The Western Ghats
In the foothills of the Nilgiris, this newly enlarged 765-sq-km wildlife reserve is like a classical Indian landscape painting given life, with chital…
Must-see attractions in The Western Ghats
The Western Ghats
A pristine 958-sq-km reserve of tropical jungle, shola forest and grassland rising to 2400m in the Western Ghats and spilling over into Kerala between…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Established in 1848, these pretty 22-hectare gardens are a living gallery of the Nilgiris' natural flora. Keep an eye out for a typical Toda mund (village…
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Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
If you're interested in the Nilgiris' tribal communities you'll love this slightly scruffy, erratically open museum, with its fascinating exhibits on…
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The Western Ghats
Just 2km north of Kotagiri centre, the house built in 1819 by Ooty founder John Sullivan has been refurbished in bright red and filled with fascinating…
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Visiting forest-fringed Berijam Lake, 21km southwest of Kodaikanal, requires a Forest Department permit (₹250). Taxi drivers will organise this, if asked…
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Assuming it isn't cloaked in opaque mist, the views from paved Coaker’s Walk are beautiful, all the way down to the plains 2000m below. The stroll takes…
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
About 7km west of town, these towering boulders have jaw-dropping views to the Tamil Nadu plains below.
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Perched above Ooty's centre, immaculate pale-yellow St Stephen’s, built in 1829, is the Nilgiris' oldest church. It has lovely stained glass, huge wooden…
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Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
This quaint little haven in a crumbling, earthy-red 1867 building houses more than 30,000 books, including rare titles on the Nilgiris and hill tribes,…
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The Western Ghats
In mornings and evenings you can see the reserve's working elephants being fed at the elephant camp just east of the Mudumalai reception centre, where you…
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Sacred Heart Natural Science Museum
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
In the grounds of a former Jesuit seminary 4km downhill east of town, this museum has a ghoulishly intriguing miscellany of flora and fauna put together…
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Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
About 7km east of Ooty, Doddabetta is the highest point (2633m) in the Nilgiris. On clear days, it's one of the best viewpoints around; go early for a…
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Coonoor
Over 50 years old, this estate (2km northeast of upper Coonoor) is one of the few working Nilgiri tea factories open to visitors. Guides jump in quickly,…
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Coonoor
Upper Coonoor's 12-hectare Sim’s Park, established in 1874, is a peaceful oasis of sloping manicured lawns with more than 1000 plant species from several…
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
A narrow rock lookout overhanging a precipitous drop, with views of the valley below. Follow the trail to it for 15 minutes from Vattakanal, or walk all…
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Coonoor
A favourite picnic spot in a patch of monkey-patrolled forest, Lamb's Rock has incredible views past glimmering tea and coffee plantations to the hazy…
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Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
With terraced lawns and over 20,000 rose bushes of more than 2000 varieties – best between May and July – the Rose Garden is a sweet place for a stroll,…
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Coonoor
About 10km west of town, this popular viewpoint exposes vast panoramas encompassing Catherine Falls across the valley.
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Landscaped and stocked by the British officer after whom it’s named, pretty Bryant Park is usually full of tourists and canoodling couples.
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Kodaikanal International School
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Set up in 1901, the renowned Kodaikanal International School lends Kodai a bit of a cosmopolitan air, with students from around the globe.
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The Western Ghats
Catherine Falls is 8km south of Kotagiri off the Mettupalayam road; the last 2km or so are on foot, and the falls only flow after rain.
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The Western Ghats
About 19km north of Kotagiri, Kodanad Viewpoint boasts vistas across both the Coimbatore Plains and the Mysore Plateau.
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Less visited than other nearby viewpoints, Moir's Point is 13km west of town and has lovely views across the plains.
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Green Valley View, 6km southwest of Kodai centre, has spectacular views to the plains far below.
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Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Set between trees at the eastern end of Ooty Lake, simple St Thomas' dates back to 1870.
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Compact Bear Shola Falls are in a pocket of forest on the northwest edge of town.
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Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Dedicated to Murugan, this nondescript temple 3km northeast of town affords beautiful panoramas of the surrounding hills and the plains miles below.
