Queen of the Hills: Ooty

Ooty a British township is couched amidst those gorgeous blue mountains of Southern India. It is also known as udhagamandalam. Ooty is called as the Queen of the hill station. It is nestled among the Nilgiris at an altitude of 2240 meters above sea level. The climate is favourable all year around. Nilgiris means Blue Mountains, a land of picturesque picnic spots and lakes. It draws tourist, adventure enthusiasts, honeymooners and the film industry. Like bees to nectar, Ooty is also a heaven for sports, adventure, hiking and riding and playing tennis and snooker, and then of course there is the gorgeously scenic golf course. The eucalyptuses are quite a part of the Ooty landscape. These tall, lanky trees can be seen on the slopes around. Many travellers may feel that Ooty and Nilgiris lack the awe, mystique and drama of the Himalayas but it is not so.

Activities that draw visitors to this place:

Toy train plays an important part of Ooty tour. The Toy train that connects the hill station with Mettupalayam makes Ooty all the more enjoyable. The toy train is also called as Nilgiris Mountain Railway Toy Train. It charms its visitors with equal zest windings its way through the best of nature, weaving amidst the forest dark snaking tunnels, sharp bends and among the mist and fog. The Toy train is a spectacular trip up and down the slopes with birds and trees all dancing along.

Ooty Lake is the pride of the Blue Hills: it is the central and strategic attraction. The boat house established in the Ooty Lake is the major tourist attraction. The lake is surrounded by sky high eucalyptus trees. Boating in the azure waters with your families is sure to a create moments of magic. Rowing or pedalling a boat over the serene Ooty lake should be your top most priority, there is a mini train too for kids to hop on and take a quick tour of the lake. Boat races as well as other events are also organised here for two days in May. The lake is filled with beautiful water birds with the exotic Nilgiris Mountain ranges in the background.

Botanical Gardens lie in the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak. Visitors are greeted with astounding colourful natural beauty from the moment they pass through the gates. Another highlight of the Botanical gardens is the Toda Hill also known as the Toda mund. It gives the visitors an insight into the lives and culture of Todas.This Botanical garden is awarded as the Garden of Excellence by World Federation of Rose Societies. The garden is a wonderland for nature lovers.

Rose Garden is situated in the heart of Ooty. It is said to be one of the largest rose gardens in India. It is a collection of roses including the miniature roses, hybrid tea roses, floribunda, black and green roses and many other unique varieties. The climate of Ooty is ideal for the plants to have a long blooming season.

Doddabetta Peak is the highest point of South India. This peak pulls the crowd. The view of the Nilgiris from here is breathtaking. The beautiful valleys, plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore are visible from this point. There is a Telescope house at Doddabetta peak. It enables the visitors to get a better view of the surrounding landscape. Tourist can also indulge in trekking at the Doddabetta Peak which is also the highest peak of the Nilgiris.

Tiger Hill is one of the most mesmerising destinations in Ooty. This hill lies to the east of the Hill station and towards the lower end of the Doddabetta Peak. There is also a cave close to the Tiger Hill which is believed to be associated with many religious legends. This is a beautiful picnic spot and locals and tourist flock to this place to unwind and relax.

Tea Estate view point: The Nilgiris region is renowned for its tea plantation. The tea estate or plantation is one of the tourist attractions. The tourist enjoys going for a walk in the tea estate which gives them peace. Glenmorgan is one of the old tea estate and also one of the famous picnic spots. The tourist is even allowed inside the tea factories. You can click photographs. But remember one thing you are not allowed to pluck the tea leaves from the tea estate.

Best time to visit Ooty: It is advisable to avoid going to Ooty during the rainy seasons. Visiting during the annual Tea and Tourism festival is likely to enhance entire Ooty experience.

Accommodation in Ooty ensures you enjoy your vacation in hassles free way. There are various kinds of needs and budget from Luxurious to budget ones. Tourist has enough of options to choose from. Some of them are sterling holiday’s fern hills, king’s cliff, Holiday Inn Gem Park, Club Mahindra, Danish villa, etc.

Anyone looking for a respite from humidity and the scorching Indian sun, Ooty is the place to be.