Ooty

Ooty botanical garden:

This garden was laid out in 1897 by the Marquis of Tweedale and is spread over 55 acres. Lush green, well maintained lawns, rare trees species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree-monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental), fern house with a vast range of ferns and orchids, are some of the many highlights of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in month of May at this garden.

Best time of the year to visit: April, May & Sept

Pykara waterfalls:

The Pykara is the largest river in the District. It is considered very sacred by the Todas. The Pykara river rises at Mukurthi peak. It passes through hilly tract, generally keeping to North and turns to West after reaching the Plateau’s edge. It gets down majestically in a series of cascades; and the last two falls of 55 meters and 61 meters are known as Pykara falls. They are about 20 kms from Ooty.

The Pykara Lake is about 21 kms from Ooty on the Ooty-Mysore road. Boating on the Pykara lake is enjoyable. A restaurant is also available. Wenlock Downs, a vast Expanse of grassy meadow on way to Pykara, is a favorite picnic location and is very popular with the movie makers of this country.

Doddabeta peak:

Doddabetta, literally translating to big mountain, is the highest peak in the Nilgiris, standing at a height of 2,637 m. About 10 km away from Ootacamund bus terminus, it lies at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats. On clear days, Doddabetta Peak provides panoramic views of lush landscape. Doddabetta mountain is spotted with dense sholas, ferns and eucalyptus plants. Hordes of tourists make a beeline for the Telescope House set up by the Tourism Department at the peak that gives a bird’s eye view of the entire district. The Dodabetta Peak has been well-kept by the authorities and offers a great view particularly of the Hecuba, Kattadadu and Kulkudi summits. Don’t forget to tote your camera as you are likely to find good photography opportunities.

Ooty lake:

Ooty lake is an artificial lake constructed by John Sullivan, in 1824. The water flowing down mountain streams in the Ooty valley was dammed to form the lake. The lake became empty on three occasions when it breached its bund. The lake was originally intended to be used for fishing with ferries being used to travel across the lake. It gradually shrunk from its original size giving place to the current bus stand race course, and the lake park. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation on behalf of the Tourism Department took the possession of the lake in 1973, for providing boating facilities as a tourist attraction.

Fernhills palace:

Fernhill Palace was the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore.[1] The first Fernhills bungalow was built in 1844 as a private residence in the hill station Ooty in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The palace resembles a Swiss Chalet with its carved wooden bargeboards and ornamental cast iron. The palace grounds with its manicured gardens, firs and cedars accentuate the alpine look of the place. There is a church-like indoor badminton court on the grounds.

Tea museum:

At a distance of 4 km from Doddabetta Peak and 5 km from Ooty Bus Station & Ooty Railway Station, Tea Factory & Museum is situated on Doddabetta Road in Ooty. Amidst the blue hills of Nilgiris, it is one of the popular tea factories in Tamilnadu and among the must visit Ooty Tourist Places.

Perched at an altitude of 1839 m, the Ooty Tea Factory is spread across nearly an acre; all covered with the emerald green tea plants. Visitors can see the entire processing method right from the freshly plucked green leaves to its packaging at the factory. It also houses the Tea Museum where visitors can learn about the origin of different kinds of tea leaves that are used across the globe along with the history of tea in India and its evolution in the Nilgiris. The Doddabetta tea factory in Ooty also offers beautiful views of the valley, and the towering mountain peaks surrounding it.

The Ooty Tea Factory features a small shop where free tea is offered to all visitors. This hot cup of tea is usually cardamom flavoured that adds to the taste and warms you during the cold Ooty weather. The factory is popular for its homemade chocolates too like rum and raisin, fruit and nut, fig and honey, roasted almonds, coffee chocolate, milk chocolate, sugar free varieties among others. One can buy specially crafted tea souvenirs like tea cups engraved with the Tea Museum logo and tea plates as well.

Mudumalai national park:

Mudumalai National Park is a national park in the Nilgiri Mountains in Tamil Nadu in southern India. It covers 321 km2 (124 sq mi) at an elevation range of 850–1,250 m (2,790–4,100 ft) in the Nilgiri District and shares boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala. A part of this area has been protected since 1940. The national park has been part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve since 1986 and was declared a tiger reserve together with a buffer zone of 367.59 km2 (141.93 sq mi) in 2007. It receives an annual rainfall of about 1,420 mm (56 in) and harbours tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests with 498 plant species, at least 266 bird species, 18 carnivore and 10 herbivore species. It is drained by the Moyar River and several tributaries, which harbour 38 fish species.