Travel enthusiasts looking to explore the scenic hill stations of South India have a great opportunity with a new travel offering. Ooty, nestled amidst the Nilgiri hills at an altitude of approximately 2,240 meters above sea level, is widely celebrated as the queen of hill stations in Tamil Nadu. The lush green landscapes, sprawling tea gardens, tranquil lakes, and breathtaking valleys attract numerous visitors. The term Nilgiri translates to blue mountains, and combining a trip to Ooty with nearby Coonoor makes the entire journey even more memorable.
For those planning a getaway starting from Chennai, IRCTC Tourism offers a four-night and five-day tour package covering both Ooty and Coonoor. The base price for this travel package is set at Rs 10,280, making it accessible for budget-conscious vacationers. This itinerary is designed to take travelers through several iconic attractions during the trip.
The journey kicks off at the Chennai Central railway station, where passengers board the Nilgiri Express departing at 9:05 PM. After an overnight train ride, travelers arrive at Mettupalayam at 6:20 AM the following morning. From there, road transport takes the visitors up to Ooty. Following hotel check-in procedures, guests get the opportunity to visit the Dodabetta Peak and the local tea museum, followed by excursions to the Ooty Lake and the botanical gardens.
Exploring Pykara Waterfalls and Mudumalai Wildlife
The second day of the trip begins with exploring scenic spots around Ooty. Travelers get to visit the Pykara Waterfall and the Pykara Lake. Afterwards, the itinerary moves toward the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, offering experiences like an elephant camp and a jungle safari. This provides a wonderful chance to witness natural forest landscapes and wildlife up close before returning to the Ooty hotel for the evening.
Discovering Coonoor Valleys and Return Journey
On the fourth day, after checking out of the hotel in the morning, the journey proceeds toward Coonoor. Here, visitors can explore attractions such as Sims Park, Lambs Rock, and Dolphins Nose. Sims Park is known for its verdant gardens and diverse plant species, while Lambs Rock and Dolphins Nose offer spectacular views of the surrounding hills and gorges. To make the trip even more special, travelers can opt for the historic Nilgiri passenger train running between Ooty and Coonoor through the mountains. Subsequently, road transport leads to the Mettupalayam railway station to catch the Nilgiri Express back to Chennai at 9:20 PM.
Departing by train on Sunday night, passengers reach Chennai Central around 6:25 AM on Monday morning, successfully completing the five-day expedition covering Ooty, Coonoor, and Mudumalai.
The IRCTC tour package includes sleeper class train tickets for travel, a two-night stay in a non-AC hotel in Ooty, AC road transport, sightseeing as per the itinerary, travel insurance, and GST. However, expenses like the Mudumalai safari, entry fees at tourist destinations, and meals are not included in the package price. For further details and bookings, interested individuals can check the official IRCTC Tourism website.
