Ooty is a picturesque hill station located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Nestled amidst the Nilgiri Mountains, it is known for its serene landscapes, tea plantations, and colonial-era architecture. Visitors can enjoy boating on Ooty Lake, explore the Botanical Gardens, and take in panoramic views from Doddabetta Peak. Discover the hidden gems of Ooty with a scenic road trip through winding roads, rolling hills, and tea plantations. With a reliable cab service, you can explore this charming hill station at your own pace and experience its breathtaking natural beauty. Book your cab today and embark on an unforgettable adventure in Ooty.
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Things to do in Ooty
Other than famous sightseeing places, Ooty tourism also includes a host of adventures and interesting activities that you can explore.
[Also Read: Coonoor – Darjeeling of Nilgiris: A Complete Travel Guide]
- Trekking: Explore trekking trails like the Nilgiri Hills trek or the trek to Catherine Falls, offering adventure and breathtaking vistas.
- Shopping: Shop for souvenirs, handmade chocolates, and local products at markets like Tibetan Market and Main Bazaar Road.
- Bird Watching: Engage in birdwatching at locations like Kalhatti Falls and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, home to a diverse range of avian species.
- Toy Train Ride: Take a joyous ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train, a delightful experience for travelers of all ages.
- Photography: Capture the scenic beauty of Ooty, its landscapes, flora, and fauna, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
- Cycling: Rent a bicycle and explore the town and its surroundings at your own pace, enjoying the fresh mountain air.
- Spa and Wellness: Relax and rejuvenate with Ayurvedic treatments and spa therapies offered at various resorts and wellness centers.
- Culinary Exploration: Indulge in local cuisine, especially homemade chocolates, and savor a variety of teas at tea houses scattered around the town.
- Botanical Art Workshop: Participate in workshops conducted at the Botanical Gardens to learn botanical illustration and art techniques.
- Boating: Enjoy paddle boating, rowing, or motor boating at Ooty Lake and other lakes in the region, experiencing the serene waters amidst natural beauty.
Adventurous things to do in Ooty
- Explore the nearby Avalanche and Emerald Lakes, for day picnics, treks, and walkthroughs of the surrounding villages. You can also hike through the nearby tribal hamlet of Mullimunth of the Toda people. The 3KM trek takes 5 hours and passes through wooded areas and streams along the settlements.
- Take the famous Ooty treks. Some of the most popular routes are the Doddabetta Peak trek, Glenmorgan trek, Kotagiri-Elk Falls trek, and Parsons Dam trek.
- Spend a day at the forests of the Mudumalai National Park and enjoy a safari or a hike through the forest trails. On the way, also stop at Sholur to catch the raw beauty of the Nilgiris.
- Visit Nilgiri Mountain by riding a toy train.
- Try Hiking to Catherine Waterfall.
- Plan a Cycling trip to Masinagudi from Ooty
Things to do in Ooty for couples
- Visit the government botanical garden for a delightful experience.
- Visit Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint for a mesmerizing view.
- Visit Doddabetta Peak for beautiful views around the Nilgiris area.
- Visit the huge lake area of Pykara and its namesake dam and waterfall or take photos at the Needle Rock point in Gudalur.
- Try out Home-made chocolates at Flea Market in Ooty
- Visit Catherine Waterfall for a beautiful view.
- Visit the gorgeous Emerald Lake.
- Take a stroll through the tall and dense pine trees.
- Try out Boat Riding at the Ooty Boat House.
- Visit the Flower Show Festival.
Things to do in Ooty with family
- Visit the Government Museum for the best collections of culture, history etc.
- Visit Honey And Bee Museum to know more about honey production.
- Visit the Wax World Museum and see the wax statues of different people in Indian History.
- Visit the Tea Museum for an enlightening experience.
Religious things to do in Udhagamandalam
- Visit the magnificent St. Stephens Church.
- Visit the Mariamman temple for a beautiful experience.
You can hire a car rental in Ooty and explore all these hidden gems for a great trip with your family and friends.
