Misty clouds, eucalyptus-studded pathways and the emerald grassy slopes enhance the canvas of Ooty with immense beauty. A perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, this South Indian hill station has enough exciting elements to impress any traveller dramatically. Being impressed with its scenic opulence and salubrious weather, the colonial rulers of India first decided to beautify Ooty.
That is why today’s Ooty is found dotted with remarkable remnants of British India. From Stone House to Botanical Garden and Ooty Lake to Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the vintage feel is alive in Ooty till date. In order to plan a day outing or simply a weekend break, these destinations are must see in Ooty. To know which are the best among them keep reading this guide to sightseeing tour in Ooty:
Doddabetta Peak
If you are fond of nature photography and want to capture the best possible views of the valleys below, Doddabetta Peak should be your first pick without any second thought. Approx 10 km from Ooty, this mountain peak is one of the best tourist attractions in Ooty. If you are climbing the peak on a clear day, you can have distant views of Mysore or even Coimbatore.
Botanical Garden
Located at the lower slopes of Doddabetta Peak in Udhagamandalam, Government Botanical Garden is a delight for the nature worshippers. Brought out with a terraced layout, the garden houses a precious collection of flowers along with other exotic species of plants in different layers. The foundation stone of the park was laid down during the British rule in 1848 and was further extended and beautified by the British as well as the Indian government. The garden is divided into 6 separate sections called Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory, Fountain Terrace and Nurseries.
Rose Garden
Around 3 to 4 km from Doddabetta Peak, Rose Garden of Ooty is an ideal pick to pamper the nature lover in you. Entirely dedicated to the cultivation of exclusive varieties of roses the garden takes care of around 2000 species of pure-bred as well hybrid species. Blooming with burning colours, this magnificent garden presents an opportunity of spotting all exclusive colours of roses which are hardly seen anywhere else in the country.
Ooty Lake
Looking for a lot of amusements to make your Saturday evening cheerful? Simply head to Ooty Lake where you will get the best scenic view ever to make your evening colourful. The lake which covers an area of around 65 acres was constructed by John Sullivan in 1824. The highlight of Ooty Lake is the opportunity of boating in and walking through the lakeside surrounded by Eucalyptus trees. The boat house located next to the lake allows you to enjoy different types of boating like paddle boats, motor boats and row boats. In case you are with your young ones, let them enjoy a ride in the adjacent mini train and amusement park.
Deer Park
I won’t rate this park as something out of the box but still it is worth visiting without any doubt. It is counted among the few high altitude zoos in India. If one has a fascination for deers and wants to know about their different species in details, the park is an ideal pick without any doubt. The park is very close to the Ooty Lake, so in case you are in Ooty Lake in a weekend afternoon, you can explore both together. For those who are on a family vacation in Ooty can educate their kids about the Nilgiri’s wildlife in brief spending some time in this park.
Upper Bhavani Lake
It would not be wrong if I say Upper Bhavani Lake is the most tranquil tourist spot of Ooty and I would suggest you to be here at least once if you are spending your holidays in Ooty. Located in Snowdown Road of Ooty, this lake is much different from the other commercial highlights of Ooty where you can have unlimited fun but can’t enjoy solitude. The water of Upper Bhavani is greenish blue and unpolluted. Spend an evening roaming around the greenery enriched lake side or simply sit idle to feel the romanticism of solitude.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Travelling on a train route with elevations ranging from 1069 feet to 7228 feet is bound to generate abundant amusement, and the ride on a vintage train then excitement only gets multiplied manifold. To enjoy the same feel in Ooty, you must travel once in Nilgiri Mountain Railway which runs from Mettupalayam to Ootacamund or Ooty. You can either go for the entire 5 hours journey to get the most enchanting views of the nearby greenery enriched mountains or simply board the train from Coonoor to Ooty. The train that runs between Coonoor and Ooty is operated by a diesel locomotive and compliments your vintage train ride perfectly.
Avalanche Lake
If you are looking for day trips options from Ooty avoiding sound and crowd, simply head to Avalanche Lake which is around 28km from the centre of the city. It is said that the lake got its name from a major landslide that took place in 1800s. The lake vicinity is also famous among the tourists for its undisturbed locale. For those who want some activities to enjoy during their break, trout fishing is an ideal option.
