Advice needed on Ooty

Lord Average

Hi there
We wil be going to Ooty in January, Can anyone tell me.......

how much it would cost for a car and driver from Mysore to Ooty?

how long is the journey?

Recommended accomodation in Ooty for around 600 - 1000 rupees per room per night?

Can I get train tickets out of Ooty with little notice, or do I need to book a few days in advance?

All advice and alternative suggestions welcome

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rab

There is only one way to travel to Ooty and that is by the stunning Nilgiri Hills Railway. Take the blue steam train from Mettupalayam up to Ooty; it's better going uphill than the cruise down.

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aircheif

Check locally in mysore regarding the cab, make sure you bargain. The route from Mysore to Ooty is pretty scenic. You could stay over for a night at Mudumali wild life sanctuary. You could take the toy train back to Mettupalayam and fly or take a train out of Coimbatore.

Let me know if you need more info.

Lord Average

Our tentative plan is to go from Mysore to Ooty by can and then take the toy train down to Coimbatore and then bus or car to Kodaikanal.

Looking at the map, it seems that travelling from Mysore to pick up the train would need a bit of a diversion. So that's why we were planning to take the train on the journey out.

"You could stay over for a night at Mudumali wild life sanctuary". This sounds nice Airchief, can you give me an idea on their rates?

Nick-H

You realise you'll need warm clothes for Oooty?! Brrrr.....

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Digital Drifter

I'm not sure but I saw a small news item on TV about a landslide due to rains & that the track sections were gone. Don't know whether it's repaired yet. This was more than a week ago.

So, if you're trying for the toy train up the hills, check before you go.

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Nick-H

The monsoon in Ooty has been very severe just now

dzibead

If you're going to take the Ooty train, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3Kp0uO7BXQ

It was filmed on the Ooty train. Can't promise you will have a similar extravaganza on your journey, however.

Lord Average

Hey nice one! I saw this film on TV about 4 years ago, and wondered where this was.
My wife watched it on the tape the day after and still hasn't forgiven me for telling her that the couple ended up together (it wasnt exactly the happy ending she was hoping for ).

subabu2002

hi lord average,

today toy train cancelled due to heavy rain and landslides on railway track.

in january ooty will not be a problem of rains.so,you can travel from ooty to mettupalayam by toy train.

from mysore,taxi is best.on the way from mysore dont miss the places like bandipura,mudhumalai.both are sancturies.

dont spend time in ooty city and commercial places..those are all waste of time and too much crowd.

for room accomadations in ooty,indu photo guest house is located in mysore road,ooty(opposite to indu photo industry).6km from ooty town on the way to mysore.they charged 400 per day.it is worth for rs.1000 per day.

but no tv.it is spacious and excellent room.

this guest house is organised for excecutives of indu photo industry.but,it is always vacant.it has own canteen having nice foods like home. so,you will need not worry about your health.

places to visit in ooty,

1.6th mile
(4km from ooty bus stand,you cannot drive upto the small lake located in 6th mile,you need to walk 4km from vehicle restricted place.it is very good calm place to walk around.

2.glenmorgan
(small village for EB people.around 25-30 km from ooty on the way to mysore road. the last 9 km is very nice to travel.in glenmorgan,there is a winch station.but permission only grant to EB staff only,you can watch the winch running on morning.this place is very nice to visit.)

3.mudhumalai
(elphant sanctury,60 km from ooty on the way to mysore.beautiful forest)

4.dolphin nose
(ooty - coonor - dolphin nose)around 25kms from ooty.this is a suiside point.on the way to dolphin nose there were tea estates to see.

5.bycara lake
(20km from ooty on the way to mysore.if you like boating,you go to this crowdless lake.)

6.western catchment
(40km from ooty.you must need to get permission from forest dept.to visit this picturesque spot.permission is not difficult.just arrived to forest office in ooty and asked a forest officer.they will give a ticket and send one person from forest office.very nice place.dont miss this place.lot of small valleys to see.)

7.other commercial places.
(dottabetta(3km),ooty botonical garden,(1km),ooty lake(1km).bykara falls(10km),rose garden(1km),

dont waste your time in commercial places.

mysore to ooty by car,if weather permits ooty to mettupalayam by toy train.and if your budget permits mettupalayam to coimbatore by car and then coimbatore to kodaikkanal by car also.

dont go with bus.. you will get so tired.so,car is best.

mysore to ooty(125-135kms)(mysore-bandipura-mudhumalai-gudalur-bycara-ooty)
ooty to coonoor(25-30kms)
ooty to mettupalayam(80kms)(ooty-coonoor-mettupalayam)
mettupalayam to coimbatore(50kms)
coimbatore to palani(125-150kms)(coimbatore-pollachi or dharapuram-palani)
palani to kodaikkanal(70kms)hills

if u need anyother help,dont hesitate to ask me

hope this will help you

suresh babu