Queen of Hill Station

 

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Ooty is one of the best hill station in india, among the top places to visit in Tamilnadu. Ooty is a resort town in the western ghats mountain. At an altitude of 7440 feet, the rolling hills, lush greenery and misty landscapes attract of many tourists to this location. It is founded as a British Raj summer resort. The establishment of numerous tea plantations made Ooty famous.


Ooty



Major Tourist Places In Ooty 

1.Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake  is located in the upper region of Nilgiri district. It is one of the top most spots to enjoy the scenic beauty of sunrise and sunset in ooty. Emerald lake is a perfect  place for couples to visit. Emerald lake  is a great picnic spot for family and friends. The Emerald dam boasts of an exotic species of duck and aquatic animals. Here you can dance to the tune of chirping birds. There is also a park  on the right side  for the entertainment of kids.



2.Rose Garden

This Rose Garden is the Pride of  Ooty. Which belongs to an Elite club of 35 rose gardens around the world. which has won  the garden of excellence award for south asia from the  world federation of rose societies. Containing more than 20000 varieties of roses in the rose garden. The climate of Ooty is ideal, for the plants to have a long blooming season. Garden maintained by the government of Tamilnadu. The garden  is arranged in to five curving  Terrace covering 4 hectares. The chilly weather and adequate monsoon makes it possible for the flowers to have a long  flowering season. This place is a visual treat  with the flowers arranged  in different  forms and shapes.

Rose garden Ooty


3.Pykara Waterfall

It is a good picnic spot. This fall is around 20 Km  away from Ooty, situated  in the Ooty Mysore road. There is a  boat  house and a restaurant can be found also near the waterfall. The surrounded area  is also popular for Todda settlements.  here's an opportunity to relax and enjoy the natural  beauty of the holidays.





4.Ooty Stone House

It was constructed by John Sullivan in 1822. The first bunglow which was built in Ooty is the stone house . It's an ancient architecture is worth seeing. Many  visitors visit  this place  to have glimpse of this bunglow. It was built on the land which was brought from the Todda people. The common people who live there call the stone  house  " Kal Bungalow".




5.Tribal Research center

The Ooty tribal  research center  is located  about 10 Km from Ooty and is easily accessible. The research center maintains records on all the Social , Cultural, Economic, and Religious  activities of the tribals. This research center is just a museum displaying pre- historic  Handicraft items and stuffed animals. This place  is an ideal place  to understand the lives of local people.




6.Doddabetta Peak


The term doddabetta means big mountain in Badaga languages. It is a combination of  two words dodda meaning big and betta means mountain. The  amazing views of doddabetta peaks, the sweeping forest of Bandipur national park and the open highlands of mysore are best enjoyed from the summit significantly the summit  being flat  travellers can sit and enjoy the relaxing  ambience and natural grandeur. Bird watching is another activity, this is a place with a lot of birds, Many  peoples come here early in the morning to watch  the birds  and enjoy the bird songs. It's majestic  views  it has been  favourite shooting location for the indian movies. This peak  located at 9.5 km from Ooty rises to 2637 meters above sea level.  Doddabetta is the highest  peak in Nilgiri district and situated in the Ooty - Kotagiri road. Doddabetta along with the Snowdon hill  at a height of  2530 meter, clab hill b at 2448 meter and Elk hill  at 2466 meter  forms the extraordinary udagamandalam valley. The temperature is mostly low  throughout the years blessed with climate during summer  with temperature minimum 10 degree Celsius and maximum 21 degree Celsius. Winter season  minimum temperature 5 degree Celsius and maximum temperature as 21 degree Celsius. More and more people  are flocking to Doddabetta peaks to watch the sunrise and sunset. Many people also come here for trekking. There is also a telescope house built for bird watching. The peak is also known for the medical plants and rich in  vegetation of rhododendron spread across  the slopes of the mountain. Rhododendrons is a medicine  properties that used  to make medicine and herbal tea. Visting hours are from 9 am to 6.30 pm.


 7.Kamraj Sagar Dam

Kamraj Sagar Dam is another important tourist destination of  Ooty. Kamraj Sagar Dam also known as the Sandynallah Reservoir. It is a wonderful picnic spot in Ooty. It's often  frequented  by a lot  bird watching , there are many different types of fist in the reservoir, But mainly found types of fish are the trouts. This place is good to visit especially during the winter season , Besides the chirping of birds from inside the forest  makes a mystic setting which  you will definitely enjoy.




 8. Parson's valley

This reservoir situated on the Ooty Mysore road, it can be reached via road.  Parson's valley reservoir is located  in parson valley. Which is spread over an area of 200 hectares at an elevation of 2196 meter about sea level. It is the primary  source of water to the Nilgiri district. Permission from the forest department is required to visit this reservoir.


 9.Wenlock Down Ooty

Wenlock down is a very beautiful place, If you go through this tourist destination  you will complete your Ooty trip. There is a lot to  enjoy in the scenery , occasional guests of wind and birds chirping all bring warmth to the mind. It contain over 80 acres of lush green landscape also housing Hindustan photo Films company  present vast spread of greenery and calm environment. The sight of sheeps grazing and long stretch of eucalyptus tree is sure to mesmerise you.




