A break from the everyday routine is a must for rejuvenating and relaxing the body and soul. Vacations are meant to bring joy, excitement, and new memories to those who plan trips with family or friends. With summer approaching, people would look to visit hill stations to evade the scorching heat and enjoy the chill weather for at least a short period. While considering hill stations, it is difficult to ignore the Queen of Hill Stations, which is Udhagamandalam, popularly known as Ooty. From animal sanctuaries like the Mudumalai National Park, to the stunning views of the Nilgiris, Ooty has an attraction for every traveller. This article elaborates on the Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and the duration during which it is considered desirable to visit each one of them.
What Are The Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu?
Udhagamandalam is situated in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India. Ooty is known to be filled with tourists during April and May of every year. The hill station has an elevation of 2240m above sea level. This place also houses 100+ tourist attractions and several local Udhagamandalam/Ooty weekend getaways. Mudumalai National Park is on one side of Ooty hill, while the other has Coimbatore. The following are the top 10 best places to visit in Udhagamandalam or Ooty.
1. Ooty Lake
The Ooty Lake is one of the top-rated Ooty, or Udhagamandalam, must-see destinations. The lake is open for customers from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. every day. People also enjoy riding cycles around the lake in the evenings. Boating is the primary activity of this place. The place offers boats with multiple seating capacities to tourists at varied and affordable rates. Other than boating, tourists can enjoy taking pictures of the breathtaking view of the lake, experiencing horseback riding near the shores, relishing comfort food, taking rides in mini-trains that run around this locality, etc.
Best Time To Visit Ooty Lake
The best time to visit this destination is between October and May, during which the sky is expected to remain clear and bright.
2. Cairn Hill Reserve Forest
Picture Courtesy: Tamilnadu Favtourism
Cairn hill reserve forest is easily one of the top 10 places to visit in Ooty or Udhagamandalam. This reserve forest is known to attract tourists from all parts of India and across the globe. The place is also ideal for a variety of fun activities like trekking, bird-watching, jeep safari, visiting the watch tower or hanging bridge, shopping, etc. This place is open throughout the day, but the ideal time of visit could be in the early hours of the morning, probably around sunrise, to enjoy scene-stealing views of the sun rising from the valleys around this area. It is situated around 5 km away from central Ooty.
Best Time To Visit Cairn Hill Reserve Forest
Cairn Hill Reserve Forest is open throughout the day, but the ideal time of visit could be in the early hours of the morning, probably around sunrise, to enjoy scene-stealing views of the sun rising from the valleys around this area.
3. Avalanche Lake
The Avalanche Lake is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Udhagamandalam, also known as Ooty. It is situated around 22 km away from Ooty. Various activities can be done in and around this lake, including trout fishing, gazing at scenic viewpoints, trekking, camping, forest safari, etc. The ideal time to visit this lake is after the conclusion of the Monsoon rains when the forest and vegetation around this area begin to bloom with attractive and colourful flowers. Anytime during September or October is desirable for visiting this lake.
Best Time To Visit Avalanche Lake
This lake in Ooty is open between 9.00 am to 3.00 pm every day.
4. Pykara Waterfalls
Pykara Waterfalls is a definite addition to the list of must-visit tourist attractions in all the best Udhagamandalam, popularly called Ooty, for family vacation ideas. The place also has added attractions like boathouses and restaurants. It is situated around 21 km away from Ooty.
Best Time To Visit Pykara Waterfalls
Pykara Waterfalls is open between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm every day. It is advised to refrain from visiting this waterfall during monsoons since the water level might rise without any forewarnings with the onset of rainfall.
5. Doddabetta Peak
Doddebetta Peak is one of the top natural wonders of Udhagamandalam, also known as Ooty. The word Doddebetta is derived from the scripts of the Badaga language and means big mountain. There are around 24 peaks in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, and Doddebetta is the highest amongst this lot. It is situated around 9 km away from the main Ooty town.
Best Time To Visit Doddabetta Peak
This place is open from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm every day. The ideal time to visit this place is during the months between October and January. To be specific, try visiting this peak in the early morning to watch clear views and avoid afternoon mist and crowds.
6. Botanical Gardens
The botanical garden is one of the top 10 vacation places in Ooty, officially known as Udhagamandalam. This garden houses a variety of flowers and is spread over a large area. The garden is also famous for hosting flower shows every year in June. Botanical garden is a must-visit Top 10 Udhagamandalam (Ooty) tourist places. If you are visiting this awesome tourist destination, be sure to check out the best pure vegetarian restaurants in Ooty that are located nearby!
