OotyUsually referred to as the Queen ofhill stations, Ooty is apicturesque little town amidstserene lakes, lofty mountains andsprawling grasslands. It is situatedat an altitude of 2,240 metersabove sea level and has abundantvegetation and tea gardens. A hugenumber of tourists are attracted tothe annual Tea and TourismFestival which takes place hereevery year.

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Famous For : HillHill StationNature /WildlifePlaces ToVisitCitMountain

Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is nurtured in theNilgiris or the 'Blue Mountains', it is aspellbinding little hill station in Tamil Nadu.As a highlight ofOoty tourism, it has pleasant weather allyear round that makes it a perfect getawaydestination in the summer. The lush greentea plantations and dense forests offerstunning vistas. South India’s most famoushill station was a realm of tribal people andshola forests till the British annexed theNilgiris in 1799 and John Sullivan, Collectorof Coimbatore, made the first stone househere in 1823. 

Over the years, Ooty- hardly ever called byits original name, Udhagamandalam- tookits place as a Nilgiris tea-plantation hot spot.It served as the summer headquarters ofthe sahibs who ruled from Madras and got

Ooty Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/ooty page 1

its own churches, bungalows and picnicspots. Much of which now makes it one ofthe most popular holiday destinations inIndia. During the holiday season, Ootycan be extremely crowded. But the secret togetting the best out of this ‘Queen of theNilgiris’ is: spend time in the periphery ofthe town and visit it during the off-season.

You will get a heady cocktail of rolling hills,tea plantations, villages, unbridled greenery,unexpected lakes. In the off season - whenevery comfort is still on offer and anumbrella and a change of socks can see youthrough much - look out for sharp fragranceof ghostly pines lining misty roads. The sunlighting up a hill even as the one beside itremains shrouded in dark velvet; ponieschomping grass by the kerb; acacias in fullbloom; the bright gold of witches’ broomdotting every hill; the aroma of hot filtercoffee and even hotter sambhar. The exhilarating train journey commencingfrom Kallar to Coonoor is a marvellousexperience and is extremely popular amongtourists. Ooty tourism helps you toexperience the pristine beauty of the placeand the calm that it offers. The scenicdestination is actually a fantastic option ifyou are planning a trip to a place cradled inthe lap of nature. A land filled withpicturesque hot spots forpicnics, Ooty is often the best option foranyone looking forward to long summervacation or a weekend getaway.

When To

VISIThttp://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-ooty-lp-1189029

JanPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 30.8°C Min: 18.8°C Rain: 6.1mm

FebPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 33.5°C Min: 20.0°C Rain: 11.2mm

MarPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 35.7°C Min: 21.9°C Rain: 23.4mm

AprPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 36.1°C Min: 23.6°C Rain: 44.2mm

MayPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 34.8°C Min: 23.6°C Rain: 65.5mm

JunPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 32.3°C Min: 22.7°C Rain: 37.9mm

JulPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 31.3°C Min: 22.1°C Rain: 27.2mm

AugPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 31.8°C Min: 22.1°C Rain: 30.8mm

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SepPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 32.5°C Min: 22.2°C Rain: 49.8mm

OctPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 31.5°C Min: 22.1°C Rain: 164.0mm

NovPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 29.8°C Min: 21.0°C Rain: 137.6mm

DecPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 29.4°C Min: 19.0°C Rain: 42.6mm

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-ooty-lp-1189029

1 Upper Bhavani Lake

Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu643001, India

Upper Bhavani Lake can make for the

memories of a lifetime with its sheer beauty.With the entire area being declared as areserved wildlife area, the drive up to thelake is equally enchanting. The blue Nilgiristhat stand out at the horizon by the lakemake the sight look like some postcardthat's nothing less than picture perfect. Onetouch and the postcard may go smudge atthe touch - such is the beauty of this place.

The dam at theUpper Bhavani lake provides water forirrigation and more to the region around.Owing to its proximity to Mukurthi NationalPark, the area around the lake is a habitat tospecies like wolves, jackals, wild dogs, tigersand more. Thus, apart from the wondrousbeauty of the place, it's a great attraction forthe adventure lovers too.

2 Ooty Botanical Gardens

Vannarapettai, Ooty, The Nilgiris,Tamil Nadu, 643002, India

Ooty Botanical Garden is a hub for nature

lovers. The Rose Garden is a small terraceatop a hill off Etiennes Road. The season tobe here is April when more than a thousandvarieties are in bloom. In other seasons, thegarden will seem drab and can be given askip. Sprawling for over 22 hectares, Thesegardens are situated on the slopes of theDoddabetta peak, with a terrace type layoutto add to the charm. Established in 1847,these are the mind work of the famousarchitect William Graham McIvor. With overa thousand different species of flora makingfor a lush stretch, Ooty Botanical Gardensare much more than just a relief to cityweary eyes. It has an impressive array offerns, plants, shrubs, herbs and bonsaiplants that are a major draw.

These gardens are divided into six areas,which includes the Lower Garden, NewGarden, Italian Garden, Conservatory,Fountain Terrace and Nurseries. A riot ofcolours await you at the widely spreadingflower beds that are an intrinsic part of OotyBotanical Gardens. It also hosts anexhibition of rare plant species in May everyyear, another reason to visit this wonderwork of nature.

