A Guide to Coonoor and Ooty in Summer

Unfolding a scenic escapade in the Nilgiri’s, Ooty and Coonoor in May are among the best places to visit in India during the Summer. Despite being a year-around destination, Ooty and Coonoor in summers are known for their misty verdant hills wrapped in fog and its tea estates. While the places to visit in Ooty offer a symphony of nature, the climate in Ooty in may is extremely pleasant, making summer in Ooty an unforgettable experience.

How To Reach Ooty and Coonoor

By Air

Before we explore the rich canvas of Ooty and Coonoor, let’s see how one can reach there. As they are hillstations, both Ooty and Coonoor are gated by the Coimbatore International Airport that serves as a gateway to this beautiful land in the Nilgiri’s.

By Road

One can then choose to go by road, which is preferred by many travellers. A road trip to Ooty and Coonoor involves traversing through the thicket of dense forests while you’re accompanied by vintage trains running along the roads. We recommend travelling Coonoor to Ooty as the Coonoor temperature in May makes it a pleasant experience.

By Rail

This brings us to one of the best ways to travel to Ooty and Coonoor, it’s toy train. The closest railway station to Ooty and Coonoor is Mettupalayam. Mettupalayam is connected to both Ooty and Coonoor with special trains and one can choose to go either of the cities.

Whether you travel to Coonoor or Ooty first, the close distance of the two hill stations make it easy to explore either of them. Both the hill stations are just a short road trip away from each other. Ideally, we recommend taking the toy train from Ooty to Coonoor that helps travellers to enjoy a scenic ride at affordable rates that goes through many UNESCO heritage sites.

OOTY

Ooty is the melting pot of many peaceful places that are adorned by tourists every year. Being the ideal destination for most British officers, the colonial era charm of Ooty is irresistible. Ooty is a destination that is weaved in the poetry of its history along with Karnataka’s culture imbibed since ages. Meticulous lawn, sprawling tea estates and mighty peaks, there are many places to visit in Ooty that captures its essence. 

PLACES TO VISIT IN OOTY –

1) BOTANICAL GARDENS

Any list on the places to visit in Ooty is incomplete without the Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens in Ooty are famous for their shrubs and the tapestry of flowers dotted across the lawn. Spread over 55 acres and divided into 6 distinct sections, it houses over 600 species of flowers. The unique facet being the thousand of shades visible the moment someone steps inside. Botanical garden is one of the best places to visit in Ooty as the entire estate blooms and wafts from the aroma of rare flowers. Botanical Gardens is open throughout the week with a ticket fee of Rs. 30 for adults.

2) TEA PLANTATION TOUR

Ooty is often said to be the synonym of the word Tea. To understand the nurturing culture of Tea and its history, one can opt for a tea plantation tour. Both Ooty and Coonoor offer descriptive and beautiful tea plantation tours. Ketti Valley is one of the best places to visit in Ooty for a tea plantation tour. Located at 7000 feet inside the Nilgiri’s, the place is close to both Ooty and Coonoor. The weather of Ketti valley is something to die for as it is tropical throughout the year and is often referred as the green desert. 

3) AVALANCHE LAKE

An offbeat place to visit in Ooty, Avalanche lake is located 25 kms away from Ooty. The commute to Avalanche Lake is nothing short of a beautiful tapestry of tea estates and mist-laden mountains. During the trip one can catch the glimpse of Cauliflower Shola Forest, Upper Bhavani Reservoir and Bhavani temple. The lake is embraced by thick forests and the reflection of the undulating hills is perfectly captured in its waters. Located inside the Avalanche Forest Reserve, this is one of the best places to visit in Ooty for those who want adventure as well as tranquillity. 

4) DODDABETTA PARK

Doddabetta Peak is perched like a guardian at a staggering height of 2,600 metres and provides breathtaking panoramas of Ooty’s verdant landscapes. What makes Doddabetta Peak one of the most visited places in Ooty and Coonoor is the dense plantation of eucalyptus and rhododendron trees. The peak is crowned with a Telescope House that makes it easier to peer at the landscape. Going to the Telescope House and getting glimpses of the entire town of Ooty and its plantation is one of the best things to do in Ooty. 

Where to Stay in Ooty?

While enjoying nature in the warmth of Ooty, it is important to explore the various options for a stay by Ooty. There are many villas in Ooty like Villa Misty Oaks and Greensckape by StayVista that offer a peaceful and enriching stay in Ooty.

COONOOR

Ascend on a beautiful journey of Nilgiri’s with the toy train and you’ll be in Coonoor in no time. Home to the Toda tribe, Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri’s. The two sisters, Ooty and Coonoor in summers are identical yet offer different experiences. There are many beautiful places in Coonoor and is for those seeking more adrenaline amidst the backdrop of nature.

PLACES TO VISIT IN COONOOR

1) LAMB’S ROCK

Lamb’s rock is a tranquil sanctuary that offers breathtaking views of the Western Ghats. Lamb’s Rock is a pleasant place to visit in Coonoor and is named after Captain Lamb. The topmost viewing point of Lamb’s rock offers a cosy climate and majestic view of the Coimbatore plains. Located just 8 km from Coonoor with a jungle-fringed road, Lamb’s Rock is a slice of heaven in Coonoor.

2) HIGHFIELD TEA FACTORY

For tea lovers, Highfield Tea Factory is the best place to visit in Coonoor. Highfield Tea Factory is a heritage tea factory in Coonoor that has mastered the art of tea making. Serving as a testament to the artistry of tea-making where the air is infused with the aroma of tea leaves. The price to visit Highfield Tea Factory in Coonoor is just Rs. 10 and is also close to many vantage points such as Lamb’s Rock and Sim’s Park. 

3) SIM’S PARK

For those wishing beautiful sightseeing in Ooty and Coonoor in May, Sim’s Park is the right place. This Japanese styled-park. Housing over a thousand species of vivid and vibrant flowers, Sim’s Park stands as a meticulously kept botanical garden. Here, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while discovering the stunning landscapes that unfold around you.

4) DOLPHIN’S NOSE

Decked 1000 ft above sea level, Dolphin’s Nose in Coonoor offers enchanting views of Ooty and Coonoor. The road leading up to Dolphin’s Nose is quite famous due to its sharp hairpin turns through tea estates and viewpoints. For enjoying unparalleled views of the Nilgiri’s, Dolphin’s Nose is one of the best places to visit in Coonoor in May.

Where to stay in Coonoor

For a cosy retreat in Coonoor, consider staying at StayVista’s villas in Coonoor. Villas like Alpinia and Villa Sullivan provide a beautiful stay experience by tea gardens and amenities heater, badminton and viewing deck.

Best Time To Visit Ooty and Coonoor

The best time to visit Ooty and Coonoor is during the post monsoon and pre-winter months of September to November. The pleasant climate, gardens in full bloom and the mystical charm of the cool temperatures make it the best time to visit Ooty and Coonoor. The climate of Ooty in May makes it stand apart from a lot of places.

Before we wrap up, those wanting to explore more of South India can extend their stay and visit nearby hill stations such as Coorg and Kodaikanal. These places not only represent the uniqueness of South India but also feature distinct greenery. Especially Coorg, which is often referred to as the “Scotland of East”. A stay at these places are filled with peaceful retreats. Checkout The Haven – Grandeur in Coorg and Midsummer Mist in Kodaikanal.