside the boathouse offers many rides and activities also. Every year, during the month of May, a boat race is organised by the tourism department, which attracts many visitors.
Entry Time
9 am – 6 pm, all days
Entry Fee
- ₹13 per person for Indian
- ₹560 per person for Foreigners
- ₹30 still camera
- ₹150 for video camera
- ₹190 for a 2-seater paddle boat
- ₹290 for a 4-seater paddle boat
- ₹330 for a 4-seater rowboat
- ₹390 for a 6-seater rowboat
- ₹670 for an 8-seater motorboat
- ₹810 for a 10-seater motorboat
- ₹1150 for a 15-seater motorboat
Google Map
Kamraj Sagar Dam
About
Kamraj Sagar Dam, also known as Sandhyanalla reservoir, is another frequently visited place by tourists. It is also a popular picnic spot among locals. During winter, the bank of the reservoir gets overcrowded with picnickers. The surroundings with abundant flora and fauna is also a favourite place among nature study groups.
Entry Time
9 am – 6 pm, all days
Entry Fee
No
Google Map
6-mile and 9-mile viewpoints (Wenlock Downs)
About
6-mile and 9-mile points are part of the famous Wenlock Downs in Ooty. It is a rolling meadow with seemingly non-ending stretches occupied by shola forests and farmlands. 6-mile and 9-mile were named so because of their distances from Ooty town. You can notice the same landscape in many Indian movies as these places is popular shooting spots for Bollywood cinemas. Hence it is also called Shooting Medu by locals.
This extensive grassland of Wenlock Downs was once a favourite hunting ground of British and Europeans. It is home to the Gymkhana Club of Ooty, Hindusthan Photo Films Company and Government Sheep Farm. The area near 6-mile is also inhabited by people from Toda Tribes, the original occupant of this land. You can see their characteristic barrel-shaped huts made of bamboo and grass from a distance.
Entry Time
8 am – 6 pm, all days
Entry Fee
- ₹5 per person for the 6-mile point
- ₹10 per person for the 9-mile point
Google Map
Avalanche Lake
About
Avalanche Lake is another beautiful destination near Ooty that you should not miss while visiting the hill town. The lake was created following a large landslide two centuries back. The rolling hills covered with blooming flowers and thick forests with the lake at the centre forms an alluring landscape.
While you can engage yourself in camping and hiking around the lake, the clear water of Avalanche Lake is also perfect for trout fishing. There is a trout hatchery beside the lake that can provide you with fishing equipment if you forget to carry yours.
There is a forest rest house, and farm stays available around the lake two to spend a memorable night away from all the noise and crowd. You can also experience a jungle safari in the forest department’s bus or jeep for 2 hours as the place is a part of a wildlife sanctuary.
Entry Time
9 am – 3pm, all days
Entry Fee
- ₹150 per person for bus safari
- ₹1200 per trip for jeep safari
Google Map
Emerald Lake
About
Emerald Lake is another beautiful place near Ooty that every traveller should visit. On the way to Avalanche Lake, this lake has some stunning landscapes surrounding it. The tea plantations around, the undulating Nilgiri hills and its reflection on the emerald blue water make this place an absolute paradise for nature lovers. You can sit beside and enjoy the sunrise and sunset, or you can stroll in the tea gardens; do whatever you like but do not skip this place while visiting Ooty.
Entry Time
6 am – 5 pm, all days
Entry Fee
- No
Google Map
Doddabetta Peak
About
Doddabetta is the highest peak in Nilgiri Hills. The summit is accessible by roads. There are a garden, a children park and a telescope house at the top. The view of eastern ghats and western ghats is visible from this peak due to its location at the two’s junction. The view of the surroundings from the summit is beautiful. Vast stretches of rolling hills, Mukurthi Peak, aerial view of Mukurthi National Park and Mudumalai National Park, skyline view of Coimbatore plains on one side and Mysore plains on the other side are visible from Doddabetta peak.
The Telescope House has two telescopes through which visitors can enjoy a distant view of the entire Nilgiri Hills. Tourists can also get a view of Chamundi Hills from here. The Telescope House was opened in 1983 and run by TTDC (Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation).
Entry Time
7 am – 6 pm, all days
Entry Fee
- ₹6 per person > 5 years
- ₹10 for still camera
- ₹50 for video camera
Google Map
St. Stephens Church
About
The foundation of St. Stephens Church was laid back in the early nineteenth century. It is one of the oldest churches in Nilgiris. This church painted in pale-yellow was built in a Gothic style of architecture that attracts many visitors. It has beautiful stained glasses, large windows to allow sunlight, and a Last Supper painting inside the prayer hall, which is worth mentioning.
The enormous wooden beams are believed to be brought from Sringapatnam Palace after Tipu Sultan was defeated and killed in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war. The stained glass panels depict many scenes from Jesus’s life, including his crucifixion and Mother Mary holding Baby Jesus. There is an old cemetery in this church’s backyard where many British officers of that time were buried.
Entry Time
10 am – 1 pm, 3 pm – 5 pm (all days except Sunday)
Entry Fee
- No
Google Map
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