Nilgiris- "The Blue Mountains"

Nilgiri means "Blue Mountains". The Nilgiri hill station located at the confluence of the Western and the Eastern Ghats of the Sahayadri Hills, in the district of Nilgiri. The height of the hills in the Blue Mountain range varies between 2,280 and 2,290 metres, the highest peak being Doddabetta at a height of 2,623 metres above sea level.  Udhagamandalam(Ooty) is the headquarter of Nilgiri district.  The steep hills and fantastically narrow valleys with numerous rivers and rivulets running in all directions with a few fine waterfalls here and there provide beautiful scenery. The major tea growing areas in the South are the Nilgiris and these tea gardens are beautiful to watch. Nilgiri Hill provide a trek can be full of thrill, excitement and adventure and a way of seeing and enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour. The ‘Nilgiris toy train’ connect Ooty to mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris.

Attraction in Nilgiri:

Botanical Garden:  Botanical gardens is one o the  major tourist attraction for those who visit Nilgiri. This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale and is spread over 55 acres and lie on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak, which is the highest point in Ooty.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary:  The Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary is located in the Nilgiri Hills, a branch of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. Mudumalai wildlife reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the sanctuary, following the course of the Mayyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur.

Ooty Lake:  An artificial lake constructed by Mr. Sullivan in 1824. The lake garden is an added attraction.
Doddabetta:   Doddabetta is the highest mountain(2,623 mts.) in the Nilgiris and offers beautiful view's of the hill ranges, plateaus and plains around. There is a reserved forest area around the peak. It is 10-km from Ooty. There is a good motorable road to reach the peak.

Dolphin's Nose:  Dolphin's Nose is about 12-km from Coonoor. The Nose is unique rock of tremendous proportions, jutting out of the face of the hillside in formation in which its name suggests. It is located in east-northeast of Coonoor. The place provides a beautiful view of the Catherine falls and a vast expanse of verdant plains.

Pykara: The Pykara Fall is situated about 21-km from Ooty. The Pykara is the largest river in the District. There is a breathtaking scenery.  The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boathouse with restaurant and a rest house are available at Pykara.

Kodanad Viewpoint:   Kodanad Viewpoint located at a distance of 16-km from Kotagiri commands a panoramic view of the plains and the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris.

Laws Falls:  Laws falls is one of the beautiful picnic spot, named after Lt. Colonel Law, who traced and mainly constructed the Coonoor Ghat. They are about 5-km away from Coonoor on Mettupalayam road. The height of the falls is about 180 feet. There are vast stretches of undisturbed sholas and it is a paradise for naturalists.

FACT & FIGURES:

Location	Nilgiri Dist. In Tamilnadu
Area	2,459 sq km
Altitude	Varies between 2,280 and 2,290 meters.
Climate	Temperate and most equable
Temperature	Summer - 25°C - 10°C, Winter - 21°C - 5°C
STD Code	0423
Best Time	Between January and March
Languages Spoken	Tamil, English, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi
Nearest Airport	Coimbatore, which is 98 km away
Attractions	Ooty, Conoor, Kotagiri

How To Get There:

By Air:     Coimbatore is the nearest airport to reach Nilgiri Hills. Its 105-km away from Ooty. It has daily flights to and from Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum.

By Rail :   Coimbatore and Cochin Railway Station is the nearest railway station to reach  Nilgiris District.  The famous toy train connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor.