Botanical Garden : This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale and is spread over 55 acres. Lush green well maintained lawns, rare tree species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree - monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental), fern house with a vast range of ferns and orchids, are some of the many highlights of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in the month of May at this garden.

The Garden is maintained by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and has a very wide variety of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants etc.

The "Summer Festivals" is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Garden and is an added attraction for tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival

To the east of the garden is the Toda mund (hill). The Todas are the native tribe. At the mund is a display highlighting the different aspects of their traditional culture.

St. Stephen Church: St. Stephen's Church is a small Gothic style structure. It was founded in the 1820"s and is one of Ooty's first colonial structures.The church was built on the site of a Toda temple. The wood used in the church was procured from Tipu Sultans palace at Srirangapatnam. It was hauled the entire distance of 120 km. by a team of elephants.The cemetery attached to the church contains the grave of John Sullivan and other pioneers of Ooty.

Charing Cross : Charing Cross is the focal point on the busy commercial street of Ooty. Here you can take in the smells and sounds of Ooty. The main shopping street and vegetable market are here. The Charing Cross is very much like the main square of an old English town.

Fernhill Palace : Fernhill Palace is the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore. The palace resembles a Swiss Chalet. Its carved wooden bargeboards and ornamental cast iron give it that characteristic appearance. The palace grounds accentuate the alpine look of the place with its manicured gardens, firs and cedars. There is an interesting church like indoor badminton court on the grounds.

The Fernhill Palace has now been converted into a luxury heritage hotel by the same name.

Rose Garden : Situated in the heart of Ooty town, this garden has been beautifully laid out in terraces with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers with rose creepers. It was set up in the year 1995 to commemorate the 100th flower show of the Botanical garden. Today, this garden has the largest collection of roses in the country. Hybrid Tea Roses, miniature roses, Floribunda, Ramblers, roses of unusual colors like black and green are some of the more than 2,000 varieties of roses that will captivate your senses.

Kandal Cross : This is a Roman Catholics 'Holy Shrine' of the Roman Catholics considered by the Nilgiri Catholics as the "CALVARY OF TAMILNADU" situated to the west of Udhagamandalam Railway Station. The distance is 3 kms. A relic of the true cross is here and it cures the sick, bestow heavenly blessings, peace and joy to the visiting pilgrims and tourists. Special Novena Prayers and Holy Masses are offered every Friday. The annual feast is on 3rd May every year

Kamaraj Sagar (Sandynallah Reservoir) : The Kamaraj Sagar dam is a good picnic spot and can be reached via. Kandal amidst very old trees and green shrubs of various terrains and also via. Hindustan Photo films in Gudalur road. It is a very good picnic spot on the slopes of the Wenlock Sagar Downs. Apart from studying nature and the environment, fishing provides excellent game in Kamaraj as well as in Upper Bhavani and Avalanche, whose waters are especially rich in trout fish.

Wenlock Downs : Also for the nature lover are the sprawling 20,000 acres of Wenlock Downs which was once the scene of the famous Udhagamandalam Hunt. Wenlock Downs is a region of extensive grasslands with shoals or gallery forests of eucalyptus. The Gymkhana Club, the factory of the Hindustan Photo Films Company, the Government Sheep Farm and the Golf Course are all in Wenlock Downs. It is about 8km.from Ooty on the Gudalur Road .

Dodabetta : Among the viewpoints around Ooty are Elk Hill, Green Valley View and Snowden Peak but the most prominent is the Dodabetta Peak which is the highest point in the district at a height of 2623m. It is also the second highest mountain in the Western Ghats . Provided the day is clear, one can see as far as the plains of Coimbatore and the Mysore plateau. It is around 10 km from Ooty, off the Kotagiri road .

Pykara : Situated about 21kms on the Ooty-Mysore Road , Pykara boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boat house with Restaurant is available.There is a power plant too. A visit to the dam is a must for the breathtaking scenery that it has to offer. It is about 19km. from Ooty.

Avalanche : Located at a distance of 28 kms from Ooty. A beautiful lake surrounded by a thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate and abundant with a wide variety of avifauna is a Nature Lover's Paradise . An avalanche which occurred in 1823 gives the valley its name.

The Avalanche valley is a nice place for splendid walks and fishing. It is around 24km. from Ooty town.

Upper Bhavani : It is about 10 kms. from Korakundah and about 20 kms. from Avalanche. This is Naturalist's Paradise . Some of the best sholas like sholas lies enroute. The area is a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithapal via. Sispara one can trek to silent valley. Forest Department's permission is necessary.

Glenmorgan : It is about 17 kms. from Udhagamandalam an ecologically rich forestry spot. There from is an Electricity Board (E.B). Winch carries staff from Glenmorgan view point to power house at Singara. All the 4 kms. of the Winch track passes through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitat. Prior permission of E. B. authorities should be obtained to enter the view point zone.

