OOTY "Queen of all hill station”

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens.

Places To Visit

Government Botanical Garden(2 Kms)

This garden was laid out earlier by Marquis of Tweedale, the then governor of Madras in 1847. 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.]

Doddabetta

It is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris and is about 10 Kms from Ooty. It lies at the junction of the Western & Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense sholas. One can have a panoramic view of the landscape through the TTDC telescope. TTDC restaurant is functioning here to cater the needs of tourists. Forest Department is collecting entry fee from vehicles.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

This Sanctuary lies at an elevation of 1140 mts in the junction point of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and extends over and area of 321 sq.kms.A variety of habitats ranging from tropical ever green forest, moist teak forest, secondary grass lands and swamps are found. Panther, Sambar,spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild boar,Porcupine etc. The avifauna is varied with Minivets. Hornbills, Fairy Blue Birds, Jungle Fowls etc. The Reptilions are represented by
Python,MonitorLizard, Flying Lizard, etc. It is approachable from Ooty by road Via two different routes. Via Kalhatty 36 Kms from Ooty and the other route is Via. Gudulur which is 67 Kms. form Ooty. It can also be approachable from Mysore which is at a distance of 91'Kms. The other picturesque scenic spots in the sanctuary include the Moyar Waterfalls,Ombetta swamp, Theppakad elephant camp etc.
The sanctuary visiting times are: 7.00 a.m to 9.00 a.m and 4.00 p.m to 6.00 p.m. for more

How To Get There

Air:


Nearest Airport is Coimbatore (100 kms). Coimbatore is connected to Bombay, Bangalore and Chennai

Rail:


Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms).Major broad gauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities. Mettupalayam to Ooty, is connected by a Mountain Railway which is 4 hours journey.


Road:
Ooty is connected by good roads.
To Madras 535 Kms. (Via Salem)
To Coimbatore 89 Kms
To Coonoor 18 Kms. (Via Gudalur)
To Mysore 160 Kms.
To Calicut 187 Kms.
To Bangalore 290 Kms.
To Cochin 281 Kms. (Via Coimbatore, Palakkad)
To Trichy 302 Kms. (Via Coimbatore, Karur)
To Kodaikanal 256 (Via Coimbatore, Palani)

Local Transport: CityBus, Taxi and Auto available

Fairs And Festivals

Tea & Tourism Festival in Nilgiris (Jan)
Thaipoosam,Elk Hill Murugan Temple (Feb)
Mariamman Temple Annual Festival, Bokkapuram (Feb)
Mariamman Temple, Car Festival, Ooty (Apr)
Mariamman Temple, Car Festival, Coonoor (Apr)
Boat Race, Boat Pageantry, Flower show, Summer Festival Dog Show at Ooty (May)
Fruit Show & Vegetables show, Coonoor (May)
World Tourism Day (Sep. 27th)


Resorts

Hotels...