Places to Visit in Ooty

Officially called Ootacamund, the hill-town is better known by its nickname–Ooty. It is loved by Bollywood directors, honeymooners, families, and even backpackers, for its mountains, lakes, gardens, and waterfalls.

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Things To See & Do

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

Lush Green Garden
Spread over a huge area of 22 hectares and with more than 650 species of flowers and trees, the Botanical Garden is a horticulturist’s delight.

1 to 2 hours

Suggested Time

Pykara Waterfalls

Pykara Waterfalls

Cascading Waterfalls
Surrounded by eucalyptus trees, grassy meadows, and encampments of the indigenous Toda tribe, the river flows over a series of waterfalls, one of which cascades down 61 metres.

2 to 3 hours

Suggested Time

Doddabetta Peak

Doddabetta Peak

Breath-Taking Sunset Point
Located 10 kilometres from Ooty, Doddabetta Peak is set at an altitude of 8,606 feet, and is the highest point of South India.

Minimum 1 hour

Suggested Time

Elk Hill Murugan Temple

Elk Hill Murugan Temple

Beautiful Hill-Top Temple
The temple is situated on Elk Hill and is set amidst picturesque settings. This architectural gem is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the revered warrior god.

1 hour

Suggested Time

Ooty Lake

Ooty Lake

Serene Lake
Built in 1825, this 2.5-kilometre long lake meandering through the scenic beauty of the Nilgiris, is a popular picnic spot in Ooty.

1 to 2 hours

Suggested Time

Fernhills Palace

Fernhills Palace

Grand Palace
Built in 1844, The Fernhill Palace was the erstwhile summer residence for the Maharajas of Mysore. The grandeur of the palace transports every visitor to the bygone colonial era.

2 to 3 hours

Suggested Time

Tea Museum

Tea Museum

Unique Museum
Located adjacent to the Dodabetta Tea Factory in Ooty, is this sprawling 1-acre area surrounded by tea plantations amidst the magnificent Nilgiri Mountains.

1 to 2 hours

Suggested Time

Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu

Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu

A Tiger reserve in the northwestern Nilgiri Mountains
Located amid the Nilgiri Hills, this national park is segmented into 5 ranges - Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota. The protected area is a premier tiger reserve and is home to various other endangered wildlife species too.

1-2 Days

Suggested Time

Best Time To Visit Ooty

All year round destination

  • OCT-MAR

    Peak Season

  • APR-MAY

    Moderate Season

  • JUN-SEP

    Off-season

  • Whattoexpect:Chilly and windy weather.
  • Thingsyou'lllove:Tamil Festival and scenic views.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

The Summer FestivalMay

Ooty Mariamman Temple FestivalThe entire month of February

Tea and Tourism FestivalJanuary

Book Your Trip to Ooty

From

Travel Options to reach Ooty

Our Recommendations

Flight to Coimbatore Airport, then Car to Ooty

Booking Options Starting From

₹8,533

BOOK NOW

Flight to Bengaluru Airport, then Bus to Ooty

Booking Options Starting From

₹6,767

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Stay in Ooty

Recommended Options

VIEW ALL

3 STAR HOTELS

Recommended For You

Average Price

₹3,598

EXPLORE
Hotel Lakeview

Hotel Lakeview

Central Ooty

3.9/5

₹4,000

Onwards

DARSHAN HOTEL OOTY

DARSHAN HOTEL OOTY

Kandal

4/5

₹4,146

Onwards

KSTDC Hotel Mayura Sudarshan Ooty

KSTDC Hotel Mayura Sudarshan Ooty

Central Ooty

4.3/5

₹2,650

Onwards

4 STAR HOTELS

Recommended For You

Average Price

₹6,953

EXPLORE
Accord HighLand

Accord HighLand

Dodda Betta

4.4/5

₹7,000

Onwards

Mango Hill Shola Ooty

Mango Hill Shola Ooty

Central Ooty

4.2/5

₹6,421

Onwards

West Downs - The Heritage Resort

West Downs - The Heritage Resort

Kandal

3.8/5

₹7,440

Onwards

5 STAR HOTELS

Recommended For You

Average Price

₹17,365

EXPLORE
Savoy, Ooty - IHCL SeleQtions

Savoy, Ooty - IHCL SeleQtions

Sylks Road

4.5/5

₹22,050

Onwards

Sterling Ooty Fern Hill

Sterling Ooty Fern Hill

Fern Hill

3.8/5

₹11,020

Onwards

Ayatana, Ooty

Ayatana, Ooty

In Coonoor

4.6/5

₹19,025

Onwards

Top Places to Visit in Ooty You Must Explore


Ooty (Udhagamandalam), the Queen of the Nilgiris, boasts breathtaking tourist attractions across a mountainous landscape. Some top places to visit in Ootyinclude expansive lakes, mesmerising waterfalls, and lush tea plantations. Once the summer capital of Madras Presidency, Ooty still carries the remnants of its colonial past, reflected in its heritage attractions.

