Ooty Homestays

Ooty, ‘the queen of the Blue Mountains’, is a beautiful hill station situated in the Nilgiri ranges of the Western Ghats, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Ooty is known for its beautiful gardens, wooded rolling hills, pine and eucalyptus forests, coffee and tea plantations, ancient tribes and monuments and above all, salubrious climate

There are several delightful views and spots to visit and enjoy whilst at Ooty. The Botanical Gardens is a work of art developed over 150 years, evinced in the magnificent lawns, giant exotic trees and over 2,000 species of flowering plants. A short walk from these gardens brings one to the special Childrens’ garden. Another popular spot is the Ooty lake, an artificial lake constructed in the early 1800’s. The lake and its surrounds offer fun and games, an amusement park, boat and pony rides, a mini train ride, shops and plenty of food stalls.

Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and means ‘big mountain’ in the local tongue. This mountain stands at a height of 8,640 ft above sea level. Accessible by road, the peak offers panoramic views of the surroundings ranges and valleys, as well as the surrounding townships. There are several other spectacular views points, one of the most popular being Valley View.

A 10 minute drive from the Ooty Market brings one to Toda Village. The Todas are one of the oldest tribes to inhabit this region. Situated within a large grassy area, the Toda tribals and their cattle live in harmony. The Toda temples, with its quaint thatched roofs and exterior design are worth visiting. Handicrafts can be purchased right from the village at best rates.

St Stephen’s Church is one of the most beautiful churches in India, and the oldest in the hills. An impressive steeple crowns the strong, bright façade of the church. The interior stained glass windows feature stunning scenes and allow an amazing play of sunlight into the church.

Around 20 kms from Ooty, Pykara dam and falls offers a sparking atmosphere and scenic surroundings. The falls are at their best in the month of July.

Practical Information

• The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Ooty is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Coimbatore, depending upon traffic and weather conditions. Most of the route offers breathtakingly beautiful scenery, and a chance to get up close and personal with the inhabitants. Bison and monkeys are a common but delightful sight.
• Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms). The major broad gauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities.
• Mettupalayam to Ooty is connected by a Mountain Railway which is a scenic 4 hour journey. The 'Nilgiri toy train' connects these two destinations, at the foot of the Nilgiris.
• Ooty is well connected by good roads. It is 535 km from Chennai (via Salem), 89 km from Coimbatore, 18 km from Coonoor (via Gudalur), 155 km from Mysore, 187 km from Calicut, 290 km from Bangalore, 281 km from Kochi (via Coimbatore and Palakkad), 236 km from Kodaikanal (via Coimbatore and Palani).
• City Bus, Taxi and Call Taxi Auto available in terms of local transport.
• Ooty enjoys superb weather all year round. December and January are its winter months. The temperature in winter hovers around 5C. In summer, the temperature can go up to a maximum of 25C.
• The favourite local dish is ‘Raagi’ – a type of porridge made out of pulses and lentils and said to be extremely nutritious. The South Indian cuisine style called ‘Chettinad’ (from the district of the same name) is also popular, involving the use of several Indian spices, coconut and tamarind.
• Ooty is known for its range of home made chocolates, fine teas and health benefiting oils and essences. ‘Toda’ shawls and handicrafts, hand made and unique in design, are worth purchasing.
• Apart from the usual national level celebrations during festivals like Christmas and Diwali, the surrounding villages and tribes celebrate their own festivals, especially during the months from January to April. The Badaga festivals commence from January onwards. The famous ‘car’ festival happens in the month of April. All local festivals revolve around famous Gods and Goddesses, and are marked with sound, colour and gaiety.