Ooty has an assorted collection of tourist destinations that make Ooty tourist places interesting to visit. The entire region is peppered with natural valleys and meadows amidst which there are vintage bungalows and log houses that reminiscence of the heritage of Ooty. Ooty has become a traveller’s fantasy thanks to elaborate boarding and lodging facilities. There are very few tourist destinations in the country where one can experience this level of comfort and pleasure in equal terms. Here are some noted Ooty tourist places of interest in Ooty where one can find peace among the hills.
Stone House – Built by John Sullivan in the year 1822, this is the first of its bungalows in Ooty that was built entirely of stones. The land for the stone house was acquired by John Sullivan at the rate of one rupee per acre. On completion it was lovingly called the Kal Bangla meaning a home entirely made of stones. Today the stone house is occupied by the principal of the Government Arts College, Ooty.
Mukurthi National Park – Ooty tourist places
Previously referred to as the “Nilgiris Tahr National Park”, the Mukurthi National Park is a protected area that is located at an elevated terrain from the rest of Ooty. Perhaps, it is due to its geographical feature that it continues to be the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr. Further, the region is also home to a variety of endangered wild life species like Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, soft furred cat, sambar deer, leopard, etc. The Mukurthi National park is also counted as India’s first international biosphere Reserve. The park is also home to a vivid collection of flora and fauna that excite science geeks.
Pykara – Ooty tourist places
Named after a local village, the Pykara Lake and waterfalls is located at a distance of 19km from the town of Ooty. There are motor boats that ferry tourists to the other side of the lake and back. There is also a boat house on the reservoir which is open for staying upon prior booking. Pykara flows through Glen Morgan dam, Mukurthi and Pykara.
Emerald dam – Ooty tourist places
The Emerald dam is built across the scenic Emerald river. It is in close vicinity of the Upper Bhavani and Avalanche dams. The surrounding pine trees and the peaceful ambiance makes it an ideal place to settle down for a while after a day long ride around the town. The emerald river is also one of the key sources of water for electricity production in the Kundah Hydro Electric Power Station.
These places add to Ooty’s glory as a scenic tourist destination. They are full of surprises and can make any tourist feel welcome when rest of the country is facing the scorching summers. To have the best experience, plan for a Ooty tourist package that will cover all places with equal duration.