MOUNTAIN ESCAPES
| OOTY |
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| Ooty guide
>>> Ooty travel guide and tourist information on Ooty, how to get to Ooty, also
details on sightseeing in Ooty, best time to visit Ooty and accommodation in Ooty |
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Snuggling in the Nilgiri Hills, enveloped in
blue mist, the lovely laidback hill station of Ooty exudes its own special charm.
Ootacamund (or Udhagamandalam, as it is officially known) is Tamil Nadu's most sought
after holiday destination. Ooty nestles in the hollow of four grand hills of the Blue
Mountains. The hill slopes are veiled in a profusion of wild flowers. A little outside
town, plantations of cardamom and tea, and eucalyptus forests take over the landscape. The
heady fragrance of spices and the bouquet of tea waft across the hills and envelop the
town. |
There is a colonial side to Ooty- old British
style cottages and bungalows, many with fireplaces and pretty gardens; and stone walled
churches with stained-glass windows. The rolling meadows with cattle grazing peacefully,
complete the picture.The hill station is cold in winter, but beautiful nonetheless if you
enjoy the clouds and the mist floating into your face. This is the time that tourists stay
away, and ideal if you are looking for some bliss and solitude. Summer is peak season and
the hill station gets rather crowded in May and June, especially during the summer
festival when there are flower shows and boat races.
Ooty offers scenic walks into dense forests, pretty mountain trails and to fabulous
viewpoints like Wenlock Downs, Snowdon, Ketty Valley and Dodabetta
Peak from where your eyes can sweep across the Blue Mountains. Wander through the
misty forests, chance upon unexpected waterfalls and brilliant bird species... canter away
on ponies or have a picnic in the woods.
The Botanical Garden with its amazing collection of trees and shrubs, and
the beautiful Rose Garden are the highlights of the place. Walk down to
the lake and soak in the excitement from the safety of the banks or venture onto the lake
in pedal boats, rowboats and motorboats. And finally, catch the picturesque little Blue
Train, a beautiful journey through tea plantations, eucalyptus forests and hills.Getting to Ooty
Ooty is 290 km from Bangalore. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 89 km from Ooty, with
connections to Bangalore. Trains go up to Mettupalayam from where you can catch the quaint
Blue Train to Ooty, 35 kms away. Buses and taxis are available from Bangalore.
Best time to visit Ooty
You can come to Ooty at any time of the year. Summer is tourist season, with temperatures
between 10ºC and 25ºC. Winters are very cold, from 0 to 21ºC. Carry light woollens for
summer evenings and layers of woollens for winter.
Accommodation in Ooty
Ooty has many luxury hotels; some with an old-world charm, and others with the best
amenities. There are numerous mid-rung properties with good facilities, and the option of
taking a cottage on the grounds. Budget accommodation is comfortable and plentiful. For
further information contact the Tamil Nadu Tourist Information Centre at Bangalore City
Railway Station, Tel 080-22286181. |
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