[anantu2001]

After our Andaman trip in August, we could not go out anywhere due to various reasons. Suddenly, me and my wife came across a weekend where we had nothing to do – No functions, no party and very little office work. We had to go out somewhere since it had been very long.

I had been to Ooty couple of times, but then it was some 6 years back. More importantly, wifey had never been to Ooty. Since, we Bangaloreans have the pleasure of being very close to Ooty, the trip was finalised within a moments time.

So when did the preparation for the trip start??? The previous day, Thursday the 17th. The first thing that comes to mind when on a trip is the place of stay. Going through TripAdvisor and Makemytrip only ensured that we were even more confused. Finally, we shortlisted two places – Mount n Mist and Bouganvilla. Since Mount n mist was already booked for the dates, we went ahead and booked Bouganvilla. We learnt later that it was an excellent choice (more on this later).

Since there are a number of travelogues on Ooty, I would just like to give brief details of the trip and make this more of a photologue. I would also list down the places visited with ratings. My main reason to go to Ooty this time was to see Avalanche/Emerald since I had not seen the place. I was definitely not disappointed.

What's coming up??







Day – 1: Bangalore to Ooty

Start Time: 5:40 AM

Route Taken: Bangalore – Mandya – Mysore (Ring Road) – Nanjangud – Gundlupet – Teppakadu – Masinagudi – Ooty

Route Details: Absolutely beautiful roads all the way till Ooty

Breakfast: At Kamat Madhuvan, Mysore @ 7:30 AM

End Time: 11:15 AM

Destination: Bouganvilla Resorts

Places visited (From 2:30 PM to 6 PM):

1. Botanical Garden – Too much crowd, otherwise a 7/10
2. Ooty Lake – Very commercialised, 6/10
3. Thread Garden – 5/10
4. Wax Museum – 2/10

I'll let the pictures do the talking from now on.

A misty morning near Maddur


Entering Bandipur National Park


Deer Spotting



Peacock Spotting

A greener Bandipur

In spite of several warnings, people get down from their vehicle. These fellows were taking pictures of themselves sitting in the middle of the road.
Towards Ooty


Botanical Gardens, Ooty




Ooty Lake


Thread Garden

Boat House

An evening to cherish


Regards,
Anant

[anantu2001]

Day – 2: Around Ooty

Start Time: 8:30 AM

Breakfast: At Bouganvilla

Places visited (From 8:30 AM to 6 PM):
1. Drive to Avalanche - 10/10 - If you visit Ooty, you HAVE to drive to this place
2. Avalanche – Really worth the visit, 10/10
3. Emerald Dam – 9/10 - Would have given full points if they allowed photography here
4. Doddabetta Peak – 4/10 - Nothing much to do at the top
5. Tea Factory - 7/10 - Good tea, made us buy 2 kgs instantly
6. Rose Garden - 6/10 - Good place, but the roses felt completely dry and lifeless

Some important points:

1. Please GO TO AVALANCHE. This is the best place to be. Once you reach Avalanche, they take you through their vehicle (20 seater Swaraj Mazda) through the forests to reach Avalanche lake. Never miss that trip. It is difficult to ride through this forest through a low ground clearance vehicle and hence best to go through their vehicle. They charge Rs. 150 per person.

2. The drive to Avalanche from Ooty is the best. Roll down your windows and enjoy the drive.

3. Also make a visit to Emarald Dam on the way. It is worth. Although they don't allow photography there, you can spend some peaceful time with your family.

Enough of write-up, now for the pictures:

Beautiful isn't it?


Dense forests


Lush greenery


From one of the view points


A panorama of the same place


Simply beautiful


Vento amidst tea estates


What a place...


About to enter Avalanche


The vehicle for the tour


Filling its stomach




Europe??


Forests


First glimpse of the lake




Flowers




Avalanche lake, the picture doesn't do justice to the place




On the way to Emerald Dam




A panorama




At Doddabetta - this is the only picture we took there


At Tea Factory


At Rose Garden - All the roses were like this, not fresh.




Rose Garden - A Panorama


End of day-2

Coming up - Pictures of Bouganvilla and Day-3

Regards,
Anant

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Travelogues. Thanks for sharing!

[raihan]

Great pics, makes we wanna visit Ooty again. Since when did the stop allowing photography at emerald lake? I've taken plenty last yr & the year before that!

[anantu2001]

Originally Posted by raihan

Great pics, makes we wanna visit Ooty again. Since when did the stop allowing photography at emerald lake? I've taken plenty last yr & the year before that!

Thanks Raihan. I had mentioned about the Emerald Dam and not the lake. Of course, photography is still allowed near the lake.

