Nilgiri Hills Retreat:
Ooty & Coonoor

A slow week in the Nilgiris

This is a hill-station holiday at an easy pace. From Coimbatore Airport you drive up into the Nilgiri Hills to Coonoor for Sim's Park, then board the heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway for the ride up to Ooty.

Ooty is your base for all four nights. The days are short and unhurried: the Botanical Garden, a tea factory and museum, the Ketti Valley viewpoint, a day out to Pykara for the lake, the waterfalls and the pine forest, and a final day around Ooty Lake, the Rose Garden and the local market. Lunch is back at the hotel, with time to rest.

What you will remember

• The Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Coonoor to Ooty, via Wellington, Ketti and Lovedale
• Sim's Park in Coonoor, a botanical garden established in 1874
• The 55-acre Government Botanical Garden in Ooty
• A tea factory and museum, with freshly prepared Nilgiri tea
• Pykara: the waterfalls, the lake and the boat house
• Ooty's market for Nilgiri tea, homemade chocolates and spices

1. Day 1 Arrival and the Coonoor experience Coimbatore, Coonoor, Ooty

   Our representative picks you up from Coimbatore Airport and drives up towards the Nilgiri Hills. Coimbatore to Coonoor is about 70 km and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. In Coonoor there is a short stop to freshen up and rest before sightseeing.

   • Sim's Park, a historic botanical garden established in 1874 and laid out along the natural contours of the hills
   • The Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Coonoor to Ooty: 19 km through Wellington, Aravankadu, Ketti and Lovedale, about 1 hour 15 minutes
   • At Ooty Railway Station our chauffeur receives you and takes you to the hotel

   • Overnight in Ooty
   • Dinner
2. Day 2 Botanical garden and tea Ooty

   After breakfast, a relaxed sightseeing day. You return to the hotel for a hot lunch and a rest in the afternoon, and go out again in the evening.

   • Government Botanical Garden: 55 acres of terraced lawns and flower beds, a Fern House with ferns and orchids, an Italian-style garden and a glass house
   • Ooty Tea Factory and Tea Museum: see how freshly plucked leaves become finished tea, and taste freshly prepared Nilgiri tea
   • Ketti Valley View Point on the Ooty to Coonoor road, for views of the valley, the hills and the tea plantations

   • Overnight in Ooty
   • Full board
3. Day 3 Pykara: lakes, waterfalls and pines Ooty, Pykara, Ooty

   After breakfast, a scenic nature day towards Pykara, about 20 km from Ooty, through open grasslands and Nilgiri mountain scenery, with a photo stop among the tall pine trees. You return to Ooty in the afternoon and the evening is at leisure.

   • Pykara Waterfalls
   • Pykara Lake
   • Pykara Boat House
   • Boating is optional, depending on the weather and what you prefer

   • Overnight in Ooty
   • Full board
4. Day 4 Ooty at leisure Ooty

   After breakfast, a relaxed local sightseeing day covering some of Ooty's popular attractions. The evening is free to use the hotel's facilities or explore at your own pace.

   • Ooty Lake, with optional boating
   • The Rose Garden, with roses arranged across the slopes of the hill
   • The local market, for fresh Nilgiri tea, homemade chocolates, spices, handicrafts and souvenirs

   • Overnight in Ooty
   • Full board
5. Day 5 Down to Coimbatore Ooty to Coimbatore

   Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Coimbatore Airport in time for your flight. Ooty to the airport is about 85 to 90 km and takes 3 to 3.5 hours. Our chauffeur drops you at the airport.

   • Breakfast
   • Airport drop

What is included

The inclusions for your travel dates and hotel choice are confirmed in writing on your quotation.

The hotels

• Ooty, 4-starAccord Highland Ooty, Sterling Ooty Elk Hill, or Fortune Resort Sullivan Court4 nights
• Ooty, 5-star or luxurySavoy Ooty (IHCL SeleQtions), Sterling Ooty Fern Hill, or Marli Hill Bungalow (CGH Earth)4 nights

You choose one hotel for all four nights. Tell us whether you prefer a resort setting, a central location or a heritage property.

A look at the route

Before you book

• The heritage train. Seats on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway are limited and are booked in advance, so tell us your dates early.
• Boating. Boating at Pykara and at Ooty Lake is optional and depends on the weather on the day.
• An easy pace. The days are planned with lunch and a rest at the hotel, which suits families and older travellers.
• Making it yours. Add a night in Coonoor, upgrade the hotel, or extend to other parts of the south. Tell us before you confirm.