OOTACAMUND (OOTY)

Ooty, the queen of all hill stations, is situated in the Nilgiris or Blue mountains. One can see many profiles of nature here,each with a distinctive grandeur.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Botanical Garden: Laid out in 1847 and now maintained by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Department. A variety of exotic and ornamental plants adorn the garden which is the venue for the Flower Show held in mid May every year. Timings: 0800 -1800 hrs;

Elk Hills: A wide and uninterrupted view of Ooty and the Lovedale Valley can be had from here;

Government Museum: Set up in 1989, the Museum has Tribal objects, the district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu. Timings :1000 to 1300 hrs. & 1400 to 1700 hrs.(Closed on Fridays, 2nd Saturdays and National holidays);

Ketty Valley View: An idyllic spot on the road to Coonoor;

Marlimund Lake: The main source of water supply for Ooty and a good picnic spot; Ooty Lake: This artificial lake was set up in 1824 by Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. Boating is possible from 0800 hrs. to 1800 hrs. Daily;

Snowden Peak: Situated on the Kotagiri Road, it offers a picturesque view of Mysore;

Tiger Hill: It is a picnic spot on the way to Coonoor;

Wenlock Downs: It is a vast expanse of undulating landscape offering long strolls. The Gymkhana Club, The Government Sheep Farm and Hindustan Photo Films Company are located here;

Wilson Fish Farm: Located at 'Fish Dale' near the railway station, exotic fish species are reared and sold here.

EXCURSIONS

Doddabetta (10 Km.): It is the highest peak (2623 metres) in the Nilgiris and offers beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hill ranges;

Kalhatty Falls(13 Km.): These falls are located on the Kalhatty slopes on the Ooty-Mysore- Kalhatty Ghat road. The height of the waterfalls is about 100 feet;

Glenmorgan(17 Km.): An ecologically rich forest area. There are about ten Toda (tribal) settlements here.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area : 36 Sq.Km. 13.2 Sq. Km. 26.39 Sq. Km.

Altitude 2240 M. 1858 M. 1984 M.

Climate : Summer Max: 25 Deg.C. Min: 10 Deg.C.

Winter Max: 21 Deg.C. Min: 0 Deg.C.

Season : April to June and Sept to Oct. STD Code : 0423.

TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION

Air : The nearest airport is Coimbatore (89 Km. from Ooty), connected with major cities. Fare : Mumbai-Coimbatore: Rs.5510/-(Y).

Rail : Ooty is connected by narrow guage train services with Mettupalayam which in turn is connected via Coimbatore to major cities in India.

Fare : Mumbai - Ooty (via Coimbatore & Mettupalayam): IInd A/c : Rs.1947/- ;IInd class : Rs.481/-

Road : Motorable roads connect Ooty with Bangalore 290 Km., Chennai 535 Km., Coimbatore 89 Km., Coonoor 19 Km., Kodaikanal 264 Km., Kotagiri 29 Km., Mettupalayam 51., KmMudumalai 64 Km., Mumbai 1320 Km., Mysore 160 Km., Salem 205 km, Thiruvanathapuram 498 Km. & Tiruchy 302 Km.

CONDUCTED TOURS

Daily sightseeing tour of places in and around Ooty are conducted by TTDC Ltd. Timings: 0800 hrs - 1700 hrs Fare: Rs. 125/-

ACCOMMODATION (* Hotels approved by the Dept. of Tourism, Govt. of India.)

Single Double

*Hotel Savoy (Heritage Grand) Rs.1700-3400/- Rs. 2400-5500/-

77, Sylks Road, Tel: 444142-7.

*Hotel Dasaprakash***, Ettines Road, Tel: 442434. Rs. 600 -1200/-

*Holiday Inn Gem Park*** Rs.1950/- Rs.3000/-

Sheddon Road, Tel: 442955, 443066.

*Howard Johnson The Monarch*** Rs. 1200/- Rs.1600/-

Off Havlock Road, Tel:444306,443655.

*Nahar Hotel (Nilgiris)*** Rs. 1100-2500/-

Charing Cross, Tel: 442173, 443685.

*Hotel Sinclairs Ooty***, Tel: 441376. Rs.1010-1950/- Rs.1340-3110/-

*Welcomgroup Sullivan Court*** Rs.1600-1800/- Rs.2400-2600/-

123, Selbourne Rd, Tel:441415/6.

*Hotel Willow Hill **, Havelock Rd, Tel: 442686, 444037. Rs.1000-1800/-

Comfort Inn Aruna, Gorishola Road, Tel: 444140,444229 Rs.1200 -1600/-

Fern Hill Palace Hotel, Tel: 443910 Rs.2200/-

Merit Inn Southern Star Rs.945/- Rs.1240/-

22, Havelock Rd, Tel:443601-6

Sterling Holiday (India) Ltd., Fernhill, Tel: 441073. Rs. 1700-2050/-

Sterling Holiday (India) Ltd., Elk Hill, Tel: 441395. Rs. 1700-2050/-

Other Hotels (Tariff range: Rs.350-800/- (single) & Rs.550-1200/- (double)

Hotel Aishwariya, Tel: 442288; Hotel Blue Hill Int'l, Tel: 443167; Hotel Brindavan, Tel: 442061; Central Park Guest House, Tel: 444046; Hotel Hotel Charing Cross,Garden Road, Tel: 442487; Delight, Tel: 442107; Hotel Elkhill, Tel: 443556; Hotel Gaylord, Tel: 442378; Hotel Green Valley View, Tel:444219; Hotel Highlands, Tel:443718; Hotel Hill Breeze, Tel:443518; Hotel Khems, Tel: 444188; Hotel Lake View, Tel: 443904; Hotel Mount View, Tel:443307; Hotel New Natraj, Tel:443869; Ooty Gate Hotel, Tel:441622; Hotel Ooty Int'l, Woodcock Road, Tel: 444423; Hotel Panorama, Tel: 442068; Regency Villa, Fernhill, Tel: 442555; Hotel Sapphire Paradise, Tel: 443412; Snowdown Inn, Tel: 442138; The Nilgiri Wood Lands, Ettines Road, Tel:442451.

Other Accommodation Season Off season

Hotel Tamilnadu (TTDC)-I Dbl Rs. 500-1400 Rs. 195-800/-

Charing Cross Road,Tel: 444370-78.

Youth Hostel (TTDC) Family Room Rs. 500-650/- Rs. 195-500/-

Charring Cross Road, Tel: 443665. Dormotiry Rs. 125/- Rs. 75/-

Hotel Mayura Sudarshan(KSTDC) Dbl. Rs. 500-800/- Rs.375-650/-

Tel:443828.Mumbai Cont:2181658

Y.W.C.A, Tel: 443008. (Rs. 350/-); Y.W.C.A., Tel: 442218. (Rs.160-250/-);