Coonoor Hill Station:
Coonoor Hill Station is one of the famous Hill Station of the Tamil Nadu. Its proximity to Ooty Hill Station makes it a must visit Hill Station along with Ooty. They are like twin Hill Stations situated at the distance of just 21 Km hence they compliment each other and one’s tour/ visit cannot be completed without visiting the other.
However, you can visit the Coonoor Hill Station, alone.
Here is an advice, if you are going to Ooty in peak season facing difficulty in finding or booking hotels, then you may find a better place in Coonoor which is not far from Ooty and you can visit Ooty and its nearby place easily.
Hotels can be booked here.
Tips for preparing a perfect itinerary.
Day 1: Reach Coonoor Hill Station via Coimbatore:
Suggestion: You can visit Isha Foundation which is 41 Km from the Airport and see the majestic view of the 112 feet statue of Adiyogi Shiva. Shiva is known as “The Destroyer” within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu.
How to reach Coonoor Hill Station?
You can reach Coonoor by all the possible means of transport like by Air, Railway, Bus, Taxi or by your own vehicle.
Nearest Airport:
Coimbatore International Airport is the nearest airport at a distance of 72 Km from the Coonoor.
Nearest Railway Station:
The Mettupalaiyam Railway Station is just 35 Km away. From here, you can either opt to go by Taxi or by the Nilgiri Mountain Train. However, the option of toy train gives you a lifetime experience because takes you uphill, down the valleys, passing through thick forests and dark tunnels etc.
Travel by bus:
You may also take bus from the Coimbatore or Mettupalaiyam Railway Station to reach the Ooty.
Travel by Nilgiri Mountain Railway or Toy Train:
From Ooty, you can reach Coonoor by the Ooty Toy Train or Nilgiri Mountain Railway which runs on narrow gauge rail line. It is an integral part of Ooty and Coonoor Tour that doesn’t complete without it.
The toy train runs from Mettupalaiyam to Ooty via Coonoor. Take a ride on this train from Coonoor to Ooty and vice-versa.
Day 2: Local tourist places of Coonoor.
Ketty’s valley view (3KM), Dolphin Nose (18KM), Sim’s Park (20KM), Lamb’s Rock (25KM).
Top tourist places of Coonoor:
- Sim’s Park
- Dolphin’s Nose
- Trek to Hidden Valley, Coonoor
- Echo Rock or Lamb’s Rock or Coonoor suicide View point
Sim’s Park
Sim’s Park was established in the year 1847 which is basically a botanical garden, fully surrounded by the shrubs and creepers. It occupies an area of about 12 hectares.
There are numerous temperate plants of India are found in this park along with Queensland Karry Pine, Rudraksha (the bead tree) and Handsome Ornamental tree. The Sim’s Park is a significant and favorite destination of botanists and nature lovers.
Dolphin’s Nose
Due to resemblance or appearance of a rock to the Dolphin’s nose, it is named as Dolphin’s Nose view point. It is the very popular tourist spot in Coonoor, located at a distance of 12 km from the Coonoor city near the Tiger hills. From Dolphin’s nose view point, you can see the St.Catherine falls along with the Coonoor River while the deep forest green valleys attracts you very much.
Trek to Hidden Valley, Coonoor
The Hidden Valley is located beyond the Wellington Golf course. It is a true delight for nature lovers and trekkers. Most of the tourists are not aware of this spot because it is hidden and you need to trek through the lush green and dense forests to reach this spot.
Therefore, there is no proper route for this spot. But you can see the panoramic view of the beautiful mountains, picturesque scenery, green vegetation and marvelous landscapes which fill your heart with immense pleasure.
Echo Rock or Lamb’s Rock or Coonoor suicide View point:
Lamb’s Rock view point is in a reserve forest at about 8 kms from the Coonoor Bus Stand. Watch phenomenal stretches of forests. It is on the way to Dolphin’s Nose.
Day 3: Ooty lake St. Stephen Church, Botanical Garden, Toda Temple, Tea Factory & Tea Estate Museum, Doddabetta Peak.
How to visit top places of Ooty.
Ooty or Udhagamandalam, the Queen of Hill Stations situated in the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu. It offers breathtaking landscapes, picturesque meadows, lush green hills, soothing weather, abundant sightseeing places and incredible ethnic diversity. It is an ultimate heaven for nature lovers, trekkers and wanderers.
Ooty Lake
It is an artificial lake that was built for fishing purposes but now popular for boating. You can hire boats from Boating house located near the lake. Cycling around the lake is worth experiencing. Purchase some local items from the shops around the lake.
St. Stephen Church
It is located on the Mysore road in Ooty and is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district. It was opened for public in 1831. A painting depicting the Last Supper is displayed on the western wall of Church. It also features stained glass windows depicting, among other scenes, the crucifixion of Christ and Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms.
