How To Explore Ooty? Here’s Your Perfect Ooty Itinerary

Misty morning, rolling hills, gorgeous lakes and vast tea estates, some places are so beautiful that they steal our hearts instantly. Ooty has lots to offer. This Ooty Itinerary covers the places to visit, getting there, places to eat, hidden gems, and everything you need for a perfect trip!

How To Explore Ooty? Here’s Your Perfect Ooty Itinerary

Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is blessed with abundant natural beauty and breathtaking valleys. Now, who doesn’t like holidays amidst nature?

This itinerary is a 4-day itinerary. Therefore, depending upon the time availability, feel free to tweak your Ooty itinerary. 

 

How To Reach Ooty 

Ooty is the most desired hill station in Tamil Nadu, and reaching there is not difficult. 

Visitors usually prefer to drive down to this place, as the routes are picturesque. 

One can also opt for the Nilgiri Mountain Train ride. 

By Air

Coimbatore Airport is about 85 km away from Ooty. Carriers like Air India, Indigo, SpiceJet regularly fly to this airport. The airport connects to major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kozhikode and Ahmedabad.

International travellers can book their tickets to Bangalore, 300 km away from Ooty. 

Taxis and buses regularly ply from Coimbatore as well as Bangalore airports.    

By Road 

The state highway and the national highway is well maintained. 

The private buses and Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation buses run regularly from neighboring cities like Bangalore, Chennai and Mysore.   

The driving distance from the major cities are:

Bangalore to Ooty: 270 km (7 hours)

Mysore to Ooty: 125 km (4 Hours) 

Chennai to Ooty: 555 km (11 hours) 

Coimbatore to Ooty: 85 km (3.5 hours).

By Train

Mettupalyam, which is 40 km away from Ooty, is the nearest railhead. Mettupalayam railhead is connected to many cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Mysore and Bangalore. 

From Mettupalyam, one can avail bus or a cab to reach Ooty. Another option is to board the Heritage Nilgiri Toy Train, which takes through uphill and scenic paths. The journey is relatively slow (5 hours), but it is once in a lifetime experience if you have time.  

Day 1: Explore Ooty (Locally)

It is your first day, and depending on when you leave for Ooty; it is safe to keep this day to explore it locally and the surrounding areas.

1. Doddabetta Peak 

Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Nilgiri hills. The peak is located at 2600+ meters above sea level. 

The peak derives its name from two local words: ‘dodda’, meaning ‘big’ and ‘betta’, means ‘hill’.

Travellers flock to this place to admire the spectacular views from the highest point. 

A heaven for hikers, it is one of the most popular places in Ooty with magnificent views. On clear days one can see Coimbatore, Mysore and Bandipur National Park. 

I recommend spending about 45 – 60 minutes here and soaking into the views.

There are also some tea stalls for refreshments.

How To Reach The Peak

The Dodabetta Peak is located 9-10 km from Ooty. The place has access by foot and by vehicle. 

By Rail: Ketty railway station and Mettupalayam is the nearest railheads to Doddabetta Peak. 

By Road: This is a common and popular option. 

Travellers can take a bus that is easily available from Ooty Bus Stand and is 8 km from the base of the Peak. From there, take an auto, taxi, shared jeep to reach the top. 

You can hire a cab or travel by bus to reach the peak. 

For trekkers who love to explore the rugged trail, dense forests and misty clouds, the trek is about 6 km from the main centre. 

The route enfolds the flora, colorful trees and herbs!  

2. Botanical Garden 

Spread over an area of 55 acres, the Government Botanical Garden is home to more than 600 species of flowers and trees. 

Botanical Garden is one of the major attractions of Ooty. The garden is tastefully designed and is maintained by the Horticulture Department of Tail Nadu. 

The garden is divided into six sections such as:

• Lower Garden
• New Garden
• Italian Garden
• Conservatory 
• Fountain Terrace 
• Nurseries.  

The key attraction of this Botanical Garden is the “Fossil Tree Trunk” which is believed to be over 20 million years old. 

