Introduction to Ooty: Couched amidst those gorgeous blue mountains of southern India, there is something special about the erstwhile British township of Ooty. Year after year, it draws tourists, adventure enthusiasts, honeymooners and the film industry like bees to nectar.

Ooty nestles in an amphitheatre created by four majestic hills—Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill and Club Hill. These hills are part of the Nilgiri ranges that are really the meeting point for the Western and the Eastern Ghats. They are knoen as the ‘blue’ mountains—because of the hue given to them by the lavender-blue flowers of the famous Strobilanthes that cover the hills in floral profusion. 

The history of Ooty goes back to about 900 years when it was ruled by Vishnu Vardhana, the Hoysala king from AD 1104 to 1141. The city also finds mention in the writing of Jacome Ferico, the first European to visit this place in 1603. In 1799, this hilly region came under the control of the British East India Company. The British established Ooty to serve as the summer headquarters of the Madras government. A government house was built and keeping in tune with the English lifestyle, the British set up cottages and clubs, with facilities for tennis, golf, and horse riding. With the establishment of numerous tea estates in the subsequent years, Ooty made its presence felt in the tourist map of India.
With the maximum temperature going up to 25°C, Ooty offers a pleasant climate throughout the year. One can visit this picturesque hill station at any time of the year though the ideal time is from February to May and September to November.

Sightseeing:  Move around the town and revel in the scenic surroundings. The Botanical Garden is an ideal tourist spot besides being a source of information about the region’s flora. For those who like to enjoy boat rides and fishing, a visit to the Ooty Lake is a must. Besides these, there are various view points like Lamb’s Rock, Kodanadu and Dodabetta Peak that offer fascinating views of the surrounding plains and hills.

Excursions: Excursions around Ooty prove to be an equally interesting experience. A visit to the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary gives you an idea of the region’s fauna and fauna. The trip to hill stations of Kotagiri and Coonor complement the visit to Ooty. Some of the other places you can go out for excursion are Kalhatty Waterfalls, Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose, Mukurthi, and Avalanche.