Ketti Valley View : Located on the road to Coonoor, this idyllic spot is a cluster of tiny villages that extend to the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.

Government Museum - Ooty : The Government Museum , Mysore Road , Udhagamandalam has items of tribal objects, districts ecological deatails and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu.

Mini Garden and Rose Garden : At about one kilometer distance Tourist can visit this mini garden (Children's Lake Garden ) which is on the way to Boat House. Children's amusement park is housed here. A snack bar is also available. It is maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited .

Ooty Lake : From just behind the Main Bus Stand (also near the Railway station) the famous Ooty Lake stretches, in an irregular 'L' shape, for about two kilometres in length and varrying distances in width. At the far end is the Boat House where all kinds of boats are available for hire from eight in the morning to six in the evening. During summer seasons, in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organised on two days at the lake which draw huge crowds.

In recent years the lake and the boat house have become the hub of entertainment for the visitors. At the boat house end there is children's park with a toytrain. In the adjacent site there is a deer park . A mini-garden is at the bus stand end and a well laid footpath circles the entire lake. Just outside the Boat house local ponies are available for jolly rides at a charge.

For the curious, this lake was artificially formed by Johm Sullivan, the founder of Ooty, in 1823-25 by damming the mountain streams flowing down Ooty valley. The lake which breached thrice, completly emptying itself, originally extended upto the present day market and ferries were used to get across one side to the other. The lake gradually shrunks in size giving place to the present race couse, the bus stand, mini garden and some part from the mini garden end..

Summer Season : Held in the month of May, the festival is organized by the Government of Tamilnadu to capitalize on the peak tourist season. The prestigious annual flower show held in the Botanical gardens are a part of the celebrations.

There are also a number of cultural programs organized during the festival.

Horse Racing : A very popular sport during the summer season. You can see thoroughbreds in action here. The race course, located in the heart of Ooty, is about 2.4 kms long and is one of the best courses in India . Ooty figures in the Indian horse racing circuit. The racing season which begins from April 15th. ends in June.

Boating : Boating on the lake is a favorite pass time for visitors. There are paddleboats, rowboats and even motorboats to choose from.

Fishing : Trout fishing is available in Avalanche and Sandinalla lakes with prior permission from the Fisheries Department, located near the Ooty bus stand.

Billiards & Snooker : Snooker was invented in the Nilgiris at the Ooty Club. Today, apart from the Ooty Club, Coonoor Club, Gymkhana Club, the Lawley Institute and the bigger hotels, there are quite a few snooker parlours in town offering good entertainment

Golfing : The Ooty Golf Course is unique and playing on it is an exceptional experience. It is an 18 hole natural golf course located at a height of 7,400 ft above MSL and is spread over an area of 193 acres. It is said that if you can play to a single digit handicap on this course, you can play under par anywhere in the world.

Hang Gliding : In the summer months, the adventurers can do hang gliding at Kalhatty Ghats. The take-off point is exhilarating. You can fly over dense sholas and beautiful waterfalls and streams. For more information contact the local tourism office.

Treks and Walks : The beauty of the Nilgiri Hills and the local reserve forests offer many opportunities to enjoy nature in solitude. You can either opt for an overnight trek or settle for a short walk on the outskirts of the main town.

The region towards the west has largely uninhabited country with magnificent views. Springs, rivers and rivulets, grasslands, natural forests (shola)- with a wide variety of rhododendrons and orchids, man-made eucalyptus and pine forests all add to the experience.

Wildlife that can be spotted include Nilgiri, Tahr and Sambar deer, Wild Dog, Elephant , Panthers and the occasional Tiger. The bird population is small; grey jungle fowl, hawks and harriers.

At higher altitudes, nights can be very cold. Hence warm clothes are advised.

Lower areas of the north and east are completely different. It is a dry, rough rocky terrain with patches of dense thorny scrub. The terrain is populated by diverse wildlife, including sambar, sloth bear and the Indian bison.

Though it is possible to trek throughout the year, the intense heat between March and May works against long walks. You could hire a guide to accompany you.

Horse Riding : Horses can be hired near the lake. You could hire a horse for short periods, or even for treks.

Ooty Train : This narrow gauge mountain train winds through 46 km. of forests, tea plantations, sixteen tunnels, and more than 250 bridges, starting from Mettupalayam on the plains.

Moving at a pace little faster than walking the journey takes four-and-a half to five hours, but is more than compensated by stunning views.

Summer Festival

A summer festival is held each year during the month of May in the Botanical Gardens, which is an added attraction for tourists. The Flower Show is the pride of the festival. Cultural programmes are organised for those interested in traditional classical arts. Adventure spots like trekking also form part of the festival.

Trekking

The Nilgiris are a trekker's paradise. Landscaped by nature, the hills abound in trek for lovers of nature. There are treks and treks in whichever direction you turn and from whichever point you start. A trek can be full of thrill, excitement and adventure and a way of seeing and enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour.

