A Perfect 1-Day Itinerary for Exploring Ooty

1. 9:00 AM: Doddabetta Peak
   15 minutes (7.1 km) from Ooty bus stand

   Doddabetta Peak is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills with breathtaking views of the valley and distant hills. Enjoy a warm cup of local tea at the viewpoint café while you soak in the panoramic view.

2. 11:00 AM: Ooty Botanical Gardens
   20 minutes (4 km) from Doddabetta Peak

   Walk around the 55-acre expanse of Ooty Botanical Gardens, known for its vast variety of plants, trees, and flowers. Take a guided tour to understand the history behind it’s different sections.

3. 1:00 PM: Lunch at Shinkow's Chinese Restaurant
   10 minutes (2.7 km) from Ooty Botanical Gardens

   Relish delicious authentic Chinese food at the famous Shinkow's Chinese Restaurant, which has preserved the authentic cuisine for five generations.

4. 2:30 PM: Ooty Lake
   10 minutes (2.5 km) from Shinkow's Chinese Restaurant

   Visit the serene Ooty Lake for boating and take a stroll around the lake. Enjoy the cool breeze and take in the beautiful surroundings.

5. 4:30 PM: Tea Tasting at Mariamman Tea Factory
   20 minutes (6.5 km) from Ooty Lake

   Visit Mariamman Tea Factory to understand the tea manufacturing process and taste different variants of tea freshly brewed for you.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Doddabetta Peak (2 hours, free)
• Ooty Botanical Gardens (2 hours, INR 30 per person)
• Shinkow's Chinese Restaurant (1.5 hours, INR 500 for two people)
• Ooty Lake (1.5 hours, INR 600 for a paddleboat ride)
• Mariamman Tea Factory (1 hour, INR 100 per person)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 760 for two people

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can explore the Ooty Tribal Research Centre, take a toy train ride, or visit the Wax World Ooty. However, if you're short on time, you can skip the Tea Factory and spend some more time at Doddabetta Peak or the Botanical Gardens.