Ooty in the Southern Indian State of Karnataka is fondly called the "Queen of hill stations". Named
among the most beautiful places in India, Ooty is set picturesquely in the Nilgiris, called the "Blue
Mountains" of India. Situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level, Ooty enjoys pleasant
weather year-long. Formerly it used to be popular summer getaway during the British Raj and now
too is one of the most preferred holiday destinations in the South. Drawing visitors from far ends of
the globe, Ooty tours are perfect for families, honeymoon couples, nature lovers, etc.
The major lure of Ooty is its beauty. Mists descend and settle on the hill-tops; lush tea gardens and
coffee plantations are spread on the slopes, lakes dot the landscape and there are many more
delights. The star attraction of a holiday in Ooty is the mountain train ride, also called the toy train.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railways is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rail route commences
from Kallar, near Mettupalayam travelling through the many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels.
The train slowly chugs beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea
gardens. The ride is life-changing as you enjoy not just breath-taking beauty but also the splendid
engineering that made such a thrilling ride possible in the early 20 th century.
The most scenic places to visit in Ooty include Avalanche Lake, Ooty Lake, Emerald Lake, Ooty
Botanical Gardens, Deer Park, Doddabetta Peak, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Kamraj Sagar Dam, Ooty Rose
Garden, etc. The Mudumalai National Park is a beautiful reserve which is home to wildlife in their
natural habitats. Even more interesting is Ooty’s tribal legacy. The town was the land of the Toda
tribal community. Here, the Toda huts present a glimpse of the tribal lifestyle. The taste of home-
made chocolates is one of the best things to do in Ooty. Enjoy boating at the lakes. Watch the scenic
sunsets from the viewpoints. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival is an impressive event to enjoy
the bliss of the town.
Whatever you choose to do in Ooty, relax, sightsee, try out adventure or create cherished memories,
everything is possible. In fact, it makes for fond memories for a holiday!
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Getting to Ooty By Air
To reach the hill town of Ooty, the nearest airport is Coimbatore, 100 km away. Coimbatore is connected with domestic destinations and has frequent flights. For international flights and even more better connections, the airport most frequently used by visitors to Ooty is Bangalore, 290 km away.
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Getting to Ooty By Rail
The nearest railway station is in Ooty itself. Th mainline railhead for Ooty is Mettupalayam (46 km) from where one can take the picturesque toy train to get to the hill town.
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Getting to Ooty By Road
Ooty is connected to Bangalore (290 km), Mysore (150 km) and Cochin (295 km).
Best Places to Stay in Ooty
Savoy Hotel
The Savoy Hotel is a landmark of the picturesque hill town of Ooty. The property sprawls over six acres of landscaped gardens, offering colonial style cottages that were built between 1829 and 1865. Rooms and suites are elegantly furnished, complete with fireplaces etc. Leisure facilities include here are 24 x 7 fitness centre, Ayurvedic centre, children's playground etc.
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The Gateway, Coonoor
One of the best places to stay on Ooty is the Gateway. It lies in the heart of rolling mountains and drifting mists, along with panoramic views of the Nilgiri's. The hotel with its old-world charm is 10 minutes from the lovely Sim's Park and the Golf Course. All rooms at the Gateway, Coonoor are furnished in Old colonial style, and are elegantly appointed, with telephone facility, channel music, colour television with in-house movies and satellite programmes. Leisure facilities here include a Tennis court, billiards table, table tennis and other indoor games.
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