Timing: The timings for the garden is from 8 am to 6:30 pm (every day).

Entry Fee: The entry fee is Rs. 30 for adults and Rs. 15 for children. 

Need more information? Visit the official site here. 

3. Ooty Lake 

This beautiful artificial lake, also known as the Ooty Boathouse, is one of the major attractions of Ooty. 

Ooty boathouse is 1.5 km from the bus stand and covers an area of 65 acres.

The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation provides boating facilities to visitors. 

The lake is surrounded by Eucalyptus trees, which makes for beautiful sightseeing. 

Timing: The timings are 9 am to 6 pm every day.

Entry Fee: The entry fee is Rs 13 for Indians. The prices for boating varies as per the seating capacity and type of boating. 

The boathouse is not just famous for boating but also for other activities such as cycling, horse riding, photography learning etc. Know complete details about the Ooty Boathouse here.

If you wish to avoid crowds, visit the lake early morning. 

How To Reach The Lake

Ooty lake is about 1.5 km from the bus stand. You can either walk or take a bus to reach the lake.

The distance from Botanical Garden is about 4 km. 

Day 2 – Excursion to Coonoor & Toy train ride 

Our Ooty Itinerary is incomplete without visiting Coonoor!

Take Nilgiri Railway Ride to Coonoor. If you are up for some adventure and scenic train ride, this one is one of the best experiences. Alternatively, you can drive down or take a bus to reach Coonoor. 

The distance of Coonoor is about 20 km and travel time is about 45 minutes. 

In case you are taking a toy train ride, the journey time is about 1 hour 15 minutes. 

Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri ranges and is known for its lush green beauty. Coonoor has wonderful historical background as it has been home to the Toda tribe. 

Major Places To Visit In Coonoor

1. Tea Garden Coonoor 

There are many tea estates in Coonoor. The two most popular ones are:

Highland Tea Factory. This 50-year old estate allows you to indulge in the aroma of freshly brewed tea. For more details, click here.  

Coonoor Tea Estate. This is near Dolphin’s Nose. Just a little away from the Centre of the town lies this famous estate with surreal settings. The breathtaking backdrop will melt your heart! Click here to know more about this place.

You’ll see many tea stalls near tea estates as well. It is a place to taste your buds by sipping freshly brewed tea. 

2. Lamb’s Rock

This is one of the most popular attractions in Conoor. If you admire nature, consider this place as a slice of heaven. 

It is about 8 km from Coonoor. Go through a jungle-fringed road that wanders up to Lambs Rock.

There is a small view-point that offers sprawling views of the Coonoor hills and Coimbatore plains. 

Pro Tip: For a more scenic view, go further a few steps down to Lady Canning’s Seat. The views are enthralling. 

3. Dolphin’s Nose 

Dolphin’s Nose is at 1000 feet above sea level. The road is a popular route that takes hairpin turns and a jaw-dropping viewpoint. Once you reach the spot, you’ll see 180 degrees view. 

4. Sim’s Park

Visit this Japanese-style botanical garden that extends over an area of 12 hectares.

The huge manicured park has naturally occurring trees, shrubs and other varieties of plants. The beautiful park has a glasshouse with some medicinal plants.  

The park holds the fruits and vegetable shows every year in May. 

After sightseeing and spending some memorable time in Coonoor, return to Ooty. 

5. Ooty Market 

After you enjoy your Coonoor trip and train ride, stroll around the lively Ooty market for shopping and eating scrumptious food in the evening. 

This charming hill station has lots to offer. Some of the things that you must try are:

• Chocolates: Don’t miss handmade chocolates, which are rare treats of Ooty. The most popular location for chocolates is Charing Road. Visit one of the bakeries and grab your favourite chocolate.
• Strawberries: For organically grown strawberries, Ooty is the best. You can find freshly grown strawberries in local stores. 
• Aromatic Oils: Ooty produces the best essential oils such as eucalyptus, camphor and citronella. 
• Tea: Nilgiris is a plantation district that is highly favourable for tea cultivation. You’ll find a variety of tea packets to choose from. Do give it a try.  
• If you are looking for strolling or shopping in the City, some of the popular shopping areas as Lower Bazaar Road (major shopping centre- from clothing to chocolates to jewellery), Higginbotham (for book lovers), Nilgiris Super Market (for freshly produced food items), Tibetan market (broad range of woollen clothes).

