Things to Do in Ooty

Flanked by Mysore in the North, Kerala in the west, and Coimabatore in the south and east, lies Ooty, the most famous hill station in South India. The meandering paths along the slopes are flanked by meadows and flowers, pines and eucalyptus trees, fruit orchards and cardamom plantations, terraced tea and plantations; which add to the surreal charm of the misty hills. In fact, the golden sunsets flood across the hills and valleys, consequently turning this place into a haven for bird watchers.

Ooty has been the hotbed of tourist attraction in South India since the British rule, since its splendor as the “Queen of Hills” remains unrivalled. Here are some of the places for you to visit:

• Catherine Falls: The silver waterfall cascading down the rocks is, undoubtedly a natural wonder. There is a path which winds up to the top of the rocks from where you could see the falls. The crystal clear pool at the base is surrounded by a scenic landscape. 

• Dolphin’s Nose: This awesome place is close to Coonoor, and offers a vantage point for the tourists to admire the Catherine Falls. The serene place leaves even the carping critics utterly spellbound! Also, you would get a splendid view of the hill slopes carpeted by tea gardens. One simply cannot curb the urge to sip a hot cup of tea, since a fresh aroma of the tea leaves pervades the chill atmosphere.

• Ooty Lake: The lake is the prime destination of Ooty. Tourists flock here for boat rides. This is a nice place for spending leisurely hours, and for having picnics. Besides, Ooty Lake is surrounded by luxurious hotels, which offer breathtaking views of the luxurious hills. 

• Botanical Garden: This beautiful garden has roses of different hues, imported shrubs, and different varieties of flowers. This is an ideal place for nature lovers, since some plants of rare species are available here. Also, there is a wide range of ferns and orchids, which grow in this garden. Certain rare trees like the monkey puzzle trees, cork trees, and paper bark trees also grow here. The Horticulture Department of Tamil Nadu organizes a splendid flower show every year, and thousands of visitors gather here to admire the spectacular event. 

• Pykara Falls: This gushing water lands into a pool, which is ensconced by a picturesque landscape. There is a serpentine path leading into the wilderness dotted with pine trees. The ecstatic charm of this place is bound to evoke a photographer within everyone. 

• Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This majestic railway is an everlasting legacy of the British, which offers rides for all to cherish! The train runs through bridges, and tunnels curving up the hill sides, consequently offering mesmerizing views of the tea gardens.

• Dodabetta: This is the highest peak in South India, and yet, tourists do not find it daunting to go trekking up the hill through the green canopy. There is a telescope house from where the visitors could view Mysore hills, and Coimbatore on a clear day.

Chandra Rani Choudhury

Content Writer & Editor at WriteforValue Solutions

Chandra Rani Choudhury is an avid writer / editor with more than 5 years of invaluable experience in writing articles, blogs, reviews, press releases and digital marketing. For more details, contact chandra_choudhury@writeforvalue.com