Ooty’s beauty surely makes you want to explore it beyond the familiar trails. While Ooty’s Dodabetta Peak’s majestic heights and Nilgiri Mountain Railway’s gorgeous views are undoubtedly the spots that you should not miss, there is a whole lot more mystery to this misty hill station that awaits to be unveiled. All you have to do is wander on the unfamiliar trails, breathe in the cool air, and let the whisper of the wind take you to witness this town’s best-kept secrets. Here’s a carefully curated fun list of 7 offbeat things you can do in Ooty.
Offbeat Things To Do In Ooty
Visit The Katary Dam And Falls
Kateri or Katary Dam is a scenic spot located just 36 minutes away from Ooty. It is part of the site of India’s first hydroelectric power project, the Katary Hydroelectric system, which uses water from the Katary Falls to generate electricity. Katary Falls is a two-tier waterfall that cascades from a height of 180 feet. The dam, waterfall, and surrounding area are known as a picturesque spot near Ooty.
Cost: Free
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
Experience Tribal Culture At The Toda Village
Get ready to experience the tribal heritage of an indigenous Dravidian ethnic group native to the Nilgiri Hills, the Toda village. The settlements in this Toda village are semi-barrel-shaped thatched huts that have no windows. The Toda temple was built within a circular stone wall, making it distinct from other temples. The village offers visitors the opportunity to learn about their rituals, culture, and way of life.
Cost: Free
Timings: Preferably daytime
Witness Scenic Beauty At The Sixth Mile
Sixth Mile, also revered as the 6th mile, is a very famous scenic viewpoint and shooting location. It is about 9-10 km away from Ooty and is famous for its lush green meadows. The place is surrounded by Shola forests and mesmerising views of the Nilgiri Hills. Many Bollywood movies feature scenes that were shot here, like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Andaaz Apna Apna, Barfi, Dil Se, Raja Hindustani, and more.
Cost: INR 5
Timings: 6 am to 8 pm
Visit The High Hill Tea Garden
High Hill Tea Garden is a sprawling tea plantation that is known for its tea estates and scenic views of the Nilgiri mountains. You can enjoy taking leisurely walks among the lush tea bushes, experiencing the cool air, and witnessing picturesque valleys and mountains. They also have a tea shop for visitors to taste and purchase a variety of Nilgiri tea available there.
Cost: INR 5
Timings: 8:30 am to 8 pm
Buy Spices From The Charing Cross
Charing Cross in Ooty is a very famous market, which is mainly known for its spices. Here, you can buy authentic and fresh Indian spices, including chilli, nutmeg powder, cardamom, black pepper, and cloves. The market is known to offer high-quality spices, which are locally sourced and are also freshly ground. You can also buy coffee, tea, handmade chocolates, handicrafts, and woolens.
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm
Take A Leisurely Walk At The Wenlock Downs
Wenlock Downs is a gorgeous scenic meadow located just 28 minutes away from Ooty. It is spread across 20,000 acres, featuring rolling grasslands which are covered with eucalyptus groves and Shola forests. It offers visitors a peaceful retreat for a leisurely walk surrounded by nature’s beauty. One fun fact is that the song Kitna Sona Tujeh Rab Ne Banaya from the Bollywood movie Raja Hindustani was shot here.
Cost: Free
Timings: 9 am to 6:30 pm
Visit The Thread Garden
If you are an art lover or wish to witness extraordinary craftsmanship, you must visit the Thread Garden in Ooty. It is a unique indoor garden with artificial flowers and is recognised by the India Book of Records. If you are guessing these flowers are made up of plastic, you are wrong. These flowers are made out of colorful threads without using machines or needles. The garden houses about 150 artificial flowers and is a one-of-a-kind attraction that you should not miss.
Cost: INR 30
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Summing Up
From scenic filmy locations to the spice market, Ooty has everything for every kind of traveler. With this list of seven offbeat things to do, you are all set to explore the lesser-known spots and a different side of the town altogether.
