Craving for some serene views and pleasant background, then Mysore should be your next destination. Just 3 hrs from the Electronic city, this hill station is all that we want during our summer weekends. While many parts of India have already hit the monsoon, many are still dealing with heat waves. And if your city is one of them, then head over to this cool place before it gets too late.
Staying in Pune, we either have Mahabaleshwar or Lonavala as our nearest hill stations. After all the research I put into finding a perfect getaway for my solo trip, Mysore and Ooty were the best options I could come across.
How the journey started?
From Pune, Mysore is an 18 hours journey by bus. I took the bus at 7 in the evening and reached the other day afternoon. After checking in a Zostel, a one and a half day in Mysore went by exploring the nearby attractions.
Zostel's location is such that all the tourist attractions are within its vicinity.
Day 1
1. Brindavan Garden
The only major attraction left is this one, which is a 20km drive from the center of the city. Despite the distance from the city, it's worth the time and energy.
Built adjoining the Krishnarajasagara Dam on the river Kaveri, this garden attracts 2 million tourists every year.
Timing : 6am to 8pm
Lighting timing : 7pm to 8pm
Entry Fees : Rs. 15 (adult)
2. Mysore Zoo
Officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, this zoo is on a 157-acre land near the Mysore Palace. With over 168 species of animals, it offers visitors a wide range of wildlife.
Timings : 8.30am to 5.30pm (except Tuesday)
Entry fees : Rs. 50 per adult
Camera Ticket : Still Camera - Rs. 20
Video Camera - Rs. 150
Day 2
1. St. Philomena's Church
3.2 km (10 min) away from the Mysore Palace, this Church is also one of the major touristic spots, mainly because of its architectural marvel.
Timings : 5am to 6pm
Entry Fees : Free of cost
2. Mysore Palace
Commonly described as the 'City of Palaces', with 7 palaces under its name, Mysore Palace is one of them. Facing Chamundi Hills on the east side, this palace is located at the center of the city. One of the many palaces we have in India, Mysore Palace is the largest of all.
Timing : 10am to 5.30pm
Entry Ticket : Rs 70 per adult
Sound and Light show timing (Kannada):
Monday to Wednesday - 7pm to 8pm
Saturday - 8.15pm to 9.15pm
Entry ticket - Rs. 70 (adult)
Sound and Light show timing (English):
Thursday to Saturday - 7pm to 8pm
Entry ticket - Rs. 90 (adult)
NOTE: Tickets can be booked online here, which has a validity of 6 months from the date of purchase.
3. Mysuru Rail Museum
This outdoor exhibit of vintage locomotives was established in 1979 by Indian Railways. This is the second such museum after National Railway Museum in Delhi.
Containing a gallery of photographs and paintings depicting the growth of Indian railways, over a period of time, this museum also runs a battery-operated toy train, for giving short rides to the children around the ground.
Timing : 10am to 5.30pm (Tuesday closed)
Entry Ticket : Rs 50 per adult
Camera Ticket : Still Camera - Rs. 20
Video Camera - Rs. 30
Exploring all these places in a day, I continue my journey to my next destination, Ooty.
Udhagamandalam, that's how Ooty was supposed to be called. This is a resort town in the Western Ghats mountain range. Traveling across the border in the South of India comes with a lot of ease and comfort, as they have good connectivity between the cities.
As a first-time solo traveler, across the South, I was a bit skeptical about traveling to Ooty, but when I learned that several KSRTC buses were leaving each day from Mysore, I couldn't resist myself and went ahead with the plan.
125kms, 3hr apart from each other, the bus leaving from Mysore takes you on some scenic ride passing through Mudumalai Forest and Bandipur Tiger Reserve, one of the first nine tiger reserves in the country. In addition to this beauty, we also got a chance to drive through a lot of tea estates on both sides of the road.
Day 3 :
After half a day of traveling, I reached this beautiful town of Tamil Nadu around 2 pm and checked in to goStops - my stay for the next 2 days. After unwinding a bit, I left the room to spend my time amongst the locals across the town.
1. Ooty Lake
Choosing a location of the stay which is in the vicinity of all the major attractions, is the most important thing to look for.
This artificial lake in the Nilgiris district offers a boat ride on it, which is to be considered the major attraction of this place.
Mini train ride, 7D horror theatre, mirror house, and horse riding are some of the other notable attractions of this place.
Time : 9am to 6pm
Entry fees : Ooty Lake : Rs. 13 per person
Camera Tickets : Still Camera : Rs.30
Video Camera : Rs.150
Boating Ticket : Pedal Boat : Rs. 240(2-seater)
Rs. 260 (4-seater)
Row Boat : Rs. 250 (4-seater)
Rs. 290 (6-seater)
NOTE: An additional refundable deposit equal to the charges of the boat ride will also be needed to be paid, which will be returned after completing the boat ride without any damage to the boat in the allotted 30 mins for the ride.
