Tourism > India > Tamilnadu > Tourist places in Tamilnadu >Ootacamund(Ooty)

Ooty

The Queen of the Hill stations is the Nilgiri mountain ranges in Tamil Nadu. It attracts countless tourists by virtue of it's salubrious climate and scenic beauty. Ooty is at 2268 m and was originally inhabited by Toda tribals. The near by hill stations are Kotagiri and Coonoor. Ooty has an area of 36 sq km with a population of about 2 lakh.

Local transport

Rickshaws are plying local trips inside the city. Taxi car is available on rent. The Bus Depot is near the Municipal market. TTDC conducts Ooty sightseeing trips from Hotel Tamil Nadu.

Shopping

Ooty is famous for Tea & Eucalyptus oil, theanere are plenty of shops stocking these items. For handicrafts, Kairali and Poomphuhar shops near the Nahar Tourist Home, Charing Cross.

Tourist attractions

Toy train : Enjoy the joy ride from Mettupalayam to Ooty, a World Heritage Route by UNESCO.

Lake : Boats are available on rent. Pony riding can also be enjoyed here. Located 1 km from Bus stand.

Botanical Gardens : It has good collection of plants and ornamental trees. The garden is in 22 Ha and was established in 1848. Annual flower show is organised in May. Entry by tickets. Located 2 km from Bus stand.

Doddabetta peak : It is the highest peak in Ooty at 2223 m, located 10 km from Bus stand. The peak offers a panoramic view of the peaks and planes nearby.

Tourist Season : April to mid June, Sept & October.

Coonoor

The hill station is 19 km from Ooty at 2030 m.

Lamb's rock : Greta view of Coimbatore plains from here. It is 9 km from Coonoor.

Sim's park : Has variety of plants, shrubs and flowers. 17 km from Ooty.

Dolphin's nose : The view point is 12 km away.

Kandal cross : Roman catholic place of worship.

Pasteur institute : Manufactures Polio vaccine.

Kotagiri

Kotagiri is noted for favourable climate and natural scenary. It is 29 km from Ooty. Rangaswami rock and pillar, Kodanad view point, St. Catherine falls, Elk falls are worth viewing.

Kalhatti falls : It is 13 km from Ooty.

Mukurthi peak : A dam and river near the 2600 m high peak.

Ooty is well connected to it's neighbouring cities viz Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Mysore, Bangalore etc. Mysore is 5 hour travel by bus.

Distance Chart (km)

Coimbatore - 98
Kotagiri - 29
Kanchipuram - 485
Kanyakumari - 567
Kodaikanal - 270

How to reach

The nearest Rail junction is Coimbatore (98 km). it is well connected by road and rail to Mettupalayam, the boarding station of the famous Ooty Toy train (World Heritage Route) : It takes more than 5 hour to climb the hill to reach Ooty.

Where to Stay

Hotel Lakeview, West lake road, Ooty - 4
Hotel Southern Star, Ooty
Hotel Savoy (Taj group), Ooty
Hotel Durga, Ettines road, Charing cross, Ooty
Hotel Sapphire paradise, Ettines road, Ooty
Sri Venkateswara Tourist Home, Ettines road, Ooty
Co-operative Guest House, Charing cross, Ooty
Hotel Natraj, Ettines road, Ooty
Nahar Hotels, Charing cross, Ooty
Hotel Sanjay, Charing cross, Ooty
Hotel Dasaprakash, Ooty - 1
Primrose Tourist Home, Commercial road, Ooty
Hotel Woodlands, Near Race Cource, Ooty
Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC), Ooty

Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary

It is 67 km from Ooty on the Mysore road. Herds of elephants and bisons are common sight.