This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Ootacamund.
Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, India (or Ooty) -- known as the Queen of Hill Stations -- is one of India's best hill stations. Known as the Blue Mountains, Ooty is the capital city of the Nilgiris district and is home to beautiful greenery and high hills of extraordinary scenic beauty. It is blessed with a very pleasant climate similar to the English summer. This must-visit hill station is housed among four majestic hills and enjoys being in an approximately seven thousand five hundred foot-high amphitheater on the Western Ghats, and has become the “Honeymooners' Paradise” apart from being a famous filming location. The hills of Ooty are dotted with trees such as pine, conifers, and wattle, apart from its many tea and coffee plantations. The eucalyptus trees along the lush mountainside make their presence all the way to the hostels in Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, India, and their fresh scent will make you feel psychedelic for sure.
On your visit to Ootacamund, be sure to stop off at the Botanical Gardens, which are located on the city's highest point and which span over an area of fifty acres. The Government Museum has many tribal objects and sculptural arts and crafts native to Tamil Nadu, and you can spend many a pleasant hour here exploring its secrets. Ooty's Kalhatty Falls, where water cascades down a height of just over a hundred meters, and the Kandal Cross Shrine, which is considered the Jerusalem of the East and is called the Cavalry of Tamil Nadu, are also must-visit spots.
Take a stroll through the Mini Garden and the Rose Garden -- two famous spots in Ootacamund where you can enjoy the region's rich flora and even purchase plants or seeds that you can take back home. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Park are great spots to bond with nature, while the Ooty Lake is an all-time favorite tourist spot. The lake was built in the nineteenth century as an irrigation tank for the city, but is now a wonderful place to visit and enjoy Ooty's serenity.
There are good hostels in Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, India, for budget travelers who want a decent place to stay while not having to spend too much money. There are several good Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, India hostels within a radius of a few kilometers from the city center. The staff are very friendly and the reception is warm, just like the culture in India. The facilities at Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, India hostels are modest and but clean. The peak season for travelers is from April through mid-June. So if you happen to visit the city during these months, the Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, India hostel prices would be hiked up and the check-out time would be as early as 9 a.m. Rooms are also not available around public holidays, so book in advance to enjoy your vacation here.
Written by local enthusiast for Ootacamund hostels
Joy Barboza