Tourism
Ooty
Called the 'Queen of the Hill Stations', picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the south.
Botanical Gardens
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, which is 20 million years old.
Lake
This artificial lake was constructed in 1824 by Mr.John Sullivan, the then collector of Coimbatore. Boating is possible from 0800 hrs to 1800 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, ecological details and representative sculptural arts and crafts of Tamilnadu.
The Mukurthi Peak & Mukurthi National Park
Mukurthi peak is about 40 Km from Udhagamandalam. The Mukurthi National park is located on the southeastern corner of the Nilgiris plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Tahr(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.
Pykara
Situated about 21 Km on the Udhagamandalam - Mysore road, Pykara has Toda settlements, well-protected fenced sholas, undisturbed grassy meadows and a rich wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam and the reservoir attracts many tourists.
Glenmorgan (17 Km)
There is an electricity board (E.B.) Winch that carries staff from Glenmorgan view point to the power house at Singara. All four Km of the Winch track passes through undisturbed sholas and wild life habitat. Prior permission of E.B. authorities should be obtained to enter the view point zone. There are about ten Toda (tribal) settlements.
Upper Bhavani
Ten Km from Korakundah and about twenty Kms from Avalanche. Some of the best sholas like the Thar Shola lies en route. The area is an undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithappal via Sispara, one can trek to the Silent Valley.
Avalanche
Located at a distance of 28 km from Udhagamandalam, there is a beautiful lake, which is surrounded by thick Shola. There are places where the shola is so thick, that even sunlight does not penetrate!
Doddabetta
This is the highest peak (2623m) in the Nilgiris and is 10 Km from Udhagamandalam. It lies at the junction of Western and Eastern ghats and offer beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri hill ranges. There is a telescope house run by the TTDC.
Highlighting Features
- Trekking
- Hang Gliding
- Angling
Udhagamandalam has a miniature railway connecting it with the lowlands. The trains with their quaint yellow and blue carriages are not as tiny as they seem. The unique feature of this line is the toothed central rail onto which the locomotives lock on steeper slopes. Also unusual is the little locomotive, which is at the back, pushing rather than pulling from the front. Each of the three or four carriages has its own braking man, who sits on a little platform of each carriage and, whenever appropriate, waves a red or green flag.
Coonoor
It is located 19 Km from Udhagamandalam on the way to Coimbatore. It is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. It stands on a lower ridge of the plateau at an altitude of 1858m.
Dolphin's Nose
Dolphin's Nose - 12 Km from Coonoor. While you enjoy the climate, you can also take a glimpse of the Catherine falls from here.
Lamb's Rock (8 Km.)
Lamb's Rock (8 Km) - The Lamb's rock is a sheer precipice of several hundred metres and commands a good view of the Coimbatore plains.
Law's Falls (7 Km)
Law's Falls (7 Km) - It is situated in the ghats of the Coonoor forest range. The height of the falls is about 180 feet.
St. Catherine Falls
St. Catherine Falls - Located 8 Km from Coonoor. These falls are breathtakingly beautiful.
Sim's Park
Sim's Park - This park-cum-botanical gardens contains many species of trees not found in Udhagamandalam. The annual fruit and vegetable show is held in May.
Kodaikanal
Located 120 Km away from Madurai, Kodaikkanal is a beautiful hill station at an altitude of about 2133m on the southern tip of upper Palani hills in the Western Ghats.
A well-known feature and the one that attracts a lot of tourists is the blooming of the famous kurinji flower, which blooms once in 12 years.
Kodai's most enchanting sights include the star shaped lake , spread over an area of 24 hectares where you can take up fishing and boating.
One of the world's oldest solar observatories is situated in Kodai, built in 1899.
If you love exotic flowers, don't miss the Orchidorium at the Sacred Heart College where about 300 species of orchids bloom.
You can take long walks on special, lovely trails down Coaker's walk and Priest's walk. You can get the best views of Kodai from the Pillar Rocks and the Green Valley View.
Bear Shola falls, Silver Cascade, Fairy Falls and Glen Falls are very popular with picnickers. And those with a religious bent of mind should pay a visit to The Kurinji Andavar Temple that's 3.2 Km away from town, and is dedicated to Lord Subramanya.
Trekking enthusiasts must check out Perumal Peak.
Highlighting Features
Delicious home-made chocolate is a specialty of Kodaikkanal, and is available in many shops in town.