How To Reach

The market is about 2 km from the bus stand.

If you are staying near the bus stand, you can easily walk to the market. Alternatively, you can take an auto or cab to reach the market, depending on your location.

Day 3: Explore Kotagiri

Today, you’ll spend the entire day in Kotagiri. Trust me, you can’t leave Ooty without exploring the untouched beauty of Kotagiri. 

A town that is nestled in nature’s lap and surrounded by peace and tranquility. 

This hilly retreat is one of the major hill stations in Nilgiris, and if you wish to explore an offbeat place near Ooty, add Kotagiri to your Ooty itinerary.   

Major Places To Visit In Kotagiri:

1. Catherine Falls

This lesser-known waterfall in Kotagiri is in its purest form. 

Being the second-highest fall in Nilgiri hills, this place attracts nature lovers as it is an excellent place to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

You might not be able to take a dip or go close to the fall but drive to this place. The drive to reach this place is extremely scenic. 

2. Kodanand View Point

Kodanand is a captivating village that is popular for its viewpoint. 

From here, you can marvel at picturesque views of the Nilgiri mountains. In addition to appreciating the gorgeous views, you can also visit some tribal houses to experience something diverse. 

Did you know that just 10 km away from the viewpoint, begins the famed estate of former Tamil Nadu CM, Jayalalitha? Her vast tea estate will blow your mind away.

3. Johnston Circle

There are many small outlets and bakeries at Johnston circle. Do not miss relishing cakes here and satisfying your sweet tooth. 

Kotagiri does not have mainstream restaurants, but most of the small outlets and bakeries have their lunch menus. Do give it a try! 

How To Reach Kotagiri

Kotagiri is at a distance of 29 km from Ooty. You can drive down to Kotagiri and enjoy the scenic views on the way. 

If you are travelling by train, the main railway head is Coonoor. From Coonoor, Kotagiri is at a distance of 20 km.

Pro Tip: Depending upon the time in hand, you can tweak this itinerary by visiting Kotagiri on the day you are visiting Coonoor. In this case, spend a night in Kotagiri.  

Day 4 Avalanche Lake & Emerald lake from Ooty 

Avalanche Lake

These best places are reserved for the last! Consider this as your offbeat experience. 

Surrounded by swanky green mountains and flowers, Avalanche Lake is a picturesque place away for about 25 km from Ooty. 

Avalanche Lake can be found at the entrance of Avalanche Forest Reserve.  It takes about 1- 2 hours to reach Avalanche forest reserve. As the place is far away from Ooty, not many travellers visit this heaven. But trust me, it’s worth the visit.

It is on the way to Upper-Bhavani, and the gorgeous scenery at every turn is an experience to behold. 

On your tour to Avalanche, you can explore the Cauliflower shola forest, Upper Bhavani Reservoir, and Bhavani temple.

Thrillophilia offers beautiful full-day sightseeing tours to Avalanche and Emerald. Click here for more details.

After you finish seeing the places, you can spend some time at the Avalanche lakeshore. After spending for about few hours at Avalanche, leave for Emerald lake.

Parking: You’ll need to park your car near the forest check post. However, please drive your car cautiously. The road leading to the place is bumpy, and conditions aren’t great. Moreover, private vehicles are not allowed beyond forest check post point. The forest department runs vans and jeeps beyond this point for lake and forest tours.

Emerald Lake

This serene lake with blue water is around 5.5 km from Avalanche lake. You’ll take around 20 minutes to reach this beautiful place. 

With endless greenery and peaceful vibes, this place is a part of the Silent Valley National Park.

The village is quite enchanting, and if you prefer spending time in a secluded area with a handful of locals, then this is a place for you. 

Stroll around the tea gardens at the Emerald Lake.

