Ooty or Udhgamandalam is Tamil Nadus premier hill station that is best known for its bewitching and strikingly blue Nilgiri Hills
. It is also known for its railway system that is similar to the famous toy train of Darjeeling and the path is equally beautiful. Read on to know more about travelling to Ooty by train ad also check out some good hotels in Ooty for a comfortable stay.
Ooty is situated in the Nilgiri Hills of the Eastern Ghats in north Tamil Nadu. It is the most famous hill station of the state and is an important part of the itinerary of the state tourism. The nearest railway station for connecting with the rest of the country is at Mettupalaym which is also the starting point for the toy train. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore which is 72kms away.
Ooty is situated at a height of 7000 feet above sea level and is slightly inaccessible like most other hill stations. It can be reached only by roads and railways and the trip to Ooty is rewarding any way you go. Due to its presence near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border the roads pass through heavily forested ways and have several sharp bends so driving must be done very carefully. But a better option is by the toy train that leaves from Mettupalayam a small town. From the local station, Nilgiri Mountain railway locomotive starts at sharp 7 a.m. The Swiss made locomotive was commissioned in the early 1800s and is still working today. While travelling to Ooty by train it is important to remember that not the destination but the journey which is important. The pace is quite leisurely which is justified considering the bewitching beauty of the path that passes through high mountains and dense jungles. The journey takes a total of 5 hours with several stops for water. The best thing about the journey is that you have a lot of leisure time to sit back and enjoy the view at peace. It is one of the oldest railway systems in the country and like the Darjeeling toy train; this has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hotel Ponmari Residency is a quality luxury hotel in Ooty. It is situated close to the Botanical garden (500meters) and is 1.5kms from the Ooty railway station making it easily accessible. The hotel is known for its easy location and for its prompt and helpful staff. Hotel offers multi cuisine restaurant, a well stocked bar and also has parking facility. The room rates start from Rs.1700.
Another of the fine Ooty hotels is Hotel Sarkar Palace that is 1km from the Ooty railway station. The hotel is noted for its location and facilities offered include hot water in the rooms and parking space and a shopping arcade. The room rates start from Rs.1200.