Ooty also known as Udagamandalam is tourist city in Nilgiri district of Tamilnadu state. District main office is in Ooty and it is one of the best hill stations in India. Situated in Nilgiri hills. 80 kilometers from Coimbatore makes it quick getaway and easily reachable tourist destination. State transport buses operate from Coimbatore to ooty frequently. Mostly here people live on tourism and agriculture (i.e. Tea Production)
Travel:
We started from Mumbai. Took flight from Mumbai to Coimbatore. Which we got in 3k for booking in advance. Then after reaching Coimbatore, We booked a self-drive car from Coimbatore airport for 1.5k for 24hrs. Petrol is on our side. Go for local travel agency. Near airport you will find 2-3 local self-drive car agencies on google map. It’s cheap than other famous self-drive rentals.
When you take the rental car don't forget to check it thoroughly. Take photographs from all angels. Agencies may fine money when you return the car saying dents or cracks happened.
So be careful.
It took 3 - 4 hours to reach ooty as most of the road is hilly. Road passes through niligiri hills so you can encounter some wild animals on the way. Travel from Coimbatore to ooty itself is very happening. You can stop at villages on the way and have some local taste banana (the taste was very sweet which we hardly get in banana which we buy in city.) or coconut water.
Stay:
Book hotel from OYO or other platforms. Also if your budget is less then you can directly book their after reaching and can bargain in small hotels which are away from bus stand and railway station. Hotels which are near to station or bus stand have very high rates. These hotels will not have fans or AC as temperature here hardly goes above 20 degree anytime in year.
Places to see:
· Ooty Lake
· Botanical Garden
· Doddabetta Peak
· Ooty Tea Factory
· Shooting Point
· Toy Train
· Wax Museum
· Rose Garden
· National Park
Duration:
2 Days are sufficient to cover main spots of ooty.
Best time to Visit:
Throughout the year, climate here is mild. So, Other than monsoon season all other days are good to visit the ooty.
Places:
1. Doddabetta Peak: This is the highest peak of the ooty. View from this point is awesome. If climate is clear one can see the plains from Coimbatore.
2. Botanical Garden: Beautiful garden. It has around 650 types of trees inside. This place hold flower show and other cultural programs.
3. Ooty Tea Factory: Nilgiri Tea is famous in India. Ooty has lots and lots of tea farms. Tea factory is point where you can go inside these tea farms and have feel of it. It has also shop inside which sells raw as well as processed tea packets. One can get original eucalyptus oil from here which is famous for its heeling properties.
4. Ooty lake : Nearly 1 km from the main bus stand of port, this lake has very serene view and surrounded by eucalyptus trees. It's a artificial lake which was constructed by british.
It has boating facility and it's a major tourist attraction in ooty.
Roads are narrow and small here and it’s a hilly city so, at turns traffic gets jammed sometimes. Food is good. Lots of restaurants in the market area.
Happy Travelling....!
