7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Ooty

1. Day 1: Ooty Lake
   10 minutes (2.5 km) from Ooty Railway Station

   Take a scenic boat ride on Ooty Lake, surrounded by lush green hills. Pack a picnic lunch for a family outing.

2. Day 2: Doddabetta Peak
   40 minutes (10 km) from Ooty Lake

   Enjoy sweeping views of Ooty from the highest point of Tamil Nadu. Features an observatory deck for great photos.

3. Day 3: Government Botanical Garden
   20 minutes (5 km) from Doddabetta Peak

   Take a leisurely stroll amongst vibrant flora, including rare species such as the monkey puzzle tree. Perfect picnic location.

4. Day 4: Tiger Hill
   30 minutes (6 km) from Government Botanical Garden

   Hike up this reserved forest for panoramic views of tea plantations and valleys. Don't forget your camera for spectacular sunset shots.

5. Day 5: Pykara Falls and Dam
   1 hour (23 km) from Tiger Hill

   Watch the glistening stream of Pykara waterfall cascading down the mountains and enjoy a picnic overlooking the dam. Good swimming spot.

6. Day 6: Needle Rock Viewpoint
   40 minutes (16 km) from Pykara Falls and Dam

   A dramatic viewpoint is home to the stunning scenery of the winding ghat roads and verdant valleys of the region.

7. Day 7: Avalanche Lake
   1 hour (24 km) from Needle Rock Viewpoint

   Enjoy fishing or boating on one of the cleanest and scenic natural lakes deep in the region's tropical forests.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Ooty Lake (1-2 hours, INR 10-70 per boat)
• Doddabetta Peak (1-2 hours, INR 10-50 per person)
• Government Botanical Garden (1-2 hours, INR 20 per person)
• Tiger Hill (2-3 hours, free)
• Pykara Falls and Dam (2-3 hours, INR 5-50 per person)
• Needle Rock Viewpoint (1-2 hours, free)
• Avalanche Lake (2-3 hours, INR 10-20 per person)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 60-270 per person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a leisurely toy train ride through the region's picturesque countryside. For less time, skip Needle Rock Viewpoint and Avalanche Lake and explore the tea estates or St. Stephen's Church, one of the oldest in Nilgiri District. Also, keep in mind that most attractions close by 6 PM, so plan accordingly.