Endowed
with a prodigality of natural beauty and a pleasant climate, Ooty is the
prominent summer getaway of Tamil Nadu. Tucked in at 2285 metres in the
Nilgiri hills, Ooty has much to offer by way of colonial reminiscences and
natural marvels. Churches, coffee estates and colonial clubs still preserve
the charm of the bygone period. Exploring the grandeur of the land along the
misty blue mountainside is bound to capture the tourists’ hearts.
Best Time & Climate :
The best time to come is between January and March, avoiding high-season
crowds (April-June & Sept-Oct). However, it can also be visited
throughout the year, for Ooty never runs out of season. The maximum and
minimum temperatures during summer are 25 degree Celsius and 10 degree
Celsius respectively. Whereas, the maximum and minimum temperature during
winters are 21 degree Celsius and 0 degree Celsius respectively.
How to get there ?
» By Air - Nearest airport, Coimbatore is 98 kms
away. Cochin airport is 250 kms away and Bangalore airport is 276 kms.
» By Rail - Ooty has a miniature railway connecting
it with the lowlands. The railways starts at Mettupalayam (46 km from Ooty),
north of Coimbatore, and goes via Coonoor to Ooty, enroute affording some
spectacular views of the precipitous eastern slopes of the rain-forested
Nilgiris.
» By Road - There are frequent buses for Kotagiri
and Coonoor. Ooty is connected by bus service to Coimbatore, Bangalore (via
Mysore), Chennai, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur and Tirupati. Karanataka's state
bus company has daily bus services to Bangalore, Mysore and Hassan. Private
bus companies offer super deluxe bus services to Bangalore, Kodaikanal and
Mysore.
Must Visit :
» Botanical Gardens - A variety of exotic and
ornamental plants embellish this garden which is the venue for the Flower
show held in May every year. There is a fossil tree trunk believed to be 20
million years old in the midst of the garden.
» Lake View - The artificial lake, gleaming under
the radiant sun is a popular spot for the tourist. Pony rides are available
along the road skirting of the lake.
» Mini Garden - Tourists can visit this mini garden,
which is on the way to the Boat House. It is home to a children amusement
park and also houses a snack bar.
» Doddabetta - The highest peak (2623 meters) in the
Nilgiris, it is about 10 km from Ooty. Dense shoals surround it and the
landscape all around is picturesquely panoramic. Situated at the junction of
the Western & Eastern Ghats, it offers beautiful views of the Nilgiri
Hill ranges.
» Government Museum - Set up in 1989, the museum has
items of tribal objects, district’s ecological details and
representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu.
» Deer Park - 1-km from the lake, the Deer park is
worth visiting.
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