Ooty – Coonoor

Ooty, dotted with some of the most spectacular views that one can imagine, not only offers respite from the hustle and bustle of the city but also gives you a chance to enjoy nature’s beauty in its purest form. There are numerous tourist destinations in Ooty. The lush green hills, the sparkling lakes and the cascading water falls make Ooty every tourist’s delight. An enigma waiting to unfold, a trip to Ooty remains an experience of a lifetime.

Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris and one of the highlights of tourism in Tamilnadu. It is also famous as the gateway to Ooty, the most famous hill station in South India.

Coonoor is located in the western part of Tamilnadu at an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level. The toy train between Coonoor and Ooty is a famous tourist attraction and has been included among the world heritage sites by the UNESCO. The tea gardens and the picturesque landscape make the toy train ride one of the most enjoyable ones in India.

Tourist Attractions in Ooty:

Botanical Gardens
A must visit when you are on a sight seeing tour. Sprawled over an area of 50 acres, the garden lies on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak. Botanical garden was laid out in 1847 and is home to 650 species of plants and trees. Don’t forget to take a look at the 20 million old fossil of a tree. The famous summer festival is held here a very year. The garden is a wonderful place for taking a walk among the greenery.

Dodabetta Peak of Ooty Government Museum:
Set up in 1989, the museum is home to some tribal objects, sculptures, arts and crafts and ecological details of the district. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Ooty.

Ooty Lake:
It is a favorite haunt for tourists. The Lake is an ideal place for boating, fishing and picnics. Paddle boats and rowing boats are also available here. It has the tallest memorial of Ooty, a pillar surmounted by a cross.

Dodabetta Peak:
With an altitude of 2623 meters, it is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu and the best vantage point in Ooty. A motor road takes you to the top of the peak.

Lamb’s rock:
It is an ideal picnic spot and offers stupendous views of the Coimbatore plains and the tea estates.

Madumalai wildlife sanctuary:
An ideal place for excursion, the park is home to some of the rarest animals some of them being tigers, leopards, sambhar, barking deer and flying squirrel. The sanctuary boasts of rich flora. Some birds commonly seen here are parakeets, crested hawk, Malabar trogon, eagle and black woodpecker.

Kotagiri:
The small village is the center of tea gardens and is known for its tranquil beauty.

Kalhatty waterfalls:
The beautiful waterfalls are about 100 feet high and ideal for trekking.

Tourist attractions in Coonoor:

Dolphin’s Nose Point:
This popular vantage point offers a wonderful panoramic view of the Nilgiri hills and the town of Coorg. The point is located only ten kilometers from the town. The beautiful Catherine Waterfalls are also clearly visible from this point.

Sim’s Park:
Spread over 12 hectares, this park is home to over 1000 plant species. The beautifully designed and well maintained park offers excellent opportunity for walks and bird watching. An annual fruit and vegetable show is held in May in the park.

Pasteur Institute:
This institute is located very near to Sim’s Park and can be visited with prior permission. It was established in 1907 and has been involved in developing vaccination for rabies and polio. Guided tours available in the institute are an interesting way to learn about the history of development of vaccination in India.

Droog:
The fort built by Tipu Sultan lies in ruins now, but Droog is still considered as one of the important sightseeing options of Coonoor. The site offers wonderful panoramic views of the surroundings. Droog is located at a distance of 13 kilometers from Coonoor.