Ooty
Ooty, is also known as “Udhagamandalam”. It’s been rightly titled as the as Queen of Hills. Ooty, the headquarters of The Nilgiris district is one of the famous hill stations in India. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above mean sea level. The word Nilgiris means Blue Mountains. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots and had been a popular summer and weekend getaway for the British during the colonial days. There are plenty of interesting tourist spots like Botanical Gardens, Lakes, Boat houses, water falls, shooting spots, Wildlife Sanctuary, Tea estates and many more.
Upper Bhavani Lake
This attraction has some of the best terrain and scenery around. There is a catch, however. Before embarking on your trip to Upper Bhavani Lake you must acquire special permission from the forest ranger located in Ooty. You will not see scenery like this anywhere else in India, so make sure to get the permission required to see this unbelievable sight.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
This is a spectacular railway. The tickets are inexpensive and the scenery is beautiful. It is suggested that the left side of the train offers the best views. You will never know until you take a seat on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Enjoy the ride.
Botanical Gardens
You have probably seen botanical gardens before, but the ones in Ooty will leave you breathless. They are expertly maintained by people who truly love the art of horticulture and are passionate in offering the best this lush country has to offer. You will not be disappointed spending a day walking through this magical garden.
Doddabetta Peak
If hiking is on your list of things you must do while in Nilgiri Doddabetta Peak should be on the top of it. This is the highest peak around with great views of the mountains surrounding the peak.
St. Steven’s Church
This was the first colonial church built in Ooty in 1820. The church stands as a monument to the colonial style of building. St. Steven’s has remained virtually unchanged from the time it was built. See this beautiful church as a reminder of simpler times.
