Introduction

Ooty, which is part of Tamil Nadu in South India, is by far one of the most sought after and beautiful hill stations in the South. No wonder why it is also popularly known as the “queen of hill stations”. Known to very few, Ooty was originally called Udhagamadalam and sometimes even Ootacamund. Ooty is just a short form of Ootacamund. Ooty lies at an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet above sea level and is part of the famous Nilgiri mountain ranges in South India. Like many other hill stations in India, Ooty was also founded by the British in the early 19th century. The place had served as a summer retreat for the British in the old days. The weather is mostly pleasant throughout the year, however it could drop to aero degrees Celsius in the winters. The place attracts tourists throughout the year and has always been a favorite spot for many. The beautiful landscapes, the tea gardens, the little huts and cottages that surround the mountainous regions and the mist that always rises between the greens make Ooty a little paradise of the south.

It was the establishment of tea gardens and estates that made Ooty popular as a famous holiday destination. Dense forests and vast acres and acres of beautiful evergreen tea gardens grace the length and breadth of Ooty. It is very unfortunate to know that in addition to the natural beauty of the place, the mountain villages today suffer from overcrowding, pollution, water scarcity, bad roads and erosion. However, the places surrounding the city are still intact. The wilderness has much to explore with its protected forests, stunning scenery and perfect views from the majestic hills above.

Get there

Ooty is accessible to tourists by plane, train and road. Whatever the means of travel, once you get there, the fresh smell of the breeze and fresh air will refresh your senses as if the distance traveled was hardly anything.

By Air: The nearest airport to Ooty is in Coimbatore, which is approximately a 3-hour drive away. There are frequent flights to Coimbatore from almost all parts of the country. Air India, Jet Airways, Go air, Paramount and Air Deccan are some of the airlines that can be named. You also have the option of flying into Bangalore and driving to Ooty which is approximately a 6 hour drive. The road trip from either of these places is quite scenic as the roads that take you to Ooty are mostly through dense forest and good roads.

By Train: Train number 2671, the Nilgiri Express leaves for Mettupalayam, which is a small town in the foothills of the Nilgiris from Chennai. Since this is just an overnight ride, most of the scenic adventures are missed. However, a good nap before you get there is always a good idea. From Mettupalayam, one can choose to drive to Ooty or take another mini diesel train that is over 200 years old and takes longer to reach its destination. During high season, taxi drivers and other transport providers charge tourists an exorbitant price to take them to Ooty. You also have the option of going to Coimbatore by train and then driving to Ooty which is again a 3 hour drive.

By road: Although Ooty is located in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is very close to the border between Karnataka and Kerala. From Bangalore, Ooty is only about 280 kilometers and the roads are very well maintained. The recently built Bangalore-Mysore road is an excellent road and it gets you to Mysore pretty quickly. From Mysore you can travel through Bandipur, which is a protected forest, before reaching Ooty. Winding roads and scenic landscapes make this an excellent experience. If you are lucky, you may see some of the animals that live in this region, such as elephants, tigers, and monkeys. There are many Dhabas and restaurants along the way, so you can always stop along the way for a quick bite or to relax. You also have the option of traveling by bus or hiring a taxi or minibus which have frequent transport to Ooty and back. Traveling by road is preferred, as the roads are good, the driving beautiful, and spending affordable.