About the destination
Ooty aka Nilgiris needs no introduction, nevertheless, a short one. Ootacamund (Ooty) is a very popular tourist destination hill-station in Tamilnadu. It is well known for 3-4 days of relaxed time with nature. Niligiri hills is a very fascinating place for weather, nature, viewpoints and hence, rightly called as Queen of hills.
Our plan
Trip members: Karthik and family
Trip date: 14-18 Jan 2020
Trip Plan : Chennai - Coimbatore - Ooty - Coonoor - Mettupalayam - Chennai
4 days and 3 nights plan to cover all tourist posts across places in Ooty, Dodabettah, Avalanche, Coonoor, and any other local spots. Most importantly, we planned to go on NMR - Niligirs Mountain Railway - a bucket list item for people of all ages.
The Trip
We took a day train to Coimbatore and reached by 8 PM. We stayed in a relative's home overnight before we started to Ooty the next day morning.
Day-1 - Local sightseeing of Ooty
We started from Coimbatore by Innova by 6:45 AM. We reached Mettupalayam on a foggy morning around 7:45 AM and stopped for breakfast at Hotel Annapurna just before Black Thunder and climbing the ghats. The service was ok and food was also just ok unlike many other restaurants of Coimbatore/Mettupalayam. We decided to go to a different place while returning!
Ooty is 51 km from Mettupalayam. Enroute, we first stopped at Ketti Valley View. This is one of the most popular views before reaching Ooty. We spent around 10-15 minutes to enjoy the view.
Pykara Circuit
Trip date: 14-18 Jan 2020
Trip Plan : Chennai - Coimbatore - Ooty - Coonoor - Mettupalayam - Chennai
4 days and 3 nights plan to cover all tourist posts across places in Ooty, Dodabettah, Avalanche, Coonoor, and any other local spots. Most importantly, we planned to go on NMR - Niligirs Mountain Railway - a bucket list item for people of all ages.
The Trip
We took a day train to Coimbatore and reached by 8 PM. We stayed in a relative's home overnight before we started to Ooty the next day morning.
Day-1 - Local sightseeing of Ooty
We started from Coimbatore by Innova by 6:45 AM. We reached Mettupalayam on a foggy morning around 7:45 AM and stopped for breakfast at Hotel Annapurna just before Black Thunder and climbing the ghats. The service was ok and food was also just ok unlike many other restaurants of Coimbatore/Mettupalayam. We decided to go to a different place while returning!
Ooty is 51 km from Mettupalayam. Enroute, we first stopped at Ketti Valley View. This is one of the most popular views before reaching Ooty. We spent around 10-15 minutes to enjoy the view.
Pykara Circuit
The plan was to complete the Pykara circuit which is also called the Filmy circuit. The first spot was Pine forests. The place is absolutely beautiful and stunning. The entry fee is Rs.10 per person and Rs.20 per camera. Closely located Pine trees on a slope. The slope is difficult to climb down for elders. Once we climb down all the way, we can see the end of the catchment area of Kamaraj Sagar Dam. The location is beautiful for shutterbugs. We spent almost 30 minutes here.
By the road in 500m, one can spot the Kamaraj Sagar Dam. The Kamaraj Sagar Dam is not open for public however, the dam can be seen through sides from the road. We just stopped by for a minute and moved on.
Pei Mund
The next stop was Pei Mund or Devil's Down. The place is one of the most preferred and popular spots of Ooty. The massive grasslands are a treat to watch any day! The entry ticket is Rs.10 per person and Rs.20 per camera. Any tourist would love to spend at least 1 hour here - such is the beauty of the place. The sprawling grasslands extend to 3 - 4 mounds and enter into a set of pine forests. One can just walk around and enjoy the 360-degree view! There are a lot of roadside eateries for quick snacks and tea.
We then reached Pykara waterfalls. We understood the water was not so great, however, we walked down the route of 500m from the parking area. There are battery cars operating for Rs.10 per person one way and one can wait in a queue to take the battery car as well to view the waterbody from a distance, yes it is fine. However, to get a good view of the cascading waters, one needs to climb down several steps. The walk was not worth enough as there was no water at all.
It was quite sunny and we were tired and hungry too. We gave Pykara dam a skip, with which, the circuit would be complete. We reached back Ooty and went to Ooty Coffee house for lunch. The limited meal of Rs.100 was quite basic with surplus quantity rice, 2 veggies, sambhar, rasam, vatha kulambhu, appalam, payasam, and curd. It was quite a simple meal and made the day.
