Tucked amid the magnificent Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ooty is Tamil Nadu’s gem that beckons travelers with its rolling hills, scenic valleys, resplendent tea plantations, picturesque waterfalls, sublime weather, and unmatched greenery. While there are many wonderful experiences here, the best things to do in Ooty always begin with a trip to its Insta-worthy tea estates and hilly landscapes that have earned it the tag of the “Queen of Hill Stations” in Southern India.
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From couples seeking romantic experiences to adventure lovers looking for trek-worthy terrain, Ooty receives all kinds of travelers year-round. Gardens, museums, tea factory tours, and a diverse array of outdoor recreational activities, Ooty has it all.
It’s a melting pot of modernism blended with ancient traditions, pristine natural beauty, flora and fauna, gorgeous views, and great food. And the fact that it has year-round pleasant weather with cool winds is a cherry on top!
Dive into a plethora of exciting things to do in Ooty that are bound to take you on a roller coaster ride of experiences and entertainment! Apart from the usual sightseeing and tourist activities, there are plenty of offbeat activities in Ooty waiting just for you!
Best Things To Do In Ooty: Pick Your Favs!
Boat rides, tea-making, tribal hut tours, homemade chocolates, trekking, forest camping, to thrilling train rides in the mountains – there is no end to adventure in Ooty!
It’s not only a great place to embrace the goodness of nature, bask in vivid sceneries, and wander amid tea gardens, but Ooty also serves as the perfect avenue to acquaint oneself with the rich culture and traditions of Tamil Nadu.
Here is a list of some of the most exciting activities to do in Ooty that will help you experience the best of what this charming town has to offer so that you leave with memories you’ll never forget!
1. Ride a toy train in the Nilgiri Hills
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway offers a joyful train ride in the verdant Nilgiri Hills, undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Ooty.
Passing through lush green landscapes overlooking picture-perfect hills, scenic valleys, dense forests, tranquil lakes, and rolling meadows right from the comfort of your window seat, the delightful Ooty Toy Train is the perfect way to see the endless beauty of the Western Ghats. The best part – this experience is equally enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life!
This unmissable experience can be enjoyed via a toy train ride from Mettupalayam to Ooty or from Coonoor to Ooty. While the former is more scenic, the latter (Coonoor) is an offbeat and less crowded town near Ooty. Riding the Nilgiri Railway from Coonoor will guarantee you a window seat, but a ride from Mettupalayam will bestow you with uninterrupted views of pristine hills and valleys along the entire route!
Distance from Ooty bus stand to Ooty station: 10 km
Places covered: Ooty (Udagamandalam), Mettupalayam, Kallar, Lovingdale, Wellington, Coonoor (depending on route)
Travel time: 3.5 hours to 5 hours (depending on route and number of stops)
First train: Mettupalayam to Ooty – 7 AM departure
Last train: Ooty/Udagamandalam to Coonoor – 5:30 PM departure
Booking: Tickets can be purchased online at the IRCTC official website
Book your Nilgiri Mountain Railway train tickets 3-4 months in advance.
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2. Row a boat on Ooty Lake
No trip to Ooty is ever complete without a boating session on its charming Ooty Lake. Covering an area of 65 acres, the popular Ooty Lake, also called the Ooty Boat House, is the perfect avenue to go on a boat ride with your loved ones against a scenic backdrop of green hills and tall pine trees.
Visiting this lake is one of the best things to do in Ooty if your idea of a pleasant evening involves boating in a serene environment bounded by Eucalyptus trees, uninterrupted views of the stunning Nilgiri ranges, and endless greenery!
Types of boats available: Paddle boats, motor boats, shikaras
Other things to do at Ooty Lake: Horse riding, cycling, photography, bird watching, amusement park, Deer Park, mini-train for kids
Entry fee: INR 10/- per person for Indian nationals | INR 560/- per person for foreign nationals
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Distance from Ooty bus stand: 1 km
It takes 3-4 hours to explore Ooty Lake including boating, so start early in the day.
3. Visit Dolphin’s Nose for panoramic mountain views & a waterfall!
True to its name, Dolphin’s Nose in Ooty is a hilltop that resembles the nose of a dolphin! Overlooking surreal views of misty peaks and rolling hills carpeted with tea gardens in the distance, it’s a great place to have a picnic and watch a gorgeous sunset!
Other than offering a year-round cool breeze and a picture-perfect setting for relaxation, this place is also the access point for Ooty’s famous and absolutely breathtaking Catherine Falls as well as Lady Canning’s Seat! It’s the perfect escape for nature buffs, adrenaline junkies, families with kids, and couples seeking serenity in the lap of nature.
Entry fee: INR 15/- per person
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Distance from Ooty: 24 km
Despite its popularity, this scenic picnic spot remains less crowded than other Ooty tourist places.
4. Wander amid the enchanting Ooty Botanical Garden
Gear up for a vivid display of Ooty’s rare flora and flower species at the Ooty Botanical Garden!
Home to over 650 species of flowers, herbs, and trees endemic to the Nilgiris, the Tamil Nadu govt-run Botanical Garden is a sprawling landscape of well-manicured and well-organized garden space with spacious lawns, thick woods, man-made ponds with lilies, an observatory, a huge nursery, colorful orchids, a 20-million-year-old fossil tree, and the tribal Toda Hill.
It has over 50,000 types of flowering plants and medicinal herbs that never fail to amaze nature lovers, couples, and photographers from around the country who visit this garden. For the most enjoyable experience, visiting this garden during the annual Flower Show will be among the best things to do in Ooty.
Entry fee: INR 30/- per person (adults) | INR 15/- per person (children)
Timings: 7 AM – 6:30 PM
Distance from Ooty: 2.5 km
The vibrant Flower Show is held here at the Ooty Botanical Garden in May every year and lasts for two days.
