A Family-Friendly Day Trip to Ooty in May 2023

1. 10:00AM: The Tea Factory and Museum
   20 min (6 km) from Ooty Bus Stand

   The Tea Factory and Museum showcases the history of tea in India and gives a detailed explanation of the tea-making process. Visitors can enjoy a tea tasting session and purchase various teas and souvenirs.

2. 11:30AM: Ooty Lake
   10 min (3.5 km) from The Tea Factory and Museum

   The Ooty lake is a scenic artificial lake surrounded by eucalyptus trees and green hills. Visitors can enjoy boating, horse riding, and a miniature train ride around the lake.

3. 1:00PM: Hotel Shinkows
   15 min (5 km) from Ooty Lake

   Hotel Shinkows is a popular family restaurant well known for its quick service and delicious South Indian cuisine. The restaurant has a warm and comfortable atmosphere, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch.

4. 3:00PM: Government Botanical Garden
   20 min (7.5 km) from Hotel Shinkows

   The Government Botanical Garden has a vast collection of plants and trees from India and abroad. The garden also has a fossil tree that dates back to more than 20 million years old and a 20-million-year-old tree trunk.

5. 4:30PM: Thread Garden
   10 min (3 km) from Government Botanical Garden

   The Thread Garden is a unique garden where all the flowers and plants are made out of thread. The garden has a wide range of flora and fauna, ranging from anthuriums and daffodils to peacocks and elephants.

Time and Costs Estimates

• The Tea Factory and Museum (1 hour, INR 300)
• Ooty Lake (1.5 hours, INR 200 per person for boating, INR 100 per person for horse riding, INR 50 per person for the miniature train ride)
• Hotel Shinkows (1 hour, INR 500 for a family of 4)
• Government Botanical Garden (1.5 hours, INR 50 per adult, INR 30 per child)
• Thread Garden (1 hour, INR 50 per adult, INR 25 per child)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 1630 for a family of 4

Useful tips

If you have more time, you can visit other attractions such as Doddabetta Peak, Pykara Falls, and the Rose Garden. If you have less time, you can skip the Tea Factory and Museum and the Thread Garden. Don't forget to carry sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses as it can get quite sunny in Ooty during May.