We decided to check-in the cottage as it was around 2:30 by then. We had booked rooms at Homestay The Hillside on the Arani house road. Since my mother was born and grown in Arani house, we got accommodation nearby itself to play with memories. The HillSide homestay is run by Mr.Dhanapal - owner and caretaker. The hospitality by him was outstanding and absolutely driven by passion. His attention to detail to make sure to give comfort is much appreciated. The place has 7 rooms and allowed for only families. It is absolutely clean, sufficiently spacious, and well maintained. There is access to the terrace as well if you like to give your shutterbugs a GO! The homemade breakfast was quite simple and uncomplicated. We had 2 items served with Sambhar and chutney for the 3 days we stayed. Recommended for families.
Government Botanical Garden
By the road in 500m, one can spot the Kamaraj Sagar Dam. The Kamaraj Sagar Dam is not open for public however, the dam can be seen through sides from the road. We just stopped by for a minute and moved on.
Pei Mund
The next stop was Pei Mund or Devil's Down. The place is one of the most preferred and popular spots of Ooty. The massive grasslands are a treat to watch any day! The entry ticket is Rs.10 per person and Rs.20 per camera. Any tourist would love to spend at least 1 hour here - such is the beauty of the place. The sprawling grasslands extend to 3 - 4 mounds and enter into a set of pine forests. One can just walk around and enjoy the 360-degree view! There are a lot of roadside eateries for quick snacks and tea.
We then reached Pykara waterfalls. We understood the water was not so great, however, we walked down the route of 500m from the parking area. There are battery cars operating for Rs.10 per person one way and one can wait in a queue to take the battery car as well to view the waterbody from a distance, yes it is fine. However, to get a good view of the cascading waters, one needs to climb down several steps. The walk was not worth enough as there was no water at all.
It was quite sunny and we were tired and hungry too. We gave Pykara dam a skip, with which, the circuit would be complete. We reached back Ooty and went to Ooty Coffee house for lunch. The limited meal of Rs.100 was quite basic with surplus quantity rice, 2 veggies, sambhar, rasam, vatha kulambhu, appalam, payasam, and curd. It was quite a simple meal and made the day.
We decided to check-in the cottage as it was around 2:30 by then. We had booked rooms at Homestay The Hillside on the Arani house road. Since my mother was born and grown in Arani house, we got accommodation nearby itself to play with memories. The HillSide homestay is run by Mr.Dhanapal - owner and caretaker. The hospitality by him was outstanding and absolutely driven by passion. His attention to detail to make sure to give comfort is much appreciated. The place has 7 rooms and allowed for only families. It is absolutely clean, sufficiently spacious, and well maintained. There is access to the terrace as well if you like to give your shutterbugs a GO! The homemade breakfast was quite simple and uncomplicated. We had 2 items served with Sambhar and chutney for the 3 days we stayed. Recommended for families.
Government Botanical Garden
Around 3:30 PM, we left for the Govt Botanical garden. The temperature was around 22 degrees Celsius when we entered and in an hour it went down to almost 14 degrees Celsius. The garden was quite crowded as expected and we spent around an hour and a half. We spent time sitting in the lawns and decided to leave around 6 PM as it was getting colder.
We walked all the way to Charing cross and munched on the roadside snacks like hot peanuts, fire-roasted corn, homemade chocolates, and alike. For vegetarians, only 3 restaurants are options here - Ooty Coffee House for South Indian food, Pankaj Bhojnalaya for North Indian food, and A2B for assorted. A2B was quite crowded and service/food was just ok. Pankaj Bhojnalaya - served very good freshly prepared gravies and rotis. All ordered items were delicacies and yummy.
Day-2 - Stunning Emerald and Doddabetta
Cold morning woke us up and the dawn was just beautiful.
Post breakfast, we had planned to got Avalanche. We got to know the Avalanche reserve forest area is closed down because of bad roads caused by December rains. However, we still want to see Emerald and Avalanche lakes.
We started around 9 AM and drove towards the beautiful landscape route of Avalanche. We stopped at Avalanche Road Viewpoint. From here, one gets to see a great view of the Emerald lake. We spent a few minutes here before moving on. Avalanche is around 25 km from Charing Cross.
