Ooty, short for Udhagamandalam, is a hilltown in Tamil Nadu. Udhagamandalam, literally means “house in mountains”. This famous hill station, situated at a height of 7,347 feet above sea level, was founded by the British in the 19th century. Ooty has pleasant climate throughout the year with winters, summers and monsoons being the three main seasons. Tourism in Ooty is extremely popular owing to the wonderful weather and the verdant green surroundings.
Tourism in Ooty boasts of several gardens and lakes which are the important places to visit in Ooty. Below is a list of some of Ooty’s popular gardens and lakes that you can visit on your next trip:
1.Ooty Botanical Gardens
These beautiful gardens are one of the must places to visit in Ooty. You will be enthralled by the perfectly manicured gardens and the exotic variety of trees, ferns, flowers, herbal plants, bonsai, shrubs and trees here. The garden has been divided into six sections: Lower Garden, Italian Garden, New Garden, Fountain Terrace and Conservatory and Nurseries. The location of the garden on the slopes of the Doddabetta peak add to the charm and beauty of the place. This is the perfect venue to marvel at nature’s glory and magic and enjoy the sheer beauty.
2.Sim’s Park – Sim’s Is A Park
Cum-botanical garden and is the brainchild of Mr. J.D. Sims and Major Murray. Located in Coonoor, the park has an idyllic setting and is very well maintained. Besides the huge variety of creepers, flower species and shrubs, you can see some rare trees like Queensland karry pine, Cinnamomum, Araucaria and Rudraksh.
3.Pykara Lake And Falls
Located at a short distance from Ooty, the Pykara Lake is a reservoir of the Pykara River. A winding road lined with green foliage will lead you to this spectacular glistening lake. You can enjoy boating in the lake or admire the waterfalls in the area. The biggest waterfall falls from a height of sixty one metres. The scenic beauty makes this site one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Ooty and this is also the perfect picnic spot.
4.Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is one of the most pristine lakes in Ooty. It is located near the Emerald Village, in a place called Silent Valley. Due to the lush green environment surrounding it, this lake shines in an emerald hue and is a beautiful sight to watch. There are various activities for tourists around this lake like trekking, fishing, bird-watching and boating.
5.Kalhatty Waterfalls
The Kalhatty Waterfalls drop from a height of 40 metres and is one of the most exciting places to visit in Ooty. There are many small waterfalls and cascades in this area and it is also rich in flora and fauna.
These were some of the gardens and lakes which one must not miss when on a trip to Ooty. These natural wonders are a good break from the concrete jungles of the city and make one feel completely de-stressed and relaxed. Visit Ooty and enjoy a fun-filled and memorable vacation with your entire family.
