Ooty TourDestinations
(Udhagamandalam- Queen of hill station):-
Called the Queen of Hill Stations picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known, as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South. Ooty was first discovered in 1819 by John Sullivan. He was the Collector of Coimbatore and it was later named as Ootacamund or Ooty derived from the word Ottakkalmandu, which means the ‘village of a single stone’. Udagamandalam is the Tamil name proposed by the government. Located in the Western ghats at a height of 2240m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district where the two ghats ranges meet. Nature has been generous with this region, which is by far the most beautiful in the state. Nilgris is a beautiful mountain range which is a part of Western Ghats. Totally there are three places to visit namely Kothagiri, Coonoor and Ooty. Among these three Ooty is given the primal importance because of its scenic beauty and excellent climate conditions. Nilgri Hills are older than the Great Himalayas. Like Icing on a cake Ooty adds Pride to this mountain range.
Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like confiers, eucalptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its encirons. Summer temperature is rarely higher than 25°c with a minimum of 10°c and winter is are distinctly cooler with a high of 21°c and a low 5°c. Curiously enough, this slice of paradise remained unknown to the great southern dynasties and it took the British to discover it in the early 1800s. They were, however, not the first inhabitants of this land as a tribe called Todas had been living there long before the British came, claiming that the Nilgiris had been their home since time immemorial.
Attraction In Ooty:-
Doddabetta : It is highest peak (2634 metres) in the Nilgiris and is about 10kms. from Ooty bus stand. The name Doddabetta literally means ‘big mountain’ which is so in reality. It lies at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense sholas.
Pykara Lake And Water Falls : It is situated about 21 kms. on the Ooty - Mysore road of well protected fenced shoals, toda settlement, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, the reservoir, waterfalls and the Boat House attracts many tourists.
Dolphins Nose : Ideally visited in the morning, this view point is located about 12 kms from Coonoor near Tiger Hill. Amidst dense Sholas Criss-Crossed by winding road, you can get a beautiful view of the Catherine falls from here.
Lamb’s Rock : This view point is within a reserve forest about 8 kms from the Coonoor Bus Stand. Overlooked a sheer precipice of several hundred metres with a phenomenal view of vast stretches of forests all the way to the Coimbatore plains. Between January and March, the trees become extremely colorful.
Lamb’s Rock : It is perhaps the loveliest point in the heart of the woods. Lady Canning, the wife of the Viceroy, was found of this spot which commands a panoramic view of the numerous tea estates, Lamb's Rock, the Droog, the Lampton's Peak all could be seen one above the other and even Mettupalayam is visible at a distance.
Law’s Falls : 7kms from Coonoor, set inside the Coonoor forest range with vast stretches of undisturbed sholas, the Laws falls is a paradise for naturalists. The water fall is very wild and rocky.
Katery Falls : A diversion from Coonoor on the Kundah Road about 1 km from kendala Village. Water from the Katery dam flows as a falls. This is one of the highest falls in the Nilgiris.
The Droog : 17 kms from Coonoor. One has to go up to Nonsuch Estate and trek down for about 4 kms. In this spot a dilapidated fort is there which was said that Tippu Sultan used this fort as outpost.
Kotagiri : It is 31 kms. from Udhagamandalam.The climate is very salubrious which is 6503 feet above sea level. Kotagiri is shielded by the Doddabetta ranges which receives much of its rain from north west monsoon.