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State
Tamil Nadu

Introduction

Sightseeing
Transport
Accommodation
Travel Essentials
Around Ooty (conoor)
State Tamil Nadu
City Ooty or Ootacamund
Airports Coimbatore
Distance from City Centre 100 Km/ 62 Mile
Railway Junctions Mettupalayam
Local Languages Tamil, Hindi
Ooty
Called the "Queen of the Hill Stations", picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the south in the Niligiris. Akin to the nector of the Gods is the Camellia Sinensis a bush that gives fragrant amber ambrosia - a refresher and stimulizer. In other words, Tea. Commercial Plantations came into existence in the Niligiris around 1853, though tea plants were thriving in Tamilnadu earlier to this.

South Indian Tea has gained recognition far and wide. IndiaTea Plants is the fifth largest tea producing belt in the world after China. In 1991, South India exported 50 million kg to over 30 countries. Tea and Tourism Festival is celebrated in the Nilgiris Jointly by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in every January/February. Cultural programmes, visits to Tea Estates and factories, fun and frolic etc., mark this celebrations. Come to Nilgiris, during this festival, when tea lovers from all over the world converge. An occasion not to be missed.

AREA: 36 Sq. Km

ALTITUDE: 2,240 meters above sea level. CLIMATE: Summer Max. 25.0 C and Min. 10.0 C. Winter 21.0 C and Min. 0 C.  

BEST SEASON:  April to June and September to November.   STD CODE:  0423

REACHING OOTY:

By Air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore(100 Km/62 mile) which is connected to Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore.

By Road: Ooty is connected by good motorable road to Chennai and Coimbatore. There are regular bus services connecting Ooty to Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanniya Kumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut and Tirupati.

By Rail: Ooty  on the narrow gauge railway is connected to Mettupalayam which is directly connected to Coimbatore and Chennai.

Road Distances: 

Ooty-Coimbatore 89 Km 55 Mile
Ooty-Bangalore 290 Km 180 Mile
Ooty-Chennai 535 Km 331 Mile
Ooty-Kodaikanal 264 Km 163 Mile
Ooty-Madumalai 64 Km 40 Mile
Ooty-Mysore 160 Km 100 Mile
Ooty-Coonoor 19 Km 12 Mile

PLACES OF INTEREST OOTY

Botanical Garden: A variety of exotic and ornamental plants adorn Botanical Gardenthis garden which is the venue for the Flower Show held in May every year. There is a fossil tree trunk 20 million years old in the midst of the garden.

Lake: This artificial lake was constructed in 1824 by mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. Boating is possible from 08.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs on all days. The lake garden and toy trains rides are other attractions. 

Government Museum: The Government Museum, Mysore road, has items of tribal objects, district's ecological details and representative scuptural arts and crafts of Tamilnadu. 

The Mukurthi Peak & Mukurthi National Park:  Mukurthi Peak is about 40 Km/24 mile from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius).The silent Valley is located on the Western side of these ranges. Fascinating feature of the Mukurthi Santuary is its endemism and relationship with Himalayan Flora and Fauna.

Ketty Valley View: Located on the road to Coonoor, this idyllic spot is a cluster of tiny Villages that extend to the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.

Pykara: Situated about 21 Kms/13 Mile on the Ooty-Mysore Road, boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlement, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam and the reservoir attracts many tourists.

Glenmorgan (17 Km/10 Mile): This is an Electricty Board. (E.B.) winch carries staff from Glenmorgan view point to power house at Singara. All the four Kms of the winch track passes through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitat. Prior permission of E.B. authorities should be obtained to enter the view point zone. There are about ten Toda (tribal) settlement.

Upper Bhavani: 10 Km/6 Mile from Korakundah and about 20 Kms/12 Mile from Avalanchi. Some of the best sholas like the Thar Shola lies enroute. The area is a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithappal via Sispara one can trek to Silent Valley.

Avalanchi: Located at a distance fo 28 Km/17 mile from Ooty, a beautiful lake surrounded by a thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate and abundant with a wide variety of avifauna is a Nature Lover's Paradise.

Western Catchment: It is about 20 Kms/12 Mile from Parsons Valley. It consists of Rolling Grassy downs interspersed with temperature sholas occupying depression and valleys.

Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary: Lying in the Nilgiris District abutting Kerala & Madhumalai Wildlife SanctuaryKarnataka State, this is situated at an elevation of 1000 meters and extends over an area of 321 sq. kms. The wildlife includes Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse, Wild Boar, Parcupine etc.

Doddabetta: It is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiri's and is 10 kms/6.2 Mile  from Ooty. It lies at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hills ranges. There is a telescope house run by TTDC.

Kalhatty Water Falls: It is located on the Kalhally slopes and about 13 Kms/ 8 Mile from Ooty.

Wenlock Downs:  A vast expanse of understanding landscape offering Gymkhana Club, the Government Sheep Farm and Hindustan Photo Films Company besides pleasure of long stroll on quiet road.

Elk Hills: A wide range and uninterrupted view of Ooty and the Lovedale Valley can be had from here.

Snowden Peak: Situated at the Kothagiri Road, it offers a picturesque view of Mysore.

Treeking Routes: A number of Trek routes have been identified. Trekking is also organised in breath taking picturesque routes.

Hang - Gliding:  Hang - Gliding courses are also organised during March to May every year, with the assistance of Deptt. of Tourism.

TreekingAngling: Good trout, Carp and mixed water fishing is possible in various streams and lakes in teh Nilgiris. Fishing licence for a fee is issued by the Assistant Director of Fisheries, Fish Dale, Udhagamandalam near bus stand.

SHOPPING: Poompuhar Handicrafts (Govt of Tamil Nadu), Kairali Handicrafts (Govt of Kerala).

Banks/Money Changers: Leading Nationalised Banks have Branches. Exchange facilities are available with all banks transacting foreign exchange and in Hotel Tamil Nadu.

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