Ooty has also been among the top destinations in India for honeymoon getaways, with several tourist places to visit in Ooty for 2 days being popular among couples.


Lakes and Gardens of Ooty


The hill town has some mesmerising lakes and gardens to explore, making it an ideal destination for places to visit in Ooty for 3 days.

  • Ooty Lake:Located in the city’s heart, Ooty Lake is a 65-acre stretch of magnificence where tourists can enjoy boating by the Nilgiris. This artificial lake, dating back to the 19th century, is also a hotspot for boat races.
  • Pykara Lake:A visual haven for photography lovers, Pykara Lake is among the top places to visit in Ooty for couples. Visitors can opt for speedboats and paddle boats while soaking in views of the surrounding hills and greenery.
  • Emerald Lake:This lake is a picnic hotspot and is among the best tourist places in Ooty, with nearby resorts. It’s a great spot for birdwatching, fishing, and exploring tea plantations in the vicinity.
  • Ooty Rose Garden:Explore the stunning rose plantations nestled on the slopes of Elk Hill, home to about 20,000 rose varieties. The garden offers picturesque photo opportunities with loved ones.
  • Botanical Garden:Located at the lower slopes of Doddabetta Peak, the Botanical Garden is one of the top places to visit in Ooty with family. It features over 600 plant species and is a must-see attraction.

Other Top Tourist Attractions and Activities of Ooty


  • Nilgiri Mountain Railway’s Toy Train Ride:This 46-km-long toy train ride offers a delightful view of Ooty’s top attractions. Tickets cost INR 80 (second class), INR 290 (first class), and INR 15 (unreserved).
  • Doddabetta Peak:As the highest point in the Nilgiris, this peak is a great trekking destination with breathtaking views. It’s among the best tourist places in Ooty.
  • Katari Falls:Known as a picnic hotspot, Katari Falls is the third highest in the Nilgiris and is among the best places to visit in Ooty with friends. It’s also the site of India’s first hydroelectric power project.
  • Ooty Tea Factory and Museum:Surrounded by lush green tea plantations, the Ooty Tea Factory and Museum offer insights into the history of tea-making and tea-plucking processes. Tea connoisseurs will enjoy exploring factory stores for a variety of tea options.
  • Ooty Markets:Browse local markets for apparel, spices, and homemade chocolates. Tibetan Market and Main Bazaar are also vibrant places to visit in Ooty at night.

Locations to Cover Around Ooty


As a top choice among hill stations, Ooty is surrounded by mesmerizing travel destinations that you can include in your itinerary:

  • Kotagiri tea plantations
  • Coonoor’s Lamb’s Rock
  • Bellikkal Bison Valley

Tourist Places in Ooty

Elk Hill Murugan Temple, Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu, Tea Museum, Doddabetta Peak, Botanical Garden

State

Tamil Nadu

Best Time to Visit in Ooty

October to March

Things to Do in Ooty

Fernhills Palace, Pykara Waterfalls, Ooty Lake, Homemade Chocolates from King Star, Toda Huts

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Ooty

How is the weather of Ooty in peak season?

The weather of Ooty in peak season is chilly and windy weather. It means you can easily plan a trip to Ooty in the months of ​​​​​​​​October, November, December, January, February and March to enjoy your trip to the fullest.

What are the top things to do in Ooty?

Ooty is an incredibly lively place and is popularly known for its topmost things to do like Botanical Garden, Pykara Waterfalls, and Doddabetta Peak. You will have a great time here, then why wait? Book your trip now!

What are the things that you should not miss out on when you are in Ooty?

If you are a true traveller, you should definitely not miss out on Botanical Garden, Pykara Waterfalls, and Doddabetta Peak when you are in Ooty to make a funfilled vacay.

Is 2 days enough for Ooty?

In 2 days, you can cover some top activities like camping, toy train rides and landscape exploration in the Nilgiris for memorable experiences in Ooty. With ample destinations for sightseeing, Ooty is also great to explore on a longer vacation.

Which part of Ooty is best?

Ooty�s best locations are spread across the city landscape, with the best part of the city being a visit to places like Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Elk Hill Murugan Temple, etc.

Is Ooty costly?

Your cost of an Ooty visit depends on factors like the total number of travellers, days of visit, type of journey, and activities planned. Ideally, a budget trip of 2-3 people for 2 days can start at INR 15,000 to INR 20,000 approximately.