Udhagamandalam, this Queen of hill stations, otherwise known as Ooty, is in the Nilgiri mountain ranges of Tamil Nadu. At a height of 2,268 meters, Ooty is known for its salubrious climate and scenic beauty. For residents of the south it is a delightful place to escape to from the oppressive summer heat.

The best thing about Ooty is that it combines the peace and tranquility of a hill station with the comforts of urban life. Ooty’s colonial legacy extends to very nook & corner, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Ooty club that is beyond compare.

Ooty is characterized by rolling meadows, gardens and lakes vaguely reminiscent of England. It still retains something of the Raj in its cottages and stone churches. The Botanical gardens, with 2,000 species of plants of a magnificent flower show was landscaped and established in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweepdale. A fossil of a tree trunk is a unique exhibit here for it is belived to be 20 million years old. There is also an artificial lake where facilities for boating are available. Pony rides, minitrains rides, and quiet walks amidst the forest roads are other temptations. The highest peak in the Nilgiri range is Doddabetta, 2.623 mts in height and 10 km from the main town. From here one can have a fine view of Ooty city, Gundalpet, Coonoor, Wellington and and Mysore on a clear day.  Ooty can be reached by a toy train from Mettupalayam which is connected by main rail and highways from  Coimbatore, Bangalore and Mysore.