Emerald Dam
Once you reach the town of Emerald, take a curved right turn towards the Emerald dam. Tourists are not allowed in the Emerald Dam. Just go ahead for almost 2 km and you get to see a narrow bridge. On the right-hand side is the Emerald lake and the one on the left is Avalanche lake. We parked the car a few meters after the bridge and spent more than an hour walking around and enjoying the raw nature of blue skies, waters, and chill wind on a sunny day! A great combination for the shutterbugs.
After spending close to a couple of hours, we came back to Ooty and had lunch again at Ooty Coffee house - a minimum guarantee place. Doddabetta was the next destination.
Doddabetta Peak
We walked all the way to Charing cross and munched on the roadside snacks like hot peanuts, fire-roasted corn, homemade chocolates, and alike. For vegetarians, only 3 restaurants are options here - Ooty Coffee House for South Indian food, Pankaj Bhojnalaya for North Indian food, and A2B for assorted. A2B was quite crowded and service/food was just ok. Pankaj Bhojnalaya - served very good freshly prepared gravies and rotis. All ordered items were delicacies and yummy.
Day-2 - Stunning Emerald and Doddabetta
Cold morning woke us up and the dawn was just beautiful.
Post breakfast, we had planned to got Avalanche. We got to know the Avalanche reserve forest area is closed down because of bad roads caused by December rains. However, we still want to see Emerald and Avalanche lakes.
We started around 9 AM and drove towards the beautiful landscape route of Avalanche. We stopped at Avalanche Road Viewpoint. From here, one gets to see a great view of the Emerald lake. We spent a few minutes here before moving on. Avalanche is around 25 km from Charing Cross.
Emerald Dam
Once you reach the town of Emerald, take a curved right turn towards the Emerald dam. Tourists are not allowed in the Emerald Dam. Just go ahead for almost 2 km and you get to see a narrow bridge. On the right-hand side is the Emerald lake and the one on the left is Avalanche lake. We parked the car a few meters after the bridge and spent more than an hour walking around and enjoying the raw nature of blue skies, waters, and chill wind on a sunny day! A great combination for the shutterbugs.
After spending close to a couple of hours, we came back to Ooty and had lunch again at Ooty Coffee house - a minimum guarantee place. Doddabetta was the next destination.
Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Peak is around 7 km from Charing Cross. This is the highest peak of Nilgiris - 8650 feet - and tallest in South India! It has well-laid walking lanes and a good number of shops to eat and buy souvenirs. The entrance fee is Rs.10 per person and Rs.10 for still camera. One gets to see grand views of towns all around Nilgiris. We sat on the viewpoints and enjoyed it for around 2 hours. It was quite sunny as went around 2:30 PM. We waited patiently for the weather to change and it indeed was a good wait! The weather changed to become chill by 3:30 PM. A must visit in Ooty!
We reached back to the homestay and spent some time enjoying the sunset. Before that, we walked around the Arani house and kindled decades back from my mom's memories.
Day-3 - Local Sightseeing
After breakfast, the day was planned to be quiet and relaxed. We decided to spend time in the various gardens and boat club.
Boat Club
We reached the boat club first - around 9:45 AM. There was absolutely no crowd around and we hired a speed boat ride. The entry ticket to the boat club area is Rs.15 per person. Pedal boats, rowboats, and speed boats are available with below rate slabs.
We hired a speed boat and went around a ride for 20 minutes. We were offered a lengthier drive by the boatman and we politely declined. The ride was definitely scenic and worth the time.
There are quite a bunch of fun stalls and small eateries around and good time killers.
Arboretum
We hired a speed boat and went around a ride for 20 minutes. We were offered a lengthier drive by the boatman and we politely declined. The ride was definitely scenic and worth the time.
There are quite a bunch of fun stalls and small eateries around and good time killers.
Arboretum
We next went to Arboretum Tree Garden. Arboretum Tree Garden is around 1 km from the boat club. This is an exclusive garden of trees. The trees are from various countries across the continents. People interested in trees would have a good time here. The place is relatively small to the Botanical garden however maintained very well. The entry fee is Rs.10 per person and for the camera.
Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden
Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden is one thing I had heard from many people about. We decided to visit the same and figured out the way - not boards anywhere and reached. It is located on Fern Hill, around 2 km from the Ooty Boat club. The Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden was simply outstanding, maintained excellently, and quite a big place.The garden has so many attractions on the well maintained lush green lawns; to name a few - Maze garden, Italian Garden, flower beds, and a small water body. The lawns are fantastic for all ages to enjoy! Definitely, the garden is one of the best that is well maintained and so engaging for all ages. The entry ticket is Rs.30 and Rs.50 for the camera. One can plan to spend 2-3 hours here.
Around 12:45, we left the garden for lunch. We decided to have lunch at Hotel Nahar - Pure Vegetarian - Chandan, near Charing Cross. Lots of parking area in the hotel. The restaurant is quite posh in Ooty and the service was a little slow. We ordered north Indian food - rotis, dhal, and paneer sabzi. Every dish was absolutely fantastic and lip-smacking. Though it was time-consuming, the food was very food. Highly recommended for vegetarian food. South Indian meals were quite average though.
Around 12:45, we left the garden for lunch. We decided to have lunch at Hotel Nahar - Pure Vegetarian - Chandan, near Charing Cross. Lots of parking area in the hotel. The restaurant is quite posh in Ooty and the service was a little slow. We ordered north Indian food - rotis, dhal, and paneer sabzi. Every dish was absolutely fantastic and lip-smacking. Though it was time-consuming, the food was very food. Highly recommended for vegetarian food. South Indian meals were quite average though.
How about some Chocolate and Tea?
Post lunch, we planned to go to Chocolate and Tea factories. There was one government-run, which we could not reach because unprecedented traffic; ended up seeing Benchmark Tea and Chocolate factory. We enjoyed going through the process of Tea making and chocolate making. There were samples to taste - chocolates as well as 6 tastes of tea. Each of the tea varieties was unique and tempting to buy. However, everything was in 500g packets which did not help us. We bought some chocolates and moved out.
We reached back the homestay around 5 PM. We ordered chilli and gobi pakoras from Pankaj Bhojnalaya via Swiggy and enjoyed a super hot tea on a cold evening enjoying the sunset on the terrace of the homestay.
We had dinner at the Hotel Ooty Coffee house again, because the choices for vegetarian restaurants is quite low in Ooty.
Day-4 - The Great Train Journey to Connoor
The plan was to see Connoor and return to Mettupalayam. We had booked the NMR - Heritage train to Connoor from Udhagamandalam railway station. Post breakfast, we checked out and reached the railway station by 8:45 AM. The train was at 9:15 AM. This is one of the things to do in the bucket list and the urge to go on one of the most popular and memorable train journeys in India was Done once boarded the train. Truly, the views on either side and going through the tunnels was very satisfying and fascinating.
The train stopped in 4 stations in between - Lovedale, Ketti, Aravankadu, and Wellington. The train has 3 reserved coaches - 1 for FC and 2 for SC. We took the ride in SC as it was a shorter ride and no much difference between both classes. There are no toilets on the train.
We had left the luggage in the car when we started from Ooty, and the car reached the Connoor railway station before us and waited to pick us up.
Connoor Sightseeing
Connoor is one of the must-see places in Nilgiris. A day trip! Famous spots of Connoor include Dolphin Nose, Lamb's rock, and Sims park. Firstly, anyone does not want to miss the mesmerizing green tea estates across the slopes of Connoor. If it's misty, it would be making a great place to kill time with the camera.
First, we reached Lamb's rock viewpoint. This is 8 km from the Connoor bus stand. One needs to walk for a km - a little steep to reach the viewpoint. The view would be of a sleeping lady. Unfortunately, it was foggy and we could not see the view. However, the walk and the cold day was fantastic to enjoy. The entry fee is Rs.10 per person and Rs.20 per camera.
We stopped by a Eucalyptus oil factory. Quite a good experience to know the types of oil taken and the methods used. Dolphin's nose is around 3-4 km from Lamb's Rock viewpoint. Dolphin's viewpoint is an exciting place with almost a 360-degree view and couple of waterfalls as well. Beware of monkeys and enjoy the place. This is a great place with the routes too being very attractive to see. The entry fee is Rs.10 per person and Rs.20 per camera.
We bought tea and some spices in random shops the driver took us in Connoor. We reached back Connoor for lunch and had south Indian meals at Venkys. The place was crowded as there are hardly 3 restaurants in Connoor. The meals were ok-ok for the day. Ooty Varkey is very popular at Indian bakery in Connoor. We bought a few there.
