Ooty or Kodai in July with Kids?

Ian McAllister · Mar 15th, 2005, 05:46

We'll be tralleving with two girls, aged 13 and 11 through the south this summer. I'm trying to decide between either Ooty or Kodaikanal. We'd hit Ooty en route from Mysore to Kerala, or we'd stop at Kodai between Kerala and Madurai.

We'd appreciate any feedback on which you'd recommend considering these factors:

1.) Weather in mid or late July? Any difference between the two places in rainfall or visibility?

2.) Children. Is the hiking in one area easier, or more picturesque? What else is there to do that might appeal to kids (both experienced travellers)

3.) Favourite spots? Any mid-range hotels that are great value or that you'd highly recommend?

The rail trip up to Ooty appeals but what other factors should we consider?

crvlvr · Mar 15th, 2005, 06:24

I have not been to either Ooty or Kodai in ages. But I've heard the Ooty is become very commercialized and crowded.

pooch · Mar 15th, 2005, 10:25

Kodai over Ooty anyday

SydneyKate · Mar 15th, 2005, 11:13

My kids are also 11 & 13. About 18 months ago we were in Mysore, then travelled to a National Park about 2 or 3 hours SW of there, called Nagarahole (also now called Rajiv Ghandi National Park). It's a picturesque and relatively untouristed spot (in fact, compared with Bandhavgarh NP which we visited this year, Nagarahole is very untouristy). It's on a smaller scale than the parks in the centre and north and has the added bonus that there are many herds of wild elephants which the kids loved. We even got trumpeted at by an irate elephant after our jeep got too close! Some jeeps spotted a tiger, and although we didn't we still had a marvellous stay, we stayed at the beautiful Kabini River Lodge, a former maharaja's hunting lodge.
BTW regarding your other post, we have flying foxes in our garden almost every night! (a bit far to travel tho...)

lonelyaztec · Mar 15th, 2005, 11:49

Sydney Kate,

Go to Kodaikanal...ur kids will enjoy trust me. Homemade chocolates there r fabulous.

Have not been to Ooty, i am told Ooty is more polluted. U will love Kodai.

Pls. read my travelogue showcased on the Home page on Kodaikanal.
I have been to Nagarhole national park and stayed at Kabini. Awesome experience. Read my travelogue on Kabini.

lonelyaztec · Mar 15th, 2005, 11:51

Ian,

The message above is meant for u, by mistake i addressed it to Sydney Kate.

Go to Kodai.

Have not been to Ooty, i am told Ooty is more polluted. U will love Kodai.

Pls. read my travelogue showcased on the Home page on Kodaikanal.
I have been to Nagarhole national park and stayed at Kabini. Awesome experience. Read my travelogue on Kabini.

dani · Mar 15th, 2005, 12:58

Ooty is not at all pleasant anymore. I wanted to leave the same day after arrival...

Tog · Mar 21st, 2005, 17:18

Just been to both Kodai and Ooty.Kodai is by far the nicer place.The train ride up to Ooty was great but the place is too commercial,dirty and crowded.
The bus ride up to kodai was also great.Wonderful views with lots of hairpin bends!

Mar 15th, 2005, 05:46	#1
Ian McAllister Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Guangzhou, China Posts: 21	Ooty or Kodai in July with Kids? We'll be tralleving with two girls, aged 13 and 11 through the south this summer. I'm trying to decide between either Ooty or Kodaikanal. We'd hit Ooty en route from Mysore to Kerala, or we'd stop at Kodai between Kerala and Madurai. We'd appreciate any feedback on which you'd recommend considering these factors: 1.) Weather in mid or late July? Any difference between the two places in rainfall or visibility? 2.) Children. Is the hiking in one area easier, or more picturesque? What else is there to do that might appeal to kids (both experienced travellers) 3.) Favourite spots? Any mid-range hotels that are great value or that you'd highly recommend? The rail trip up to Ooty appeals but what other factors should we consider?

Mar 15th, 2005, 11:49	#5
lonelyaztec Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,407	Kodaikanal Sydney Kate, Go to Kodaikanal...ur kids will enjoy trust me. Homemade chocolates there r fabulous. Have not been to Ooty, i am told Ooty is more polluted. U will love Kodai. Pls. read my travelogue showcased on the Home page on Kodaikanal. I have been to Nagarhole national park and stayed at Kabini. Awesome experience. Read my travelogue on Kabini. __________________ Aztec My photoblog

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Mar 15th, 2005, 06:24	#2
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,303	I have not been to either Ooty or Kodai in ages. But I've heard the Ooty is become very commercialized and crowded.

Mar 15th, 2005, 10:25	#3
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	Kodai over Ooty anyday

Mar 15th, 2005, 11:13	#4
SydneyKate Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 77	My kids are also 11 & 13. About 18 months ago we were in Mysore, then travelled to a National Park about 2 or 3 hours SW of there, called Nagarahole (also now called Rajiv Ghandi National Park). It's a picturesque and relatively untouristed spot (in fact, compared with Bandhavgarh NP which we visited this year, Nagarahole is very untouristy). It's on a smaller scale than the parks in the centre and north and has the added bonus that there are many herds of wild elephants which the kids loved. We even got trumpeted at by an irate elephant after our jeep got too close! Some jeeps spotted a tiger, and although we didn't we still had a marvellous stay, we stayed at the beautiful Kabini River Lodge, a former maharaja's hunting lodge. BTW regarding your other post, we have flying foxes in our garden almost every night! (a bit far to travel tho...)

Mar 15th, 2005, 11:51	#6
lonelyaztec Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,407	Ian, The message above is meant for u, by mistake i addressed it to Sydney Kate. Go to Kodai. Have not been to Ooty, i am told Ooty is more polluted. U will love Kodai. Pls. read my travelogue showcased on the Home page on Kodaikanal. I have been to Nagarhole national park and stayed at Kabini. Awesome experience. Read my travelogue on Kabini.

Mar 15th, 2005, 12:58	#7
dani मेरा नाम दान्येल है Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 489	Ooty is not at all pleasant anymore. I wanted to leave the same day after arrival...

Mar 21st, 2005, 17:18	#8
Tog Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 7	Just been to both Kodai and Ooty.Kodai is by far the nicer place.The train ride up to Ooty was great but the place is too commercial,dirty and crowded. The bus ride up to kodai was also great.Wonderful views with lots of hairpin bends!

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