Ooty or Ootacamund the hill resort of Tamil Nadu, is located in Nilgiri Mountain ranges. Set at an altitude of 7,216 feet above sea level, Ooty covers an area of 30.67 Sq Km. The Hill resort of Ooty, lies amidst of four
high hills namely Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk hill and Club Hill. One of the most popular hill resorts of Southern India, Ooty is situated near the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The moods of the hill resort change with different season, but the varied moods are equally hospitable to the visitor. That's why, Ooty is the only hill station in the country which attracts a large number of visitors in all seasons. Ooty is also famous as the 'All-seasons-hill resort' and the' Queen of hill stations.' Nestled amidst the hills, at a point where the Eastern Ghats meets the Western Ghats, Ooty spreads along a beautiful plateau. The mighty hills, the green valleys and the natural beauty of Ooty,offer the visitors a close affair with nature. Originally Ooty was known as Udhagamandalam, but it was changed to 'Ooty' after the arrival of British.John Sullivan, a British Collector discovered the hill station and promotedit as a summer resort. Several cottages and clubs were built to house and provide recreational facilities to the British officials. The British developed tea gardens in the hill station. Today these tea estates are notonly producing tea, but also adding beauty to the hill resort. The main industry of Ooty is oil extraction from the Eucalyptus trees and also from Lemon grass, Geranium, Clove and Camphor. The hill station organizes several festivals, like the Tea and Tourism festival, Makar Pongal and Flower Show. The Tea and Tourism Festival, held in the month of January, in which one can learn more and more about the favorite drink, tea. Makar Pongal is celebrated in the month of January, while the Flower Show is held in May at the Botanical Gardens.
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Attractions :
Botanical Gardens - Located at a distance of 2 Kms from the town centre, the Government Botanical Gardens were founded in1847. The beautiful gardens spreads over an area of 22 hectares. The gardens have
more than 650 plants species, that includes a fossil of a tree,approximately 20 million years old. The garden is perfect place for nature loving persons, who want to walk among greenery along with watching rareferns and shrubs closely.
Ooty Lake - The 2.5 Km long lake was built in1825. One can go for boating on the lake or one can enjoy fishing by taking fishing permission.
Dodabetta Peak - Located 10 Kms from Ooty, this is the highest point in the district. Standing at a height of 2,623 meters,the peak is the best view point offers picturesque view of the surrounding valley. One can even see the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore.
Lamb's Rock - The vantage point is just 9 Kms from Coonoor. The point is perfect for taking pictures and
also a wonderful picnic spot. It is known for the spectacular views of the plains of Coimbatore and the tea states in the nearby areas.
Kodanadu's View Point - The view point lies 16 Kms from Kotagiri, is situated on the eastern edge of the Nilgiri Mountain range. The view point offers a splendor view of the Moyar river and the tea estates. The clock-tower stands here, that offers a breathtaking view of the Rangasamy peak.
Nearby Attractions :
Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - The Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 67 Kms from Ooty. The Wildlife Sanctuary has the richness of various flora and fauna and it provides shelter to several endangered species. It houses tigers, leopards, elephants, giant squirrels,sambhar, chital, barking deer and flying squirrels. One can also see many kinds of birds that include colorful parakeets, black woodpecker, malabartrogon and crested hawk eagle.
Kotagiri - The hill station is located at 28 Kms east of Ooty. Kotagiri is the oldest of the three hill stations in the Nilgris, but not much popular as other two Ooty and Coonoor. This hill resort is famous for its pleasant weather and tea estates.
Kalhatty Waterfalls - The waterfalls are located at a distance of about 13 Kms from Ooty. The 100 feet high beautiful waterfalls lies on the Kalhatty slopes. The Kalhatty-Masinagudi slopes houses many wild species, including panthers, sambhar, bison and wild buffaloes.
Coonoor - The famous hill station is just 17 Kms from Ooty. The hill station stands at an altitude of 1839 meters, is renowned for its beautiful picnic spots and picturesque surroundings.
Accessibility :
Ooty is not directly connected by Air or Rail link. But good motorable roads connect Ooty with major towns of the country.
» Air - Coimbatore (89 Kms) is the nearest Airport from Ooty, the flights of Indian Airlines connects Coimbatore with Chennai(535 Kms), Bombay (1320 Kms) , Calicut (78 Kms), and Madurai (325 Kms).
» Rail - The Narrow Guage train services connect Ooty with Mettupalayam, which is connected via Chennai and Coimbatore to major cities in India.
» Road - The roads connect Ooty to Chennai (535Kms), Bombay (1320 Kms), Coimbatore (89 Kms), Coonoor (19 Kms),Bangalore(290 Kms), Calicut (178 Kms), Kotagiri (29 Kms), Madumalai (64Kms), Mysore (160 Kms), Tiruchirapally (302 Kms) and Trivandrum (498 Kms).
Accommodation :
The Hotels at Ooty, offer a wide array of choices to the tourists. The hotels, well equipped with modern amenities provide a comfortable stay to the tourists. The hotels of the hill resort range from Heritage hotels to government approved. The famous hotels of Ooty are Savoy Hotel (HeritageHotel), Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court (3 Star), Holiday Inn Gem Park Ooty (3Star), Hotel Sinclair Ooty (3 Star), Howard Johnson The Monarch (3 Star), Nagar Hotels (Nilgiris, 3 Star), Nalapad Residency (2 Star), The Willow Hill (2 Star), Hotel Lake view and Hotel Khems etc.
Best Time To Visit :
The hill resort remains pleasant all through the year, so one can visit this place any time in the year. But the ideal time to visit Ooty is February to May and September to November. If one visits the place in summers he must pack a jacket along with other clothes to avoid shower or drizzle. In winters one should carry winter wear or woolen clothing.
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Basic Inclusions of the package :
- Assisted transfers from airport to hotel and back
- Accommodation in Hotels (as per the category selected)
- Daily Breakfast Buffet
- City tour + Drives by private car
- An English / Language speaking well mannered guide during sightseeing trips
- All currently applicable taxes
Exclusions :
- Any meal unless mentioned above, personal expenses like telephone /laundry bills etc.
- Entrance fees and still camera or video camera charges at various monuments and museums.
- Tips and gratuities to drivers, guides, and bellboys at hotels
- Departure taxes or Visa handling fees (A Visa is required to visit India)
- Any International Air fare, Airports tax and travel insurance etc. and other services not specified above.
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
Remarks
» All prices quoted per person in INR. on twin sharing basis. Rates subject to change without notice Rates are applicable for a minimum of two (2) persons travelling at one time.
» Rates are applicable for Indian market only.
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