Sitting by the pavement on our campus, we were all buzzing with excitement. Our phones were out, with one person sorting out the transport, another calculating the itinerary budget, and me? I was busy hunting for affordable homestays in Ooty. We had everything planned—well, kind of—but little did we know that our trip would turn into an adventure full of surprises and unexpected twists. Here’s the story of our trip to Ooty, Tamil Nadu, and all the moments that made it so unforgettable. Let’s start our Ooty travel blog.
Ooty Travel Blog: Picturesque Views on the Peaks
As we ascended the hills of Ooty, winding through the narrow hairpin curves, it felt like we were entering a different world. We stuck our heads out of the car windows, feeling the cool mountain breeze on our faces, and made several stops to snap pictures. The buildings, nestled on the steep slopes, painted a colorful backdrop that made it even more surreal.
Having never been to Ooty before, I couldn’t get enough of the place—the simple streets, the tiny curvy roads, and yes, the chocolates. Everywhere we went, we were surrounded by chocolate shops. Ooty, it seemed, was a dream destination for sweet tooths!
Ooty Travel Blog: A Smooth Start to an Eventful Journey
There were eight of us—my branch mates from college and a couple of hostellers. We’d just finished our term exams, and with a whole week off, we thought, why not explore? It had been ages since we’d taken a trip, and after the pandemic, this felt like the perfect opportunity.
We rented a car for six of us and decided to take a Royal Enfield along for the ride. The group was set—two on the bike, six in the car. The 6-hour journey from Bangalore to Ooty started early, with a pit stop for breakfast at a vegetarian restaurant along the way.
Driving through Mysore and Bandipur Tiger Reserve, we finally made our way to Tamil Nadu, where the real adventure began. Narrow, winding roads, blind spots, and dense fog made the drive both thrilling and terrifying. Thankfully, one of my roommates, an excellent driver, took the wheel. I was relieved because navigating these curves was no easy task!
The Other Way to Get There
A fun fact I learned: self-driving rental cars are banned in Ooty. You’ll need to call up a local cab service for a tour, and they’ll provide a chauffeur-driven ride. While we had rented a car for our trip, we realized that the alternative—taking the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR)—would have been a spectacular way to see Ooty. The NMR is a World Heritage site and offers stunning views on the 5-hour journey from Coimbatore to Ooty. I wish we had taken the train!
The Great Stay Mix-Up
I had booked our stay from Booking.com well in advance. We were looking for budget options and settled on one that seemed perfect for our needs—until we got there. The location was terrible, with barely any view of the slopes. So, we decided to make a change and asked our hosts for help. They arranged a villa for us, nestled in the higher slopes of the town. The view was breathtaking, and the price was reasonable.
Pro tip: If you’re booking your stay in Ooty, make sure it’s on the higher slopes overlooking the town. The prices aren’t much different, and the view is worth every penny!
Bandipur Tiger Reserve: A Wildlife Encounter
The drive through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve was one of the most exhilarating parts of the trip. We couldn’t stop in the reserve, but we kept our eyes peeled, hoping for a glimpse of some wildlife. While we didn’t see any tigers, we were lucky enough to spot deer, elephants, and peacocks. The reserve was as beautiful as it was thrilling, with lush greenery surrounding us on all sides.
Day 1 in Ooty: Starting with a Bang
By the time we reached Ooty, it was already afternoon. Our hosts recommended a local restaurant, but it turned out to be a bit more expensive than we had anticipated. At Rs. 350 per person for a simple meal, we realized we needed to be careful with our spending.
After that, we checked into our new villa on Tiger Hills, and I have to say, it was perfect. The view behind the villa was stunning, and we knew we’d made the right decision.
Later that evening, we headed to the Ooty markets. To our surprise, the market was much more charming than I expected. There was a plastic ban in place, which made the place cleaner and more pleasant. We strolled around, buying chocolates, hot drinks, and even a couple of beanies for the chilly evenings.
Day 2: Touring Ooty
Day two was all about exploring the beauty of Ooty. After a lazy morning, one of my friends and I decided to take a walk up the hill where we were staying. We passed by local houses and kids playing with firecrackers and eventually reached a hidden viewpoint that gave us a breathtaking view of Ooty below. The air was crisp, and the stillness made it even more magical.
Next up, we visited Doddabetta Peak, one of the highest points in Ooty. On our way, we stopped at a chocolate and tea factory, where we learned about the chocolate-making process and got to taste some local treats. The visit was short but sweet, and we left with some chocolate bars as souvenirs.
After the factory, we made our way to Pykara Lake. While the lake itself wasn’t anything extraordinary, the surrounding pine trees and the playful monkeys made it a nice stop.
Ooty Lake Boating: A Fun Finale
We ended the day with a visit to Ooty Lake, where we went for a paddle boat ride. While it wasn’t the most exciting activity, it was fun and gave us a relaxing way to wind down the day. We also stopped by the markets again to grab some food and drinks, and that evening, we enjoyed a campfire, sharing stories and laughter under the starry sky.
Day 3: Coonoor and the Dolphin Nose Point
On our final day of the Ooty travel blog, we headed to Coonoor, a neighboring town about 20 km from Ooty. We didn’t have much time, so we opted to visit the Dolphin Nose viewpoint. The view from the top was stunning, with steep drops on either side of the road and a view of waterfalls in the distance. It was the perfect way to end our trip before making the long drive back to Bangalore.
Trip Budget Breakdown
Overall, we spent around Rs. 6000 per person for the entire trip. Most of the costs went toward fuel, with the villa being fairly affordable (around Rs. 300-400 per person per night). We also spent a bit on food, activities like boating, and, of course, chocolate and souvenirs!
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Journey
We returned to our university campus tired but happy, our hearts full of memories from a trip that was worth every bit of effort. While we missed the Ooty Toy Train, the overall experience of exploring the Ooty travel blog, eating local food, and enjoying the scenic views made it unforgettable.
Next time, I’ll be on the lookout for more offbeat spots, but for now, this trip to Ooty will remain one of my most cherished travel memories.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my Ooty adventure! If you have any tips or places I should check out on my next visit, feel free to share them in the comments. Until next time, happy traveling!
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