Mysore can sure get dry and hot in summer and a trip to Ooty can definitely help soothe your soul. The dense forests and lush valleys along with stunning waterfalls, and mesmerizing lakes in Ooty, take your mind off the heat.
Yet, the fear of losing all your bank balance over this enchanting land seems like a stretched-out dream to you. How about you kick that fear out the window and let us tell you how to plan a Mysore to Ooty trip for just under 10k?
How To Reach Ooty From Mysore
While there are no direct flights or trains from Mysore to Ooty, you can still reach by road in just about 5 hours. Don’t look at the hours and freak out as this is good news. The journey from the City Of Palaces (Mysore) to Ooty is one of the most treasured ones. The distance between Mysore and Ooty is about 126 km and is filled with the dense forests of Bandipur and Mudumalai.
You should keep in mind that the road between Mysore and Ooty may be blocked at night as it runs through a protected forest region. As you get closer to Ooty, there are many hairpin turns that are beautiful yet can get tricky to drive on at night. So, it will be safer to travel during the day and get to Ooty before the sun sets.
The most economical way to go to Ooty from Mysore would be by bus, which has a frequency of every half hour. We recommend you travel with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), as they are more reliable. Depending on the type of bus, the fares can range anywhere between INR 500 to INR 1000.
Best Time To Visit Ooty
The best time to visit Ooty depends on different factors, as it’s a hill station that caters to nature lovers, adventure lovers, and honeymooners. If you’re looking to cover all the attractions of Ooty, you can visit between March and June. The average temperature in summer ranges from 15°C to 30°C.
The next best time to visit Ooty would be the winter, as you can experience Ooty lapped with mystical clouds. Everything around gets foggy, and trekking is not allowed for the same reason. So it’s considered the best time for honeymooners to visit the lakes, gardens, and the toy train. The winter begins in September and ends in February. This season, the temperature can range anywhere between 5°C and 22°C.
Where To Stay In Ooty Under INR 2K
When it comes to traveling on a budget, we advise you to opt for hostels and homestays, as they’re quite budget-friendly. The interiors are classy, paired with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, a game room, and more. We’ve listed below a few of the best hostels and homestays for you to check out for a comfortable and memorable stay. The starting price range for these stays is INR 799.
- goSTOPS Ooty
- Zostel Ooty
- 43 Backpackers
- Heritage Holiday Home
- Mountside Cottages
Things To Do In Ooty
Now, let us tell you about the things you can do and the places you can visit in the beautiful hill station of Ooty. We’ve named a few must-dos on the list to make your trip complete.
1. A Joy Ride In Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train
Taking a trip on the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train is a must-do in Ooty. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that leads you through an exquisite valley, stunning tunnels, high twists, stunning bridges, and the lush green Nilgiris Mountain. It passes 16 tunnels, 250 bridges, and 208 turns. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll go back to every time you think of Ooty.
Location: Rajiv Gandhi Circle, Near Mysore Rd, Kathadimattam, Ooty, 643001
Time: 7:10 pm to 5:35 pm
Duration:
Coonoor to Ooty Train Timing – 01:15 Hours
Mettupalayam to Ooty Train Timing – 04:50 Hours
Price Approximation:
First Class- INR 450 to INR 700 depending on the route
Second Class- INR 250 to INR 395 depending on the route
2. Plan a Picnic At Pykara Waterfalls
Have you seen a lake with a waterfall before? If not, head over to Pykara Waterfall. At a distance of around 20 km from Ooty, this beautiful lake awaits your presence. So plan a picnic and enjoy a tranquil time beside this lake.
Location: FJF3+Q5R, Pykara, River, 643224
Time: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Duration: 2 Hours
Price Approximation:
Entry fee- INR 10
There are additional expenses for camera use (20 INR) and video shoot (50 INR).
3. Replenish With Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is one of the most untouched and virgin spots in the South Indian hill station and one of the best things to do in Ooty. The lake is in the Nilgiris District and is part of the Silent Valley National Park. You’re sure to be spellbound by its serene beauty.
Location: Emerald Village, Nilgiris district.
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price Approximation: No entry fee
4. Try Some Homemade Chocolates
If you didn’t already know, let us tell you: Ooty is known as the chocolate town of India. Homemade chocolate in Ooty has gained popularity, similar to its native wildlife and forests. So to have a complete experience, you must visit Main Bazaar to try out some of the yummiest chocolate ever (and bring us some?).
