Ooty - City Experiences in June 2024

1. Day 1: Government Botanical Garden
   10 minutes (2.6 km) from Ooty Bus Station

   In the morning, explore the beautiful garden with a vast collection of exotic and indigenous plants. Have a picnic lunch at the garden. In the afternoon, explore the Toda huts, ancient houses of the indigenous people of Ooty. In the evening, visit the Ooty Lake and take a boat ride to enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake.

2. Day 2: Ooty Doddabetta Peak
   30 minutes (10 km) from Government Botanical Garden

   Have a mesmerizing view of the Nilgiri hills from the highest peak in South India. Visit the Tea Museum in the morning to experience the history and culture of tea production in Ooty. In the afternoon, explore the beautiful Rose Garden, which features more than 2500 varieties of roses. In the evening, take a ride on the Ooty Toy Train to enjoy the scenic beauty of Ooty hills.

3. Day 3: St. Stephen's Church
   20 minutes (7 km) from Ooty Doddabetta Peak

   Explore the colonial architecture of one of the oldest churches in the region. In the afternoon, visit the Wax World Museum to see the wax replicas of famous Indian personalities. In the evening, head towards the Thunder World to enjoy the amusement rides and the 5D cinema experience.

4. Day 4: Pykara Falls and Boat House
   30 minutes (20 km) from St. Stephen's Church

   Explore the scenic Pykara waterfall and take a boat ride in the Pykara Lake. In the afternoon, visit the Tribal Museum to experience the history and culture of the indigenous tribes of the region. In the evening, go for some shopping in the local markets like Charing Cross and Upper Bazaar to purchase some local handicrafts and souvenirs.

5. Day 5: Thread Garden
   20 minutes (6 km) from Pykara Falls and Boat House

   Discover the unique art form where everything is made of threads. In the afternoon, visit the Stone House, the first bungalow in Ooty, and now a museum to explore the history and culture of the region. In the evening, visit the Fernhill Palace Hotel to enjoy the beautiful architecture and the scenic beauty surrounding the palace.

6. Day 6: Dolphin's Nose and Catherine Falls
   1 hour 30 minutes (40 km) from Thread Garden

   Explore the stunning Dolphin's Nose viewpoint and the beautiful Catherine Falls. In the afternoon, enjoy a peaceful walk in the Sim's park, known for its beautiful flowers and plants. In the evening, head towards the Ooty Chocolate and Tea factory to experience the production process and taste some delicious chocolates and teas.

Recommendations

If you have extra time, you can consider visiting the Avalanche Lake, Ooty Tribal Research Centre, and the Ketti Valley Viewpoint. You can also take a side trip to Coonoor, a nearby hill station known for its scenic beauty and tea plantations. To maximize your fun, you can try the local food like the Ooty Varkey and the Ooty Chocolate. Do not forget to carry warm clothes as it can get chilly, especially during evenings and nights.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Government Botanical Garden (3 hours, INR 30)
• Toda Huts (2 hours, INR 250)
• Ooty Lake (2 hours, INR 1,200 for 2 people)
• Ooty Doddabetta Peak (3 hours, INR 10)
• Tea Museum (2 hours, INR 20)
• Rose Garden (2 hours, INR 30)
• Ooty Toy Train (2 hours, INR 205 for a first-class ticket)
• St. Stephen's Church (1 hour, free entry)
• Wax World Museum (1 hour, INR 100)
• Thunder World (3 hours, INR 500)
• Pykara Falls (2 hours, INR 5)
• Tribal Museum (2 hours, INR 10)
• Charing Cross and Upper Bazaar (2 hours, INR 500)
• Thread Garden (1 hour, INR 50)
• Stone House (2 hours, INR 15)
• Fernhill Palace Hotel (1 hour, free entry)
• Dolphin's Nose (2 hours, INR 10)
• Catherine Falls (2 hours, INR 20)
• Sim's Park (2 hours, INR 30)
• Ooty Chocolate and Tea Factory (1 hour, free entry)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 2,960 for 2 people