An Easy-To-Follow 3 Day Itinerary For Ooty and Coonoor
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Planning a trip to Ooty and Coonoor and have only 3 days? Confused about which places to visit in Ooty and Coonoor and which ones to skip? And how to fit them all in such a short time? Looking for the perfect 3-day itinerary for Ooty and Coonoor?
The good news is? I have got you covered.
Having visited Ooty and Coonoor multiple times, I know how to cover the top tourist points in these places without missing out on anything that you will regret later.I also have an idea about what places should ideally be visited at what time in the day so that you can make the most of your experience (and get amazing pictures and views as well!).
And now I have come up with a 3-day itinerary for visiting Ooty and Coonoor that I have planned based on my own experiences, covering food, sightseeing and tourist spots along with timings and entry fees.
The best part is, based on my experiences, I have divided the days into Morning, Afternoon and Evening, so that you can be in the ‘right places at the right time’.
I have also added tips that many people are unknown to and lunch recommendations. So, don’t be surprised if this itinerary seems nearly customised!
Please note that although 3 days is enough time to cover most of the tourist spots in Ooty and Coonoor, it’s not possible to cover all of the places due to the time crunch. So, I could not include certain places like- Sim’s Park, War museum, Wellington lake and Needle’s rock viewpoint; in my itinerary.
Also, the public transportation system is not great in these towns, so it’s better to hire a taxi for your convenience.
A 3-Day Itinerary For Ooty And Coonoor
DAY 1 – Ooty
Exploring famous tourist spots like Dodabetta peak, Ooty lake and Rose Garden along with a slightly less visited, serene St. Stephen’s church
Morning
Dodabetta Peak
Distance from Central Ooty: 25-30 mins
This is the highest peak in the Nilgiris, which sits at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats. Dodabetta, with its cool breezes and beautiful views, would be a great way to start your tour in Ooty.
I have included the visit to Dodabetta in the morning because it is very less crowded in the mornings. Also, mornings, just an hour or two after sunrise, are the times when the sky is clear and the sunlight isn’t too harsh. This way, you can get the best view!
Timings: 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ooty Lake
Distance from Central Ooty: 5 to 10 mins
Ooty Lake is a majestic, man- made lake which was constructed in 1824. It is a beautiful spot to visit, and the boating ride here is an exciting experience for children and adults alike.
It is accessible for both children and the elderly, although getting into the paddle boats may be difficult for the senior citizens. The boat rides available here range from regular paddle boats to larger speedboats ideal for larger groups.
Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Related Articles: 9 Best Places To Stay In Ooty And Coonoor
Lunch recommendations
Earl’s Secret, Ooty
Location: 17 -20 minutes from Ooty Lake
Ooty does not really have any authentic local food to offer, as almost everything is curated for the tourists
After the visit and boating rides at Ooty Lake, you can go to “Earl’s Secret,” a beautiful, glasshouse-themed multicuisine restaurant at “King’s Cliff,” a Heritage hotel in Ooty.
Tip: Don’t forget to try their Fish n Chips, Red Velvet Brownie and Cheesecake!
Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Afternoon
St. Stephen’s Church
Distance from Central Ooty: Around 5 minutes
Built almost 200 years ago, St.Stephen’s is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris. The murals, stained glass windows and the ancient cemetery here with its old-style tombs will surely transport you to the Victorian age!
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m l 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(If you aren’t a great fan of history or architecture, you can consider skipping this place)
Evening
Government Rose Garden
Distance from Central Ooty: 5 minutes
The Government Rose Garden is a beautiful step-garden that is home to over 20,000 varieties of roses. It is a heaven for florophiles and photographers with its colours and flower beds. I found that the golden hour, just before sunset, is the best time to visit this garden and click Pinterest-y pictures. Therefore, I specifically suggest that you visit the Rose Garden in the evenings!
However, you do have to walk around here if you want to cover the whole garden, so it might not be ideal for the elderly.
Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Day 2 – Ooty
Visiting the Pykara Lake and Waterfall, and a series of beautiful places like Shooting point, Pine forest and a beautiful evening in the Government Botanical Gardens.
Morning
Pykara Lake and Pykara waterfall
Distance from Central Ooty: 40-45 mins
Pykara Lake is an artificial lake which was constructed in the 1930s, surrounded by pine trees and wooden houses. This is an amazing place to spend a calm morning while lazing around in the lake’s surroundings or enjoying boat rides.
The Pykara waterfall is located within walking distance from the lake, although it’s extra stunning during the monsoon, it’s surely a nice place for a quick stop. However, the area around the falls can get very slippery in the monsoon or just after it rains, so it’s not very safe for kids and the elderly.
Timings: 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
Boating cost: depends on the type of boat and the number of people
Shooting point
Distance from Central Ooty: 30-35 mins
Located about half an hour away from the Pykara lake, Wenlock Downs, popularly known as the Shooting point, is a place of a wide stretch of green meadows amidst hills and eucalyptus trees.
It’s also known as the ‘Shooting Point’ because scenes from movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Saajan and Raja Hindustani were shot here.
There is a small trail you have to climb to reach the topmost viewpoint on the hill. Although it’s not too steep or long, be careful of the brittle patches and wear appropriate footwear for climbing.
Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(Avoid going after 12 noon, especially in the summer)
Afternoon
Pine forest
Distance from Central Ooty: 30-35 mins
This is one of the best spots for photography. The tall pine trees and sloping landscape create a very cinematic look. The pine forest overlooks the Sandynulla Lake. The best time to visit it is during the late afternoon to get aesthetic pictures.