Places to visit in Ooty
From hills and valleys to lakes, waterfalls, and forests, there’s no dearth of Ooty attractions for you to see and explore. All of the places make for the perfect premise for a delightful vacation for every kind of traveler.
Here are some of the best tourist places and things to see in Ooty
Ketty Valley & Falls
- How to Reach – The waterfalls are located at 8 KM from the town center. You can book a cab or rent a car to reach.
- Timings – 9AM – 6.30PM
- Entry Fee – Free for falls, Telescope room – INR 10
- Time Required – 3-4 Hours
Ooty Lake & Boat Club/Ooty Boathouse
- How to Reach – The lake area is only 1.5 KM from the bus stand and takes 4 minutes to reach. You can take a local auto or book a cab to reach.
- Timings – 8AM – 5.30PM
- Entry Fee – INR 10, INR 20 for camera, boating charges separate
- Time Required – 2-3 Hours
St. Stephen’s Church
- How to Reach – The church is located 2 KM from the town center. You can walk from any other local tourist spot or take an auto, bus, or local cab to reach.
- Timings – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Saturday)
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
Kamaraj Sagar Dam/ Sandynalla Reservoir
- How to Reach – The lake area is located at 9 KM from the town center and you can book a local cab or rent a car to reach.
- Timings – 9AM – 6PM
- Entry Fee – NA
- Time Required – 3-4 Hours
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
- How to Reach – The railway line is located 28 KM from the town center. You can book a cab or rent a local car to reach.
- Timings – Train departures at 7.10 AM and 2 PM.
- Entry Fee – First Class: INR 205, Second Class: INR 30, Unreserved Category: INR 15
- Time Required – 5-6 Hours
Botanical Garden
- How to Reach – The public garden is located is 2.5 kms from the Ooty railway station and You can walk or take a local auto, bus, or hire a cab to reach.
- Timings – 7AM – 6.30PM
- Entry Fee – Adults: INR 30; Kids: INR 15; Still Photography: INR 50; Camera Videography: INR 100
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
Wenlock Downs
- How to Reach – The hunting grounds and meadows are located 14.4 KM from the main town. You can book a cab to reach.
- Timings – 9AM – 6PM
- Entry Fee – INR 10
- Time Required – 5-6 Hours
Pine Forest
- How to Reach – The forests are located at 9 KM from the main town. You can book a cab or rent a private car to reach.
- Timings – 8AM – 6PM
- Entry Fee – INR 5, INR 30 for camera
- Time Required – 5-6 Hours
You can book a cab in Ooty with Savaari to cover the major tourist spots with comfort and ease.
Places to visit nearby
Apart from the famous tourist attractions, there are other interesting places to visit. Include these sites to explore, in your Ooty tour guide.
Pykara Lake & Dam
- How to Reach – The lake and the adjacent dam areas are located at 22 KM from the hill station. You can rent a car or book a local cab to reach.
- Timings – 10AM – 5.30 PM
- Entry Fee – INR 10, boating charges separate
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
Catherine Falls
- How to Reach – The falls are in Coonoor, at 38 KM from the town and takes 1.5 Hours to reach. You can book an outstation cab or rent a private car to travel to Coonoor.
- Timings – Sunrise to Sunset
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
Kotagiri Hills
- How to Reach – The hills of Kotagiri are located at 29 KM from the town. You can book an outstation cab or rent a private car to travel.
- Timings – NA
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 4-5 Hours
Mudumalai National Park
- How to Reach – The forest is 41KM from the town. You can book an outstation cab or rent a private car to travel.
- Timings – 6AM to 6PM (All days)
- Entry Fee – INR 30, INR 53 for the camera, safari charges separate
- Time Required – 1 day
[Also read: Places to visit near Chennai]
Places to eat
Despite being a part of Tamil Nadu, Ooty’s food culture is very distinctive. A fusion of the ethnic Tamil culinary heritage and colonial flavors, there’s a wide variety of food that you can find and sample in Ooty. There are a host of both classic and contemporary restaurants serving the same. Traditional colonial patisserie and bread are Ooty’s famous foods while traditional dosa, Pongal etc. are also popular.
