Ooty, officially Udhagamandalam is a city in western Tamil Nadu state in India. It is best known for a number of beautiful parks and lakes, including the 1847 Botanical Gardens. The historic centre with a number of historic colonial buildings is worth a visit, and nearby you can visit the beautiful Mudumalai National Park. In this lovely park, you’ll encounter elephants and birds and, if lucky, maybe a tiger. The train route, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is one of the most beautiful in India.
Are you planning a visit to Ooty? And would you like to learn more about the special history and culture of this beautiful city in India? In this travel guide, I will tell you more about its interesting history, read all about the best attractions and discover the best accommodation in the city. A history-rich visit to Ooty starts here…
This Travel Guide to Ooty contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a booking through one of the links on this website, Travel4history gets a small compensation for it. This does not cost you anything extra by the way!
*This article is also available in Dutch – Ooty Reisgids
Practical Information & Travel Tips
- Best Time to Travel? The best time to visit Ooty, or Udhagamandalam are the months of December to March. During this period, there is the least rainfall. February and March are nevertheless the hottest months. The temperature is slightly above 30 degrees.The months of May and August to October see the most rain in Ooty.
- How many days? In a day, you can have seen the main sights in the city. But you can also go on a tour of the beautiful surroundings and see the tea plantations in the area. Or it is even possible to take a day trip to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Plan at least 1 day, but 2 days is even better.
- Accommodation? Looking for a nice hotel or hostel? East of Udhagamandalam railway station, you’ll find some nice hotels. I myself stayed at Zostel Ooty at walking distance from the railway station. Basic but great beds.
- Tours & Tickets? Most sights in and around the city are best explored on your own. But if you want to visit Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, transport or a day trip is definitely recommended.
- Transport? The railway station and bus station can be found next to each other in the city centre. Should you have enough time, be sure to do the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
History – What makes Ooty historically interesting to visit?
Udhagamandalam is beautifully situated in the Nilgiri Mountains. From a distant past, this area was inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Badaga, the Toda and the Kurumba. You can discover some of this history at the Tribal Museum. The biggest change occurred when the British built a hill station (called Hill Station) in the Nilgiri Mountains in the early 19th century. They named the town Ootacamund, which was later shortened to Ooty.
The British compared the beauty of this place to Switzerland. They built houses, churches, tea plantations and beautiful parks and gardens there. The botanical garden, for instance, dates back to 1847. And in 1908, they added a railway line, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. This train journey is considered one of the most beautiful in India. The route starts at Mettupalayam and ends at Udhagamandalam and is 45 kilometres long. It is a wonderful start to a visit to this beautiful city and surroundings in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Top 5 Places to visit in Ooty
Wondering what are the highlights of this beautiful city in the state of Karnataka? Here are some great tips & ideas.
1. Government Rose Garden
This beautiful garden is located at the foot of Elk Hill within walking distance from the city centre. Although the garden does not have a long history, it was established in 1995, it is among one of the most beautiful gardens in India. Indeed, in 2006, the garden received a prestigious award for the best rose garden in South Asia. Stroll through the Government Rose Garden for an hour and enjoy the beautiful roses!
2. The train journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty
This train journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty is known as the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. According to connoisseurs, it is among one of the most beautiful routes in the country. Board the locomotive and enjoy the 46-kilometre train journey past scenic views, through tunnels and over impressive bridges. In 2005, this route, also better known as the Toy Train, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
3. Walk around Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake is an artificial lake in the city centre. It is particularly popular for reaction possibilities, including renting a boat. Or take a walk around it. This walk is about 5 kilometres long. Created in 1824, Ooty Lake was commissioned by the John Sullivan, founder of Ootacamund (Ooty).
4. St Stephen’s Church
The city’s most famous church is St Stephen’s Church. The building dates from 1830 and was built in honour of the birthday of British King George IV (1762-1830). It is an impressive church that is definitely worth a visit. For instance, wood was used from the palace of Tipu Sultan of Mysore, after the British defeated him at the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799. You will find St Stephen’s Church north of the centre.
5. M&N Chocolate Museum
Visiting a chocolate shop in hot India? The M&N Chocolate Museum is not just any chocolate shop, it is the first to open in India. Thus, in 1942, it was the first place where you could buy this delicious goodness made of cocoa. Besides, the museum is on record for making one of the longest chocolate bars India. This one was more than 18 metres long! The M&N Chocolate Museum is located in the centre of Ooty.
Accommodation – Where to stay in Ooty?
Ooty is a town of about 90,000 inhabitants in the state of Tamil Nadu. Located at an altitude of about 2,000 metres, it is a special place to spend a few days. In the city centre, east of the railway station and bus station, you will find a lot of hotels and hostels. I myself stayed at Zostel, a budget hostel at walking distance from the bus station. Book a bed in a dormitory or a private room in Zostel here. Or would you rather prefer to choose something just outside the busy city centre, for instance?
Looking for accommodation in Ooty? Book your hostel of hostel here!
Transport – How to get Ooty?
Ooty is about 80 kilometres north of the city of Coimbatore. From New Bus Stand, Mettupalayam Road in Coimbatore, many buses go north daily. This bus takes about 3 hours to reach Udhagamandalam. The bus station in Ooty itself is in the city centre.
It is also possible to take the train from Coimbatore. For this, you first catch the bus or train to Mettupalayam Railway Station. From there, take the train to Ooty via the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. This route has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. The railway is 46 kilometres long and was constructed by the British around 1900. And it also takes you past the beautiful nature of this region, definitely a must-see. The Ooty Toy Train, as it is also called, is quite popular. So book your tickets ahead through the Indian Railways website.
Plan your trip to Ooty & India
- How to book accommodation? Hotel via Booking of Hostel via Hostelworld?
- Activiteiten: Tickets & Tours
- Transport: Bus & Train Tickets
- Flight tickets to India? Skyscanner
Do you have more tips, ideas or comments about this Travel Guide to Ooty, India? If so, feel free to leave a message below.
