Established by John Sullivan, Ooty - once the summer capital of Madras Presidency - is today one of the most popular hill stations in India and probably the best in South India. Dotted with Raj era bungalows, parks, gardens and lakes, Ooty’s major appeal lies in luscious countryside, Nilgiri Mountain Railways (Toy Train), tea plantations and vibrant summer festival making it one of the best summer holiday destinations in India.
Ooty is a favored weekend getaway from Bangalore, Chennai and Coimbatore. Visitors from entire South and even North India head to Ooty to escape the scorching summer season from April till September. Ooty is also popular with travelers from overseas who come here to relax and rejuvenate amidst the bucolic charm of this hill town.
The scenic beauty and plenty of things to do such as visit to Doddabetta Peak, Sim’s Peak, Dolphin’s Nose, pony rides, boating, toy train rides and promenade along the streets dotted with Raj era bungalows makes Ooty a popular family holiday destination as well as a favorite among the lovebirds and honeymooners.
With our Ooty tour packages, explore the natural beauty and charming surrounding of Ooty. Our tastefully crafted Ooty holiday packages combine the Ooty tour with nearby popular destinations such as Bandipur National Park, Coonoor, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Periyar and Nagarhole etc so that you have a complete holiday experience.
Sightseeing and things to do in Ooty
Ooty, known as the queen of the hill stations is one of the most beautiful destinations in South India. The picturesque hills, tea gardens, emerald lakes, waterfalls, and distinct colonial charm make for the popular tourist attractions in Ooty. Its unmatched beauty makes it a popular honeymoon destination in South India. You will find a plethora of beautiful places to see in Ooty and a wide range of things to do during sightseeing in Ooty. Here are the best Ooty attractions to explore with Indian Holiday Ooty tour packages.
Visit the Botanical Garden - Spread over an area of 22 hectares, the Botanical Garden sits on the foothills of Dodabetta Peak as one of the best Ooty tourist attractions. Having thousand species of plants, the garden is divided into various sectors such as Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden, The Conservatory and The Nursery. During summer, the garden becomes heaven when you can explore the rich flora of the park amid amazing weather. You can also explore 20-million years old fossilized tree and Toda tribes in the garden.
Get dazzled in the Rose Garden - More than 20,000 varieties of roses will leave you spellbound in this 'Garden of Excellence' as described by the World Federation of Rose Societies. Located on the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram of Ooty, this is a paradise for photographers and nature lovers.
Go to Dolphin’s nose - Settled at an elevation of 1,000 ft. above the sea level, this viewpoint is located 10 km from Coonoor hill station, Ooty. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ooty offering the view of Catherine falls, tea gardens, and beautiful sunset & sunrise.
ExploreTea Museum - Located on the highest peak of Nilgiri, Tea Museum adds magical aroma to your Ooty sightseeing with the delicious exhibition of different tea types. Owing to its splendid charm Dodabetta Tea Museum can rightfully be addressed as one of the best places to visit in Ooty.
Wonder at Kalhatti Waterfalls - One of the best tourist places in Ooty, Kalhatti Waterfalls is located in Kallattipura in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Enjoy the splendid view of water gushing down from a height of around 40 meters. The picturesque surrounding of dense forests is also admired by trekkers.
Visit Elk Hill Murugan Temple - Resting on the beautiful Elk Hill, the Murugan temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga or Murugan. The temple offers a panoramic view of the valley that make it a must-visit place in Ooty. In the month of January, a popular religious festival Thaipusam is celebrated in the temple.
Travel in Nilgiri Mountain Railway - This railway is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site offering scenic journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty to be enjoyed during a trip to Ooty.
Visit Avalanche Lake - This beautiful lake is one of the most famous destinations in Ooty for nature lovers. Located at a distance of 26 Km from Ooty, the lake is surrounded by spectacular meadows with lovely flowers.
Explore the Ooty Golf course - This is one of the best Golf Courses in the world surrounded by lush greenery. The 9-hole course is one of the best tourist attractions in Ooty.
Shopping in Ooty
The beautiful hill station Ooty is also a great place for shopping. You can purchase tea, spices, jewelry, etc. from the popular shopping places in Ooty. Here are the top Ooty shopping destination:
Charring Cross - Situated at the intersection of the Ooty-Conoor Road, this market houses many shops to buy Cakes, gifts, woolen items, and handmade chocolates during your Ooty tour.
Tibetan Market - Located near Botanical garden, this market is famous for woolen garments and shawls in a variety of colors and designs. You can also by beadwork necklaces and embroidered Jhola bags as a token of your Ooty tour
The Upper Bazaar Market - This is a popular place during Ooty sightseeing. Here you will find the best restaurants in Ooty. Buy aromatic spices the place is famous for.
Main Bazar - This market is famous for winter wear, shawls, fashion accessories and much more. If you have good bargaining skills, you can shop here from morning until 9 at night.
How to reach Ooty
Ooty is a famous tourist destination in India and can be reached by all three modes of travel Air, Rail, and Road.
Ooty by Road - Ooty is connected to all the major cities in Tamil Nadu by road. Travelers choose to reach Ooty by road to enjoy a scenic journey on luxury buses or cabs.
Ooty by Rail - Ooty has its own railway station located in the Delhi-Coimbatore railway line that connects Ooty with the major cities in India by rail.
Ooty by Air - The nearest airport to Ooty is in Coimbatore which is about 2 and a half-hour drive from Ooty. You can hire a cab to reach Ooty from Coimbatore.
Best time to visit in Ooty
Though a year-round destination, the best time to visit Ooty is from April to June and September to November. The month of July and August are generally avoided for being monsoon season in Ooty. Here is the month wise break up of Ooty climate:
March to June: This time marks summer months in Ooty. The weather remains pleasant and is ideal for sightseeing in Ooty.
July to September: Ooty gets a refreshed look in monsoon from July to September. This is the best time for honeymooners and nature lovers to visit Ooty.
October to February: This is winter season in Ooty and the cool temperature during the day is perfect for sightseeing in Ooty. But November to February is the coldest time when the temperature goes below 5 degrees Celsius in Ooty.
