Discover Ooty in Two Days

1. Day 1: Exploring the Queen of Hill Stations
   Start your day at Ooty Botanical Gardens. (Estimated time of arrival 9:00 am. Distance from Ooty Bus Stand: 3.5 km) This government-owned garden is spread over 55 acres and showcases a vast range of plant species and beautiful lawns. Then take a 25-minute walk (1.1 km) to reach the Ooty Lake. The serene lake is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and is perfect for boating. Spend some time relaxing here and taking in the picturesque view. Next, head to the Doddabetta Peak (Estimated time of arrival 1:00 pm. Distance from Ooty Lake: 9.3 km) which is the highest mountain peak in the Nilgiri range. The peak provides a panoramic view of the entire town and is located above sea level at 2,623 meters. End your day at Rose Garden (Estimated time of arrival 3:00 pm. Distance from Doddabetta Peak: 6.4 km), which is the largest rose garden in India, with more than 20,000 different varieties of roses and other flowers.
2. Day 2: Learn About Tea and Discover Pykara Falls
   Start your day with Thread Garden (Estimated time of arrival 9:00 am. Distance from Ooty Bus Stand: 900 m), which is a unique garden that features handmade floral arrangements using threads. Next, head to the Tea Museum (Estimated time of arrival 11:00 am. Distance from Thread Garden: 2.1 km), which is a must-visit place to learn about the history and production of tea in Ooty. The tour of the museum takes about an hour and includes a tea-tasting session. Then, proceed to Pykara Falls (Estimated time of arrival 1:00 pm. Distance from Tea Museum: 24.5 km), which is a beautiful cascade that plunges down a height of 55 meters. There are two waterfalls in Pykara, and the views are simply breathtaking. End your day with a visit to the Government Botanical Garden (Estimated time of arrival 4:00 pm. Distance from Pykara Falls: 22.1 km), which is a 22-hectare garden that houses over a thousand plant varieties.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Ooty Botanical Gardens (1 hour, ₹20)
• Ooty Lake (1 hour, ₹290 per person for a boat ride)
• Doddabetta Peak (2 hours, ₹10 per person)
• Rose Garden (1.5 hours, ₹30 per person)
• Thread Garden (45 min, ₹30 per person)
• Tea Museum (1 hour, ₹10 per person)
• Pykara Falls (2 hours, ₹5 per person)
• Government Botanical Garden (1.5 hours, ₹30 per person)
Total Estimated Costs: ₹445 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the following places: Ooty Tribal Research Centre, Avalanche Lake, Pykara Dam, and St. Stephen's Church. If you have less time, drop the Government Botanical Garden and Thread Garden from the itinerary. Do not forget to carry a warm jacket as it can get cold in Ooty, even during the day.