Honeymoon in Ooty

Nestled in the Nilgiri Hills, enveloped in blue mist, the lovely laidback hill station of Ooty exudes its own special charm. Ootacamund is Tamil Nadu’s most sought after honeymoon destination, the stuff a dream holiday is made of. Hill slopes veiled in a profusion of wild flowers, plantations of cardamom and tea, and eucalyptus forests take over the landscape.

Ooty offers the most scenic walks, into dense forests, pretty mountain trails and to fabulous viewpoints like Wenlock Downs, Snowdon, Ketty Valley and Dodabetta Peak. From here you 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 romantic little picnic in the woods.

Ooty is tranquil enough for a pair of lovebirds to get lost among the other dreamers who are seeking quiet havens and parks. Look for secluded corners in the Botanical Garden with its amazing collection of trees and shrubs, and the beautiful Rose Garden. For times when you want to join in the action, walk down to the lake and soak in the excitement from the safety of the banks or venture onto the lake and tandem in pedal boats, rock together in rowboats and motorboats. And finally, catch the picturesque little Blue Train, a beautiful journey through tea plantations, eucalyptus forests and hills.

How to reach Ooty
The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 89 km from Ooty, with connections to Bangalore (290 km from Ooty), Chennai (535 km) and Mumbai. You could also take a train up to Mettupalayam and catch the quaint hill train upto Ooty, 35 kms away, You can also take a bus or hire a private car or taxi and have the luxury of your own transport.

Accommodation in Ooty
Ooty has many luxury hotels; some with an old-world charm, wooden furniture, manicured gardens, rooms with fireplaces that work. Budget accommodation is comfortable and quiet. There are numerous mid-rung properties with good facilities, and the option of taking a cottage on the grounds. Prices start at Rs 500 for an economy room and go up to Rs. 3000 and above for deluxe rooms.

Best Season to visit Ooty
You can come to Ooty at any time of the year, especially in the winter when most tourists keep away. Ooty is cold in winter, but beautiful nonetheless if you enjoy the clouds and the mist floating into your face. 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. Carry light woollens for summer evenings and layers of woollens for winter.