Top Things to Do in the Ooty | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Ooty

Places To Visit In Ooty

Stone House Ooty

Stone House in Ooty is famous for being the first bungalow in the town. Also known as Kal Bangala in Tamil, it was built in the early 19th century by John Sullivan, an Englishman, the first Collector of Udhagamandalam and the founder of the British Settlement in Ooty. The land where the stone house stands once belonged to the Toda Tribe of Udhagamandalam. When the East India Company reached Ooty back in the late 18th century, they were introduced to the Toda Tribe. Later in the 19th century, with an intention of establishing the British Settlement, John Sullivan bought a piece of land from one of the Toda families and built the house. Ever since the house has been a famous landmark and a site of historical heritage in Ooty.The Stone House in Ooty retains most of its picturesque charm. It is a well-maintained property, almost two centuries old now and yet stands strong. The building has sort of launched the modernization of the town because, since its creation, several more developments like more houses, roads etc. were built on the hill station. The population increased and marked the beginning of a new era in Udhagamandalam. Currently, the Principal of the Government Arts College resides in the house. So, it cannot be explored from the inside, but tourists can definitely check it out from outside the fence. Read More

Ooty Tea Factory or Tea Museum is situated on the Doddabetta Road in Ooty. Surrounded by emerald green tea plantations, the museum takes you on a tour of tea evolution from the origin to the present. It has a variety of preserved tea leaves on display. It also has an adjacent souvenir shop where you can try and buy various kinds of tea leaves.

Thread Garden, Ooty

The thread garden at Ooty is a popular tourist spot that exhibits some of the most magnificent and exquisite collection of artificial flowers and plants, all made by the expert hands of the skilful artists by using JUST thread. Antony Joseph, the mastermind behind this unique inception along with his 50 skillful and profecient helpers has worked constantly for 12 years, to create the marvels of thread we see today. Approximately 6 crore meters of embroidery thread have been employed in the creation of this one-of-a-kind attraction in the world. The most astounding fact stay to be that not a stitch of a needle or any other machinery have been used in the production of these flowers. Stiff cardboards for flowers and petals, steel and copper wires for stem were veraciously used along with a variety of colorful threads to create these visual delights. Here you can find more than 150 varieties of artificially made flowers which promise to remain fresh for a long long time to come.?At the Thread Garden in Ooty you do not only get a chance to behold these beauties in your eyes, but you can carry these astounding crafts home as well. However, you need to be a little cautious and preserve them well, in order to avoid Read More

Thunder World is a themed amusement park in Ooty. Also known as Dinosaur Park, it is famous amongst the young and the old who visit to get a feel of going back into the past and experiencing illusions or witnessing the world of spirits. The park is divided into themed sections – the Jurassic Jungle, the Vortex and the Haunted House. It also consists of a 5D theatre and a Camera Museum. Every visitor would not just get to explore the amusement park, but they can also get to experience these themes in interesting ways. Plus, there are delicious snacks to enjoy in between these activities. Parents often bring their curious little thrill-seekers to Thunder World for a unique, educational and memorable experience.At Thunder World, visitors can take a walk through the rainforests of the Jurassic Jungle and the Haunted House. There are models of various types of dinosaurs that one can study. The 5D experiences at these sections are not only exhilarating but also extremely scary. The premises also have replicas of the Taj Mahal, India Gate, the Golden Temple and the Howrah Bridge. The Vortex is where visitors can capture breath-taking photographs amid 3D paintings that create some interesting illusional effects. The only thing one needs to be aware of is that there are additional costs other than the gate entry fee and that is because every section has a separate entry fee. The best thing to do is to buy a combo pack to be able to enjoy Thunder Park to the fullest. Read More

Located at a distance of 6 kms from the city centre in Ooty and nestled towards the lower end of the Doddabetta Peak, Tiger Hill is one of the most mesmerising and most popular vantage points in the hill town. Enveloped by mighty hills and flower-clad meadows, the breathtaking spot offers astounding picturesque panoramic vistas of the valley below with meandering river. The top of the Tiger Hill is home to an ancient eerie yet beautiful cave which is also associated with several myths and legends. Considered a haven for the trekkers and the adventure buffs, the hill also houses a freshwater reservoir. Tiger Hill also boasts of an incredibly beautiful sunrise and sunset views and witnessing one of them is one of the must-do things when in Ooty. In addition to that, the area is dotted with several British era graves made in marble and granite, and some statues, which also attract a lot of tourists to the area. Read More

Nilgiri Mountain Railway, also known as Toy Train in Ooty, is one of the key attractions of the popular hill station Ooty. Such is the train's popularity and history that it was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005. Started in the year 1899, it has continued to charm its visitors over the past many years winding its way through the best of nature. The Toy Train covers a distance of total 46 km in a span of 5 hours and takes one through a truly spectacular journey filled with picturesque views en route. Another fascinating feature of the train is that its youngest X-class locomotive is over 50 years old and the oldest is 80 years old. Weaving amidst the forests, dark snaking tunnels, sharp bends, and amid mist and fog, the Nilgiri Mountain Train will take you on a spectacular trip up and down the green slopes. Apart from offering a beautiful journey, the uniqueness of the trip lies in the fact that the rail system is the steepest in Asia and worth a visit. Read More

