The Tamil Nadu city of Ooty (aka Ootacumund or Udhagamandalam) is a hill station nestled comfortably in the Blue Mountains of the Nilgiris. Its impressive elevation of 2,240 metres means that it’s a relatively cool and pleasant place in the summer, with very mild winters, and heavy rainfall in the monsoon season.
Nicknamed ‘Queen of the Hills’ for its year-round lush greenery, Ooty is a perfect place for a quiet getaway in nature.
The place currently known as Ooty has been mentioned in various historical accounts since at least the 5th or 6th century when it was occupied by various tribes and kingdoms over time. It was known by the Tamil-speaking Toda people as Ottakal Mandu, meaning “Single Stone Village,” referring to the sacred stone the village was built around.
In 1799, the area was colonized by the British, and in 1818 John Sullivan established his residence there. He turned the area into a summer retreat for British officials and started developing roads and railways between the remote mountainous villages and bigger establishments nearby like Sirumugai.
Eventually, the regions started being used to grow tea leaves, since the climate is favourable for the tea plant. After independence, the Indian government started promoting Ooty as a tourist destination, utilizing the many bungalows and other structures built during the British occupation, as well as some older establishments from the Indian people who lived there first.
Today, Ooty is a popular tourist destination in India because of its pleasant climate and beautiful scenery, which includes mountaintop views, eucalyptus groves, pine forests, and pristine lakes. Let’s explore some of the natural features, fun activities, and interesting sights in Ooty!
Top Ooty Tourist Places for an Unforgettable Trip
There are so many things to do in Ooty that any trip there will surely be filled with recreation! Be sure to choose a good mixture of activities for your trip to Ooty to experience the serene and picturesque landscape as well as the charming mountain town.
Interesting Historical Buildings
Since Ooty has been the site for several different types of societies over the centuries, it hosts a goo admixture of different types of structures with different purposes, giving visitors a glimpse of what life on this majestic hill has looked like through time.
Toda Dogles
The Toda Dogles are thatched bamboo huts that the local Toda tribespeople historically lived in back in the 3rd-4th century, and many in the area still live in these dogles today! You can find a beautiful historic dogle overlooking the botanical garden, in a location called the Toda Temple.
Fernhills Palace
Originally a small bungalow built in 1844 by Capt. F. Cotton as a summer getaway residence, the structure changed hands several times and was remodelled into a Swiss-style chatelet. It’s said that a 12-year-old Prince of Mysore, Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, bought the chatelet and the land back from the British for 10,000 rupees in 1873, where it was then used as the summer palace for the Maharajas of Mysore. It was made into a heritage hotel in the 90s, and today it is officially called the WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace and is managed by Her Highness Pramoda Devi Wadiyar.
Stone House
The very first bungalow that John Sullivan built in Ooty in 1822, the Stone House is built in the style of a typical British cottage, making it quite the statement in the Indian countryside. It is now home to the Government Museum which features exhibits about the local peoples, culture, and ecology.
St. Stephen’s Church
One of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district, this church was constructed with materials taken from Tipu Sultan's palace on the island of Srirangapatna. It was built in 1829 and was a means for the British on summer holidays in Ooty to be able to worship at a consecrated location.
The Many Lakes of Ooty
Ooty is lush with an abundance of natural beauty. Lakes, rivers, forests, and tea plantations stretch as far as you can see in any direction. Here are some of the best places to cool off or take a scenic boat ride while in Ooty.
Emerald Lake
Just outside Ooty, you can find Emerald Lake, named for the green reflections of the hillside on the surface of the water. It is part of Silent Valley National Park.
Ooty Lake
Perhaps the most often visited attraction in all of Ooty is this man-made lake. Commissioned in 1824 by John Sullivan, you can boat around the lake and take in the scenery from the water.
Pykara Lake and Falls
Located about 20 kms from the centre of Ooty, visiting Pykara Falls is well worth the time. It entails walking up and down some steep steps, so it may not be for everyone, but you can still enjoy the beauty at a distance!
Avalanche Lake
Another area located just outside Ooty, Avalanche Lake and the surrounding town (called Avalanche) was created when - what else? - an avalanche changed the landscape in 1823. It is a marvellous picturesque paradise with lots of incredible wildlife living nearby.
Kamjar Sagar Lake & Dam
Only 9 kms from the Ooty centre, Kamjar Sagar Lake features many pleasant walking trails through the surrounding pine forests and picnic spots perfect for the whole family. It’s especially popular with nature lovers, nature photographers, and honeymooners looking for a place to enjoy natural beauty.
Bellikkal Lake
You can spot amazing wildlife like elephants, tigers, bison, bears, and deer taking a drink from this picturesque lake.
