Ooty - Queen of the Nilgiris
Founded by the Britishers as their summer hill resort, Ooty is a very popular hill station located in the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India. Sprawling tea gardens, enchanting beauty, fresh air, panoramic vistas and fragrance of the pines is what aptly describes this beautiful hill station. What draws tourists from all over India to this place is its pleasant weather which remains in the range of 15-20 degrees throughout the year. Heavily forested winding roads with sharp hair pin bends and beautiful sceneries along the route from Tamil Nadu lead you to the Nilgiri Hills where this beautiful hill station of Ooty is situated.
If you are planning a trip from Bangalore to Ooty, then do not miss a visit to the Pykara Lake which lies enroute. The lake situated amidst the hills is an epitome of serenity and scenic beauty. The lake and the waterfalls nearby give you ample opportunities for boating and photography.
Spend some time amidst the variety of exotic plants or relax yourself sitting and enjoying the feel of fresh breeze at huge lush green lawns of the Botanical Garden. Do not miss a photo session in front of the 20 million years old fossilised tree trunk. You can also enjoy the flower show at the garden which is held during the Summer Festival in the month of May.
If you are a trekking lover, then the beautiful valley of Avalanche located at a distance of around 26 km from Ooty gives you ample opportunities for mountain trekking. The untouched and unexplored scenic beauty of Avalanche makes it a perfect place to have a quiet time in the lap of Mother Nature. The Avalanche Lake set amidst thick forests of Shola trees is a great picnic spot. If you want to spend a night close to the nature then you can stay in the local guest house run by the forest department.
Get some captivation views of the valley from the Doddabetta Peak which is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu.
When you are in Ooty, do experience a ride on the Niligiri Toy Train which is a beautiful mountain train having wooden coaches with large windows to allow its tourists to get some mesmerizing views of the Nilgiris and the Tea Gardens. The train travels at a speed of 10km/hour and takes you through around 200 hair raising curves and 13 fearful tunnels along the route.
If you are in Ooty during January, do try to attend the annual Tea and Tourism Festival.
While returning from Ooty, do not forget to take some Nilgiri Tea which is famous for its mild flavour. If you are a foody, do taste the famous Chettinad Chicken.
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