Ooty is the base for several exciting treks, ideal for both amateurs and professionals with varying difficulty levels. While undertaking these treks, you will come across the picturesque landscape, meandering streams, gushing waterfalls and lush green dense forests. You can also witness the charming Mudumalai Sanctuary in the backdrop of the magnificent hills and valleys. Doddabetta Peak A trek to the Doddabetta Peak is one of the top thrilling treks in the region. The peak is perched at a height of 2637 metres in the Nilgiris. The route is covered in exotic flora and fauna especially Shola vegetation. You will come across several enchanting views while undertaking this trek. Besides the lovely floral vegetation and lush green meadows, there is also a Telescope House at the top of the peak from where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the surrounding beauty- mighty mountain peaks, sprawling emerald meadows, vibrant shrubberies, steep valleys and criss crossing rivers. You can relax at the top for a while before you can begin your descent downwards. Parsons Dam The very famous Parsons Trek starts at a point 11 kms ahead of Ooty which is called Sholur Junction. Once you are ready to start, start walking up amidst thickets of Eucalyptus trees till you reach the magnificent dam. Halt for a while at the dam to admire the bounteous nature and revel in the beauty of the place. Enjoy the pristine Parson Valley known for its tranquility and charm. Start again upwards, cross the Toda Tribal Village and scale the Thirthor Bett which is at a height of 2450 m from the sea level. From here you can enjoy enchanting views of the blue Nilgiris below. This is one of the most beautiful vantage points nestled in colossal mountain ideal for meditation and boasting of unnerving calmness. Once done, start your journey downwards. This time you can also stop to enjoy the view at Koli Mund or to indulge in the local culture of Toda tribes since the downward climb is a little less strenuous. Finally you can end your trek at Sholur Junction again. The entire tour will take close to 8 hours to finish so we recommend you start early in the morning so you can be back well in time. Kotagiri-Elk Falls The Kotagiri- Elk is one of the most trekk-able route in the region replete with bounteous flora and fauna and a rich wildlife. The trek starts at Kotagiri and heads toward Kodanad View Point. From here, you are supposed to face and climb up towards south west towards Catherine Falls and Elk Falls. The second base camp is also situated at Parsons Valley. Besides splendid views, the trek is also super thrilling and adventurous. The night halt is at the village of Porthimund. Next stop is at Mukurthi National Park; the next destinations include Pandier Hills, Pykara Falls and Mudumalai National Park. Glenmorgan Trek Located at a distance of 16 kms from Ooty is a small village called Kokkal Kota amidst sprawling lush green tea estates. The trek starts from this base village, continue climbing up till you reach the ghost village of Pathar. Enjoy breathtaking views and enchanting panoramic vistas from here. You can also spot the mesmerizing Bokkapuram, Masinagudi and Mudumalai Sanctuary. When you are a little relaxed and rested, start again and take a walk in the adjoining foresty areas and start your trek up again. The trail is lined with Eucalyptus trees and it finishes at Pykara Junction. You can watch an astounding view of the Nilgiris from the top among other things. Tribal Trekking About 30 kms from Ooty, near the Avalanche Lake, there is this small tribal hamlet Mullimunth which is occupied by the Toda tribes. This 3 kms long trek is especially meant for the ‘tourists’ as it is ideal for the amateurs. It takes you through these tribal areas around Ooty. You can experience the local lifestyle, interact with the locals and indulge in tasting local cuisines and food items. This trek takes up a total of 5 hours. The route also takes you across dense woods and shimmering streams. Read More

The Upper Bhavani Lake is a mesmerising and breathtaking lake that is located above the Avalanche Area in the Nilgiri Hills in Udhagamandalam, (also known as Ooty), in Tamil Nadu. This beautiful lake, which was previously ignored and consequently unexplored, is now gaining some popularity and credit for its charming beauty and picturesque scenes. Prior permission by the Forest Department is required to enter the area, along with details of the number of the car and the people who are coming into this zone. The journey to the Upper Bhavani Lake from Ooty is a long car ride, followed by a trip in a bus/jeep and provides the tourists with spectacular views of famous attractions such as Avalanche Hydel Power, Cauliflower Forest, Bhavani Amman Temple and the Upper Bhavani backwaters. Tourists can also spot numerous animals and birds like peacocks and tigers on the way. Even though no one is allowed to touch the water of this pristine lake, the view in itself is worth it. When even the tallest and most exquisite of hill stations in Ooty fail to provide a touristy feeling and adventure, the Upper Bhavani Lake comes to the rescue. The place primarily appeals to those who like to travel on the 'road less taken'. It is indeed a pity that almost 99% of the tourists who visit Ooty are unaware of this lake. Perhaps this is why the Upper Bhavani Lake continues to remain a uncrowded and untouched virgin place that one needs to explore. Read More

Located at a distance of just 1 km from the Ooty Railway Station, the Ooty Wax Museum is one of the top places to visit of the place and is housed in a 130 years old charming colonial mansion. Besides, the museum also houses full depiction of the life of a rural household. There are sites where you can see Indian potters and villagers doing pottery and farming, cultivating etc.; all carved out in wax. Conceptualized by an IT professional who goes by the name of Shreeji Bhaskaran; the wax museum was constructed and inaugurated by Sri. Santosh K. Mishra, Collector, Nilgiris district in March 2007. A lovely break from the nature-based tourist attractions, this one has magnificent wax statues of famous political leaders, prominent personalities and Indian Freedom Fighters. The most popular idols in the Wax Museum include Mahatma Gandhi, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Schwarzenegger and American president Obama; and social figures which include Mother Teresa and A. P. J. Abdul Kalam etc. Read More