Day 1 – Doddabetta Peak and Botanical Garden
Date: 22-Aug-15
As expected, we reached Bandipur at around 6:00 AM. The morning drive through the forest was absolutely magical. Herds of deer grazed peacefully along the roadside, and we were fortunate enough to spot five or six elephants as well. Watching these magnificent animals roaming freely in their natural habitat was an exciting experience for all of us.
Beyond Bandipur, the road conditions deteriorated for a few kilometers, but the scenery more than made up for it. Dense forests lined the route, while deep valleys stretched alongside the road. Beyond the valleys, cloud-covered mountains created a breathtaking backdrop. It was one of those journeys where the drive itself became as memorable as the destination.
First impressions of Ooty
The beautiful landscapes continued all the way to Ooty. As we entered the hill station, vast tea estates and sprawling vegetable farms, especially carrot fields, welcomed us. The entire region was covered in shades of green, and every village we passed seemed immersed in nature.
Thilak’s friends had booked accommodation at Silent Valley Resort. Since we were unfamiliar with its exact location, the hotel owner asked us to wait near a nearby church. After about ten minutes, a staff member arrived and guided us to the property. The resort was located around 6 km from the main town. The approach road was narrow but incredibly scenic, winding through the beautiful countryside.
We reached the resort at around 9:30 AM. The surroundings were stunning. Behind the property stood a mountain draped in clouds, while a deep valley stretched out in front, framed by more mist-covered hills. It seemed like the perfect place to begin our Ooty adventure.
A frustrating start to the day
Unfortunately, the experience at the resort did not match the beauty of its surroundings. The rooms were not yet ready when we arrived, and we had to wait while they were cleaned. Since our complimentary breakfast was scheduled for the following morning, breakfast was not available at the resort. With no restaurants nearby, we requested the staff to arrange food for us.
Meanwhile, everyone headed to their rooms to freshen up. Within half an hour, the power went out. Soon after, the water supply stopped as well. To make matters worse, breakfast still had not arrived even after a long wait. As time passed, frustration began to build, and there seemed to be nobody available to address our concerns. After nearly two hours, electricity was finally restored. We got ready as quickly as possible, and at around 12:30 PM, breakfast was finally served.
By then, everyone was thoroughly disappointed with the resort’s management. We unanimously agreed that this was not a place we would recommend to friends or family. However, we also decided not to let the morning’s events spoil the rest of the trip. After all, we had come to enjoy Ooty, and that is exactly what we intended to do.
A panoramic view from Doddabetta Peak
- Opening hours – 7 AM to 6 PM
- Entrance fee – 5 Rs/person
Our first destination was Doddabetta Peak, located around 12 km from the resort. Standing at an elevation of approximately 8,650 feet, Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills. The drive to the summit passes through dense forests and offers beautiful views throughout the journey.
One of the best things about visiting Doddabetta is that vehicles can reach almost all the way to the top, making it accessible to most visitors. The views from the summit were simply spectacular. Rolling hills stretched endlessly into the distance, while clouds drifted across the surrounding valleys, constantly changing the scenery. From the peak, we could see panoramic views of both Ooty and Coonoor.
An observatory at the summit houses telescopes that provide closer views of the surrounding landscape and nearby towns. After spending some time admiring the scenery, we treated ourselves to ice cream and delicious churmuri. The churmuri was surprisingly good and reminded us of the tasty versions we had enjoyed in Kodaikanal.
Since we had eaten breakfast quite late and were now happily snacking, nobody felt the need for lunch. Instead, we headed directly to our next destination.
A leisurely walk through the Botanical Garden
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 6.30 PM
- Entry fee: 15 Rs/person (for children), 30 Rs/person (for adults), 50 Rs (for still photography), 100 Rs (for videography)
Located about 6 km from Doddabetta Peak, the Government Botanical Garden is one of Ooty’s most popular attractions. Maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department, the garden spans approximately 22 hectares and is home to an impressive collection of flowers, ornamental plants, and landscaped lawns.
The vibrant flower displays were a delight to the eyes. Every section of the garden seemed carefully maintained, making it an ideal place for a relaxed afternoon stroll. While we were exploring the garden, heavy rain suddenly began to pour. Fortunately, we found a sheltered spot where we could comfortably wait. After about half an hour, the rain subsided, allowing us to continue our visit.
The cool weather made walking effortless, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the expansive gardens. We spent nearly two hours there before deciding to leave around 5:00 PM.
Shopping in Ooty
Outside the Botanical Garden, several shops sold Ooty’s famous homemade chocolates, Nilgiri oil, handicrafts, and souvenirs. Naturally, tea and snacks were next on our agenda. After walking around for a while, we found a decent restaurant and enjoyed a refreshing cup of tea. Some members of our group purchased chocolates from the nearby shops. Others felt that the shops closer to the Botanical Garden offered better prices, so we compared both places before making our purchases.
Interestingly, the chocolates and Nilgiri oil appeared to be identical in quality and taste, but the shops closer to the garden sold them at noticeably lower prices. We eventually completed our souvenir shopping there before heading back.
A quiet evening in the hills
Our original plan included a visit to Ooty Lake, but by evening we were running short on time. The weather had also turned gloomy, with light drizzles continuing intermittently. Since nobody was particularly enthusiastic about boating in the cold weather, we decided to skip the lake and enjoy a relaxed evening instead.
We found a good restaurant in town, had an early dinner, and returned to the resort at around 9:00 PM. The temperature had dropped to around 15°C, and the cold was definitely noticeable. Back at the resort, we spent some time chatting, sharing stories, and playing a few rounds of Rummy before finally calling it a day around 11:00 PM.
Travel snapshot
Despite the disappointing start at the resort, the day turned out far better than we had imagined. The stunning landscapes, pleasant weather, and wonderful company more than compensated for the morning’s frustrations.
What surprised us the most was the weather. According to the forecast, Ooty was expected to receive heavy rainfall throughout the day. Instead, we were greeted by cool temperatures, dramatic clouds, and only brief showers. As we settled in for the night, we were already looking forward to the adventures awaiting us on the second day of our Ooty trip.
- Route Travelled: Silent Valley Resort > Doddabetta Peak > Botanical Garden > Silent Valley Resort
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