Botanical Garden: A variety of exotic and
ornamental plants adorn this garden, which is the venue for the Flower show held
in May every year. There is a fossil tree trunk 20 million years old in the
midst of the garden.
Lake: Boating is
possible from 08.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs. on all days. The lake garden and toy train
rides are other attractions.
Government Museum:
The Government Museum, Mysore Road, Udhagamandalam has items of
tribal objects, district's ecological details and representative sculptural arts
and crafts of Tamilnadu.
Mukurthi Peak and National Park: Mukurthi Peak is about 40
km from Ooty. The Mukurthi National Park is located on the South Eastern corner
of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar
(Hamitragus hilocrius). The Silent Valley is located on the Western side of
these ranges. Fascinating feature of the Mukurthi Sanctuary is its endemism and
relationship with the Himalayan Flora and Fauna.
Ketty Valley View: Located on the road to Coonoor,
this idyllic spot is a cluster of tiny Villages that extend to the plains of
Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.
Pykara: Situated about 21 Kms on the Ooty-Mysore Road,
boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlement, undisturbed grassy
meadows and also a healthy wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam and the reservoir
attract many tourists.
Upper
Bhavani: 10 Kms from Korakundah and about 20 Kms from Avalanche,
some of the best sholas like the Thar Shola lies enroute. The area is a rich and
undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithappal via Sispara one can trek to
Silent Valley.
Avalanche: Located at a
distance of 28 Kms from Ooty, a beautiful lake surrounded by a thick shola where
even sunlight cannot penetrate and abundant with a wide variety of avifauna is a
Nature Lover's Paradise.
Mudumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary: Lying in the Nilgiris District abutting Kerala and
Karnataka State, this is situated at an elevation of 1000 meters and extends
over an area of 321 sq.kms. A variety of habitats ranging from tropical ever
green forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest,
secondary grass lands and swamps are found. The wildlife includes elephant,
Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse, Will Boar,
Porcupine etc. The avifauna is varied with minivets, Hornbills, fairy Blue
Birds, Jungle Fowls etc. The Reptilians are represented by Python, Monitor
Lizard, Flying Lizard, etc.
Other picturesque scenic spots in the
sanctuary include the Moyar Waterfalls, the
Chief Minister's watch tower. Ombetta Swamp, Theppakad elephant camp, etc.
Elephant ride, vehicle ride along visitor's routes on payment are
enjoyable.
Doddabetta: It is the
highest peak (2623 meters) in the Nilgiri's and is 10 kms from Ooty. It lies at
the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vista of the
Nilgiri Hills ranges. There is a telescope house run by TTDC.
Kalhatty Water Falls: It is located on the Kalhall
slopes and about 13 Kms from Udhagamandalam.
Wenlock Downs: A vast expanse of undulating
landscape offering Gymkhana Club, the Government Sheep Farm and Hindustan Photo
Films Company besides pleasure of long stroll on quiet roads.
Coonoor: It is located in an area of 13.2 sq. on
the way from Coimbatore to Udhagamandalam, only 19 km from Udhagamandalam. It is
the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. It stands on a lower ridge of
the plateau at an altitude of 1,858 mts. (6,100 feet). Population is
48,003.
Dolphin's Nose: 12 kms from
Coonoor, enjoy the micro climate; you can also take a glimpse of the Catherine
Falls from here.
Lamb's Rock: (8 Kms)
The lamb's rock is a sheer precepice of several hundred meters and commands a
good view of the Coimbatore plains.
Sim's Park: This park - cum - botanical garden contains many species of trees not
found in Ooty as it is shielded by the Doddabetta ranges from the onslaught of
the monsoons.
Kotagiri: It is 19083
mts. (6503 ft) above the sea level and has a climate advantage over Ooty as it
is protected by the Doddabetta ranges from the onslaught of the monsoons. It has
a Population of 38,121.
Kodanad View Point: 20 kms from Kothagiri on the eastern edges of the Nilgiris. On
either side of the road one can be delighted to see the panorama of the tea
estates and the River Moyar.
The annual Tea and Tourism Festival is
celebrated in the Nilgiris jointly by the Department of Tourism, Government of
Tamil Nadu and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in January/February.
Cultural programmes, visits to Tea Estates and factories, fun and frolic etc.,
mark the celebrations.
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