Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is a family favourite. Ride the toy train from Mettupalayam, visit the Government Botanical Garden and escape to quieter Coonoor.
Highlights
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO)
- Government Botanical Garden
- Doddabetta peak
- Coonoor tea estates
- Pykara lake and falls
What to eat
- Homemade chocolate
- Nilgiri tea
- Varkey biscuits
Where to stay
Ooty town or quieter Coonoor.
Getting there
About 3 hours from Coimbatore; or the toy train from Mettupalayam.
Tips
- Book the toy train well ahead.
- Summer weekends are crowded.
- Combine with Mudumalai forests.
Best time to visit
Oct-Nov, Mar-Jun. See what else is good in March and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Ooty
- Adiyogi, Isha Yoga Centre A 112-ft bust of Shiva as the first yogi
Places to see in and around Ooty
29 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Bandipur National Park National park, 29 km
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway Museum, 12 km
- Mudumalai National Park National park, 30 km
- Silent Valley National Park National park, 40 km
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Wildlife sanctuary, 34 km
- Mukurthi National Park National park, 29 km
- Pykara Waterfall, 12 km
- Emerald Lake, Ooty Lake, 13 km
- Government Botanical Garden Garden, 2 km
- Ooty Lake Lake, 1 km
- Karimpuzha National Park National park, 34 km
- Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 35 km
- Ramakrishna Mission, Delhi Monastery, 40 km
- Avalanche Lake, Nilgiris Lake, 14 km
- Katary Falls Waterfall, 9 km
- Catherine Falls Waterfall, 17 km
- Adam's fountain Monument, 1 km
- Kalhatty Falls Waterfall, 8 km
- Government Rose Garden Garden, 1 km
- Sim's Park, Coonoor Garden, 13 km
- Holy Trinity Church, Ooty Temple, 0 km
- Kodanad View Point Landmark, 27 km
- Nilambur Elephant Reserve Wildlife sanctuary, 29 km
- Black Thunder Garden, 25 km
And 5 more on our Karnataka map.
Food to try in and around Ooty
Named after Ooty: Ooty Varkey. The rest are Tamil Nadu favourites.
- Ooty Varkey GI: speciality
- Idli
- Dosa
- Pongal
- Sambar
- Rasam
- Filter coffee
- Kootu
- Thayir sadam
- Rava idli
- Vada
- Palani Panchamirtham GI: sweet
The full food passport, state by state.
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