2-Day Itinerary for Ooty

  1. Day 1: Botanical Gardens
    10 minutes (2.7 km) from Ooty Bus Stand

    Visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens which is spread over 22 hectares of land and has a variety of trees and plants including fossil of a tree trunk said to be around 20 million years old. The highlight of the garden is the Toda Hill which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Spend a few hours walking around the gardens and enjoying the scenery.

  2. Day 1: Doddabetta Peak
    12 minutes (3.4 km) from Botanical Gardens

    Get ready to be mesmerised by the breathtaking views of the Nilgiri hills from the Doddabetta Peak, which is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills with an altitude of 2,637 metres. Take a hike up to the peak and be one with nature. Spot a few birds along the way. Make sure to dress warmly as temperatures can drop significantly. Enjoy a hot cup of tea at the tea shop at the peak to warm yourself up.

  3. Day 2: Ooty Lake
    7 minutes (2.2 km) from Ooty Bus Stand

    Ooty Lake is an artificial lake that was formed by John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore in 1824. Take a boat ride on the lake. Hire a paddle boat or a row boat and enjoy the tranquillity of the lake. The lake is surrounded by thick forests of the Nilgiri hills. There are also a few food stalls by the lake that sell street food that you can munch on.

  4. Day 2: Thread Garden
    3 minutes (550 metres) from Ooty Lake

    The Thread Garden is a unique garden where everything is made of thread. Yes, you read that right - every plant, tree, and flower is made of thread. The garden has a rich collection of various flowers and plants in vibrant colours. Take a stroll around the garden and enjoy the artistic pieces made by the craftsmen. The garden is a perfect place to take a few souvenir photographs.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Botanical Gardens (2-3 hours, admission fee: INR 60)
  • Doddabetta Peak (3-4 hours, admission fee: INR 10)
  • Ooty Lake (2-3 hours, boat ride: INR 250 per person)
  • Thread Garden (1-2 hours, admission fee: INR 20)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 620

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can add a visit to the Government Museum which showcases tribal artefacts, contemporary art, and natural history specimens. For adventure junkies, a visit to the Mudumalai National Park can be added where you can enjoy jungle safaris and spot exotic wildlife such as tigers, leopards, and elephants. If you have less time, you can skip the Thread Garden and visit the St. Stephen's Church which is a beautiful Gothic style church that was constructed in 1829.

0