Ooty Botanical Gardens
The Government Botanical Garden is one of the most popular places of the Ooty. It spreads over 55 acres on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak. This garden is divided into five different sections such as Fern House, Lower Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory and Nurseries.
The flower show conducted during Ooty Summer festival is a major attraction in the Ooty. You can also see, a Fossil Tree Trunk, which is said to be around 20 million years old.
Deer Park
Deer Park is located at a distance of 2 km from Ooty Lake which makes an interesting story to kids. Mostly, Sambhar and Chitals are kept here.
Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Peak (2623 meters) is the highest peak in the Nilgiris. It is located at the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats which is around 10 km from Ooty. Visit Telescope house to see the mesmerizing landscape of the valley which is very rich in flora and fauna.
Toda Huts, Ooty
The Toda Huts are one of the most attractive and unique sightseeing places in Ooty. Toda is the indigenous tribes of Ooty and these huts are the residing place of the Toda people.
The huts are made in the shape of a semi-barrel without windows and very low doors. The Toda people mostly depend on cattle herding and farming.
Tea Estate View Point
The Nilgiri region is renowned for its tea and most of the areas in Ooty are surrounded with the tea plantation. The tourist can go for a walk in the tea estate.
Day 4: Radio Astronomy Centre, Emerald Lake and Avalanche lake, Upper Bhavani Lake View Point.
Radio Astronomy Center, Ooty
The Radio Astronomy Centre (RAC) is located in Muthorai near Ooty. It is a 530-metre (1,740 ft) long and 30-metre (98 ft) wide Cylindrical Parabolic telescope used in the research of the universe.But entry is restricted and need prior permission to enter into the Radio Astronomy Ooty.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is located in Silent Valley of Nilgiri District at a distance of 25 km from the Ooty. The beautiful lake is ideal for picnic, Tea estates and views of sunrise and sunset. Here, you can relax in natural environment.
The Avalanche Lake
The Avalanche Lake was created due to a massive landslide somewhere around 1800s. It is an ideal picnic spot but its beauty, greenery and landscapes attracts tourist round the year. Indulge in trout fishing, camping and trekking to nearby hilly regions such as Upper Bhavani Lake.
Upper Bhavani Lake View Point
Located around 36 kilometres from Ooty, the Upper Bhavani Lake offers best views of the forest, green mountains and great landscapes. In the early hours, the mist and the fog make a romantic location and give photographers a new life of capturing speechless photographs.
It is a perfect place for a quiet picnic in the nature and the tranquility. Visit the nearby Bhavani Temple and the Sholas (Sholas are the local name for patches of stunted tropical montane (High altitude) forest found in valleys which are usually separated from one another by undulating montane grassland).
Day 5: Wenlock’s down or 09th Mile shooting ground, Pykara Lake, Mukurthi National Park, Glen Morgan Dam Reservoir.
Wenlock’s down or 09th Mile shooting ground:
It is located at 9 miles away from Ooty city which is one of the best scenic view and most attractive tourist spot. The “Shooting spot” is fully surrounded by green, extensive and dense forest and most of the Indian movies are shooted here due to its natural beauty and scenic view.
Pykara Lake:
Pykara village and river is around 20 km away from Ooty. The Pykara River is considered very sacred by the Todas who are settled around it. Rises at Mukurthi peak, the river flows through Murkurti, Pykara and Glenmorgan dams, and forms part of an important hydro-electric power project.
The river flows over a series of waterfalls but the last two of 55 metres (180 ft) and 61 metres (200 ft) being known as Pykara Falls. There is a forest rest house at Pykara. A boat house on the Pykara reservoir is an added attraction for tourists.
Mukurthi National Park
Mukurthi National Park is a part of Nilgiri Bio reserve which was previously known as “Nilgiris Tahr National Park”. Its main attraction is the Nilgiri Tahr but it also home to endangered wildlife, including royal Bengal Tiger and Asian Elephant. Leopards, sambhar deer, barking deer, small Indian civet, shrew, soft furred rat are also found. Besides these, there are some birds including threatened laughing thrush, whistling thrush, woodcock etc. Predatory black-winged kite, kestrel etc. may also be seen in the grasslands. It is a popular site for trekking as well.
Glen Morgan Dam Reservoir:
The Glenmorgan is one of the old tea estate, located at a distance of 25 kilometers from Ooty. It is also famous picnic spot. One of the main attractions here is a 3-kilometre rope way from a power house in Singara to Glenmorgan. It offers beautiful views of the Mudumalai National Park, Mysore, the Moyar valley and the power house at Singara.
Day 6: Return to your home via Coimbatore.
More Suggestions:
If you have some extra days and want to visit one more Hill Station and One other famous tourist place of Karnataka. Have a look to add:
Day 8: Return to your home via Coimbatore.
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