Want to indulge in a getaway trip amidst a verdant town that is so full of azure lakes, vast stretches of tea gardens and sprawling grasslands?
If that sounds like you, then Ooty is where you should be heading for. Primarily known for its captivating landscapes and scenic views, the sight of misty mountains and forest-clad hills along with the tranquil water bodies spread all around Ooty will surely make you fall for this lovely hill station in India over and over again.
15 Best Places to Visit in Ooty on Your Next Trip
If you are also planning an Ooty sightseeing itinerary this time, then here are the 15 best places in Ooty that you can explore all throughout your trip. You can explore these places either solo or with the companion of your friends or family.
1. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Bring out that innate nature lover in you while you are at the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It is particularly located in the Nilgiri district, between the conjoining border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Currently, it homes around fifty tigers and some of the weirdest species of flora and fauna. You may even see any of the tigers out here if luck favours you and the constant humming of birds in the background will simply make your day.
Location: NH 67, Gudalur NH 67, Gudalur, Devarshola, Tamil Nadu, India.
Visiting time: 7 am – 9 am and 3 pm – 6 pm
Entry fee: Rs.15 per person
2. Toda Hamlet
It is situated around 5.6 km away from Ooty and is a small, secluded village inhabited by a tribal community belonging to the Western Ghats. Since Todas are the primary residents of this group, that’s why the name Toda Hamlet.
In fact, these people live together within a close-knit unit and sustain chiefly herding and pastoral. Coming to the Toda huts, you can’t stop gazing at them as they consist of semi-barrel-shaped structures, having no windows at all.
Such diminutive huts will compel you to bend over your knees to get inside them via the main door. All in all, the experience you will get in the Toda Hamlet will a bit different as compared to the other tourist attractions in Ooty.
Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 10 am to 5 pm
Entry fee: NIL
3. Wax World
The Wax Museum, located just 2 km away from Ooty is definitely a place worth checking out. Particularly, kids will find this place very interesting for all the informative stuff that it homes.
Aside from that, the entire area is surrounded by bountiful greenery that is indeed a visual treat in itself. Once you enter inside, you will come across the mind-boggling statues of Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa along with paintings of ancient villages in India, enough to remind you of the bygone times that were once considered an imperative part of colonial rule across the nation.
Location: Opposite to the Lake-Boat House, Ooty, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India.
Visiting time: 9 am to 8 pm
Entry fee: Rs.20 per person
4. Tea Factory and Museum
If you are really eager to know how tea came into being, then the Tea Factory and Museum in Ooty must be your go-to destination during your entire Ooty trip. Starting from when you get inside here till the end, you will know the actual genesis of tea and how it finally evolved into its present-day form, and so on and so forth.
After you are done with all this, you can shop for your favourite tea leaves from the signature shop located adjacent to it.
Location: Doddabetta Road, Mel Koddapmund, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India.
Visiting time: 9 am to 6.30 pm
Price: Rs. 10
5. Rose Garden
Visiting the Ooty Rose Garden means a celebration of your senses, your innermost feelings and emotions that transcend you to the world of infinite bliss and ecstasy. Inundated with the sight of garish red roses all around, there won’t be a single moment when you are not going to get that ravishing sensation, not even for a short spell.
Nestling along the Elk Hillslopes in the town, this is one such Ooty destination that you can’t miss out on visiting at all.
So, if a quick romantic getaway or family picnic with your spouse and kids is what you are up to, you can surely visit this mesmerizing spot while traversing across the entire Udhagamandalam.
Location: Bombay Kist, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 8.30 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: Rs.30 per person
6. The Emerald Lake
One of the most mind-boggling stopover destinations in Ooty, Emerald Lake makes a fabulous picnic spot with friends and family. In fact, this place is appropriate for those who want to indulge in an impromptu getaway while being on their Ooty sojourn.
Furthermore, you can bring out that hidden adventure lover in you by going mountain biking, trekking and many more while relishing every single view of the scenic landscapes, encompassing the entire area.
Specifically, the sight of the lush tea gardens and captivating Nilgiris will compel you to come here time and again.
Location: Emerald Village, The Nilgiris, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 9 am to 5 pm
Entry fee: NIL
7. Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Peak is a visual treat in itself. You will see lush green gardens, mammoth tea estates and thick forests of shola while you are in this awe-inspiring region of Ooty.
Situated at a height of 2,637m, Doddabetta Peak particularly makes a great hub for those who wish to unravel all the mysteries and secrets of nature to the full. If you want, you can also get a telescopic view of the entire peak from the Telescope House founded by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.
In a word, visiting this Ooty tourist spot means having a wonderful time in the lap of nature, no matter whether you are having it solo or with your friends or family.
Location: Doddabetta Peak, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: Rs.6 per person for adults
8. Ooty Botanical Garden
Predominantly a terraced garden, the Ooty Botanical Garden is spread across a massive space of 55 acres, homing an array of exotic trees that include a couple of Australian flora as well as some native species of shola.