Upper Bhavani Lake
The trek to the lake is rather long but well worth the effort! There are many beautiful and exciting animals who live in the jungle around the lake, like parrots, peacocks, and jungle cats.
Hiking and Trekking
Looking for a great way to exercise out in nature while you’re visiting the mountains? These trails and viewpoints are perfect for experiencing the incredible panoramas one can only perceive while in such an elevated hill station.
Ketty Valley View
Sometimes called “the Switzerland of Southern India,” this lookout point is located conveniently on the road to Ooty, so you simply can’t miss it!
Doddabetta Peak
The highest peak in the Nilgiri Mountains is at 2,637 m, you can either drive up to the peak or take a short trek of about 2 kms to get to experience incredible views. There is a Telescope House at the top for even better views of the dense forest surrounding the peak and the lands below. It's one of the best places to visit for Ooty sightseeing.
Dolphin's Nose
The trek to the lookout point is about 3 kms in the Palani Hill Range, so make sure you’re in the mood to walk! The lookout point is perfect for taking in the beauty of nature as you look down upon the Nilgiri Mountain range and the lush green tea estates below.
Tiger Hill
Reported to be one a beautiful place to see the sunrise and sunset, Tiger Hill is located just 6 kms away from Ooty, so you could walk there from your accommodations in the village! The hills themselves offer a lot of trails so you can visit the reservoir on top, an interesting cave, and sites for evening bonfires.
Experiences You Can’t Miss
Taking time to seek out local history and culture is a great way to spend part of any vacation. In any destination, there will be experiences exclusive to that particular area, so be sure to check out these sites before you head back home!
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Originally built in 1899, the section of track that reached Ooty was built in 1908. You can board the ‘toy train’ and ride the entire line in about 5 hours, offering you a great way to observe the beautiful natural beauty of Tamil Nadu without much effort. The railway was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Site list in 2005.
The Tribal Museum
Opened in 1995, the aim of the Museum is to help preserve the knowledge and cultural heritage of about 36 different tribal ethnic communities throughout Tamil Nadu. You can find examples of weaponry, basketry, pottery, models of traditional huts, agricultural tools, medicinal tools, and hunting and fishing tools as well as traditional art and religious items.
Government Botanical Garden
The gardens were originally established in 1848 as a way for the Britishers summering in Ooty to access fresh vegetables. Today, it is home to around one thousand different species of plants, both local and exotic. There is even a 20 million-year-old fossilized tree trunk at the centre of the gardens!
Government Rose Garden
Located in Vijayanagaram in Ooty, the Rose Park was built as a celebration for the Centenary Flower Show in 1995. Today, there are more than 20,000 different types of roses, making it one of the largest rose gardens in India and is one of 35 rose gardens in the world to have won the Garden of Excellence Award from the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Ooty Tea Factory and Museum
Located only 5 kms from the Ooty Central Bus Station, visitors to the estate can see the tea plants and watch the entire tealeaf-making process from harvesting, to drying, to packaging. The Museum has information about tea and its history in India. The gift shop is the perfect place to pick up delicious tea and other foods like chocolates, as well as great souvenirs!
When Is the Best Time to Visit Ooty?
Ooty’s location is perfect for year-round travel!
Most people visit Ooty in the summer, between March and June. This is when the weather is the most sunny and comfortably warm.
From May/June to September, temperatures can fluctuate slightly and there may also be some rainy days.
In the winter, October to February, the temperature is the coolest and some of the flowering plants may not be blooming. But the weather is still generally enjoyable!
Festivals to Celebrate in Ooty
The Ooty Summer Festival is celebrated every year throughout the entire month of May, featuring events such as the vegetable show, heritage walk, boat race, and spices show.
The most famous local religious festivals are the Thaipoosam festival and the Mariamman Temple festival.
Things to Know Before Visiting Ooty
Since Ooty is in Tamil Nadu, most locals speak Tamil (and the tribespeople may speak their own language). However, many people also know at least a little bit of English.
When packing clothing, be sure to bring a light jacket in the summer, and warmer wollens in the rainy and winter months. It can get very cold at night!
In the rainy season and winter, you should be sure to bring an umbrella; the rain will chill you to the bone in these colder months if you get soaked.
If you are prone to motion sickness, it’s highly recommended to bring medication with you for the journey to Ooty, since the roads to the town are winding.
Be sure to try the local special food, varkey, along with some of the local Ooty tea!
Finally, Ooty is home to a very special flower called the Kurunji flower. Its petals are a dreamy blue colour, which is what gives the Blue Mountains their name! The flower only blooms every 12 years, so the next chance to see the hillsides of Ooty covered in this beautiful hue will be in the year 2030.
Ready to explore the beautiful mountainscape town of Ooty?
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