One of the reasons people like to visit hill stations is that, they not only offer respite from the dust and pollution of the city but also give people a chance to see the undefiled beauty of nature. The green hills, the cascading waterfalls and sparkling brooks, all make the hill stations a delight for the eyes of the city-weary. Coonoor is an ideal hill station since it offers allthis and much more. You can also visit numerous place around Coonnoor such as, lambs rock, dolphins nose, lady canning seat, laws falls, Droog hill, Sims park, Tea factories, and also do sight seeing tours of other tourist attractions around Ootyand Kotagiri. Both Ooty and Kotagiri are located at about 18 kms from coonoor and reachable in less than an hour by road.
Coonoor is a famous hill station that is 17 kms from ooty. It is probably the second most popular hill station in the Nilgiris. The hill station stands at a height of 1839 meters and is known for its great picnic spots and picturesque surroundings.
The Sim's Park is spread over an area of 12 hectares and is situated in Upper Coonoor. The park it is believed has more than 1000 plant species, including many flowering plants, pines, ferns and shrubs. If you are visiting in May, then you can attend the fruit and vegetable show, which is a tradition and is held annually Sim's Park, Coonoor, came into existence due to the pioneer efforts of the early European settlers. It was inaugurated in December, 1874 due to the efforts of Mr. J.D. Sim, Secretary to Government and Major Murray, acting Superintendent of the Nilgiris forests, and the park was named after the former Though this was started as a pleasure resort for the residents and visitors, the park has now developed into a Botanical Garden for the purposes of introduction and trial of various exotic species of systematic and economic importance
The park is situated in a deep ravine on the northern side of Coonoor railway station at an elevation of 1768 to 1798 metres above MSL. It extends over an area of 12 hectares of undulating land and possesses a number of natural advantages. It adjoins the Pomological Station, Pasteur Institute and Silk Worm Seed Station
It occupies the slopes and base of a small ravine. At the head of the gardens, the well kept lawns, the artistically laid out ornamental beds, looking beautiful and lacking no wealth of the flowering plants or shrub in great variety and colour, are great feasts to the eyes. The Annual fruit and vegetable show is held in the park.
Lambs rock is perhaps the most favorite place for picnic parties near Coonoor. On the way to Dolphins nose, so called after one Captain Lamb who made pioneered the place. The rock is a sheer precipice of jagged rock drops down several hundred feet to bury itself in the luxuriant jungles below.
There are a few views that are beyond compare. On the right hand yawns the great Hullical ravine and from its base some 5000 feet below ascends the roar of the Coonoor stream. The sheer precipice of several hundred meters commands a good view of Coimbatore plains.
Lamb's Rock is another vantage point that is ideal for taking pictures and is a wonderful picnic spot. It is known for the splendid views it offers of the plains of Coimbatore and the tea gardens, and natural forests surrounding the area.
If the name is not amusing enough for you, you can come down to this very Dolphin's nose and have a good time, enjoying games and an outdoor picnic. The Dolphin's nose is a great vantage point that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. If it is clear day, you can even see the Catherine falls from here.
Is named after Col. Law, who traced the ghat road. This is a pretty cascade on the Coonoor river near its junction with the mettupalayam road. The fall is located 5 klms off Coonoor mettupalayam road.
It is one of the prettiest places in the district and it attracts many visitors. The Laws falls is a paradise for naturalists wild and rocky.
17kms from Coonoor. One has to go up to Nonsuch Estate and trek down for about 4kms. There is a dilapidated fort of which it was said that Tippu Sultan used this fort as an outpost. The peak stands at an elevation of about 2,000 mts. and directly overlooks the plains.
Lamb's Rock is another vantage point that is ideal for taking pictures and is a wonderful picnic spot. It is merely 9kms from Coonoor and is known for the splendid views it offers of the plains of Coimbatore and the tea states in the surrounding areas.