On your tour, explore some of these best restaurants in Ooty –
- Earl’s Secret, Havlock Road.
- Cliff Top International Cuisine, Wellbeck Circle, Club Road.
- Toda Café, Sheddon Rd, Gempark.
- Place to Bee, Club Road, Near Hill Bunk.
- Fat Duck’s, Bygada Road, Yellakhandi Village.
- Willy’s Coffee Pub, KCR Arcade, Walsham Road
- Ooty Bakery, Charing Cross Adams Fountain
- Le Café, Littlearth Square, Oriental Buildings Commissioner’s Road
- Kluney Manor Restaurant, 196/197 Patna House, Mount Pleasant
- The Fern, Kundah House Road, Fern Hill
Download our Savaari car Booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey.
How to Plan a Trip to Ooty
Best time to visit Ooty
Nestled in the Nilgiris, the weather is that of a classic tropical mountainous region. The temperature remains pleasant all year round with cool, breezy summers and chilly winters. You can visit any time of the year. But the best time to visit is between October to April.
How to reach Ooty
By Train
The nearest railway station is in Coimbatore, about 89 KM away. There are many trains to Coimbatore from other major towns and cities of South India. You can book a cab from Coimbatore to Ooty to reach there.
By Road
The hill station is well connected to all major cities across South India by the Nilgiri ghat roads and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. You can also book Coonoor to Ooty cabs, Kodaikanal to Ooty cabs, and Mysore to Ooty cabs to reach the city. But the best option is to rent a private car or outstation cab to reach the town from any of these places.
By Flight
Ooty is served by Coimbatore domestic airport, about 88 KM away. You can fly to Coimbatore from any major city/town across India and then book a taxi from Coimbatore airport to Ooty to travel to the hill station. You can also directly book a taxi in Ooty to reach your destination.
About Ooty
The quaint and quiet hill station of Ooty in Tamil Nadu is one of the most popular mountain destinations in South India. Traditionally called Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund, abbreviated as Udhagai, Ooty is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district, with Doddabetta as the highest point. It is located 86 km from Coimbatore and 128 km from Mysore.
Until the 18th century, the town was inhabited by the native ethnic Bagada and Toda people. Post colonization, it became a part of the Madras Presidency and a summer capital of the East India Company. With this handy Ooty travel guide, you can explore the wonders of this Nilgiri town.
What is Udhagamandalam famous for?
The town of Ooty is tucked into the heart of the Nilgiris, making it a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Owing to its perfect geographical location on the hills, it has remained an all-time favorite retreat for travelers of all kinds, from the colonial days to the current times. The lush landscape with tea estates, valleys, and forested lands on one hand and the classic vibes of the good old days make this hill station the perfect place to escape. The expansive greenery, the pleasant weather, and the endless adventure options are what Ooty is famous for.
Places to stay in Ooty
Make your travel more exciting with these best hotels in Ooty to stay –
- Hotel Lakeview
- Accord Highland
- The Bungalow by Tranquilitea
- The Tamarillo
- Turrett House
- Oxygen Resorts
- Snowdrops
- Aurora Light Residency
- Tea Stay Redford Villa
- WelcomHeritage Fernhills Royal Palace
- Lymond House
Best Road-trips to Ooty
| Route Name | Distance | Time |
| Coimbatore to Ooty | 85 km | 3 Hours |
| Bangalore to Ooty | 265 km | 6 hours and 34 minutes |
| Chennai to Ooty | 555 km | 11 hours and 20 minutes |
| Mysore to Ooty | 125 km | 3 hours and 15 minutes |
| Coonoor to Ooty | 20 mins | 45 minutes |
| Coorg to Ooty | 246 km | 5 hours and 40 minutes |
| Kodaikanal to Ooty | 255 km | 6 hours and 52 minutes |
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Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by