Post lunch, we planned to go to Chocolate and Tea factories. There was one government-run, which we could not reach because unprecedented traffic; ended up seeing Benchmark Tea and Chocolate factory. We enjoyed going through the process of Tea making and chocolate making. There were samples to taste - chocolates as well as 6 tastes of tea. Each of the tea varieties was unique and tempting to buy. However, everything was in 500g packets which did not help us. We bought some chocolates and moved out.
We reached back the homestay around 5 PM. We ordered chilli and gobi pakoras from Pankaj Bhojnalaya via Swiggy and enjoyed a super hot tea on a cold evening enjoying the sunset on the terrace of the homestay.
Day-4 - The Great Train Journey to Connoor
The plan was to see Connoor and return to Mettupalayam. We had booked the NMR - Heritage train to Connoor from Udhagamandalam railway station. Post breakfast, we checked out and reached the railway station by 8:45 AM. The train was at 9:15 AM. This is one of the things to do in the bucket list and the urge to go on one of the most popular and memorable train journeys in India was Done once boarded the train. Truly, the views on either side and going through the tunnels was very satisfying and fascinating.
The train stopped in 4 stations in between - Lovedale, Ketti, Aravankadu, and Wellington. The train has 3 reserved coaches - 1 for FC and 2 for SC. We took the ride in SC as it was a shorter ride and no much difference between both classes. There are no toilets on the train.
We had left the luggage in the car when we started from Ooty, and the car reached the Connoor railway station before us and waited to pick us up.
Connoor Sightseeing
Connoor is one of the must-see places in Nilgiris. A day trip! Famous spots of Connoor include Dolphin Nose, Lamb's rock, and Sims park. Firstly, anyone does not want to miss the mesmerizing green tea estates across the slopes of Connoor. If it's misty, it would be making a great place to kill time with the camera.
First, we reached Lamb's rock viewpoint. This is 8 km from the Connoor bus stand. One needs to walk for a km - a little steep to reach the viewpoint. The view would be of a sleeping lady. Unfortunately, it was foggy and we could not see the view. However, the walk and the cold day was fantastic to enjoy. The entry fee is Rs.10 per person and Rs.20 per camera.
We bought tea and some spices in random shops the driver took us in Connoor. We reached back Connoor for lunch and had south Indian meals at Venkys. The place was crowded as there are hardly 3 restaurants in Connoor. The meals were ok-ok for the day. Ooty Varkey is very popular at Indian bakery in Connoor. We bought a few there.
Sim's Park
Sim's park is the last place to see and we reached there around 2 PM. The entry ticket is Rs.30 per person and Rs.50 per camera. The park is quite big and one can spend a couple of hours here. Attractions are massively big trees of different varieties and steep green lawns.
Around 3:30 PM, we decided to start our trip back to Mettupalayam. The whole journey back was pleasant with gloomy weather. We stopped at Baraliyar for some snacks, tea, and purchased some forest fruits. Around 6:00 PM, we reached Mettupalayam, bought dinner - idlies and dosas for dinner at Hotel Annapoorna. There is a Southern Railway museum by the Metupalayam station itself. A good spot to spend 2-30 mins.
We returned back to Chennai by Nilgiri express.
Distances
Sim's park is the last place to see and we reached there around 2 PM. The entry ticket is Rs.30 per person and Rs.50 per camera. The park is quite big and one can spend a couple of hours here. Attractions are massively big trees of different varieties and steep green lawns.
Around 3:30 PM, we decided to start our trip back to Mettupalayam. The whole journey back was pleasant with gloomy weather. We stopped at Baraliyar for some snacks, tea, and purchased some forest fruits. Around 6:00 PM, we reached Mettupalayam, bought dinner - idlies and dosas for dinner at Hotel Annapoorna. There is a Southern Railway museum by the Metupalayam station itself. A good spot to spend 2-30 mins.
We returned back to Chennai by Nilgiri express.
Distances
- Mettupalayam – Ooty – 51 km
- Mettupalayam – Coonoor – 35 km
- Coonoor – Ooty – 21 km
- Coimbatore - Kotagiri – 64 km
- Mettupalayam – Kotagiri – 31 km
- Kotagiri – Ooty – 31 km
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