Aside from that, the Garden is also a nesting zone for many Vibrant Nilgiri birds that are seen perching on the hedges and trees all about. Serenity is what resides in the entire of this area and you can feel that every step of the way,
So, when indulging in a short trip to Ooty, make sure that you visit this jaw-dropping yard for sure.
Location: Nilgiris, Vannarapettai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Visiting time: 7 am to 6.30 pm
Entry fee: Rs.30 per person
9. Pine Tree Forest
Scattered between Thalakunda and Ooty, the Pine Tree Forest makes it a great spot for individuals who want to spend some quality time in seclusion. Coming to its appearance, this place is a perfect blend of gigantic pine trees, gentle spells of breeze and the spellbinding sight of the Nilgiris.
Since that enthralling factor all around as you fall for the mysticism of nature times and again. To say the least, it’s a great hub for newly-wed couples who wish to retreat for a while simply to accompany each other.
Location: Nagapattinam – Coimbatore – Gundlupet Hwy, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, 643005, India.
Visiting time: 8.00 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: Rs.5 per person
10. Pykara Lake
Located at a distance of just 2 km from Pykara falls, Pykara Lake is an apt stopover destination for photographers, nature lovers and travellers who are seeking something really fun and adventurous.
Experience the ravishing boat rides once you are here, or else you can simply sit back and relax, read a book or bask in the sun for some time, whatever you feel like.
In a word, if you want to de-stress your mind, body and soul to perfection, then Pykara Lake would be the finest spot to explore.
Location: Pykara, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 10 am to 5.30 pm
Price: Rs.5 per person
11. Pykara Falls
Pyakara Falls is indeed a gift of nature. Since the Pykara river has covered each of the lengths, breadths and curves of the Mukurthi Peak, it resulted in the creation of this cascading water body.
So, when visiting Ooty for not more than two to three days, make Pykara Falls your go-to destination for sure. Away from the falls recline the Pykara Reservoir and Dam. However, the jets of water comprising these falls may not be feasible for swimming as they contain piercing rocks in them aside from being a little in-depth too.
That’s why; you got to be somewhat extra careful about this thing.
Location: Pyakara, Sholur, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
12. Kamraj Sagar Dam
So far, Kamraj Sagar Dam is considered one of the choicest destinations to visit when indulging in a trip to Ooty. Whether it’s the mesmerizing sunset, the verdant greenery surrounding all around or the spectacular panoramic views, each of the experiences that you will have here, is going to be out of this world.
If you want, you can also go for a boating ride while indulging in a fishing spree with your friends, acquaintances or family. Besides, Kamraj Sagar is also home to some of the rarest species of birds that generally migrate to this sightseeing spot of Ooty in search of food and water.
All in all, nature lovers, backpackers and adventurers would equally love this place, no matter whether they want to behold nature for hours or have a gala time amongst each other.
Location: Coimbatore-Ooty-Gundlupet Hwy, Scholar, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India.
Visiting time: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: NIL
13. Wenlock Downs
Surrounded by incessant greenery all around, Ooty hills have always remained apart from others, in terms of being well-aligned with each other. In a word, the ethereal beauty of these elevated grounds will make you revisit this spot at least a couple of times more in the future.
Besides, the eminent Gymkhana Golf Club is also situated here due to the extensive stretches of land that it is comprised of. So, if you have a penchant for Golf, but still haven’t turned up at Wenlock Downs, it means your Ooty getaway trip is not over yet.
Location: 17 km Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 9 am to 6.30 pm
Entry fee: Rs.10 per person
14. Ooty Lake
Initially, the Ooty Lake was made solely for fishing purposes. However, with time it has become one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Ooty and there is no doubt about it.
Besides, it is located just 2 km away from the green-clad Nilgiri Hills. Particularly, visitors love to come here for the captivating greenery and abundance of Eucalyptus trees that this place has to offer.
What’s more, you will also see a number of rivulets cascading via the hills that add to the overall charm and aesthetics of Ooty Lake even more.
Location: Ooty Lake, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India.
Visiting time: 10 am to 6.30 pm
Entry fee: Rs.10 per person
15. Stone House
Stone House is a historically prominent monument, perhaps the first Bungalow that was built in Ooty. It was constructed by the erstwhile collector at that time, John Sullivan.
With time, this palatial mansion has now become the living space of the Principal of the Government Arts College in Ooty. In fact, if you read the rock edicts engraved inside, you will get to know about a lot of unheard stories that the town witnessed at that time.
Interestingly, the locals call it the Kal Bungalow as well in which Kal denotes stone in Tamil. All because of the impeccable blend of architecture and antiquity that it represents.
So, make sure that you pay a visit to this material heritage without a miss, no matter how long or short your Ooty trip is.
Location: Stone House, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
Visiting time: 10 am to 5 pm
Entry fee: NIL
Indulge in a gratifying Ooty trip!
A getaway trip to Ooty is an all-time favourite option for the legions of travellers and backpackers out there. Particularly, planning a sojourn of Ooty sightseeing means coming across some of the most breathtaking tourist attractions, to say the least. In case, you are also looking forward to visiting Ooty shortly, then make it a point to arrive at some of these places in Ooty. And I am sure you will be able to bring back home loads of indelible memories.