Ooty in India: Queen of Hill Stations as rightly called!

State: Tamil Nadu

Location: 2240 m above sea level

Famous for: Grasslands, Tea plantation, Coffee plantation, Steep valleys, Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Serves as: Prime tourist destination in India

About Ooty

Tourists who visit Ooty, would totally agree why Ooty is known as the Queen of Hill Stations. Located at an height of 2240 m above sea level, Ooty is all about beauty, green mountains, tree plantations, picturesque valleys, mountain train, giggling waterfalls, electrifying curves, scary tunnels and much much more. Moreover the tea estates with dense tea plantations too have been one of the reasons for Ooty to become so famous. The rambling grasslands of Ooty with the forest thickets add up to its beauty. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is an additional attraction of Ooty.

Ooty thus serves as an prime tourists destination in India.

Ooty Tea Estates

Best time to visit Ooty

Ooty in India has always been the most selective options for tourists who found it as a great escapade for October heat which is prevalent in the Western parts of India. Ooty thus serves as one of the most desired hill stations in the south. Ooty is cold and pleasant during winters, and hence the best time to visit Ooty is from October to early March. Though Ooty is amongst the favorites in summers, say March to early June given the vacation period; it goes without saying that Ooty is pretty much crowded then. For honeymoon couples who find Ooty among the top listed honeymoon spots in India, preferably visit Ooty in winters.

Read How to reach Ooty

What to do in Ooty

Escape the heat

Enjoy the climate and beauty of Ooty

Visit the tea plantations

Pose as tea planter and take a picture

Visit the picturesque valleys

Go on jungle safari

Take a trip on Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Visit the tourists attractions

Shop, Shop and shop

Eat till you can eat no more

What to shop in Ooty

Ooty is known for its antique Toda Jewellry and handmade Toda shawls. Tourists also buy lots of tea, Five spice powder and other eatables from Ooty. One more shopping item from Ooty is Nilgiri honey, naturally made and collected within the dense forests of Nilgiri Mountains.

Ooty Lake

What and where to eat in Ooty

Ooty being in South India, is famous for its South Indian cuisine. One can expect mouth watering idlis, dosas, uttapams, vada, pongal, upama, medu wada and sambhar. You can get vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delicacies cooked in typical and authentic South Indian style which are really amazing. Drinking famous Ooty tea and coffee is a must in Ooty, for its fresh aroma and taste. Few restaurants that are well known in Ooty for its food are:

1. Ooty Coffee House

Telephone number: +91-423-242030

2. Pin N Petals in Hotel Sinclairs

Telephone number: +91-423-2444309

3. Toda Cafe in Holiday Inn Gem at Park Sheddon Road

Telephone number: +91-423-2441761

4. Chandan Vihar (known for local cuisine)

5. Hills Palace in Ooty

6. Tandoor Mahal on Commercial Road

Telephone number: +91-423-243054

7. Utsav

Telephone number: +91-423-2444696

8. Udipi Krishna Bhavan in Ooty Villa Park

Telephone number: +91-423-2442434

9. Hotel Savoy in Sylks Road

Telephone number: +91-423-2445712

Festivals in Ooty

In Ooty Pongal is celebrated with great spirits.

Pykara River

Places of attraction in Ooty  

Government Rose Garden: Being India's largest rose garden, the Government Rose Garden is located on the slops of Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram of Ooty. This garden is psread over an area of sprawling 4 hectares at an altitude of 2200 meters above sea level. The Government Rose Garden in Ooty houses more than 17000 species of rose flowers including the rarest seen specieis such as Hybrid Tea Roses, Minitature Roses, Floribunda, Ramblers, Papagena and so many such wild as well as exotic rose species. The best part about this garden is the specifically planned layout which adds to its beauty. A must see point in Ooty.

Tribal Museum

Tribal Museum in Ooty is a small functioning located inside the Tribal Research Centre. The Tribal Museum is located in Muthorai Palada, which is around 10 km from Ooty. This museum placed on a small hillock exhibits some rare photographs and pictures of the tribal and primitive groups and primitive culture of groups from various parts of Tamil Nadu as well as Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Tribal Museum in Ooty also have real and open air models of primitive tribal houses of Toda, Kota, Kurumba, Kanikaran and various other groups. 

Wax world

Wax world in Ooty is a must visit place for viewing the life-size wax statues of famous personalities from Indian History and culture. These statues are placed within an 142 year old house and are really worth watching.

St. Stephen Church

St. Stephen Church is one of the oldest churches in India and is located on the Mysore Road. This church has great history to boast about along with wonderful ancient architecture.

Pykara River

One of the largest river in Tamil Nadu, Pykara River is a must see attraction of Ooty located around 20 km away. Pykara River rises from the Mukurthi Peak and flows down a steep yet zig-zag slope, thus giving rise to series of cascades and a smal waterfall, where one can enjoy a good splash. Other than splash you can enjoy boating and thus the Pykara also serves as a great picnic spot.

Kalhatty Falls

Located around 13 km from Ooty, Kalhatti Falls serves as an excellent picnic spot with a great and gigantic waterfall with a height of 120 feet. Some other activities one gets to enjoy here at Kalhatti Waterfalls include hiking, trekking and bird watching.

Avalanche

Avalanche is an undisturbed forest area located near the Emerald Lake, around 28 km from Ooty. Avalanche offers one a majestic view of forest, valleys, reservoir, thick vegetation and large varieity of birds. Famous spot among bird lovers. Other activities one can enjoy here includes fishing trout.

Avalanche

Glenmorgan

Located 25 km from Ooty, Glenmorgan is a famous and popular tea estate one gets to visit. This tea estate is located within scenic surroundings with vast tea plantations, a small lake at the foothills and beautiful hill slopes. Being one of the oldest tea estates in Ooty, Glenmorgan is definitely a must visit point in Ooty.

Honey and Bee Museum

Tourists with children should definitely make it a point to visit The Honey & Bee Museum. This museum houses a special children activity area where the children get to learn more about how the honeybees collect honey from the flower and how the kids get to eat it right from the bottle. Love demostrations and specimen tools are available here for observation.


Ooty Lake

Ooty Lake is one of the main attractions of Ooty. Soread over an area of 65 acres, Ooty Lake is set amidst scenic background with lush green and waving Eucalyptus trees and other vegetations. Best known activites at Ooty Lake is boating. The annual Boat Racing event is famous among tourists, which is held in May every year.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

One of the oldest and now the declared World heritage site, Nilgiri Mountain Railway is an additional attraction of Ooty.

Adam's Fountain

Located in front of the Ooty market, Adam's Fountain forms the main attraction in Ooty.

Toda Hut

Stone House

Said to be one of the first bungalows ever been constructed in Ooty, the Stone House is one of its kind. 

Toda Huts

One can actually visit this Toda Huts within the Toda settlements on the hills over the Botanical Garden. This traditional and primitive groups still exist in few numbers in Ooty to exhibit their tradition and culture.

Where to stay in Ooty

Staying in Ooty is just not a problem at all as many hotels and resorts, both luxurious as well as budgetary are available in Ooty. There are many economical hotels and resorts, budgetary hotels, TTDC Hotel and luxurious stay options located all over in Ooty.