Ooty Hill Station

Nestled amidst Nilgiri hills, Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu which serves as a top-rated tourist destination. Once regarded as the summer headquarters of the East India Company, the Queen of the hills is a picturesque getaway. Ooty is a place which can be visited throughout the year. Each season in Ooty has something different to offer and none of the seasons is too harsh for its visitors. The Nilgiri mountain railway or the Ooty Toy Train is a marvel in itself. The views of the mountains with the touch of weather make the place more likeable. Various adventure sports like Mountain biking and Hand gliding keeps the adrenaline flowing inside you and makes you feel the thrill. There are various lakes and gardens in the town to keep you engaged. Apart from the natural sightseeing options, there are other interesting man-made places as well including the Wax World Museum, Tea Museum and the St. Stephen's Church.

Dotted with tea gardens, serene waterfalls, winding country lanes, and charming colonial architecture, Ooty is the perfect respite for everyone. Popular among couples and honeymooners, Ooty allures its visitors with the panoramic views of the Nilgiri mountains. The Nilgiri mountain railway is the steepest track in all of Asia. Remember the hit song 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' where Shahrukh Khan and Malaika Arora matched steps on top of a train? Remember the breathtaking locales as the train chugged its way across lush greenery? Yes, that was the Nilgiri Mountain Railways, and the Nilgiri Mountains all along.

Description of Ooty

Ooty, in the Southern Indian State of Karnataka, is called the "Queen of hill stations" and is the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be a popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.

An added attraction for the tourists to Ooty is the mountain train journey (also called the toy train) on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers.

Best Time To Visit Ooty

The best time to visit Ooty is throughout the year as the weather is pleasant and great for sightseeing. The temperature usually ranges from 5-15 degrees throughout the year with colder nights. However, the peak season is from October to June when the weather is pleasant and you can get involved in outdoor activities. Ooty can be visited during monsoons (if you don't mind the rain) when the freshly washed surroundings give Ooty an ethereal charm. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers to visit the place and have a great time in this wonderful place.

How To Reach Ooty

• By Air- The most practical and expedient way of reaching Ooty is via flight. When it comes to reliability and convenience, air travel takes the highest precedence. If you’re looking to maximise on time and value, then this is definitely your best bet. However, much depends upon the city and state you hail from. Coimbatore Airport is the closest aerodrome, situated only 85 km away from the hill station. Upon arrival, individuals may select from taxis and car rental services to reach the elevated region of Ooty. Major Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad offer regular flights to this hub. When it comes to the fastest route, Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport is located a mere 231 km away. It implements a flight duration of approximately 55 minutes.
• By Train- Train travel is another utilitarian option for individuals to avail of. If you’re looking to optimise on your costs and you’ve got the time to spare, consider this as a safe and competent means of getting to Ooty. This aside, the route from Mettupalayam Rail Junction to Ooty via the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is simply magical. Individuals can board a charming heritage toy train that chugs and whistles across majestic landscapes, a surreal and enchanting experience worth undertaking. This fairy-tale-like train has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 2005. Individuals should embark on this journey not only to enjoy the exclusive and wondrous ride, but to experience first-hand the genius engineering efforts involved in creating a railway track across such treacherous mountainous terrains. Expect to navigate 16 tunnels, 208 curves and 250 bridges along the 46km long meter-gauge single track railway. To reach Mettupalayam, individuals can book a train from any of the following cities - Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Mangalore and Mysore. 
• By Road- When it comes to road travel, there are several benefits for individuals to enjoy. One has the opportunity to curate their very own road trip amidst scenic and picturesque landscapes, stopping at delicious eateries and experiencing the nuances of friendship and togetherness. To reach Ooty, individuals can opt for a car or a bus, depending upon their individual preferences. One may choose to hire a car and self-drive or opt for a chauffeur-driven car. The best part about the journey is driving through gorgeous reserve forests. It is absolutely breath-taking! If you’re commuting from the city of Bangalore, you can select between 2 routes - via Mysore or via Chamarajanagar. Since Ooty is a major tourist destination, one has the opportunity of selecting between government-run or private bus services. Luxury buses are available from cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore and Kozhikode. Overnight buses usually leave at 5pm and 7pm from the latter and take 6 hours to reach Ooty.