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Spending a holiday in Ooty in the lap of nature, surrounded by lush forests and gently undulating hills is the best sort of thing for a vacation where you need to get away from the bustle of city life. Breathe in the fresh, unpolluted air, let your heart fill with joy and you’ll go back home, rejuvenated and a completely different person, ready to come back again for your next holiday. There are numerous Ooty sightseeing spots that will do the trick here.
But the difficult thing to contend with is that everybody else also has the same idea. So, be prepared for crowds during the summer vacations or even when there’s a long weekend in sight. Most people drive down to Ooty from nearby cities like Coimbatore, Chennai and even Bangalore for a refreshing and quiet weekend. It’s a good thing that there are so many things to do in Ooty. At the same time, if you’re not up for mingling with crowds, kick back your shoes, settle down with a book somewhere outdoors and lose yourself in the quiet beauty. This is seriously one of the top things to do in Ooty. For everyone else, here’s what you can do.
One of the top Ooty sightseeing spots is the Botanical Garden. It would be extremely remiss of you to come to Ooty and not come here because it’s a sight for sore eyes. Like most people, if you have come from crowded and polluted cities, you will appreciate the chance to be in the midst of so much greenery and nature. The beauty of the garden is compounded by the numerous lush blossoms here, the colourful flowers, the countless species as well as shrubs and trees. It’s certainly a trip to remember.
In May one of the things to do in Ooty is to enjoy the Ooty Summer Festival. The tourist department organises this annual festival to promote tourism. There are some excellent flower displays in various shapes and sizes which leave you enthralled. Several cultural programs add to the fun here, and you can see the boat races that take place during this time.
If you’re tired of Ooty sightseeing, then stop by the main market for a bit of shopping and indulge in the many varieties of homemade chocolates. Ooty chocolates are famous and with good reason too. Don’t forget to buy some to take home!
The Honey Museum is a great place to learn about the different types of bees, and how honey is traditionally extracted. If the sight of honeycombs or bee swarms surrounding a honeycomb makes you squeamish, give this one a pass!
If you can’t wait to see these Ooty sightseeing places, then do head over to the SOTC website for some great offers and deals on Ooty Tour Packages.
You can’t be in Ooty and not enjoy the refreshing teas that are available here, more so in the Tea Factory which is a museum of sorts. All around, there are beautiful and lush green tea plantations while in the factory, there are tours which take you around to see how tea is made, from the leaf to the final product. The souvenir shop is a great place to shop for different varieties of tea, and you can even buy teacups and plates there.
Not too far from Ooty is Pykara, a village which has its own waterfall and lake. Among the popular things to do in Ooty is to visit the lake and marvel at the wonderful views. Blue skies, pine trees, crystal clear lake water and maybe a speedboat ride to amp up the adrenaline? Sounds perfect for a family picnic or outing.
The 200-year-old church was built by the British and is a testament to colonial architecture that adds life to the surroundings of Ooty. It has some interesting and beautiful paintings such as The Last Supper and if you’re in time for Christmas, then don’t miss visiting the church during this time as it is decorated beautifully.
A top contender for one of the best things to do in Ooty would be the toy train on the Niligiri Mountain Railway. This has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and the ride on this train is an unforgettable experience for many people. The journey is 46 km long and along the way, you will encounter dark, intriguing tunnels, lush valleys, sharp turns and beautiful bridges. Snap away to your heart’s content but don’t save everything for Instagram. Put away the phone or camera and savour the glorious beauty of nature on its own too. The ride to Ooty from Mettupalayam on the toy train is memorable and exciting and something you need to see for yourself.
The highest peak here, Doddabetta Peak is an excellent vantage point to see panoramic sights of the region. At an altitude of 8606 feet, this is the highest you’re going to get up here. People often choose to come here on their vehicles if they’re with families but the other alternative here is to come here on a trek. It’s not a difficult trek and most people who are inclined towards physical activities can accomplish it. The telescope house at the top has some marvellous views and you can spot waterfalls as well.
