Outstanding Ooty

According to a saying, Cliches are Cliches for a reason. And that's probably why even when newer destinations and off-beaten trails crop up, some locales never loose their charm. When Sterling Holidays invited us to explore the beautiful locale from their Ooty Fern Hill Resort, we went their with a lot of expectations, and were extremely pleased with the experience. Driving on long-winded roads, experiencing the unscheduled rains and fog, were all a part of the days that were spent there. And it's during the beautiful rides that one understands why people as well as Bollywood has loved this destination so much.

How to get there: The closest railhead is Mettupalayam, 40 km from Ooty station, which is only meant for the toy train. The nearest airport is Coimbatore. Ooty is approximately three hours away by road from here. The scenic rod makes this a wonderful drive to experience. It is well connected by roads to all towns.

Where to stay: We stayed at the Sterling Resort's Fern Hill, Ooty. What works for this resort is that it is at a comfortable distance to the various places of interests like Doddabetta, Coonoor, Avalanchi and Pykara. The resort also houses various facilities like a spa, club, play area, entertainment area and two restaurants. Plus it has a travel desk that will help you arrange all your local sightseeing. Also, try the delicious local dishes that are served here. For more information log on to www.sterlingholidays.com

What to see: The picturesque hill station of Ooty, short for Ootacamund and now officially Udhagamandalam, lies amid four peaks — Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill, and Club Hill. As you chug through the spectacular landscape in the toy train, the wonderfully uplifting smell of eucalyptus fills up the senses.

In and around: 10 kilometres from Ooty town is the Doddabetta peak (8,652 feet), the highest point in the Nilgiri Hills. The peak offers spectacular views of the town and district and is ensconced within a reserved forest area. Tea Museum, Ooty lake and Botanical Garden are among the other attractions of Ooty. Near Botanical Garden is a Tibeatan Market, which you should check out.

Train trails: The blue-and-cream Nilgiri Toy Train (Nilgiri Mountain Railway) connecting Ooty with Mettupalayam at the foot of the hills is one of the few remaining steam locomotives in the world today. It was added as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway by UNESCO in 2005. The train is popular for its four-hour journey through the beautiful landscape, and has been the setting for many movie scenes, including the famous song Chaiya Chaiya in the movie Dil Se. For those who prefer a shorter ride you can take a trip from Udhagamandalam to Coonoor.

Coonoor: Around 17 km from Ooty, Coonoor is a cool and cosy tea garden town at an altitude of 6,000 feet in the Nilgiris. It's an excellent place to do some bird-watching because of the sheer variety of birds there. The main attraction here is Sim's Park, a small well-maintained botanical garden with several interesting plant varieties. Locals say that the Rudraksh tree within the premise is a huge attraction for locals as well as tourists.

Avalanchi and Pykara: The lush green sourrounds of Avalanchi and Pykara are extremely inviting. Pykara is also home to some shooting locales. Both places are home to lakes and dams that make for great pictures and stopovers. You can plan a day picnic around it and take a picnic basket that you can gorge on near a tranquil lake. And though you may not spot too many animals at the Nilgiri biosphere Reserve, the eco tour is a wonderful experience that takes you deep into the forest area.

Flower power
The Kurinji: This is a blue flower that blooms once in 12 years and envelops the mountains around Ooty. Some believe that's the reason why the mountain ranges are called the Blue Mountains
Everlasting Flower: Like the name suggests, this flower can last up to a year say locals.

Shop talk:
Besides the various winter clothes, shawls embroidered by the Toda tribe are a favourite among tourists.