However, the slopes here are quite steep and rocky, so be extra careful if you have elderly people or children travelling with you. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear with a good grip.
Tip: You can enjoy horse riding down the slopes of the pine forest to add a bit of a thrill to your visit
Timings: 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Evening
Government Botanical Garden
Distance from Central Ooty: 5 to 10 mins
Enjoy your last evening in Ooty in one of the best places for a calm walk while the sun sets slowly – The botanical garden, filled with a wide variety of exotic trees and flowers, is certainly a magical place. After a tiring day in the sun, kids can enjoy running around freely in the lawns here, and you can relax in the greenery surrounded by the chirping of birds beside the little ponds in the garden.
Tip: Don’t forget to see the 20-million-year-old trunk in the garden!
Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Day 3 – Coonoor
Visit the newly made, generally unexplored Karnataka Sri Horticultural Garden, travel from Ooty to Coonoor in the famous Toy train, and visit the Highfield Tea and Chocolate factory in Coonoor. Followed by a series of famous viewpoints – Dolphin’s nose, Lamb’s rock, Lady Canning’s viewpoint and finish your journey with a scenic picnic at Lady Canning’s seat
Morning
Karnataka Sri Horticultural Garden
Distance from Central Ooty: 15 to 20 mins
This garden, with its beautiful backdrops, flower slides, multiple sections and flower arches, is a heaven for photographers.
I didn’t know about this garden until I visited it on my last trip to Ooty. The garden is still being developed, but the parts that have already been constructed are really breathtaking. If you find the Botanical garden to be too crowded, this place, with its varied parts like the Topiary garden, Italian garden, Maze garden, etc., is for you.
Tip: Do not miss walking on the massive, hanging bridge in the garden to add a pinch of thrill to this peaceful visit! The valley view this bridge offers is exceptional.
Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy train)
Distance from Horticultural Garden: 10-15 mins
This toy train ride is one of the most iconic experiences in Ooty. Children especially enjoy this ride a lot. The vintage blue train with a steam engine makes the journey feel special.
Taking the toy train from Ooty to Coonoor is also convenient, not just exciting. You get to travel faster while enjoying the picturesque landscapes en route.
Also, the horticultural garden is very near the train station so you can plan your visit accordingly.
Tip: An early morning train is advisable to avoid harsh sunlight ruining your journey
Book tickets in advance on IRCTC as the tickets get sold out pretty quickly.
Afternoon
Lunch recommendations in Coonoor
Distance from Coonoor station: 10-15 mins
La Belle Vie: The famous film “Kapoor and Sons” was filmed in this hotel. It is open for meals even for tourists who aren’t staying in the property. The menu, the ambience, and the view from this hotel make it a must-visit if you are in Coonoor.
Timings: 12:30 – 3:30 P.M | 7:00-9:00 P.M
Tip: The lasagna here is unmissable!
Highfield Tea Factory
Distance from Central Coonoor: 5 mins
This 50-year-old tea factory is a great place to discover the different flavours of tea.
Here, you will see the process of making tea and chocolate and the machinery involved in it. Then you can savour the variety of tea flavours available, followed by shopping for the products in the in-house shop of the factory.
Timings: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Evening
Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint
Distance from Central Coonoor: 25 to 30 mins
Out of the innumerable viewpoints in Ooty and Coonoor, Dolphin’s Nose is certainly exceptional! It is named after the unique rock formation it is on, which looks like a dolphin’s nose, and it provides a 180-degree view of the surroundings.
The drive to reach here, with its winding hairpin bends, is an experience in itself.
Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Lamb’s rock
Distance from Dolphin’s nose: 5 to 10 mins
Lamb’s Rock is a famous viewpoint located on the way to the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint, making it easy to club the two together.
It offers a beautiful panoramic view of the tea estates and valleys below. What I loved the most about this point was that it is less visited and is a great spot to soak in the landscape.
It can be reached by car, but if you enjoy hiking, there is a 600-meter trail to reach the lamb’s rock viewpoint too!
Timings: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Lady Canning’s Viewpoint and Lady Canning’s Seat
Distance from Dolphin’s nose: 5 to 10 mins
Lady Canning’s viewpoint is a small yet picturesque viewpoint on the way to Lady Canning’s seat. From here, the hills will appear to form the shape of a sleeping lady, which is fascinating.
Lady Canning’s seat is a serene place where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset and the silence. The sunset view I got from here was by far one of the best I have experienced in my life. You can sit on the grass, enjoying the view of the setting sun, the trees and the tea estates. This would certainly be a memorable end to your trip.
Timings: 8:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m.
Entry fee: None
After exploring Ooty and Coonoor, you can travel to Coimbatore (where the airport nearest to Ooty and Coonoor is ). There, you can visit the Isha Yoga Centre. You can also shop for beautiful silk sarees in the Coimbatore Bazar and visit sweet shops ( I highly recommend Krishna Sweets) to buy the famous Mysore Paak. After which, you can catch a flight back home in the evening.
FAQS about Ooty and Coonoor
- What is the best time to visit Ooty and Coonoor
October to June is an ideal time to visit Ooty and Coonoor
- Which of the two (Ooty and Coonoor) is calmer
Coonoor is better for a peaceful, serene getaway, while Ooty is dotted with cafes, hotels and tourist spots
- What are more options for tourist spots in Ooty and Coonoor
Ooty and Coonoor both have a lot of places to visit, and it is nearly impossible to cover them all in 3 to 4 days.’
For more recommendations, check out my related article, 18 Top Things To Do In Ooty And Coonoor For First-Timers, and 9 Top Places To Stay In Ooty and Coonoor.