2. Thread Garden
Just opposite the Ooty lake, lies the thread garden, which is not the usual garden with natural flowers. This garden is full of artificial flowers, with a twist to it. These flowers are not the plastic flowers that we prefer as gifts for our loved ones, but these are flowers woven with the help of thousands of threads.
As you enter the space, you will be welcomed by bright-colored flowers, petals, and a lawn. The USP of this garden is that the flowers will never die and the plants will retain their vividness for long.
Time : 9am to 5pm
Entry fees : Rs. 30 (adult)
Camera Tickets : Still Camera : Rs.50
Video Camera : Rs.100
3. Government Botanical Garden
Maintained by the Horticultural Department of Tamil Nadu, this garden is spread over 55 acres of land and stands strong as one of the most sought-after tourist attractions of Ooty.
The present-day Government Botanical Garden is divided into 5 sections.
They are Lower Garden, famous for its fern house which harbors 127 species of ferns; The New Garden, which contains the rose garden and natural pond; The Italian Garden, laid by the Italian prisoners of war, during the First World War; The Conservatory, offering a lot of flowering plants and the Nurseries, containing a series of glass houses with innumerable varieties of exotic plants.
Time : 7am to 6.30pm
Entry fees : Rs. 30 (adult)
Camera Tickets : Still Camera : Rs.50
Video Camera : Rs.100
Day 4 :
After 3 hectic days of traveling across 2 cities exploring and enjoying the vacation, the fourth day was planned in a bit calmer manner and at a slower pace. On this day I kept myself free to shopping and try local food.
Government Rose Garden :
The only place I visited on day 4 was the much-talked-about, Rose Garden. If I say the pride of Ooty lies in its Rose Garden, then I would not be wrong, as this garden belongs to an elite club of 35 rose gardens around the world.
Catering to 20000 species of roses, this is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained gardens in the country as well as the world.
Time : 7.30am to 6.30pm
Entry fees : Rs. 30 (adult)
Camera Tickets : Still Camera : Rs.50
Video Camera : Rs.100
Trying the local cuisine:
Ooty is not only a paradise for nature lovers but also for foodies, like me. While we continue with our local sightseeing, make sure you also dig into some of the famous street eateries of the town
Famous for kebabs, momos, and authentic South Indian cuisine, this town caters to all our needs.
Shopping
Buying souvenirs in a town like Ooty is a much easier task to perform. This town has a variety of markets like Tibetan Market, Municipal Market, and Ornament market and the list continues to fulfill all our demands.
Day 5 :
1. Telescope House, Doddabetta
Doddabetta, the highest peak in the Nilgiris Mountain range at 8,652 feet, has a reserved forest area around the peak. 9kms away from Ooty, it is a popular attraction with road access up to the summit.
There is an observatory with two telescopes on the top of the peak, available for the public.
Time : 7 am to 6 pm
Entry fees : Rs. 6 (above 5 years old)
Camera Tickets : Still Camera : Rs.10
Video Camera : Rs.50
Coonoor
After a successful trip to Ooty, I head for a 1- day tour to Coonoor which is less than an hour away from the town.
1. Tea Estates
Coonoor Tea Estates are a place where you can enjoy a sip of your favorite flavored tea with the breathtakingly amazing views of the hilly mountains in the background.
Owing to its lush green vegetation and pleasant atmosphere, these tea estates attract tourists from all parts of the country.
Time : 6 am to 5 pm
Entry fees : Free of cost
2. Lamb's rock
It's a place where you can enjoy the cool breeze, amongst the goodness of nature and tranquility. It offers some astonishing views of the valley while you sip on your favorite Nilgiris tea.
This place is magical in the sense, that it rejuvenates and relaxes the people coming from different parts of the world.
Time : 8.30 am to 6.30 pm
Entry fees : Rs. 10 (per person)
Camera Ticket : Still Camera : Rs.20
Video Camera : Rs.50
3. Dolphin's Nose
The 1550m high altitude above sea level makes this place a perfect getaway from Ooty, who wish to witness a 180-degree view of the scenic beauty of the mountains and the Catherine Falls.
Taking a look at the other side, you will get to see an unobstructed view of Kotagiri streams, giving a dreamy experience for nature lovers.
Time : 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fees : Rs. 15 (per person)
Camera Tickets : Still Camera : Rs.20
Video Camera : Rs.50
After a fun-filled day of exploring another small town, I head back to Ooty for the night stay with a heavy heart, as my vacay to these dreamy towns is getting over.
Day 6 :
As the last leg of the tour, I return to Mysore before leaving for Pune the next day. This allows me another day in Mysore, and as the last ritual of every trip, I go in for some shopping with my Zostel roommate.
A 7-day tour to the most pristine places of South India comes to an end with a handful of memories and good friends, I made during my stay in Zostels or goStops.
What's your dream destination to visit during the monsoons? Let me know in the comment section.
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