Nestled in the ‘Blue Mountains’ of the Nilgiris, Ootacumund or Ooty is perched at a height of over 2,200 meters and has all the staples of a cozy hill station. Ooty’s inviting setting amidst verdant green hills and lush pastures is complemented by the cool temperatures throughout the year. The above setting has rightfully earned Ooty the moniker of ‘Queen of the Hills’. Quaint bungalows and heritage buildings reflect the colonial past showcased by Ooty make it an ever-growing and one of the most popular holiday destinations in southern India.
Prologue: Well, every trip with siblings involves immaculate planning and plenty of WhatsApp discussions! Ours was no less. However, quite to the contrary, Ooty happened as a result of a last-minute change in the destination of travel, due to a red alert sounded due to rains, at our actual chosen travel spot. And the way the journey spanned out, became a memory in itself. Roughly over 270 Km’s from Bangalore, Ooty is well connected by road with a travel time of around 6 hours. Post crossing Mysore, the NH 275 traverses through the dense national forests – Bandipur (Karnataka) and exiting through Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu). Bonus Fact – Enjoy the drive through the lush green forests with your windows down and in stealth mode to enjoy the buzzing sound of the crickets nearby in the forest! No loud music, please!
A town nestled in Heaven ~ Imagine a quaint little town covered with clouds and mist, as if hidden from the rest of the world! Imagine being surrounded by the hills, with lush green tea estates and tiny pockets of colorful homes weaving into nature’s palette. Ooty stole our hearts the moment we laid our eyes on it! One of the hill stations which can be visited round the year, Ooty does receive bouts of rainfall during the months of August to September. Now, if you follow TripMiles on Instagram, you would be aware of our love for Fortune Retreats Resort, Tiger Hill. And this is exactly where we chose our base camp for the next couple of days. Situated on the Tiger Hills, what struck us most about the humble semi-luxury resort is its location and hospitality. Being away from the touristy part of Ooty, Fortune Retreats lets you unwind and be as close to nature as possible. Bonus: Enjoy the view from the balcony of the cottage with the floating clouds, bursts of rain and the city nestled in the hills below.
Our entire troupe was finally offloaded at the resort after a continuous arduous drive, almost extending to 7 hours. Having freshened up at the resort, we made our way to one of the most visited spots in Ooty – Doddabetta Peak. The highest peak of the Nilgiri mountains, Doddabetta peak stands at 2,637 meters above sea level. With a reserved forest area around the path that leads to the peak, it is a popular tourist attraction and is a must-visit. To our dismay, there was some maintenance activity being carried out on the road providing access to the peak, which made us return empty-handed and crestfallen. On our way back, we stopped at The Tea Museum and made a quick tour of the facilities before proceeding to the Botanical Garden. Bonus tip: Do visit the shops lined up outside the Botanical Garden for the famous home-made chocolates of Ooty.
The evening of the first day of the trip was majorly spent relaxing at our cottage, while night descended upon us.
The best way to make complete utilization of the second day is by visiting some of the top attractions Ooty has i store. We started with the Pykara falls! The name is derived from the Pykara river situation a few miles from Ooty and forms part of three important hydro-electric projects. It is famous for its well protected, large green meadows and good wildlife habitat. The Pykara dam and falls is a must-visit while visiting Ooty.
Dotted along the Pykara Lake, there are numerous photo spots and scenic points, overlooking the entire valley. Vast green meadows, tall pine trees, and the hide and seek played by the monsoonal clouds with their sudden bursts of rain made the entire trip magical! The Wenlock Downs 9th Mile Shooting point, Upper Bhavani Lake, Avalanche Lake, and The Nilgiri Mountain Railway are one among many viewpoints adjacent to the Pykara Lake.
Next on our itinerary was the Pine Forest shooting spot – a diverse eco point with soaring pine trees and picturesque views of surrounding mountains providing peace and tranquility to each and every one. Bonus Tip: With the Pine Forest shooting spot home to a host of Bollywood movies of yesteryears, do give in to your inner desire of posing by the trees for the perfect display pic!
Next, we made way to the Ooty Lake – One of the most visited tourist attractions at Ooty. Surrounded by Eucalyptus trees with a railway line running along one shore, the lake is truly a sight to behold. Boating is the prime attraction at the lake, which is operated by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). Pro Tip: However enchanting it might seem, if you plan to visit the lake at the end of your day trip, it’s best to hop on to a speed boat/motor boats rather than the paddle boats!! Romanticism is quick to be replaced by tiredness and lethargy.
Before retiring for the evening, do visit the main bazaar, which houses some of the oldest and prominent shops and restaurants of the town. The rest of the evening was majorly spent at the comfort and luxury of the cottage we were in, while the continuous splatter of rains had made the temperatures plummet. Pro Tip: Do go for a night walk along the streets lined up near the cottage to experience surreal scenes. Zero visibility, fog, and clouds descending and constant whistling of winds – all escalating the eerieness quotient (straight out of a Bollywood horror movie).
While the final day was mostly spent traveling back to Bangalore, the memories made during the trip shall always be etched in our hearts. Again, if you are looking for a few hidden gems to explore in India, try reading my blogs on Udupi, Kasol, and Chikmagalur.
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