All over India the British located idyllic spots for hill resort so as to get away from the heat of the plains in summer. In the south, in the Nilgiris or Blue Mountains (which get their name from the blue haze which envelops them), they selected three spots, Ooty, Coonoor and Katagiri. Of these three, Ooty with its beautiful garden, wooden rolling hills, pine and eucalyptus forests and cool climate has earned the name, Queen of Hill Stations.

The Nilgiri are known for their tea and coffee Plantations and for the eucalyptus oil used as a base for medicines for coughs and colds. There are many ancient tribal people here, the Badagas and Todas amongst others, whose talents have helped to developed to develop Ooty.Visitor should not miss the train journey on the hill railway from Mettupalayam to Ooty.

EXCURSION:

MADUMALAI-BANDIPUR:
These are adjoining reserve forest in the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka of which the Mudumalai is an elephant sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Bandipur is a tiger reserve 14 km away, where you could see Black Panther, sloth bears and deer. The kaihatty waterfall will fall enroute.

COONOOR:
18 km away is another old British hill station but smaller and quieter. In Coonoor, see Sim’s Park which has many species of rare roses and a 180 year old ecalyplines. In the third week of May, there is a fruit fair where farmers from around the area come to display their produce.

KOTAGIRI:
Another small hill station and this completes the Nilgiri triad, Kotagiri is even quitter than Coonoor. Places of interest are the Kodanad View Point and Park.

COIMBATORE:
Actually, the entry point for Ooty and a vibrant industrial city that makes engineering equipment and textiles. The city has an airport where you could land and go on by road or still better by a narrow gauge train to Ooty.

STANDARD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
Half day sightseeing tour visiting the botanical garden established in 1847. They have a large variety of exotic and colorful plants. Also visit the Ooty lake where boating is a favorite pastime and Daddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiri mountain (2623 meters high).