Entry fee: There is no entry fee for visiting the Emerald lake/ dam. It is open for visitors from 6 am to 5 pm on all days. 

Pro Tip: Please carry enough water and some food as there are no restaurants in the nearby area. 

To be honest, Avalanche is a beautiful sight to hold and I definitely recommend to add this place to your Ooty Itinerary.  

Some More Places To Add To Your Ooty Itinerary 

1. Toda Village 

Toda community reside in small hamlets called Mund, which have barrel-shaped huts. 

For centuries Toda people lived in isolation in the Nilgiris. The region was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 due to its unique ecology and botanical diversity.

You can visit this village to learn about the culture, their lifestyle. The village also has the Toda temple that looks similar to Toda huts. I recommend adding Toda Village to your Ooty itinerary if you are open to exploring a different side of Ooty.

Toda village is located at a distance of 15 km from Ooty.  

2. Go boating In Pykara Lake & Enjoy Safari At Madumalai National Park

Pykara Lake

Pykara is a village located 19 km from Ooty. 

This may not be in a true sense an offbeat place to visit as Pykara is popular and attracts a lot of tourists. However, if time permits, then add this place to your Ooty itinerary.

Pykara lake is serene and surrounded by lush green forests. You can easily spend 2 hours here.

You’ll enjoy the experience. 

Madumalai National Park

One of the tiger reserves in India, Madumalai National Park, is 30 km from Pykara Lake and 40 km from Ooty.

The park is divided into five sections and is home to Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, and many endangered species.
Safari is the major attraction of this Park.

If you wish to add this Park to your Ooty itinerary, click here to know more.

3. Pine Forest 

This is one of the unique spots in Ooty. 

The tall trees in the forest add up to the charm of this place.   

The magnificent tall trees in the forest will make your jaws drop! Usually, the trees here grow from 3 to 80 meters tall. The sight will leave you amazed.

Pine Forest can be visited either on your way to Pykara or your journey back from Pyakara. Also, don’t expect this place to be empty.

The entry fee for the Pine Tree Forest is INR 5 for adults and an additional INR 30 for a camera.  

It is open for its visitors from 8 AM to 6 PM.

For more details click here.

4. Parson’s Valley Dam 

This is the best-kept secret of Ooty and I suggest to add this place to your Ooty itinerary. If you are a nature lover, you’ll not regret visiting this place.

Surrounded by thick forest and rich fauna, this is a place where nature will roar with its enormous vigour.

Parsons Valley Dam is a Hydel Reservoir, which is the main water source for nearby towns of Nilgiri District. It is located about 18 km from Ooty. 

Parson’s Valley Dam and the nearby areas are called Parson’s Valley. This is a reserved forest area and forms part of Mukurthi National Park. Therefore, it requires permission from the State Forest Department to visit the Parson’s Valley.

Visit this page for more details.

5. St Stephen’s Church 

One of the oldest churches in Ooty, the foundation of St Stephen’s Church was laid in 1829 by Stephen Lushington, the then Governor of Madras.

The church features charming architecture and stained-glass windows in a magical wood setting. 

This is a short stroll from the Ooty centre and is open every day. 

6. Government Rose Garden 

Ok, so this is not a hidden gem, but if time permits, visit this garden for beautifully laid out terraces of roses.

This is one of the most famous tourist spots. The place is perched on the slopes of the hills and is a perfect place for spending quality time with your family. 

The entry fee for adults is INR 30, and for children below 10 years, the fee is INR 15.

You can add the place mentioned above to your Ooty itinerary as per your interest and time in hand.

Best Area To Stay 

Ooty has many hotels, homestays, Inns and resorts for all budgets. 

You’ll find some popular hotels that are away from the city Centre. This is ideal for those who seek to stay away from the crowd and close to nature.

So depending upon your sightseeing plans and interest, you can choose your ideal area.

If you wish to explore majorly only Ooty, the best areas in central are Coonoor road, Charing cross and Doddabetta Road.  

Some of our favourite resorts in Ooty are:

1. King’s Cliff

One of the oldest in Ooty with the best views.

