April 20th, 2018 by Lipika Sharma

Nestled in the Nilgiris, shrouded in mist and cotton clouds, Ooty or Ootakamund is widely referred to as the “Queen of the hills”.

Lofty mountains, sprawling grasslands, miles and miles of tea gardens and a miniature toy train – everything out of a colourful children’s book, Ooty has everything it takes to win a traveller’s heart.

Best Time to Visit Ooty

The months from April to June and September to November are good for sightseeing. The region sees heavy rainfall between July to September that might disrupt plans of travelling around.

Places to Visit in Ooty

(i) Grab a window seat on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as the toy train makes its way through tunnels, curves, bridges and beautiful scenery to reach Ooty in five hours. Covering a stretch of 46 kilometres, views throughout the journey are spectacular.

(ii) Enjoy some leisure time paddle boating on the gorgeous waters of the Ooty Lake meandering through the valleys of the Nilgiris. From the middle of the lake, the views of the surrounding forests capture one’s imagination.

(iii) Time travel to the bygone colonial era at the Fernhill Palace. Built in 1844, this was the summer bungalow of the Maharaja of Mysore.

(iv) Doddabetta Peak is the highest point of South India at an altitude of 8,606 feet. The observatory atop the peak offers a 360-degree view of the panoramic vistas.

(v) St. Stephen’s Church continues to captivate tourists with its exquisite Gothic-style architecture built using wooden beams brought from Tipu Sultan’s Palace. The stained glass windows depicting Christ’s crucifixion and a painting of the Last Supper are the masterpieces here.

(vi) Take long walks amidst pine trees at Pykara Waterfall. Situated 20 kilometres from Ooty, the lake also offers speedboat rides for those seeking adventure.

(vii) A visit to the Dodabetta Tea Factory in Ooty is a must-do. The sprawling one-acre area surrounded by tea plantations displays the origin and evolution of tea in the Nilgiris. Remember to buy a stash of your favourite tea as a souvenir from here.

Where to Eat in Ooty

(i) Ooty Coffee House uses coffee seeds grown on their plantation to prepare an excellent cup of coffee that you can savour along with their breakfast spread or South Indian food.

(ii) Walk into the Sidewalk Café in the Nahar Hotel complex to enjoy pizza and pasta cooked in a wood fire oven.

(iii) Jothi Vilas at Kotagiri Road is famous for its specialities Idli Sambar, Poori Bhaji and Vada Pav.

(iv) Earl’s Secret on Havelock Road offers lip-smacking gourmet food in a relaxed ambience.

Where to Shop in Ooty

(i) Upper Bazaar Road is the prime location for shopping in Ooty with a number of local shops selling Nilgiri specials right from Ooty chocolates, tea boxes, coffee powders to fabrics.

(ii) One of the major markets in Ooty, Main Bazaar is located in the centre of the town offering everything that Ooty is famous for. What sets this market apart from the others are the handicrafts, aesthetic paintings and Toda silver jewellery that are sold here.

(iii) The Commercial Road is lined with local shops famous for selling jewellery, antiques, handicrafts, chocolates, woollen clothing, organic products, utensils etc.

Drives on beautiful winding roads, views of the hill atop gardens, a ride on the miniature toy train, tea plantations and never-ending meadows – it’s no surprise that Ooty turns visitors into admirers with its hypnotic beauty and tranquillity.

Book Hotels in Ooty

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About Lipika Sharma

Fast learner, slow eater with an itch for travel and fashion. Always ready for long drives, offbeat destinations and cake. Often sarcastic, mostly joking. Still learning how to be a morning person.