Udhagamandalam, or simply called Ooty, chilled as the temperature dropped to zero as well as to minus two degrees in certain areas. In the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, the subzero temperature of Ooty resulted in the development of frost on the surfaces as well as in water bodies freezing. The surrounding areas of Kanthal as well as Thalaikuntha became frost-covered. The winter weather was a cause of concern as the frost hit tea estates along with the day-to-day life of the locals.
While winter reaches its peak in Ooty, here are some additional reasons why it might be your ultimate getaway in the cold weather.
7 Reasons to travel to Ooty in January 2025
1. Peak winter
Owing to a dip in mercury and reduced minimum temperature, Ooty is now undergoing its best of winter. You being a lover of extreme winters, you must experience Ooty at its best. Take some time off the hill stations in North India and enjoy the naked beauty of the Nilgiris.
2. Tea and coffee plantations
Nothing can match the stunning views of towering mountain slopes in cold weather! You will also have the opportunity to see how tea and coffee are made in various stages and might even get to taste them.
3. Natural wealth at the botanical gardens
The Government Botanical Gardens in Ooty boasts a thousand-odd plant, tree, medicinal herb, and rare tree species such as paper bark, monkey puzzle, and cork. The star attraction of the botanical gardens is the fossilized tree trunk estimated to be 20 million years old.
4. Take a step back in time at the Toda huts
Toda settlements have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They fall within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, named by UNESCO as an international biosphere reserve. Situated close to the botanical gardens, Toda huts will take you back to pre-British Ooty. These half-barrel-shaped huts are made of thatched roofs and were occupied by the indigenous tribes.
5. Stop by the scenic Ooty lake
The man-made 65-acre lake was built by John Sullivan, the founder of the British colony in Ooty, in 1824. The eucalyptus-lined lake features a railway line on its shores. Boat rides are available on this lake, and you can also sit there to lounge away from the masses. A small garden and a deer park are available here. You can also ride a bike around the lake and enjoy the scenic beauty at your own pace.
6. Meditate at the Dolphin’s nose
Here’s the serenity and silence you always dreamed of! The Dolphin’s Nose gets its name from the fact that its summit looks like a dolphin’s nose. At a height of 1,550 meters, this viewpoint offers you a breathtaking panoramic view of rolling hills covered with tea plantations. The road journey from Coonoor to Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint is simply unforgettable.
7. Readers, shop at the Higginbothams Bookstore.
Higginbotham’s Book Store is the locals’ favorite bookstore in Ooty. Right from literature to the old romantic novels, there’s no shortage of genres here. Book lovers can make a day of it by simply browsing and reading their way through. You can also pick up books on your wishlist.