Location: Upper Bazar, Ooty, 643001
Time: 10 am to 8 pm
Duration: 2 Hours
Price Approximation: No Entry fee
5. Marvel at the Government Botanical Garden
The Government Botanical Garden at Ooty is a wonderful garden on the lower slopes of Doddabetta Mountain. The garden spans 55 hectares and is divided into various well-maintained parts that are beautifully manicured to present an appealing appearance. You’ll be treated with breathtakingly vivid natural grandeur from the moment you enter the gates.
Location: Vannarapettai, Ooty, 643002
Time: 7 am to 6:30 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price Approximation:
Adult- INR 30 / Children below the age of 10- INR 15
There are additional expenses for camera use (30 INR) and video shoot (100 INR).
6. Go Boating At Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake is remarkable since it was created artificially by John Sullivan in 1824. It’s 1 km from the city’s bus stop. The main attraction here for tourists is boating, which lasts for a good 20 to 30 minutes. You can also choose to just sit back at the shore and enjoy the pin-drop silence and the calm vibe coming off this lake.
Location: CM4Q+97Q, N Lake Rd, Kathadimattam, Ooty, 643006
Time: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price Approximation:
Entry fees- Indian- INR 13 / Foreigners- INR 560
Boating price- INR 240 to INR 990 depending on the no. of people
Budget-Friendly Restaurants In Ooty
We believe that the most crucial thing that can make or break a trip is food. Yet, traveling with a tight budget and a craving for good food can be a task. Well, you’re covered with us as always. We’ve found restaurants, cafes, and local eateries where you can not only get tasteful delicacies but also maintain a healthy budget. Check out these amazing spots to try in Ooty.
Oven The Restaurant
A small, tidy restaurant serving mouth-watering Indian and Chinese cuisine. The most loved cuisine here is biryani, and you’ll always find music playing here, setting the ambience just right.
Location: Charring Cross, Coonoor Road Hotel Meadows Residency, Ooty (Udhagamandalam) 643002 India
Price Range: INR 150 – INR 500
The Turn Table
A stretched-out dinner with wooden interiors and a lovely ambience with small gardens laid out on the outside. They serve Indian, Chinese, and Asian cuisines.
Location: Coonoor Road The Grange Hotel, Ooty (Udhagamandalam) 643001 India
Price Range: INR 130 – INR 600
Willy’s Coffee Pub
A cozy cafe with three bookstalls to explore cuisines suiting our vegetarian and vegan travelers. The must-try items here are their tea, sandwiches, and banana cake.
Location: 1st Floor, KCR Arcade, Walsham Road, Elk Hill, Ooty
Price Range: INR 100 – INR 350
Sri Ayyappa Mess
This is a local eatery where you can curb your cravings for some South Indian dishes. The food is delicious and quite budget-friendly.
Location: Opposite NCMS Parking, Higgins Road, Ooty
Price Range: INR 30 – INR 100
Summing Up
We’ve loved curating this trip for you and hope that it helps you to enjoy the magical beauty Ooty encapsulates within itself. This trip is sure to bring you the long-awaited fresh breath of nature that your mind and soul have been craving. So pack those pretty bags of yours and head to this divine land with your loved ones to create yet another unforgettable memory.
FAQs
Are 2 Days Enough For Ooty?
Yes, 2 days are enough to explore and enjoy Ooty.
Which Is Better Ooty Or Kodaikanal?
Both Kodaikanal and Ooty are popular honeymooners’ hill destinations in Tamil Nadu. Couples that want higher altitudes and greater sightseeing opportunities should visit Ooty. Kodaikanal has fewer attractions and is lower in altitude than Ooty.
Why Is Ooty Famous For Tourism?
Ooty’s scenery, with panoramic vistas of blue hills and lush foliage, promises a plethora of memorable memories for travelers. This grants it a large number of tourists every year.
Does Ooty Have Snowfall?
No, it doesn’t snow in Ooty.
Which Item Is Famous In Ooty?
Ooty is famous for tea plantations, connoisseurs, Homemade chocolates, and much more.
Which Is The Hottest Month In Ooty?
The month of April is the hottest in OOty with an average temperature of 36.5°C.
Is Covid Test Required For Ooty?
Yes, every tourist has to produce a COVID-19 negative report for Ooty.
Which Fruit Is Famous In Ooty?
Peaches, plums, pears, and strawberries are the fruits famous in Ooty.
Which Month Is Heavy Rainfall In Ooty?
July to September are the months when you can experience heavy rainfall in Ooty.