10.Ooty Lake

This place one of the best place to visit in Ooty tour. It is an artificial lake,  and the picturesque natural surroundings. It was  built for fish purpose. Ooty lake is popular for boating. Boats can be selected  according to one's liking. We can choose paddal boats, rowing boats etc... Cycling by the side of lake is also worth experience. There are also a few number of shops located  around the lake , they are selling  various types of locally made items. We can buy shawls and eucalyptus oil at bargain price. All of this will be produced right there. It is good experience for the tourists  who come here .Ooty lake is among the most beautiful and picturesque lakes that you will  come across in south india.



 11.Ooty Toy Train

The toy train is a beautiful sight. It's a part of Nilgiri mountain railway, it runs from  Mettupalayam to Ooty via coonoor. The historical  toy train is unmatched to any other  train ride, passed through lush green  landscapes and the Nilgiri mountain. The train runs on a track of 46 km we can choose  first class or second class  coaches. More commonly known as" Ooty Toy Train."



Ooty toy train

12.Toda Huts Ooty


One of the most attractive and unique sight seeing place in Ooty are Toda Huts. There are the residing place for the toda people. One of the indigenous tribals of Ooty. The huts built  in the shape of a semi barrel. This huts don't have any windows and very low doors where one has to stoop and enter. This close - knit community of toda people mostly depend on livestock and farming for living.





13.Wax world Ooty

Wax world located at a distance of 2 km from center of the town. Many real like statutes of great Indian personalities have been  displayed here. Some of the statue at this museum are Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mother Teresa, Gopal Krishna, late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and many more replicating of local people and their living styles has been displayed here. This is a must visit place in Ooty.



14.Kalhatty waterfall

Kalhatty waterfall is one of the most beautiful  fall that you will  see on Ooty tour. This fall  can be  reached via a Trek of 2 mile from kalhatty village. It is situated about 13 Km away from Ooty. It is believed that  great  Hindu Saint Agastya has once lived here. It is often  visited  by bird watchers as well.  this natural beauty is sure to amaze you.



 15.Mudumalai National Park

Mudumalai national park is a must visit place  for natural lovers. This park  connecting  eastern ghats and western ghats,on the Ooty Mysore route.  It  has also been declared as a tiger reserve as it is home to approximately 50 tiger.  The mudhumalai national park one of the first forest range to be declared  as a national park is located in the Nilgiri  district. In the boarder of tamilnadu and Karnataka. in addition to animals like tiger, elephant, panthers, and deer, you find a scores of amphibians and many exotic birds, like  different types of parrots, eagles, vultures, and some other. It is said that 13 percentage of all mammal species in India are present in mudhumalai national park. India giant squirrel , the flying Lizard, indian Leopard, which are in the dangered list are  found here. Trees like Teak, Sandalwood, Mahogany and also bamboo grow uninhibited and tall. The river Moyar is located  within the mudhumalai national park.  Mudhumalai national park is maintained by the forest department. The forest department has built guest house to accommodate tourists in various parts of park. visiting hours are  from 6 am to 6 pm. permission from the forest department is required to visit this national park.



 16.Avalanche Lake

Avalanche lake is located 28 km  away from Ooty . This lake  is a must visit when on Ooty tour. Avalanche lake is beautiful and lying amidst  the lush greenery of mountains and memories every visitor. It is an ideal picnic spot. The surrounding areas and its rare flora and fauna. Other activities that are camping ,  trekking , etc.. to near by hill  regions such as  Upper Bhavani. The lake surrounded  by mountains and covered by lovely flowers. You find large varieties of flowers like Magnolias and Rhododendrons blooming in the side of the lake.



17.Botanical Garden

This garden spread  over an area of 55 acres,  the government botanical gardens one of the most tourist attractions in Ooty. Maintained by Horticulture department of  Tamilnadu. This garden is divided into 5 sections which has lots of group of flowering  plants and the nurseries. Which contain series of glass houses and it contain large varieties of exotic plants. The flower show held as the part    of the summer festival. Another attraction of botanical garden is the fossil tree trunk which is 20 million  year old  and the toda hill. Coming to the botanical garden is like coming to heaven. Don't forget to visit this place  when you visit in Ooty. 


Botanical Garden


18.Deer Park

This park located right in the town. About a kilometer  away from the Ooty lake. Deer park is one of the most easily accessible location in Ooty.  The park you can gear up   bigger adventures and  get the excitement on  by visit to the  deer park. You can find a varieties of  different species  of deer l like the Sambhar and the Chithal. This park also house hares and rabbits and varieties of birds. Flowers and trees that grow inside , add beauty to the surrounding areas. There is an entrance fee to enter the deer park.



 19.Mukurthi National Park

The park is part of  Nilgiri bio reserve. which is India's first bio reserve. The vegetation climate  and apperance of the 
Park bear a  striking resemblance to that  of the  Himalayas minus the snow. Shrubs in the high mountains , strong wind, low temperature and scattered sholas all provide a unique experience. That's what the forest is like  there are many  rivers  and  streams running through the park. There are also  a few watch towers built  by the forest department, exclusively for research and bird watchers. Otherwise seen commonly in the Himalayas. It is a part of western ghats, the Jungle is havy with a wide range of animals , birds, reptiles and even insects. This wildlife  sanctuary  is also  home to  mukurthi peaks. The 4th  highest peaks in the Nilgiri hills, at an altitude of 2554 meter. There for the best time to visit the place is either between February to May or from September to November for the trekking experience of a like time. Mukurthi national park opening hours are between 9 am to 5.30 pm, everyday of the week, except Tuesday . The park remains closed for entry on that day. Lots of people come here for trekking. All permission from the forest department is required to enter the forest and enjoy the natural beauty of the forest. There is an entry fee to enter the forest.




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