Lady Canning's seat is about 8 kms from Coonoor bus stand and further along the same road as the Lamb's Rock. It is perhaps the loveliest point in the heart of the woods. Lady Canning, wife of the Viceroy was fond of this spot, which commands a panoramic view of the numerous tea estates, Lamb's Rock, the Droog, the Lampton's Peak all could be seen one above the other and even Mettupalayam is visible at a distance.
If you are on a sightseeing tour to Ooty, you might want to visit the Government Botanical gardens, which were laid out in 1847.The picturesque gardens that are maintained by the Horticulture department of the state, cover an area of about 22 hectares. The Gardens have well over 650 species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old. The garden is very popular with nature lovers and those who long to walk among greenery and see rare ferns and shrubs up close. If you are in Ooty in the month of May, then you can also be a part of the summer festival, which is held here annually. The festival holds flower shows and various cultural programs showcasing the talent of the locals and the renowned artists.
If you love the outdoors, Ooty lake is a must see for you. It was built in 1825 and is about 2.5 km long. Visitors to this lake can go for boating on the lake or enjoy their favorite outdoor activity of fishing. If the latter really appeals to you then remember to get fishing permission before you head to buy baits! Dodabetta Peak-Ooty The Dodabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It is the highest point in the district, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty. It is merely 10kms from Ooty so you can simply grab your camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of the valley below. Many say that on a clear day, which is honestly not that often, one can see far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore.
Kodanadu is about 16kms from Kotagiri, and is situated on the eastern edge of the Nilgiri range. It is a great vantage point that offers a breathtaking view of the Moyar river and the tea estates. There is a watchtower here that offers a view of the Rangasamy peak.
Many of our guests enjoy a full day excursion (with packed lunch) through the twin sanctuaries of Bandipur and Mudumalai, to Gopalswami Betta, a hill with a historic temple at its peak. Being part of the Project Tiger Reserve, one could look down on the plateau as tiger sightings have been getting increasingly more common than rare.
The beautiful Kalhatty waterfalls are about 100 feet in height and are located on the Kalhatty slopes. The falls are about 13kms from the city, so anyone on a tour of Ooty can easily check out the falls and the beautiful area surrounding it. Besides, obviously looking at the waterfalls, you can explore the Kalhatty-Masinagudi slopes, that are home to many wild species, including panthers, sambhar, bison and wild buffaloes.
About 36 km from Ooty is Mukurthi. Here you can take a look at the imposing Mukurthi peak. According to the Todas, the indigenous people of this locale, the souls of the dead move on to the next world from this very sacred place. It is an interesting place for the sceptics as the flora and fauna of this pace bears a striking resemblance to that found in Himalayan region. You can also visit the Mukurthi lake which is close to the peak and is worth a closer look.
Avalanche lies 28 km from Ooty. Unlike it's name, which conjures up images of destruction and devastation, the place is a nature lover's paradise. It is a lake, which is ideal for fishing, though one has to obtain permission before hand. It is also the perfect place to enjoy bird watching and a quiet afternoon.
Many of our guests enjoy a full day excursion (with packed lunch) through the twin sanctuaries of Bandipur and Mudumalai, to Gopalswami Betta, a hill with a historic temple at its peak. Being part of the Project Tiger Reserve, one could look down on the plateau as tiger sightings have been getting increasingly more common than rare.
The beautiful Kalhatty waterfalls are about 100 feet in height and are located on the Kalhatty slopes. The falls are about 13kms from the city, so anyone on a tour of Ooty can easily check out the falls and the beautiful area surrounding it. Besides, obviously looking at the waterfalls, you can explore the Kalhatty-Masinagudi slopes, that are home to many wild species, including panthers, sambhar, bison and wild buffaloes.
If you are in Ooty in the month of January, you cannot possibly miss the Tea and Tourism festival. At the festival, you can learn more about your favorite drink and possibly taste some of the best cups of tea.
In January, if you find yourself holidaying in Ooty, then do not forget to join the festivities and enjoy the celebrations.
The popular flower show is held in May at the botanical gardens and is a great event that attracts visitors from all over.