4-day "Ooty" itinerary for foodies

1. Day 1: Ooty Lake
   10 minutes (3.5km) from Ooty Bus Stand

   Start your foodie adventure at Ooty Lake in the morning. Take a peaceful boat ride amidst serene surroundings. Enjoy a hearty breakfast of hot dosas at a nearby restaurant. After breakfast, visit the local tea factory and taste a variety of aromatic teas. You can have an early lunch at the tea factory restaurant, which also serves tea-infused dishes.

2. Day 2: Botanical Gardens
   15 minutes (4km) from Ooty Lake

   Explore the Botanical Gardens, which feature an array of exotic plants, ferns, and an orchid house. Next, visit Willy’s Coffee Pub, a quaint little cafe popular for its freshly brewed coffee and scrumptious sandwiches. Spend some time strolling on the charming streets of Charing Cross, where you can find local shops and eateries selling a range of snacks such as bhajjis, murukkus, and chips.

3. Day 3: Doddabetta Peak and Rose Garden
   45 minutes (12km) from Botanical Gardens

   Head to Doddabetta Peak for a panoramic view of Ooty and its surrounding hills. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing cup of tea at the tea stall while taking in the breathtaking scenery. For lunch, try the local favorite, Coonoor’s Madras Annapoorna, which serves authentic South Indian meals. After lunch, visit the beautiful Rose Garden and treat yourself to an ice-cream from the multiple ice cream stalls inside the garden.

4. Day 4: Chocolate Factory and Pykara Falls
   45 minutes (23km) from Rose Garden

   Visit the Chocolate Factory to delve into the world of chocolates and try a variety of handmade chocolates, truffles and fudge. Next, head to Earls Secret, a small restaurant serving scrumptious beef and pork dishes. Later, end your trip on a refreshing note and visit the Pykara Falls, surrounded by lush green forests and serene waterfalls, known for its picturesque beauty and calming atmosphere.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Ooty Lake (Boat Ride) (1 hour, INR 500)
• Tea Factory (1 hour, INR 200)
• Botanical Gardens (2 hours, INR 150)
• Willy’s Coffee Pub (1 hour, INR 400)
• Doddabetta Peak (2 hours, INR 100)
• Coonoor’s Madras Annapoorna (1 hour, INR 500)
• Rose Garden (1 hour, INR 30)
• Chocolate Factory (1 hour, INR 400)
• Earls Secret (1 hour, INR 700)
• Pykara Falls (2 hours, INR 50)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 3080

Useful tips:

If you have more time, visit the Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint for a stunning view of the valley. Visit the Tibetan Market to buy souvenirs. Foodies can explore the local cuisine by trying out the different street foods such as puttu, kara dosai, and kozhukattai. If you have less time, shorten the itinerary by combining the Chocolate Factory and Pykara Falls visit in one day. You can also opt to skip Doddabetta Peak and visit Sim's Park, which features stunning Japanese-style landscapes.