5. Learn tea-making & taste its exotic flavors!
Treat yourself to a super fun excursion to the Tea Museum, also called the Ooty Tea Factory, that lets you take a guided tour of the whole tea-making process, visit the adjoining tea gardens, and taste various exotic flavors of this beloved beverage!
A must-visit for tea and coffee lovers, the Tea Museum and Doddabetta Tea Factory infused with the aroma of fresh tea leaves is an excellent location to educate yourself about the evolution of tea and tour delightful tea estates with the majestic Nilgiri hills in the backdrop.
Before you leave, you’ll also get to please your senses with a tasting session of different exotic flavors of tea!
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Entry fee: INR 250/- per person
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Distance from Ooty: 5.5 km
Visit the in-house souvenir shop to buy tea, vintage teacups, nettles, and a variety of other things.
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6. Hike to Doddabetta Peak
Untouched greenery, postcard-worthy beauty, pleasing weather, and the romantic scenery of the Nilgiri mountains make this hilltop a picture-perfect getaway for trekking enthusiasts, couples, adventure lovers, and backpackers visiting Ooty.
Hiking to the top of Doddabetta is among the best things to do in Ooty not just for its soul-soothing panoramic views, but also because it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind surrounded by nature.
8,606 feet above sea level, it is sandwiched between the Eastern and Western Ghats and is truly an oasis of untampered natural scenery, cool winds, clear blue skies, and several recreational activities. A dirt trail of 3 km leads you to the top where you’ll find a telescope and marvelous views of the Bandipur forest reserve studded in the vast skyline of Ooty!
Entry fee: INR 6/- per person | Nil for people below the age of 5
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
Distance from Ooty: 10 km
Trekking distance: 3 km
Doddabetta Peak is the highest mountain in South India and a haven for hikers.
7. Have a picnic at the Emerald Lake
The colorful blend of Ooty’s breathtaking emerald-colored lake set before the backdrop of blue Nilgiri hills creates the most paradisiacal scenery that will blow your mind!
The calm and peaceful atmosphere of this lake invites peace-seekers and lovey-dovey couples from far and wide, promising a relaxing and refreshing retreat in the lap of nature devoid of crowds and urban chaos.
Since it’s rather secluded and peaceful, it is mostly frequented by couples seeking serenity and solo travelers looking to spend some “me-time” amidst nature. Apart from the many activities offered here, Emerald Lake is also the favorite spot of landscape photographers frequenting Ooty.
Entry fee: Nil
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
Distance from Ooty: 20 km
Things to do at Emerald Lake: Picnic, fishing, mountain biking, trekking, boating, birdwatching, photography
Visit the lake early in the morning to catch a mesmerizing sunrise!
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8. Embark on a thrilling Jeep safari in Mudumalai National Park
A dauntless Jeep safari in the refreshing green forests of Mudumalai National Park & Tiger Reserve is bound to satisfy the adventure lover in you! Visiting this forest reserve sheltering over 500 species of exotic wildlife and birds is a part of every best things to do in Ooty list owing not only to its rich biodiversity but also because it’s one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in the country!
Serpentine roads cutting through resplendent green landscapes, rolling hills carpeted with lush vegetation, soft sunlight sifting through tall trees, the blue-green Nilgiri hills sitting in a misty backdrop, and the joy of spotting herds of elephants and deer every now and then is a luxury offered by very few wildlife reserves in India.
A smooth Jeep or bus ride through this terrain with an early-morning or night-time safari is the best gift you can give to your adventurous self!
Entry fee: INR 30/- per person (Extra for safari)
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Distance from Ooty: 29 km
Take an early morning safari if you wish to catch a glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger!
9. Unwind at Pykara Lake & Waterfall
A day trip to Pykara Lake is among the most offbeat things to do in Ooty since it’s a secluded and rather hidden part of the Ooty district. The lake and waterfall area make up for a scenic picnic retreat far from city limits and the perfect abode for a fun photography session!
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This gorgeous setting is an unmissable part of Ooty Tourism and offers a great space for travelers to take a breather and de-clutter their minds amid nature sounds and a gushing waterfall! The waterfall and lake area also provide travelers with a chance to engage in a short hike through a cover of tall pine trees and thick greenery.
Entry fee: INR 10/- per person
Timings: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Distance from Ooty: 24 km
The secluded Pykara Lake is a great place to go on a romantic boat ride with your partner!
10. Seek blessings of Lord Murugan at an ancient shrine!
Take a break from Ooty’s natural wonders and pay your respects to the holy deity of Lord Murugan at the Elk Hill Temple atop Elk Hill. This revered Hindu Temple in Ooty is a famous pilgrimage site that attracts worshippers from around the country with its divine aura, stunning architecture, and an enormous golden statue of Lord Murugan!
Set in a pleasing backdrop of lush surroundings, it is also home to other deities like Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Nava Kanya, and Goddess Shakthi, all of whom are worshipped with just as much dedication inside the temple premises. In addition to its spiritual vibes, this holy hill also draws people with stunning vistas of dense forests and gorgeous 360-degree views of green landscapes.
Entry fee: Nil
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Distance from Ooty: 2.3 km
For the most memorable experience, visit this temple during the vibrant Thaipusam festival celebrated in late January or early February.
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Browse our range of all-inclusive Ooty tour packages and embark on an exciting holiday to the Queen of Hill Stations in the south! With great weather, endless green environs, and your list of the best things to do in Ooty, you’ll be greeted with a kaleidoscope of experiences in one of the most beautiful Indian destinations! Need help with booking? Reach out to our team and they’ll craft you the perfect holiday itinerary as per your needs, preferences, and budget. Happy tripping!