This 3 star hotel is known for its location. The price is Rs. 5000 onwards per night.

2. Savoy Hotel

Stay in English cottage-style rooms, with lots of amenities. 

Setting on a hill, The luxury Savoy spreads over 6 acres of landscaped gardens in Ooty. With amenities like spa and a gym, this property is located about 2 km away from Botanical Gardens. 

The price per night is Rs. 12000 onwards. 

3. Two Seas Residence 

Nestled in the hills of beautiful Nilgiris, it is away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  

This scenic property is located at a distance of 700 meters from the Botanical Gardens. 

The price per night is Rs. 3500 onwards.

4. Colonel’s Inn

This budget hotel features private balconies and has spacious mountain rooms.

If you are looking for a basic villa stay, this one won’t let you down. The property is close to the market place.

The price per night is Rs. 3000 onwards

5. Gem Park Ooty

Overlooking the Nilgiris mountains, it is located in the heart of the town, Sheddon road.

The hotel features a fitness centre, an indoor pool and a restaurant.  

The price per night is Rs 6000 onwards.

If you are looking for camping sites, Thrillophillia offers amazing deals. 

Find the best places to stay with amazing deals here. 

Ooty Weather

Ooty is a cold place with majorly three different climate conditions. 

April to June (Summer) 

This is usually the peak time for tourists to visit the State. The weather during the day is hot and pleasant at night.

Ooty experiences light rainfall during May, infusing new life to flora and fauna.

The temperature ranges from 15 degrees Celcius to 25 degrees Celcius during summer. 

July to October (Monsoon) 

The monsoon usually starts from mid-July and is considered as offseason. 

November to February (Winter)

The temperature during winters can go below 5 degrees Celcius.

The months of January and February are considered to be the coldest months. 

Best Places To Eat In Ooty 

Ooty is filled with eateries, and you are bound to gain weight before leaving this beautiful city! As said, “there is no sincere love than the love of food”.

Our Ooty itinerary is incomplete without sharing our favourite food places!  These are some of our favourite places to eat in Ooty: 

Earl’s Secret

It is located inside the colonial-era bungalow surrounded by a lush green setting. This place is quite popular for its ambience. It has indoor and outdoor seating.  

This is a multicuisine restaurant, and they are known for their Chinese cuisine. Try their filet mignon, wonton soup and blueberry cheesecakes. 

Average Cost for 2: 2000 onwards (excluding taxes).

Shinkow’s 

This is one of the oldest eateries in Ooty and serves Chinese at affordable prices. 

It is located in Upper Bazar and is housed in a heritage building.

Average Cost for 2: 900 onwards (excluding taxes).

Place To Bee

This place in Hillbunk is a small and classy café that serves delicious food. Apart from that, it provides a whole of information about bees and the place’s local culture. 

The place is located right opposite the Ooty club and is not hard to find. 

Their pizzas are to die for!

Cost for 2: 1000 onwards (excluding taxes).

Willy’s Coffee Pub 

Located at Walsham road, this cafe is established in 2003. 

The café tops the list of coffee shops in Ooty. Don’t miss their gooey hot chocolate and filter coffee.  

Cost for 2: 800 onwards (excluding taxes).

Ooty Coffee House

You must try their filter coffee! You can’t leave Ooty without tasting their filter coffee and Masala Dosa.

They serve the best hand-picked coffee beans direct from the plantations. 

Average Cost for 2: 500 onwards (excluding taxes).

What To Pack

1. Jackets and woollens are needed throughout the year. Summers are relatively warmer but the nights are cooler. You can find some best deals on winter clothing here.

2. In addition to basic medical aid, carry motion sickness medicine. It is recommended for those prone to sickness on winding roads and high altitudes.

3. Carry an umbrella or raincoat to protect yourself from unexpected drizzles. 

Have I convinced you enough to visit Ooty? The sights you see and the vibes you experience in Ooty will remain with you forever!

We hope you enjoyed our detailed Ooty Itinerary blog! 

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