Planning a weekend getaway with friends in the beautiful hill station Ooty? There’s much more to Ooty than the gardens and the scenic landscapes. In this blog, we’ve got some interesting suggestions for your Ooty trip based on your interests.
The Niligiris Mountains is a paradise for trekkers. Most of the treks are easy to moderate and the relatively mild climate makes it a great choice for trekking all round the year. If you want to just enjoy a hike, there are numerous tea estates on the hills that will make great hiking spots. However, do make sure you have permission to enter the estates before you embark on your hike. Mukurti peak is one of the hottest spots for serious trekkers. The other popular trekking spots are Glenmorgan, Sengottaraayar Malai, Parson’s Valley, Ebbanad, Rangasamy Pillar and Stone House.
From Tibetian Momos to the staple Idli, Vada, dosa, there is a wide range of cuisines that you can explore in Ooty. If your gang of foodies loves Chinese food, heed to Shinkows near the Collector’s Office. Great food at affordable prices! There are numerous multi-cuisine hotels that cater to the varied needs of visitors from all over the country. Pizza joints and Coffee houses in Ooty cater to those who want their usual fare. For fine dining, heed to Taj Savoy hotel, Earl’s Secret, Hotel Nahar and The Garden Café. Briyani lovers, you don’t have to miss out on your favourite dish when you’re in Ooty. You can go to Hotel Junior Kuppanna or Hyderabad Biriyani House to satiate your hunger.
If you and your gang of friends are planning a weekend trip to Ooty just to relax and chill out, then you’re in for the best rejuvenating experience of your lifetime. Book yourself in one of the many cottages in and around Ooty where you can relax and enjoy the amenities of the place. Watch the mist slowly rise from the dewy grass as your indulge in a hot cup of chai or bundle up around a campfire at night and sing songs or swap stories with friends. Places like Crest Valley that is located a little outside the city offer transparent tent accommodation. Sleep under the stars and enjoy the great outdoor experience in the mountains.
Frankly speaking, Ooty is not much of a shopper’s place if you are looking for street fashion. Most tourists to Ooty love to buy homemade chocolates and local fruits here. However, if you love gardening, you can get some beautiful plants and high-quality seeds at the nursery in the Botanical Garden. Fresh fruits and veggies, we suggest you go to Ooty Market. It’s not like how they’re portrayed in the movies, but like an average market that you see in any town or city. The place will be crowded, but worth the bargain! Oils like Wintergreen, Eucalyptus, lemon oil and more are also frequently purchased items here. Heed to Commercial Road and Charring Cross for all your shopping. If you want to buy woolens, then go to the Tibetan Market near the Botanical Gardens. For those who want to buy good quality tea, heed to Chamraj Tea Shop, which is on upper Bazaar Street. You will also find many other stores near popular tourist spots selling tea, oils and chocolates.
If you and your gang are photography freaks, then you have a wide canvas to explore in the Nilgiri Hills. All the popular tourist spots like the Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Lake, Doddabetta are great photo spots. You can get some great pictures early in the morning at the Doddabetta peak. If you want to dabble in wildlife photography, go to Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary and sign up for a safari. However, if you are staying in one of those adventure resorts outside the town, you can ask your hosts if they organize any safari trips into the nearby Shola forests.
Ooty is the best place to go to get close to nature and have a glimpse of the majestic wildlife. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is home to elephants, Bengal tigers, black panther, gaur, Niligiris langur, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri Thar. There are more than 350 species of birds and 175 species of endemic orchids here. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary located enroute Ooty to Mysore is the best place to visit. The sanctuary is open to visitors from 7 am to 6 pm, on all days. Elephant safari is available from 7 to 8.30 in the morning and again from 3.30 to 5 in the evening. Van safari into the forest is available from 6.30 am to 9 am and from 3.30 to 6 pm. They even offer private jeep safari, but depends on the availability of the driver.
Want to make the most of your trip to Ooty with your gang of friends? Call us to make all your travel and accommodation plans.