Regards,
Anant

[AbhishekB86]

Very well captured. I miss Ooty. In my opinion its one of the best hill stations in India. Nice pictures. Did you climb up the botanical garden right till the temple? Also I loved Wellington. I haven't been to Avalanche or Emerald before and now these places are on my list when I'm down south next.

[anantu2001]

Originally Posted by AbhishekB86

Very well captured. I miss Ooty. In my opinion its one of the best hill stations in India. Nice pictures. Did you climb up the botanical garden right till the temple? Also I loved Wellington. I haven't been to Avalanche or Emerald before and now these places are on my list when I'm down south next.

Hi Abhishek,

No we did not climb till the temple since it was drizzling. More importantly it was really crowded and hence we wanted to come out early.

When here, please make it a point to visit Avalanche. Its worth it.

Regards,
Anant

[::CMS::]

Originally Posted by anantu2001

It is difficult to ride through this forest through a low ground clearance vehicle and hence best to go through their vehicle.

What about Duster? We are planning for a 2N/3D trip next weekend.

In spite of several warnings, people get down from their vehicle. These fellows were taking pictures of themselves sitting in the middle of the road.

What was the warning in that area?

[iVento]

Anantu,
Beautiful picture log. Liked your ratings. Very helpful & practical.

I missed my scheduled visit in October because of viral fever. Planning to visit in the first week of November if rain god permits. Never gonna miss Avalanche.

Originally Posted by ::CMS::

What was the warning in that area?

NEVER stop inside the forest, DO NOT blow horn, DO NOT litter.

[anantu2001]

Originally Posted by ::CMS::

What about Duster? We are planning for a 2N/3D trip next weekend.

What was the warning in that area?

Hi CMS,

Its possible in the Duster. My main concern would be the innumerable scratches the car would have on the sides because of the twigs/branches from trees. Also note that the area receives heavy rainfall and there is possibility of 4x4 required in some stretches.

Regarding the warning, its basically a tiger reserve. Before entering, police do tell us not to get down and stop our vehicles. There are many boards displaying this message too. But then, many don't take it seriously like the guys in the picture.

Hope the information helped.

Regards,
Anant

[anantu2001]

Originally Posted by iVento

Anantu,
Beautiful picture log. Liked your ratings. Very helpful & practical.

I missed my scheduled visit in October because of viral fever. Planning to visit in the first week of November if rain god permits. Never gonna miss Avalanche.

NEVER stop inside the forest, DO NOT blow horn, DO NOT litter.

Hi iVento,

Thank you. Make it as fast as possible since November and December will be very cold. More importantly the city will be totally covered in mist and you wont get to enjoy the beautiful views in places like Avalanche, Pykara and other view points.

Regards,
Anant

[motomaverick]

Ah! The queen of hills surfaces again. Really nice photographs and your ratings are spot on. Just wanted to check. You took any permissions from forest department to take that ride or you just landed at Avalanche. The approach road to Avalanche was really bad, how is it now? There was also some fishery nearby where you stop at the gate.

[anantu2001]

Originally Posted by motomaverick

Ah! The queen of hills surfaces again. Really nice photographs and your ratings are spot on. Just wanted to check. You took any permissions from forest department to take that ride or you just landed at Avalanche. The approach road to Avalanche was really bad, how is it now? There was also some fishery nearby where you stop at the gate.

Hi Motomaverick,

Thanks. No, we did not take any permission before hand. We left Ooty at 8.30 and reached Avalanche at 9.30.

Regarding the approach road, yes, the last couple of kms before reaching Avalanche is not good. But manageable. I would say the last 2 kms would take a maximum of 5 mins. Otherwise its a splendid drive from Ooty.

Fishery?? Never heard or saw about it. Can you elaborate??

Regards,
Anant

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by anantu2001

Hi Motomaverick,

Thanks. No, we did not take any permission before hand. We left Ooty at 8.30 and reached Avalanche at 9.30.

Regarding the approach road, yes, the last couple of kms before reaching Avalanche is not good. But manageable. I would say the last 2 kms would take a maximum of 5 mins. Otherwise its a splendid drive from Ooty.

Fishery?? Never heard or saw about it. Can you elaborate??

Regards,
Anant

Here is the map of the two places that we visited. The 1st one below we accidentaly got there following the GPS for Avalanche but the next time we went towards the Emerald dam which touches the North bank of Avalanche lake.

[Car_Freak_911]

Great photography anantu. Reading this thread was like taking a virtual tour of Ooty. Refreshes the old memories when I had been to Ooty. Rating 5 stars for this thread.