Bangalore - Ooty - Coimbathore

samirofdelhi

I've heard that the drive between these places is really beautiful. What is it like in July/August and how long does it take? Would it be possible to hire a car with a driver in Bangalore who can take us from Bangalore to Coimbathore via Ooty and then to the nearest airport?

capt_mahajan

Bangalore/Mysore: - Srirangapatnam just before mysore is a good stop.. bird sanctuary and Tipu's museum. And of course, the palace at Mysore. (I found Brindavan gardens avoidable, too crowded, didn't enter)

The drive to Ooty after Mysore is ok, some of the areas near the sanctuary are nice.

The drive from Ooty to Conoor and Kotagiri is much better. Quieter, tea garden area. Do keep some time to go upto Kotagiri before coming back and continuing upto Coimbatore.

Monsoon is a good time, it will be green, though will have to be more careful driving. Am not aware of any regular monsoon disruptions in traffic in this area, maybe somebody else will know.

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jujuma

I've never done all the legs of the journey you describe at once. It would be a bit long for me, I think. I'm sure you could get a driver, though, and there are certainly plenty of scenic spots along the way, though there are some bare patches as well. If you are up in the hills on a cloudy day (as you might in July) you may miss the views everyone talks about, but the tea plantations are very beautiful in the clouds and mist.
My one piece of practical advice is that you should take the Kotagiri road when you descend to Coimbatore. It's scenic, but, more importantly, it's better maintained than the road that goes directly from Ooty and you'll be bounced a lot less.
You can get a flight back to Bangalore (or Chennai or Mumbai) from Coimbatore airport.