The hills of South India may not be as towering as the Himalayas in the north of the country. However, they still make for fantastic travel destinations. Kodaikanal and Ooty happen to be two of South India’s most popular hill-stations, and no wonder. Pleasant weather throughout the year, warm and friendly locals, iconic landmarks, plenty of options in terms of both hotels and restaurants, and of course, no dearth of nature’s magnificent bounty.
In order to enjoy the very best of nature in your Ooty Kodaikanal tour package, the following places are recommended.
Botanical Gardens, Ooty
The Nilgiris are known to be home to a wide range of flora, and Ooty’s Botanical Gardens makes for the ideal destination to enjoy this diversity. 1848 witnessed the establishment of the Gardens, and today it stays packed with tourists year round. It’s most prominent exhibit? A 20 million year old fossilized tree trunk.
Doddabetta Lookout, Ooty
An OotyKodaikanal tour package from Bangalore just isn’t complete if you don’t spend some time at theDoddabetta Lookout. At an altitude of 2633 m., Doddabetta Lookout is not just the highest point in Ooty, but also in the entire Nilgirimountains. With gorgeous greenery, hills, and spectacular views of Ooty, a trip to the Doddabetta Lookout is an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Rose Garden, Ooty
Roses are revered for their beauty, and rank amongst the most coveted flowers of the world. Now imagine witnessing over 2000 varieties of the famous flower, and that too in one place. That’s exactly what you would experience if you visit the Rose Garden in Ooty. Boasting of a scenic hillside location, it happens to be one of Ooty’s prime strolling zones as well.
Pine Forest, Ooty
Between the locales of Ooty and Thalakunda, lies a pine forest that offers spectacular scenery to visitors. The beauty of the forest has been highlighted in many a Bollywood movies.
Kodaikanal Lake, Kodaikanal
The Kodaikanal Lake is undoubtedly the city’s prime tourist magnet. Though it is an artificial lake, the surrounding hills and greenery make it an ideal place to unwind. What’s more? You could hop on to pedal boats and row boats to traverse the length and breadth of the lake. The 5 km. path around the lake is popular for walks, bicycle rides, and horse riding as well.
Dolphin’s Nose, Kodaikanal
Dolphin’s Nose happens to be one of the most aptly named viewpoints in this part of the world. Why? Because the tip of the viewpoint is identical to the nose of a dolphin. The breathtaking panoramic hill views and the Catherine Falls at a distance make it a destination that tourists often don’t want to get away from.
Bryant Park, Kodaikanal
In 1908, H. D. Bryant, a forest officer hailing from Madurai, established the Bryant Park. Marvelously maintained, the park is primarily a botanical garden, being home to around 325 species of cacti, trees, and shrubs. Over 700 varieties of roses can be found here as well. In the summers, the park turns into something magical, as flowers blossom and turn the park into a captivating color fest. Open throughout the year, Bryant Park is quite often the host for a number of flower shows and exhibits.
Berijam Lake, Kodaikanal
This natural water source is relied on heavily by Kodaikanal residents for their daily water requirements. Surrounded by lush greenery on all sides, a visit to the lake would enchant you if you like the wilderness. Deer, snakes, panthers, and bison can be frequently sighted as well. Access to the lake is slightly restricted, as authorities try to keep a check on water contamination, and hence, there are no boating opportunities here, unlike the Kodaikanal Lake. Nonetheless, Berijam Lake still remains one of Kodaikanal’s most iconic sites.
While the aforementioned destinations are the best of nature you would find in an OotyKodaikanal tour package, there are a few other spots you could spend time exploring too:
- Sim’s Park, Ooty
- Ooty Lake, Ooty
- Pykara Waterfalls, Ooty
- Pillar Rocks, Kodaikanal
- Perumal Peaks, Kodaikanal
- Kukkal Caves, Kodaikanal
- Bear Shola Falls, Kodaikanal
If you are ever in the need of leaving your mundane city life behind for short time in the lap of nature, don’t look any further than Ooty Kodaikanal tour packages!
