Location | In the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, surrounded by four magnificent hills of the Nilgiri range |
Significance | offers various adventure sports; rich in coffee and tea plantations, conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle |
Must Visit | Nilgiri Hills, Botanical Garden, St. Stephen Church and Ooty Lake |
Best Time To Visit | February to May and September to November |
Climate | Cool weather, woolen clothes are suggested. In summers the temperature varies between 25°C to 10°C, while in winters it may drop to even 5°C |
Wish to see a hill station which not only offers respite from the dust and pollution of the city but also gives a chance to see the undefiled beauty of nature? Visit Ooty, the land of green hills, cascading waterfalls, sparkling brooks, and Botanical Gardens. Explored in the early 1800s by the British, Ooty is nestled in the strikingly green abode of misty blue hills of the Nilgiris. Located at an altitude of 2240 m, it serves as the headquarters of the Nilgiri district. The city is blessed with aromatic coffee and tea plantations, and trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle. Ooty has something or the other to offer to its all kinds of tourists.
Fairs And Festivals
Ooty, in the month of January, welcomes all its guests with full warmth on the occasion of Tea and Tourism Festival. This is the time when one can learn more about his/her favorite drink and possibly taste some of the best cups of tea. Apart from this, the city celebrates Makar Pongal (January) and Flower Show (May) with the same enthusiasm and zeal.
Shopping
Nilgiri products, including Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptas, and plant nurseries are easily available in the town. One can also find the shops loaded with good quality Eucalyptus oil, Honey, Cinchona products, coffee and Tea, silver and tribal shawls etc. Co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping fruits and general groceries. Besides this, Kairali of Kerala Handicrafts and Poompuhar of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts also have their showrooms in Ooty.
Accommodation
Ranging from the luxurious and economy class hotels to lodges and resorts – Ooty offers a number of accommodation options. The units are fully furnished and well equipped with all the modern amenities.
By Air: Coimbatore (105 km) is the nearest airport.
By Rail: Ooty, being on the narrow gauge railway, is connected to Mettupalayam (47 km), which is directly linked to Coimbatore and Chennai.
By Road: Regular buses are operated to and from Coimbatore, Trichy, Bangalore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore, Palghat, Calicut, Tirupati etc.