Pykara Lake and Waterfalls

Pykara river is the largest river and is located about 21 kms from the city on the Ooty-Mysore road in the Niligiri district. The area around the lake is surrounded by sholas (local name for forest) that adds to its natural beauty. The river falls down from two different heights towards the end, one from 55 metres and the other from 61 metres. These two falls are known as Pykara falls and are located at a distance of 1.5 kms away from the lake.

The place is a popular picnic spot among locals as well as tourists. Many Kollywood (Tamil Cinema) filmmakers have shot scenes/songs of their movies around this picturesque lake. There is a boat house, rest house and a restaurant that is run by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. A motorboat or a speedboat can be hired from the boat house to enjoy a fun-filled ride.

Ooty Lake

Situated at a distance of approximately 3km from the city of Ooty in the Nilgiris district is the artificial Ooty Lake which spreads over an area of 65 acres. It was constructed in the year 1824 by John Sullivan, the Collector of Coimbatore. The lake is skirted by tall Eucalyptus trees while its waters are fed by streams that meander through the hills. Those who have a keen interest in photography can surely get some amazing clicks of water birds along with the beautiful Nilgiri mountain ranges in the backdrop.

• One can hire rowing boats, paddle boats and motor boats from the Boat House.
• There is an amusement park which has a mini train for kids.
• In the month of May, boat races and other entertaining events are organized for two days.
• Visitors should note that the place remains crowded on weekends so it is advisable to go on weekdays.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 2 kms from the city in the Nilgiri hills where the Eastern Ghats meet the Western Ghats. A wonderful scenic place, it is also known as the Tiger Reserve and is spread over an area of 32,155 hectares. The sanctuary is home to animals like barking deer, Mouse Deer, spotted deer, gaur, wild boar, elephants, tigers and panthers. It also houses birds like peacock, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Grey Jungle Fowl, The Magpie-robin, Brown Dove, Bulbuls, Mynahs and some migratory water birds.

This sanctuary is a part of Mudumalai National Park and was set up in 1940 becoming the first sanctuary in Southern India. Other than exploring the wildlife, one can also spend some peaceful moments with nature at Mayar waterfalls that is located inside the area. Another popular attraction that can be found here is the Theppakadu Elephant camp (made in 1971) that lodges 23 elephants. In this camp, elephant lovers can enjoy a fun-filled session while feeding the elephants during their mealtime. Visitors should note that advance permission is needed from the Forest Department in order to go for trekking, jeep safari or Elephant safari.

Doddapetta Peak

It is the highest peak (2634 metres) in the Nilgiris Hills and is located at a distance of about 10 kms from the Ooty bus stand. The name ‘Doddapetta’ means ‘big mountain’ in Badaga/Kannada language. Lying at the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats, this peak offers beautiful views of the Nilgiri mountain ranges and a spectacular view of sunset.

On a clear day, one can also see the distant plains of Mysore and Coimbatore. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation provides telescopes at the Telescope House using which a closer view of the distant hills like Chamundi Hills, valleys and forests can be taken.

Ooty Botanical Garden

Spread over a large area of 22 hectares, this beautifully constructed garden is located in the heart of the city. It was designed by the architect William Graham McIvor in 1847, under the supervision of George Hay, 8th Marquess of Tweeddale, the then Governor of Madras (now Chennai). The garden is home to more than 650 species of flowers and trees. One of the must see attraction of this garden is a fossil tree that is believed to be 20 millions year old. There are a few Toda huts on the hills just above the garden where the Todas (the original tribes of Ooty) live. One can get a glimpse of their culture and lifestyle along with shopping at an outlet, located at the entrance of the garden, that sells Toda silver jewellery and embroidered shawls.

Visitors can see orchids, roses, imported shrubs, exotic plants, thirty kinds of Eucalyptus trees, herbs and bonsai plants. The whole area is categorised into six parts i.e. the Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory, Fountain Terrace and Nurseries. Botany students must visit this garden as it has rare tree species like the cork tree, monkey puzzle tree (as monkey can’t climb this tree) and the paperbark tree. One can also attend an exhibition of rare plant species that is organised by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department every year in the month of May.

Rose Garden

Ooty has a unique hot tropical climate mixed with the coolness of high altitude, hence the gardens here have ideal conditions for growing roses. The temperature variations are small and rainfall distribution is good which results in a long flowering season. The garden is visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year and even in winter when it is not the flowering season. Initially, when the gardens were developed, 1919 varieties of roses with 17256 rose plants were planted. Today, this garden has 20,000 rose plants with 2241 varieties of roses and is maintained by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department.

The garden was established to commemorate the Centenary Flower festival and covers an area of 4 hectares in five terraces. It is located in the lower slopes of the Elk Hill and is about 1 km from Ooty Railway Station and bus stand. It has the largest collection of roses in India like miniature roses, hybrid tea roses, ramblers, floribunda and roses of unusual colors like black and green. Interestingly, it has received the Award of Excellence for the best rose garden from the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2006.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

The 46 kms long railway line was first opened in 1899 by the British to connect the hilly Ooty with Mettupalayam on the plains. The exciting toy train journey takes visitors through several tunnels, bridges, forests, waterfalls, tea estates and forested hills. This steam engine train runs to and fro from Mettupalayam to Ooty, stopping at hill stations like Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale and Ketty. It has small blue wooden bogies with large windows and crosses almost 250 bridges and 15 tunnels. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2005.

It has first class and second class seating facilities and there is only one toy train that departs daily. During the tourist season in April and May, an additional toy train service also runs. It cost 24 rupees in second class and 142 rupees in first class for one way journey. Enjoy this exciting train ride while clicking beautiful shots of natural surroundings.

Ooty Tea Factory

Spread over an area of nearly1 acre of land, the Ooty Tea Factory is situated amid the blue hills of Nilgiris, perched at an altitude of approximately 1839metre. Located at a distance of around 4 km from the city-centre, it is a must visit place for all tea lovers. It houses the Tea Museum as well where visitors can learn about the origin of different kinds of tea leaves that are used across the globe along with the history of tea in India and its evolution in the Nilgiris. While inside the factory, one can learn and appreciate the method of tea processing by CTC (Cut, Twist and Curl) machines. Sip a hot cup of tea as you admire the beautiful surroundings of the place

• Visitors can see the entire processing method right from the freshly plucked green leaves to its packaging.
• One can buy specially crafted tea souvenirs like tea cups engraved with the Tea Museum logo and tea plates as well.
• The factory is popular for its homemade chocolates too like rum and raisin, fruit and nut, fig and honey, roasted almonds, coffee chocolate, milk chocolate, sugar free varieties among them.