Ooty The Queen of Hill StationsImagine being amidst the best of natural settings,

trying out adventurous sports and spending some relaxed time with your loved ones all
at one place. You can all these and much more at Ooty, the "Queen of Hill Station". The
hill station presents a picture of perfect vacation that we all all dream of. With
mesmerising scenery, breath taking tea gardens, fine pine and eucalyptus trees along
with magnificent mountains around, Ooty tour offers a refreshing setting to spend few
special days of your life. Trip to Ooty makes for a complete tour package with excellent
accommodation facilities, well connectivity with rest of the country along with a pleasant
atmosphere.

However for a wonderful vacation, one needs not just a good destination but also an
efficient tour plan. There are many aspects related to Ooty trip which need to be take
care of well in advance. Ooty Travel, an important division of Holidays DNA assist
tourists in planning their tour to Ooty in the best way possible. With the help of our
experts we offer you with updated information on on each and everything related to the
hill station varying from accommodation in Ooty to Ooty climate to places for
sightseeing to sports options on the hill station, etc. We at Ooty Travel helps you in
making an informed decision.

Situated at an altitude of 2286 m in the Nilgiri District of Tamil Nadu, Ootacamund

(Ooty) is also known as Udhagamandalam. The name of Ootacamund has been derived
from the Toda word "othakal-mund" which means "the house of single stone". Unlike
many other tourist destinations, the hill station of Ooty doesn't boast of historical
connections. Although, one can connect it to Tipu Sultan because of the hideout cave
which was constructed so as to extend the border of Sultan's empire. This is apparently
the only recorded historic evidence of the hill station. Not just a popular tourist
destination now, the place was a popular unwinding spot even in colonial eras during
British rule and was also the summer capital of the Madras Presidency along with many
other small kingdoms. The land is originally a tribal area which has been occupied by
the Todas and other tribes, co-existing through trade and specialization. Toda Huts,
which are a major tourist attraction can be spotted easily in Ooty.

As you enter the hill station, you will be greeted with lush greenery, beautiful tea
gardens, pine and eucalyptus trees and enchanting mountain. If you are thinking, the hill
station has only nature to offer you, you might have to rethink. The hill station pampers
its tourists with mouthwatering chocolates and local wine. Ooty's homemade chocolates
and its local wine from the vineyards makes for an interesting gifts to take back home.
The hill station is famous for the "English vegetables" and "English fruits". Vegetable
and fruits such as cabbages, peaches, plums, pears are grown locally and are popular
of their high quality, making for an important part of town's economy.

Ooty tourist spots present interesting options for sightseeing. Located at an altitude of
more than 2,623 meters, Doddabetta Peak presents its visitors with breath taking view
of the valley and area around. Ooty Lake which is in the shape of L is located in the the
heart of the city and makes for a good picnic spot. Tiger Hills, located towards the lower
end of the Doddabetta peak is also a beautiful place to visit. Once in Ooty, you can't
afford to miss visiting Ooty Botanical Garden. There are many more places in and
around ooty that are worth visiting. Some of these are Coonoor (Dolphin's Nose, Hidden
Valley, Ketty, Wellington's Golf Course, Sim's Park, Lamb's Rock, Law's Falls, Second
World War Memorial Pillar), Red Hills, Bellikal (Kalhatti Falls, Bison Valley, Bellikkal
Lake).

Along with sightseeing in Ooty, tourist will have various kinds of spots to engage
themselves in. out of all the outdoor activities, trekking is one of the most popular. The
hill station has several trekking routes varying in distance, altitudes and terrain. One can
also opt for other activities such as hang-gliding, angling that includes Goad Trout, Carp
and mixed water.

Toy train is an integral part of Ooty tour. Toy train that connects the hill station with
Mettupalayam, makes holidaying in Ooty all the more enjoyable. Running at a speed on
33 kms per hour since 1899, the train covers a distance of 46 kms. In this close to 4
hours of the ride, the train offers travellers with long stretches of rice fields, lofty hills, 13
tunnels and 26 viaducts. It offers good photographic opportunities as well.

The climate in Ooty is mostly pleasant and thus one can plan a visit at any time of the
year. However, it is advisable to avoid visiting the hill station during heavy rainy days in
monsoon season. Visiting during the annual Tea and Tourism Festival is likely to
enhance entire Ooty experience.

Reaching Ooty is not a difficult task. The hill station is well connected to the rest of the
country. One can opt any of the three modes of transportation-roads, railways and
airways based on his/her preferences and budget. The hill station of Ooty is
approximately 535 km away from Chennai, 105 km away from Coimbatore, 18 km from
Coonoor, 155 km away from Mysore, 187 km from Calicut, 290 km from Bangalore, 281
km from Kochi and 236 km from Kodaikanal.

By rail the hill station is connected to many cities. Mettupalayam which is 47 km away
from Ooty is the nearest major railway station. There are regular train services from
Mettupalayam to Coimbatore and Chennai. You also have toy train from Mettupalayam
and Conoor to Ooty. The hill station is on the National Highway 67 and thus connected
by road to the the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka via the five main
accepted Nilgiri Ghat Roads. Coimbatore which is 105 km from Ooty is the nearest
airport. It is connected to other cities of the country such as Chennai, Bangalore,
Madurai and Hyderabad.