Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty is one of the most popular hill stations in South India. The name Ootacamund means house in the mountains. Situated in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is an ideal destination for the traveller because it has several attractions like green forests, valleys, tea plantations, streams and mountains.
During the colonial rule of the British in India, Ooty was the favourite summer retreat and the summer capital for the Madras Presidency. The Mountain Railway remains as a sign of its earlier importance during the British Rule. The traveller can indulge in a variety of activities like travelling in the Nilgiri Hill Railway, visiting the tea plantations, trekking in the blue hills. Ooty is a great place for shopping especially in items such as Nilgiri tea, fruits and natural oils like that of eucalyptus, lemon grass, geranium, clove and camphor.
The main highlights of Ooty are the Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Doddabetta Peak. The Botanical Gardens is just 2kms from the town and dates back from the 18th century. Spread over an area of 22 acres, it was set up to study the vegetation of the Nilgiri Hill s and has more than 650 species of plants and trees. The Botanical Garden hosts the Flower Show, or the annual Tea and Tourism Festival.
The Ooty Lake is an artificial lake built by John Sullivan in the 18th century and stretches for about 2 km in length. The traveller can enjoy boat rides from morning till evening in motor boats, pedal boats and rowing boats. The traveller can also visit the deer park nearby.
The train journey in the Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Ooty is till Mettupalyam, 46 kms away and located at the foot of the Nilgiris. The train journey with its beautiful sights of the mountains takes more than four hours. With the slowest train in India, this historic railway is a remnant of colonial life in India.
The Doddabetta Peak is the highest point in Ooty at a height of 2,623 metres, providing a delightful view of the surrounding area.
During the colonial rule of the British in India, Ooty was the favourite summer retreat and the summer capital for the Madras Presidency. The Mountain Railway remains as a sign of its earlier importance during the British Rule. The traveller can indulge in a variety of activities like travelling in the Nilgiri Hill Railway, visiting the tea plantations, trekking in the blue hills. Ooty is a great place for shopping especially in items such as Nilgiri tea, fruits and natural oils like that of eucalyptus, lemon grass, geranium, clove and camphor.
The main highlights of Ooty are the Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Doddabetta Peak. The Botanical Gardens is just 2kms from the town and dates back from the 18th century. Spread over an area of 22 acres, it was set up to study the vegetation of the Nilgiri Hill s and has more than 650 species of plants and trees. The Botanical Garden hosts the Flower Show, or the annual Tea and Tourism Festival.
The Ooty Lake is an artificial lake built by John Sullivan in the 18th century and stretches for about 2 km in length. The traveller can enjoy boat rides from morning till evening in motor boats, pedal boats and rowing boats. The traveller can also visit the deer park nearby.
The train journey in the Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Ooty is till Mettupalyam, 46 kms away and located at the foot of the Nilgiris. The train journey with its beautiful sights of the mountains takes more than four hours. With the slowest train in India, this historic railway is a remnant of colonial life in India.
The Doddabetta Peak is the highest point in Ooty at a height of 2,623 metres, providing a delightful view of the surrounding area.