Udhagamandalam (Ooty) offers several trek routes, which vary in distance, altitudes and terrain. There is a base camp at Parsons valley, from where one can start trekking to various points within Western Ghats . The down hills of Western Ghats on the North ends up with meeting the extensions of Eastern Ghats , where the sprawling Mudumalai Sanctuary lies which opens vistas for adventure tourists.

Trekking pamphlets are available with the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (NWLEA). There are guides who have sound knowledge of certain areas. If necessary, their services may be hired. And for further details contact the Tourist Information Office at Charring Cross, Ooty.

Hang-Gliding : Hang-glidng courses are also organised during March to May every year, with the assistance of the Department of Tourism. Contact the Tourist Officer, Ooty for assistance .

Angling : Goad Trout, Carp and mixed water fishing is possible in various streams and lakes of Ooty. The Assistance Director of Fisheries issues the fishing licence.

Shopping : Just about anything available in the cities can be had at Ooty with the added attraction of leisurely shopping. Exclusive Nilgiri products including Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptas, Toda embroideries, plant nurseries are easily available in the town. Co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping fruits and general groceries. Kairali of Kerala Handicrafts and Poompuhar of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts have their showrooms near to Super Market Buildings on Charring Cross.

Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary :

The most prominent of the wildlife sanctuaries in the state, as well as one of the most important in the southern region, thickly forested Mudumalai borders the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and the Wyanad Sanctuary in Kerala. Apart from the wide range of animal and bird life, the rich fauna of this sanctuary has made Mudumalai very popular with wildlife enthusiasts.

There are tigers at Mudumalai, though it takes a lot of luck and perseverance to spot one of these big cats that are such masters of stealth. But there are several other creatures of the jungle that can be sighted more easily.

Among these are spotted deer, elephant, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, civet, flying squirrel, four horned antelope, mouse deer, common langur, bonnet macaque and pangolin the scaly ant eater. More rarely spotted are the panther, leopard, hyena, sloth bear and jackal.

The birds include peacock, woodpeckers, several species of owls, vultures and buzzards and the grey jungle fowl to name a few. On balmy April nights, when the whole sanctuary is lit up by million of glow worms, one will be in a different world altogether, a world of illuminated quiet.

Within the sanctuary is an elephant camp called Theppakkadu where there is a rest house. Accommodation is also available at TTDC's Youth Hostel and rest houses in Masinagudi, Abhayaranayam and Kargudi and the Bamboo Banks Farm that is 18kms away. The best season to visit is between Jan-March and Sep-Oct.

It is about 64km. from Ooty

Kalhatty Falls :

It is located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13 kms. from Udhagamandalam on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore Kalhatty ghat road. The height of the water falls is about 100 ft. Kalhatty - Masinagudi slopes is rich in wildlife such as Panthers, Bisons, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Dogs, Spotted Deers, Sambers and different types of hill birds. It is around 13km. from Ooty.

Mukurti Peak :

Mukurthi Peak is about 40km from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner of the Nilgiris . The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar. The silent valley is located on the western side of these ranges. Fascinating feature of the Mukurthi Sanctuary is its variety and similarities to Himalayan Flora and Fauna.

The 6km. wide Mukurti Lake lies here surrounded by high hills. It is 25km. from Ooty on the Gudalur Road

Gudalur :

It is the Gateway to Nilgiris from Kerala and Karnataka. Udhagamandalam, Coonoor and Kotagiri lies in the upper plateau of Nilgiris and Gudalur lies in the lower plateau. Udhagamandalam to Calicut road and Udhagamandalam Mysore road meet at Gudalur town. Population of Gudalur is 32,605 (1991 census). Most of the Gudalur area is green carpeted. It is 51 kms. from Udhagamandalam.

Masinagudi :

The road to Coonoor is the same till Mudumalai and Masinagudi. It is another 35 km to Udhagamandalam, better known as Ooty and 18 more to Coonor. The drive beyond Masinagudi entails 35 hairpin bends and though these are very enjoyable drives, the trouble is, everyone else seems to think so too. Watch out therefore for maniacs coming tearing down from the opposite side. Masinagudi used to be an elephant corridor. So don't be too surprised if you do see some wild tuskers on the road. Apart from the scenic beauty of the road, the drive through Masinagudi is charming in itself.

The road between Ooty and Coonor is quite forested with hills looming in the distance. Again, there are blind turns and you have to be very careful around the corners. Coonor town seems as crowded as Ooty but, a little distance away from the centre of the city peace descends again. Coonor is more charming as it has quaint houses, old churches and not too many visitors as compared to its more famous neighbouring city. Ooty and its rolling hills give way to snarling traffic in the centre of twon which is thankfully bypassed for a smooth drive on the way to Coonor.

More peaceful and a lot greener and immensely charming, the first impression you get in Coonor is that the air smells funny. But then, to our smog-loaded olfactory senses, fresh air always smells funny. The second assault on your senses will be the amount of green all around. There are more greens here than on a Pantone shade card.