Best Time To Visit Ooty Botanical Gardens
The best time to visit this garden is between March and June when flowers reach maximum bloom.
7. Kamaraj Sagar Dam
Picture Courtesy: Trip Advisor
Kamaraj Sagar Dam is one of the popular 10 Ooty/Udhagamandalam scenic spots. The dam is also referred to as the Sandynallah Reservoir. This dam is majorly frequented by birdwatchers. The ideal time to visit this dam is during the winter when a magical layer of mist settles on the surface of the waters with trees and mountains in the background. It is situated around 9 km away from Ooty.
Best Time To Visit Kamaraj Sagar Dam
The dam is open between 9.00 am to 6.00 pm every day.
8. Ketti Valley View Point
Ketti valley viewpoint is undeniably one of the top ten Udhagamandalam, alias Ooty, vacation spots. This place is also regarded as the Switzerland of South India. The Ketti Valley is the second-largest inhabited valley in India. Do not miss the scenic wonders this awesome hill station in Tamil Nadu has to offer. It is situated around 12 km away from Ooty.
Best Time To Visit Ketti Valley View Point
The ideal time to visit this viewpoint is during summer when the view is not disrupted by snow or mist making it one of the top tourist spots in Ooty/Udhagamandalam.
9. Kalhatty Waterfalls
The Kalhatty waterfall is one of the best Ooty (Udhagamandalam) sightseeing places. It is situated around 8 km away from Ooty. This area is surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna. This waterfall is also ideal for birdwatchers. It is advised to refrain from visiting this place during monsoons. The best time to visit this place is between September and November when the monsoon concludes and winters set in.
Best Time To Visit Kalhatty Waterfalls
This place is open between 8.00 am to 6.00 pm every day.
10. Thunder World
Thunder World is one of the most visited tourist spots in Ooty/Udhagamandalam. It is situated around 2.5 km away from Ooty. This themed amusement park is also called Dinosaur Park. The place houses a variety of attractions like the Jurassic Jungle, 5D theatre, Camera museum, vortex, and haunted houses. The experience that this place offers makes it one of the best places to visit in Udhagamandalam, also called Ooty.
Best Time To Visit Thunder World
Visit this place during weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
This is all about the top 10 Udagamandalam (Ooty) tourist places. It is wise to plan your vacations while being mindful of the best Udhagamandalam, aka Ooty, tourist attractions. The best family trips to Ooty (Udhagamandalam) are not complete without visiting the above destinations. This Top 10 guide can make your Ooty vacation wholesome.
Enjoy your trip!
Looking for more awesome hill stations to spend your precious vacation time? Check out the places listed in our Top 10 Best Lesser-Known Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu article.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
1. What are the best places to visit in Ooty?
Some of the best places to visit in Ooty include the Ooty Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, etc. Take a look at the top 10 best places to visit in Ooty that have been listed in the article above. If you have more time, you can explore the Needle Rock view-point, Ooty toy train, tribal research center, Ooty stone house or even go for an Ooty tour organized by locals.
2. How much time should I spend in Ooty?
To explore the top attractions in Ooty, you should plan to spend at least 3-4 days in the hill station. This will give you enough time to see the major landmarks, indulge in local activities, and also experience the charm of the hill station.
3. Are there any adventure activities to do in Ooty?
Yes, there are several adventure activities you can do in Ooty, such as trekking, mountain biking, boating, camping, and rock climbing. You can also indulge in wildlife safaris and visit the Mudumalai National Park and Sanctuary to see the exotic flora and fauna.
4. Can I visit Ooty with family and kids?
Yes, Ooty is a great destination for families with kids. Plenty of attractions and activities cater to all age groups, such as boating, horse riding, toy train rides, and nature walks. You can also visit the tea factories and learn about the tea-making process.
5. What are some offbeat places to visit in Ooty?
Apart from the popular tourist spots, there are several offbeat places to visit in Ooty such as the Kalhatti Waterfalls, Mukurthi National Park, Avalanche Lake, and Emerald Lake. You can also explore the quaint villages around Ooty and interact with the locals to get a glimpse of their lifestyle. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, a trip to the Mudumalai National Park, especially the Elephant Feeding Camp is something you should not miss.