COONOOR & OOTY
This is the Coimbatore - Metupalaiyam - Coonoor - Ooty circuit. I haven't been there yet but the beauty of Coonoor and Ooty has capitivated me from what I have read about them. These 2 beautiful hill stations are topmost of my list of places to visit next.
One has to first go to Coimbatore and then move onwards to Metupalaiyam (located at the foot of the Nilgiri hills) which is the popular entry point for the toy train journey and road route to Ooty via Coonoor.
You can get to Metupalaiyam directly by train from Chennai. Mumbai doesn't have a direct train service to M.
It takes 1 hour to by road from Coimbatore to Metupalaiyam.
It takes 3 1/2 hours by road from Coimbatore to Ooty.
If you need to stopover at Coimbatore enroute to Ooty, there are several hotels available.
COIMBATORE Hotels -
1) Aiba Regency – Tariff Rs 495 - 1600. http://www.hotelaibaregency.com/Contactus.html
28A, Geetha Hall, Opp. Railway Station, - 0422 - 2303737, 2303747
2) Mesabel – Tariff Rs 450 - 1300 http://www.mesabelhotel.com/faci.html
24 - Grey Town, (Near Nehru Stadium), Coimbatore - 641 018
Tel: 422 - 2380216, 43919352380216, 4391935 3)
3) Ruby Palace – 78, Opposite Railway StationGeetha Hall Road, Coimbatore 641018
Tel: 0422 2300271
HOW TO GET THERE (ROUTES )By Air ... Flights are available to Coimbatore from Chennai , Mumbai etc.
By Train ...
Tourists have to go to Coimbatore, take a vehicle to Metupalaiyam and then take the toy train. Also, can take a vehicle from Coimbatore directly to Coonoor/Ooty.
There are trains from Mumbai to Coimbatore. More details at http://indian-railways.rediff.com/trains/Mumbai-TO-Coimbatore/02-Sep-2009/SL
Direct train from Chennai to Metupalaiyam. More details at http://indian-railways.rediff.com/trains/Madras-TO-Metupalaiyam%20-%20MTP/02-Sep-2009/SL
(Nilgiri Mountain Railway) TOY TRAIN TIMINGS ---
Tickets for the toy train can be booked before leaving home for Coimbatore/Metupalaiyam (as one would book for any longdistance train service)
Metupalaiyam to Ooty via Coonoor ...Departure - Daily. Train no. 662. Train name - MTP UAM PASSR .
Departure Metupalaiyam at 07:10 am
Arrival at Coonoor - 10:40 am
Arrival at Udagamandalam (Ooty) - 12:00 noon.
Train route and timings at - http://indian-railways.rediff.com/trains/MTP+UAM+PASSR/662
It take 3 hrs. 30 mins from Metupalaiyam to Coonoor
It takes 1 hr. 20 mins from Coonoor to Ooty
Ooty to Metupalaiyam ...
Train no. 661. Train name - UAM MTP PASSR . Departs from Ooty at 15:00 pm . Arrives at Coonoor at 16:15 pm. At Metupalaiyam at 18:35.
Ooty to Coonoor ...Train no. 667 Train name - UAM ONR PASSR - Departure Ooty - 9:15 am Arrival Coonoor - 10:25 am
Please note : - These toy trains do not have toilet facilities on board.
By Road -Coimbatore to Metupalaiyam - 50 kms, 1 hr
Coimbatore to Ooty – 90 kms, 3 hrs. 50 mins
OOTY
Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.
One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers.
Ooty is a big place. It is expensive and overcrowded during the peak season. The railway station and bus stand are near the lake. Beautiful picture of Ooty here .... http://www.onlineooty.com/hotels/index.html
Hotels - http://hotelsinooty.net/, http://www.sabolholidays.com/
Sightseeing - Ooty has many best tourist spot to visit including Botanical Garden, Lake, Doddabetta, Rosepark, Pykara, Avalanche, Kalhatti water falls, mukurthi & more... http://www.hotelsinooty.net/places-to-see-in-ooty.html, http://ooty.ind.in/
Temperatures -From April to June, the temperature is about 25°C during the day and the nights can be chilly. Monsoon is from July to August. September is also a good time to visit.
From November to March it can be quite freezing.
Best time to Visit - April to June, September to November
COONOOR
Coonoor is located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is located at an altitude of 1839 meters. The climate here is milder than Ooty and its very close to Coimbatore. It is located in the Nilgiri Hills and is 19 km from Ooty. The town is an ideal weekend getaway for those living in and near Coimbatore.