The Botanical Garden is also a popularhaunt of the tourist, and offers a variety oftrees, shrubs and flowers. People come hereto lounge in the lawns and walk among theshady trees and plants. One of the oldestbotanical gardens in the country, it beganlife in the 1840s as a vegetable garden to

supply veggies to Ooty’s residents. Treesand plants from all over the world werebrought here over the years.

3 Emerald Lake

Emerald Village, Ooty, The Nilgiris,Tamil Nadu, 623704, India

Nestled in the Nilgiris, Emerald Lake is asight to behold. Equally visited for the floraand fauna around it, Emerald Lake is afavourite spot for picnics. Tourists fromOoty often throng to the lake to soak in thenatural beauty that's splattered all around.A perfect place for the lovers of solitude, it'ssituated in a region that's hailed as 'silentvalley'. Surrounded by tea plantations andacres of rolling meadows, Emerald Lake is agreat place for the lovers of photography.

You might also come across Ornithologistshere, for the lake and the adjoining areateems with exotic species of birds. Needlessto say, the lake also boasts of a humongousvariety of fish. You can also go birdwatching, trekking, biking or a simple strollby the lake.

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4 Annamalai Temple

Kil Kundha Post, Ooty, The Nilgiris,Tamil Nadu, 643219, India

5 Echo Rock

Echo Rock, Ooty, The Nilgiris, TamilNadu, 643001, India

Also known as Lamb Rocks, Echo Rocks areone of the most prominent viewpoints at

Ooty. The horizon seldom looks asbeauteous as it does when you climb up thepoint and see it from here. The cool blueranges of the Nilgiris stretch for as long asyou can see, while a rising sun often coloursin unimaginable hues of orange. Namedafter Captain Lambs, it gives a bird's eyeview of the Coonoor Stream that flows fromamidst the hills, some 5000 feet below.

The brownish green rocks at the point are aphoto fanatics dream land, and it'll be littlewonder if you see shutterbugs clickingaround for hours at a stretch. From farbeyond, this rock formation looks like agiant slab, sprawling beneath the stark bluesky. Never have the two colours looks sorich, so complimentary to each other.

Where To

Eat5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-ooty-lp-1189029

1 Earl's Secret

Havelock Road, Kings Cliff Hotel,Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu,643001, India

+91-423-2452888

Tucked in the hills of Ooty, Earl's Secret isnothing less than a treasure trove. Withflowers and green wilds all around, the driveto this vintage restaurant will lure the foodiein you.

Perhaps, adding another reason to thehunger pangs you might be having is thefact that it's an old bungalow, dating back tothe rule and times of the British, with thefood served here that has a distinct Englishquality. The restaurant looks like aglasshouse, and the menu has the choicestof Continental and Chinese cuisines.

2 The Garden Cafe

C/O Nahar's Nilgiris Hotel, 52 A,Charring Cross, Ooty, The Nilgiris,Tamil Nadu, 643001, India

+91-423-2442173

This in-house restaurant at Nahar NilgirisHotel specialises in doling out the best ofSouth Indian delicacies. Be it the supersavoury dosas, the nutty upma orthe perfectly made uttapams,The Garden Cafe has got it all.

Adding more to its charm is the surprisinglylow price quotient, making it a delight forthe ravenous foodie in you. One must-tryhere is the Vegetable Uttapam. Foodiesswear by the softness of the idlis here, witha regular and steady flow of locals andtourists stepping in for a quick bite. 

3 Willy's Coffee Pub

KCR Arcade, Walsham Road, Ooty,The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, 643001,India

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With a cosy library, friendly staff, greatlocation and food that you can die for,Willy's Coffee Pub is a great place to grab abite or two. Savour the crusty pizzas, rolls,sandwiches, cakes, chapati wraps and more.It has an English, old world feel, with thebreakfast options adhering to the Englishway of dining.

You wouldn't have tasted coffee that's asrich as the one served here. And yes, there'sthe very sumptuous Banana Walnut Caketoo. If nothing else, you won't be able toresist a cup of simple Nescafe here. Apartfrom the food, the library at Willy's has arare collection, which you'll enjoy over a cupor two. Plus, you can also play a game ortwo, with ample of board games stackedhere.

4 Ponmari MulticuisineRestaurant

No, 26D, Kotagiri Road, CharringCross, Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu,643001, India

+91-423-2452448

A fine blend of Indian and Internationalcuisines is what you get here, at the in-house restaurant of Hotel Ponmari

Residency. With an ambience that's strictlySouth Indian, you'll be surprised by theauthentic Continental and Chinese, apartfrom the South Indian fare, that's servedhere. Dining at Ponmari is an experience initself, for the restaurant overlooks the greenhills that encompass the area all around.

5 Quality Restaurant

Coronation Avenue, Church HillRoad, Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu,643001, India

+91-9842836470

Essentially a family restaurant, Quality hassomething for everyone. From the vadas ofSouth India to the butter-oozing paranthasof Punjab, it seems to have a spread that willenamour you no end.

The buffet here is a big draw, with thedelectable chicken biryani, paranthas andsome Chinese food as well. Don't forget to

dig into the non vegetarian dishesh here.With an ambience that feels cosy, QualityRestaurant is a favourite with tourists andlocals alike.