The graceful Ooty in the lap of Nilgiri hills is quite rightly named ‘The Queen of Hill Stations’. The serene charm of the peaceful mountains and the soothing flavor of sprawling tea gardens—these are the things that define Ooty, a hill station of Tamil Nadu in India. The place has a pleasant climate throughout the year and as a tourist you will always enjoy the charms of nature to the fullest. Here we enlist top 5 things to do in Ooty.
1. Have an Exotic Ride
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was set up by the British in 1908. Presently, it is a World Heritage Site. The 46-kilometer-long toy train journey starts from Mettupalayam. It covers an exciting path through curves, tunnels and bridges. It travels from 300 feet to the height of 7200 feet. The ecstatic scenic beauty of the surroundings leaves the mind hovering in the height of heaven, till it reaches Ooty in five hours.
2. Get Close to Nature
The Ooty lake enchants the visitors with its unearthly scenic beauty. It is a favorite picnic spot and a boating paradise. The 2.5-kilometer-long lake was built in 1825. Have a leisurely boat ride on the lake and enjoy the charm of nature.
A boat ride in the Pykara Dam and lake is also exciting. Exploring the Dodabetta peak is a must while traveling in Ooty. Throughout the year, it is ready to intoxicate the visitors with the opium of beauty.
The Glen Morgan tea estate is filled up with a verdant essence and is a must-visit place for all, including the tea lovers.
3. A Botanical Tour
Ooty Botanical garden is a great place of interest for any horticulturist or nature lover. It is stretched over a vast area of some 22 acres and houses a huge range of botanical wonder. Around 65 species of flowers and plants will leave you spellbound. The chief attraction of the garden is the fossil tree, said to be 20 million years old. The top of the garden is the habitat for the Toda tribe. It would be a great experience to watch their life closely and feel the essence of it. Their huts are unique due to the ‘inverted U’ shape, a tiny door and no window at all!
4. The Shopping Expedition
Shopping is an integral part of traveling and Ooty is no exception. It is waiting for you with various attractive items. Buy woolens from the Tibetan Market, or pack some fresh tea leaves from the Dodabetta tea factory. The Green shop will allure you with fresh strawberries, avocados and various other fruits and vegetables.
Hopping from market to market and then feeling hungry? Try the restaurants in Ooty according to your choice, for coffee, cakes, snacks, Chinese or authentic South Indian dishes.
5. Why Not Have Some Adventure?
Only visiting certain places is not enough; your holiday is incomplete unless you do something really exciting! Ooty gives special scope for mountain biking, having a dedicated park for it. It is an exciting and adventurous game for those who love it. With a lot of lakes around, angling is a popular activity in Ooty, if one likes a quiet day out. There is good news for trekkers also. Ooty has a number of attractive trekking destinations to explore nature in your own way.
So, enjoy your Ooty trip with these five activities and don’t forget to give us your feedback! Happy Traveling!
I am planning to honeymoon at Ooty.