Nilgiri Hills- Tamil Nadu: The Blue Mountains
Nilgiri Hills are perhaps South India’s most prominent tourist spot. Rising to an altitude of 2,280 to 2,290 meters, the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu is situated at the confluence of the Western and the Eastern Ghats. Offering some of the best panoramas in India, the Nilgiri Hills are home to many tourist centres, hill stations, wildlife parks, bird sanctuaries and pilgrimage centres. Surrounded by Kerela in the west, Mysore in the north and Coimbatore in the east and the south, the major geographical landscape that comprises the Nilgiri Hills is located within the confines of the Nilgiri District which is headquartered at Udhagamandalam or Ooty hill station.
Nilgiri Hills are known throughout India for their lush valleys, fast-gushing rivers and rivulets, tea gardens, coffee plantations and turbulent waterfalls. The term ‘Nilgiri’ is literally translated as the ‘Blue Mountains’ and is derived from the misty blue haze characteristic of the region and the blue-violet Kurinji flowers that bloom once every 12 years.
PLACES to VISIT in Nilgiris
Nilgiri Hills are perhaps home to South India’s best hill stations.
- The more prominent tourist spots in the Nilgiri Hills are Ooty (officially Udhagamandalam)
- Doddabetta peak (the tallest peak in the region which reaches up to an altitude of 2,623 meters above sea level)
- Kotagiri, Coonoor, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Catherine Falls are all a must visit
- Laws Falls (180 feet high), Dolphin’s Nose (a unique and gigantic rock protrusion)
- Kodanad Viewpoint (a spot which offers some of the most panoramic views of the plains and the eastern slopes of the Nilgiris),
- Mukkurthi Peak, National Park and Pykara (comprising of Pykara Dam, Pykara Falls and the Pyksara).
Nilgiri Hills- TRAVEL TIPS
Nilgiri Hills is perhaps the most visited getaway location in South India.
- Carry: Though the Nilgiris Hills are not as high as the Himalayas, it is advisable that you do carry some warm clothing and appropriate footwear.
- Camera: Enjoy the outdoors and take some good snaps and videos.
- Trek: The best thing to do, however, is trekking and taking long walks in the pristine surroundings. Due to their rugged terrain (which is a product of eons-long natural erosion), the Nilgiri hills are considered to be a trekker’s paradise. There are a number of treks scattered all over the Nilgiris.
- Languages: The local populace is well versed in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and English; further, Hindi is somewhat less prevalent.
- Cuisine: As the Nilgiri Hills are very popular, finding a restaurant or an eating joint that serves South Indian cuisine.
BEST TIME to visit- Nilgiris
The best months to visit the Nilgiri Hills are between November and March. The Nilgiri Hills being a popular destination, it is advisable that one avoids the high-crowd months (April-June and September-October). Find Travel Agents suiting your travel on Tripraja.com
BEST WAY to reach Nilgiris
- By Air: The most convenient airport is Coimbatore (a distance of 105 kms from Ooty, the most popular hill station in the Nilgiri hills). There are plenty of flights to Coimbatore from all over India.
- By Rail: The Nilgiri Mountain Railway connects Ooty with Mettupalayam, which lies at a distance of 47 kms. Do not take a shortcut; do experience the ride on the only rack railway in India. Mettupalayam is on broad gauge line and is well connected to most destinations in the region including Coimbatore and Mysore.
- By Road: The settlements in Nilgiri Hills are well connected to all the important cities in the region.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. The Nilgiri hills abound in family holiday resorts. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via package tours.