Places To Visit In Ooty – Part 1

By Author: JAI P
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Ooty also called as the queen of hills is situated in Nilgiris district which falls under the state of Tamilnadu. Whenever we think of Ooty it’s about the cool weather and the twisty roads. Before starting to list out some places to visit in Ooty let us talk about the planning needs to be done to see Ooty in one trip itself. There are mainly 3 towns in Ooty which will be good for accommodation, food and near to the tourist attractions. The 3 towns are Ooty, Coonoor, and Kothagiri. Planning our accommodations and route map at least 5 days in advance will be better because there are tourists all around the year. Finding a budget hotel in Ooty ...
...  at the season time of flower show and winter is very difficult mainly if we are traveling with our family.

Let us start with a tourist coming from Mettupalayam side to Ooty. The other way would be to come from Kerala and Karnataka side which is through Gudalur. We need at least a full good weekend to go sightseeing in Ooty and nearby places. Let’s start our journey from one side and move to the other side so that return can be planned in an easy manner. We will stay at Ooty for this trip as we can travel to every place from here since this is the main city in Nilgiris district. SO LET US START OUR JOURNEY THROUGH OOTY!

DAY 1

OOTY BOTANICAL GARDENS

Distance: 4 km from Ooty

Covering an area of 55 acres botanical gardens is one of the most visited places in Ooty. It is a well maintained and organized garden with more than 100s of varieties of plants and flowers. Park is maintained by Horticultural Department of TamilNadu. The botanical garden has mainly 5 divisions.

Lower Garden comprises of fern house with 127 types of ferns. The lower garden also accommodates rose garden and many glass houses. The best time to visit is at the summertime festival of the flower show.

OOTY LAKE

Distance: 1 km from Ooty

Ooty Lake is a man-made lake with scenic natural surroundings. Lake was originally made for fishing, the lake has is now essentially an important tourist attraction in Ooty. Cycling around the lake (cycles are available for rent), or a quiet morning along with loved one by our side and the lake in front is enough to bring calm to yourself. Originally lake extended a very large area. Ooty Lake has reduced in size over the years giving way to other structures like the race course.

The main attractions neighboring the lake are the boat races and boat spectacle organized as a part of the Summer Festival. The mountain railway tracks run along the banks of the lake making it one of the scenic lakes in south India. A boathouse is attached to the lake which makes boating the prime time attractions of the lake around the year. We can find a lot of shops selling local items like eucalyptus oils and shawls at competitive prices around the lake.

EMERALD LAKE

Distance: 19 km from Ooty

Located close to the Emerald Village within the Nilgiri District. Emerald Lake lies in an exceedingly quiet place referred to as SIlent valley. Located at 19 Km from Ooty with tea plantations surrounding the lake it is a place to relax with loved ones or short stay with family as a picnic spot. However Sunrise and sunset is the best time to be at the lake.

The lake is on the way to our next spot that we have planned on day 1. So it will be better to stop by the lake on the return journey. Thereby reaching the lake at evening time to see the sunset.

AVALANCHE LAKE

Distance: 28 km from Ooty

Avalanche Lake Ooty makes the right setting for a family tour package. A good time to go to the lake would be simply after the monsoon when all the neighboring land is blooming with flowers. Packing warm clothes would be recommended because of the chill climate and also misty atmosphere. Forest department provides a guided tour in their vehicles if visiting the catchment area of the dam. Ample amount of parking space is available at the starting point. Tour will last more than two hours and the places en route is breathtakingly beautiful. The roads are narrow and not well maintained so be ready for a bumpy ride.