travel to OOty

cutiepie

HI everyone.
I am planning to travel to Ooty in first week of October. Will start from Kolkata on 4th Oct from kolkata by train. And i need to be back in kolkata on 12th October again by train. I will be taking my parents. My mom is a bit unwell,so a hectic journey wont be possible.we just want a relaxed holiday for few days.
I wanted to know every single detail becoz i have never been down south.Please help me on the following things:
1.Which train should i take. Whats the time of departure n arrival. All details about train and which station i shud get down and from there how to go to Ooty.
2. What good hotels can we avail. Not very luxurious,but within a budget of 1200 per day. can go till 1500 even.(triple bed room needed)
3. All the places i can visit nearby.
4. Estimated break up of total cost involved.

Looking forward to ur help on this.

capt_mahajan

if you scroll down, there are plenty of threads under 'Similar threads'

You could start there, and the hotel section on indiamike.

zoltan

Hotel: YWCA - good place and reasonably priced.

Things to do:
- walk through the gardens;

- visit the tribal musuem (you will need a car + driver and, who knows where it's located - really hard to find a few years back due to no signs)

- walk around the lake (although it's little more than a large fairground with trinkets being sold).

Cheers
Zoltan

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capt_mahajan

if car, drive beyond ooty to conoor, kotagiri and around, tea growing area

catherine falls en route (though catherine was trickling when we went, I think she falls only post monsoon )

LunavadaLad

HOTEL TAMILNADU*:
UDHAGAMANDALAM - I (Ooty)
Phone
2444371*
ADDRESS :
Charing Cross Road * Ooty
Double Room off season 500 Rp
https://www.ttdconline.com/hotelroom...p?hote lid=15

Kolkata to Chennai train No 2841 COROMANDAL EXP
HOWRAH JN Starting Station 14:50,
CHENNAI CENTRAL Destination Station 17:15, next day
Sleeper = Rp 469, 3AC = Rp 1264, 2AC = Rp 1731, 1AC = Rp 2929

Chennai to Metupalayam train No 2671 NILAGIRI EXP
CHENNAI CENTRAL Starting Station 21:00
METUPALAIYAM Destination Station 06:15,next day
Sleeper = Rp 255, 3AC = Rp 663, 2AC = Rp 896, 1AC = Rp 1493

Metupalaiyam to Ooty train No 662 MTP UAM PASSR
METUPALAIYAM Starting Station 7:10
UDAGAMANDALAM (Ooty)Destination Station 12:00
First Class = Rp 142, Second Seating = Rp 24

» Kotagiri is a pristine little town, situated about 16 km from Ooty. Situated at an altitude of 1,950 mts, it was developed as a summer retreat for the British during the colonial days.

Some of the places to visit in the city are Elk Falls, Kodanad Viewpoint and the Catherine Falls.»

» Coonoor, situated at a distance of 19 km from Ooty, is a small town known for its lush tea gardens. It is a popular with tourists who wish a hideout far away from the maddenning crowds of the busy cities.

Botanical Garden - The lush gardens in the picturesque city of Ooty are one of the major tourist attractions in the region. The garden is home to a number of rare species of plants, trees, flowers and shrubs.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated where the Nilgiri Hills meet the Eastern Ghats. The sanctuary houses a wide variety of flora and fauna including a number of rare species of animals and birds.

Doddabetta Peak - At an altitude of 2,623 m, it is the highest point in the Nilgiri Hills. The site, situated 10 km from Ooty, offers breathtaking views of the hills and the surrounding areas.

Ooty Lake - The lake is a popular hang out spot for the tourists visiting the place. The visitors can also enjoy boating in boats of various shapes and sizes, available at the Boat House.

Shopping in the Nilgiri DistrictThe Nilgiri district is a popular shopping place for the tourists. The Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils and embroidered items are among some of the must buy products. Handicraft items from Tamil Nadu and Kerala also rank high in the shopping lists of both locals and tourists.

St. Stephen's Church,

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cutiepie

Thanks a lot every one for ur valuable inputs. The journey seems too long.more than 2 days to reach Ooty right? Do u think i need to give more time to the trip rather than 9 days?

snonymous

Since your parents are accompanying you, and if it fits your budget, you could consider splurging on air fare which would drastically cut down your travel time. You could perhaps make up the difference in the off season discount rates at the hotels.

nayan

Any special reason for going all the way from kolkata to ooty?

Would not have asked if it was part of a bigger "south india" tour including some highlights of tamil nadu and kerela.

To spend four days in the train or shell out money for flights just to spend a few days in Ooty is not worth it according to me.
Ooty is a nice place if you are already in south/planning to see other places in south.

just my opinion.

capt_mahajan

Good point. Agree with nayan.

Nick-H

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cutiepie

The only reason i am travelling to Ooty is that dont know where else to go for such short a time. was originally planning sikkim or north bengal..but the condition there is bad..Dont know whether it would come back to normal during pujas. any other place u can suggest where we can go to spend the week? has to be a hill station. not sea beach or pilgrimage place. Just a scenic hill station. Please help!!!!

vandy

Have you not considered Darjeeling,one of the
most famous hill Stations in all of India.

Then there's Nainital which is not to far from
Kolkata, catch train to Barelly,then Kathgodam &
Taxi to Nainital.

vandy

nayan

Are you planning to travel during the durga puja vacation?
Every tourist place will be full to capacity with bengali tourists at that time.

As I see you have 7-8 days. Kinnaur(sangla-kalpa )may be a bit hectic.

Have you thought of any place in uttarakhand? Browse through the forum for some ideas.

cutiepie

Vandy,did consider darjeeling..but situation there is quite tense. not really sure whether it would be ok during pujas.

brishti

cutiepie -

since the distance and train travel-time from kolkata to any place down south is much longer, and hence may be tad more taxing for your parents...
and since any hill station will do - how about nainital or mussorie?
you'd better decide fast - pujo time - all places will be booked.
do check the appropriate threads on IM... and come back with questions.

you will have to book your train tickets very soon - or else



:brishti