There are a variety of wildflowers and birds here amongst the various natural splendours of the region. Coonoor is famous for its lush green surroundings, waterfalls, huge variety of wildflowers and beautiful birds (bird watching being one of the popular pastimes) and various natural splendours of the region. Coonoor provides a perfect site for trekking and hiking.
This beautiful town is surrounded by tea plantations. Coonoor attracts a huge number of local and foreign tourists throughout the year and especially in summers, as it enjoys a mild climate during summers. Some of the major attractions of Coonoor include Sim’s Park, Droog Fort, Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock and Catherine Falls.
This beautiful town is surrounded by tea plantations. Coonoor attracts a huge number of local and foreign tourists throughout the year and especially in summers, as it enjoys a mild climate during summers. Some of the major attractions of Coonoor include Sim’s Park, Droog Fort, Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock and Catherine Falls.
Sightseeing -
Tourist spots courtesy - http://www.coonoor.net/tourspot.html
1) Pomological Station - This is one of the three experimental fruit gardens in the Nilgris maintained by the Horticultural Department. The other two are Burliar and Kallar on the Coonoor - Mettupalayam ghat road. Apples, Plums, Peaches, Persinments, Lemons, Apricots and Pomogranates are grown here for the purpose of research. Surplus fruits and fruit based jams are sold to the public.
2) Sim's Park, a small botanical garden, is a major attraction here and it has several varieties of plants. This park occupies the slopes and base of a small ravine and has been developed into a Botanical garden partly in the Japanese style. This park has got over 330 varieties of roses out of which many are quite rare and eucalyptus more than 180 years old. A newer attraction is a map of the World made by plants sent by various countries, just like Ooty’s .A flower show is held in Ooty & soon after that the fruit and vegetable show is also held, in May. Visitors in large number come to see these shows. courtesy - http://indyahills.com/tn/coonoor.html
3) The Rose Garden is also a beautiful place.
4) Silk Rearing Station - Adjoining the Pasteur Institute there is a Silk Rearing Station maintained by the Central Silk Board. The Sericultural experts at this station may be contacted for special assistance.
5) Laws Falls - The Place is a beautiful picnic spot, situated at Coonoor-Mettupalayam Road at the distance of 7 Kms from Coonoor. The height of the falls is about 180 feet. There are vast stretches of undisturbed sholas and it is a paradise for Naturalists.
6) Lamb's Rock - It is 8 Kms from Coonoor on the way to Dolphin's Nose. It commands a grand view of the Coimbatore Plains. It is a favourite place for tourists.
7) Lady Caninng's Seat - From Coonoor it is 9 Kms. It is marked by a small house and commands panoramic view of the tea estates and the plains.
8) Dolphin's Nose - The view point is 10 Kms from the town. The Nose is a unique rock of tremendous proportions which looks like a Dolphin. This place is situated at about 12km, from Connor. This is a famous viewpoint. This place provides a beautiful view of the Catherine falls, which falls several thousand feet below. courtesy - http://indyahills.com/tn/coonoor.html
9) The Droog - This is also a picnic spot which is used by Tippu Sultan as an outpost. It is 15 Kms from Coonoor and stands 6000 feet high overlooking the plains. Three kilometers of trekking has to be done to reach the point.
Pictures to be seen at -----
http://www.mustseeindia.com/Coonoor/photos
http://www.orangemist.in/photo-gallery.php (courtesy Orange Mist Homestay)
http://www.hillstationsinindia.com/south-india-hill-stations/coonoor.html
Places to Eat - http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/India-Guide/IndianStates/Tamil-Nadu/Coonoor.htm
Coonoor Hotels :- http://www.coonoor.com/hotels.htm
1) YWCA - There have rooms in Ooty and Coonoor - http://www.ywcaagooty.com/tariff.html
Contact : Ettines Road, Ootacamund, Phone Number : 91-423-2442218, 91-423- 2444262
Email: reachus@ywcaagooty.com , ywca.agiri@gmail.com
Web Site : http://www.ywcaagooty.com/
2) Orange Mist Homestay - http://www.orangemist.in/ -
Dinesh - Office: 91-0423-2235413 , Residence: 91-0423-2236668
Mobile: 0999455344909443408891
3) Velan – http://www.velanhotels.com/velancoonoor7.htm –
4) MGM Hillworth – http://www.mgmhillworth.com/ -
Tel: 0423-2234995
KODAIKANAL -
Coimbatore to Kodaikanal - 3hrs (by road)
Kodaikanal to Ooty - 7 hours
More about Kodaikanal in my next post.
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