Ooty,
also known as Udhagamandalam, the capital of Nilgiri district, is
popularly known as the "Queen of hill stations' among the
tourist circuits. It is situated at a distance of 105 km away from
Coimbatore. The height of the hills in the Nilgiri range varies
between 2280 and 2290 metres, the highest peak being Doddabetta at a
height of 2623 metres. Need to beat the heat? Welcome to the cool
Lavender Hues of Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, still popularly known
as Ooty. Standing high at 7,349 feet above sea level in the
Nilgiris, Ooty is the uncrowned Queen of southern hill resorts of
India. The erstwhile British township of Ooty is a big draw for the
tourists. The breathtakingly beautiful Blue Mountains are the
perfect backdrop for the cool summers.
Attractions
- Government's Botanical Garden
The garden aquire
an area of 22 acres.There is surprisingly a fossil tree trunk of
20 million years.The garden consists of varieties of tree
species, variety of ferns, fashioned beds laid out in an Italian
style, grass carpet, multi coloured flowering plants, house
ferns and orchids and nurseries. This garden is certainly going
to take tourist's mind. Annual flower show is held here in May
every year. Tamil Nadu Horticulture Dept takes care of this
garden.
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
In the luxuriantly
forested foothills of the Nilgiri, this 321 sq. km sanctuary is
part of a much larger reserve (3000 sq km ) which includes
Bandipur and Wynad in neighbouring Karnataka and Kerala. T
he
larger reserve ranges in vegetarian from semi-evergreen forests
to swamps and grasslands. In Mudumalai, the mostly dense forest
is home to chital, gaur, tiger, panther, wild boar and sloth
bear.
The park's wild elephant population, one of
the largest in the country, supposedly numbers about 600,
however you're more likely to see their domesticated brethren
carrying out logging duties. The best time to visit Mudumalai is
between February and June. Heavy rain is common in October and
November and the park may be closed during the dry season.
How to reach
- Air
Coimbatore Airport is 100 kilometers away.
Regular flights operate from Delhi, Bangalore, Thiruvanthapuram,
Chennai and Mumbai to Coimbatore.
- Rail
Trains from Chennai and Coimbatore halt at
Mettupalayam. From Mettupalayam, you can either take the narrow
guage train to Coimbatore or travel by road.
- Road
Well connected to Chennai, 500 kilometers
away, Coimbatore (100 kilometers), Bangalore (300 kilometers),
Mysore and Mettupalayam.
