Coimbatore to Ooty Weekend Getaway

Places to Visit:

Government Botanical Garden (2 kms): This garden was laid out earlier by Marquis of Tweedale, the then governor of Madras in 1847. This garden covers an area of 22 acres. A fossil tree trunk of 20 million years is preserved here.

Lake View:
About one km distance, an artificial lake can be seen with a charming look, which was formed in 1824 by Mr. John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu tourism Development Corporation provided the following facilities to the tourists.

Mini Garden:
Tourists can visit this mini garden which is on the way to the Boat House. The children amusement park is housed here. A snack bar is also available. It is maintained by T.T.D.C.

Doddabetta: 
It is the highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiris and is about 10 kms from Ooty. It lies at the junction of the Western & Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense sholas. One can have a panoramic view of the landscape through the TTDC telescope.

The Mukkurthi Peak and National Park: 
Mukkurthi Peak is about 40 kms from Ooty. The Mukkurthi National Park is located on the Southern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius). The Kollaribetta and Nilgiris Peak are other major peaks around. The area is chained by innumerable beautiful and perennial little streams, which fall into Bhavani Puzha. The Silent Valley in the Western Ghat is located on the Western side of these ranges. A fascinating feature of the Mukkurthi Sanctuary is its endemism and relationship with Himalayan Flora and fauna.

Hindustan Photo Films:
The HPF, one of the major industrial units of the district is a public sector enterprise. This unit is located (about 5 km away from Ooty railway station) over a sprawling area of over 300 acres near the Ooty golf-links on the Ooty- Mysore road. The HPF was inaugurated by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister in January 1967.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary: 
This Sanctuary lies at an elevation of 1140 mts in the junction point of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu and extends over an area of 321 sq. km. A variety of habitats ranging from tropical ever green forest, moist teak forest, secondary grass lands and swamps are found. Panther, Sambar, spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild boar, Porcupine etc. are also seen. The avifauna is varied with Minivets. Hornbills, Fairy Blue Birds, Jungle Fowls etc.

The Pykara: 
It is situated about 21 km from Ooty, on the Ooty-Mysore Road. The tourist attraction is well protected by fenced sholas, Toda settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. There is a forest rest house at Pykara. A Boat House with restaurant is available. It is maintained by TTDC.

Deer Park: 
It is located at a distance of one km on Lake Road which has Sambar, Chital and Hares besides water birds.