2-Day Ooty Nature Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Ooty Botanical Gardens
    10 minutes (3.6 km) from Ooty Lake

    The Ooty Botanical Gardens is a beautiful garden that covers over 55 acres of land. It has thousands of different species of flora from all over India and other countries. You can buy some fresh plants and flowers at the government-operated plant nursery located in the garden. The garden is open for visitors until 6 PM.

  2. Day 1: Doddabetta Peak
    15 minutes (7.4 km) from Ooty Botanical Gardens

    If you're looking for an incredible view of Ooty, you definitely have to visit Doddabetta Peak!

    You can hike to the peak and once you reach the summit, the view is breathtaking. You can see the rolling hills and even parts of Coimbatore. It’s a popular spot, so it’s best to go early morning. The peak is open from 7 AM to 6 PM.

  3. Day 2: Pykara Lake
    30 minutes (16 km) from Doddabetta Peak

    Pykara Lake is a scenic lake surrounded by lush greenery and is home to a variety of birds and wildlife. You can take a boat and explore the lake and the surrounding areas, there are also lots of spots for picnic.

    The lake is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM every day.

  4. Day 2: Mukurthi National Park
    30 minutes (15 km) from Pykara Lake

    Mukurthi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a wide range of plants and animals. The park is named after Mukurthi Peak, which is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Range.

    You can take a tour of the national park and take in the breathtaking views of the mountain ranges and forests. It is best to go early morning, as the park is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. You might be lucky enough to spot some rare species of animals such as the Nilgiri Tahr and the Sambar deer.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Ooty Botanical Gardens (1 hour, Rs. 30 per person entry fee)
  • Doddabetta Peak (2 hours, Rs. 10 per person entry fee)
  • Pykara Lake (3 hours, Rs. 10 per person entry fee, Rs. 1,500 for motorboat ride (up to 8 people))
  • Mukurthi National Park (4 hours, Rs. 15 per person entry fee, Rs. 1,180 for van safari (up to 6 people))
  • Total Estimated Costs: Rs. 1,765

Useful tips

You can add a visit to the Ooty Lake on the first day as it only takes about 5 minutes drive from the Ooty Botanical Gardens. You could also visit the Tea Museum on the second day, if you have time. It is about 30 minutes (14 km) from Mukurthi National Park.

If you have more time, you could visit the Avalanche Lake and Emerald Lake which are also great nature spots to visit.

Make sure to bring warm clothes as it can get chilly in the morning, especially at higher altitudes. Also, be mindful of the opening and closing times of each place to avoid disappointment.

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