3 Days in Ooty: A Comprehensive Itinerary

1. Day 1: Exploring Ooty
   Starting point - Ooty Railway Station
   Time and Distance Estimated from Last Location: 15 minutes (5 km)

   Begin your journey by exploring the Doddabetta Peak - the highest point in the Nilgiri Mountains. At a height of 2,623 meters, the peak offers panoramic vistas of Ooty's lush green landscape. Next, head to the Ooty Botanical Gardens, the ideal place to witness a vast range of exotic flora including the famous fossil tree trunk that dates back to over twenty million years. Moving on, visit the Tea Museum where you'll learn about the history and processing of tea. Finally, wrap up day one with a visit to the Ooty Lake for a chance to paddle a boat on the pristine water.

2. Day 2: A Glimpse into Ooty's Cultural Scene
   Starting point - Ooty Lake
   Time and Distance Estimated from Last Location: 20 minutes (7 km)

   Today, you'll get a chance to explore Ooty's rich cultural and civic buildings. Start with a visit to the Stone House, one of the oldest buildings in Ooty and then head to the St. Stephen's Church, an ancient church dating back to the 19th century. Next, is the Government Museum comprising an impressive collection of tribal relics, artifacts from the pre-British era, and fascinating insights into the local history and culture. Finally, enjoy a unique experience at the Thread Garden - an enticing botanical garden that consists of vibrant flowers, leaves as well as other greenery- all created using threads.

3. Day 3: A Journey through Coonoor
   Starting point - Ooty Taxi Stand
   Time and Distance Estimated from Last Location: 1 hour 10 minutes (20 km)

   The final day of your itinerary takes you to Coonoor, a quaint hill station located in the vicinity of Ooty. Start with a visit to the Sim's Park, a picturesque botanical garden with a vast variety of trees and plants. Next, head over to the Lamb's Rock viewpoint - offering splendid views of the lush green valleys and the Coimbatore plains. Move on to the Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint for a view from a height of 1000 feet over the stunning Catherine falls. Lastly, end the trip with a memorable ride on the historical Nilgiri Mountain Railway which offers a scenic view of surrounding tea plantations and the sholas forests.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Doddabetta Peak (2-3 hours, free entry)
• Ooty Botanical Gardens (1-2 hours, INR 30 for Adults, INR 15 for Children)
• Tea Museum (1-2 hours, INR 10 per person)
• Ooty Lake (1-2 hours, INR 10 for Adults, INR 5 for Children)
• Stone House (1-2 hours, free entry)
• St. Stephen's Church (1 hour, free entry)
• Government Museum (1-2 hours, INR 10 for Adults, INR 5 for Children)
• Thread Garden (1-2 hours, INR 30 for Adults, INR 10 for Children)
• Sim's Park (2-3 hours, INR 20 for Adults, INR 10 for Children)
• Lamb's Rock Viewpoint (2-3 hours, free entry)
• Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint (2-3 hours, free entry)
• Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2-3 hours, INR 205 for First Class, INR 30 for Second Class)
• Total Estimated Costs (Excluding Hotel and Food): INR 365 for Adults, INR 120 for Children

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit additional attractions such as the Pykara Lake and Pykara Falls. Conversely, if you have less time, remove either of the viewpoints. Spare more than three days if you want to cover the activities in a more leisurely way.