The first jeep leaving for Kolukkumalai starts before sunrise. It’s there to take you to the Kolukkumalai trekking spot so that you can enjoy the view of the world’s highest tea estate lit in gold and a breathtaking sunrise from atop. Three hundred kilometres northeast at Mettupalayam station, a century-old steam engine whistles and waits for its passengers to take them through the Nilgiri hills. Both happen in South India – Munnar and Ooty.
Munnar and Ooty are hill stations in South India that woo travellers with their captivating beauty, but the similarity ends there. If you are a traveller looking for a cocooned countryside stay tucked away in the remote corners of the Western Ghats, then Munnar is your go-to destination. In contrast, if a touristy colonial vibe is on your bucket list, then you should head for Ooty in the Nilgiri hills.
Location and elevation of Munnar and Ooty
Location and elevation of Munnar
Munnar is a hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala in South India. It sits at 1,600 m/ 5,200 ft above sea level in the Western Ghats.
Location and elevation of Ooty
Ooty is a hill station in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu in South India. Nilgiri Hills are part of the Western Ghats. The average elevation of Ooty is 2,240 m / 7,350 feet above sea level.
Weather in Munnar and Ooty
Weather in Munnar
Due to the elevation, Munnar falls in the temperate zone. It assures a cool climate throughout the year. March to May is the summer season and the monsoon season falls between June and September. During the monsoon season, the South West Monsoon brings heavy rainfall. December to February is the winter season or the coldest period. Temperature drops to 5–10°C during winter, especially at higher elevations like Kolukkumalai.
Weather in Ooty
Since Ooty is higher in elevation than Munnar, it preserves a cooler climate throughout the year. It has a mild summer that begins in March and ends in June. Again, June to September is the southwest monsoon season, and October to November is the northeast monsoon season. During the wintertime, that is from December to February, temperatures drop to 0°C at night.
Best time to visit Munnar and Ooty
When to visit Munnar?
Winter (October to February )is the best time to visit Munnar. Foggy mornings with a piping hot tea on the balcony when the temperature drops as low as 10°C is something you don’t want to miss.
A windy and cool summer (April and May) in Munnar is indeed a respite from the sweltering heat elsewhere in India. This is the best season to go for trekking, hiking and camping in places like Kolukkumalai and Meesappulimala.
If you want to take in the rain-soaked and misty Munnar, which is bathed in deep green, then monsoon is your go-to season. It is also a good time for an Ayurvedic treatment.
When to visit Ooty?
October to March is the peak season with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 22°C. The weather is pleasant with sunny days and cool evenings. It is also the best season to visit viewpoints like Dolphin’s Nose and Ketti Valley Viewpoint.
During April and May, the hills turn lush green due to the rain. The temperature ranges between 13°C and 25°C. The weather is pleasant. This is also the time of the annual flower show at the Botanical Garden.
Monsoon comes to Ooty from June to September, which is typically considered off-season. The temperature ranges between 19°C and 29°C during this time. Heavy rains, slippery roads and low visibility might hinder your sightseeing plans.
Tourist places to visit in Munnar and Ooty
Places to visit in Munnar
When in Munnar, there is no dearth of tourist attractions that will catch your breath. Some of them are as follows:
Eravikulam National Park – Located 15 km from Munnar town, the park is home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr and the Neelakurinji flower, which blooms once every 12 years.
Kolukkumalai Sunrise Safari -It is the world’s highest tea estate. You can reach there by jeep before dawn. Owing to the high altitude, Kolukkumalai claims the most beautiful sunrise.
Top Station – Sits at roughly 1,700 meters, Top Station offers panoramic views into the Theni valley in Tamil Nadu.
Anamudi Viewpoint– Anamudi is the highest peak in South India. It sits at an average of 2,695 meters above sea level.
Nyayamkadu Waterfalls. You don’t have to trek to reach here. It is a roadside waterfall en route to Top Station.
Mattupetty Dam– You cannot miss this if you happen to visit Munnar. It is famous for boating, and its proximity to the Indo-Swiss dairy farm enhances its charm.
Kundala Dam and Lake. It is a popular boating spot 20 km away from Munnar.
Lakshmi Estate– You will get a guided walk through this tea and cardamom plantation.
Kanthalloor – It is the fruit and vegetable bowl of Kerala that grows temperate crops like apple and strawberry that are rarely found elsewhere in South India.
Kannan Devan Tea Museum– You can understand the history of tea cultivation in Munnar since the 1870s when you visit the Kannan Devan Tea Museum. Besides, they display vintage tea processing equipment.
Vattavada- It’s a remote agricultural village near the Tamil Nadu border. Vattavada is famous for terrace farming. Cooler temperatures are another highlight.
Places to visit in Ooty
Places in Ooty exude a colonial vibe and captivate you with their scenic beauty. Some of them are as follows:
Toy Train – The main attraction and a must-try in Ooty is its toy train. It is recognised by UNESCO. It covers 46 km from Mettupalayam to Ooty and passes through 16 tunnels.
Botanical Garden – Spanning around 22 acres , it is a beauty to behold . An ecosystem where you can see more than 650 plant species. It even includes fossil trees dating back millions of years.
Doddabetta Peak – Being the highest peak in the Nilgiri, Doddabetta sits at 2,623 meters above sea level. From the telescope house on the peak, you can take in all the beauty of the Nilgiri.
Dolphin’s Nose– As the name suggests, it is a protruding rock, and its tip resembles a dolphin’s nose. It is one of the most popular trekking sites in Ooty.
Kalhatti Falls –They call it ‘Bird Watchers’ Paradise’. It is one of the popular picnic spots that you can easily access en route to Mudumalai.
Pine Forests-You can see these pine forests along the Ooty–Gudalur road. Travel about 8–9 km from Ooty town, and you will reach there.
Ooty Lake– This artificial lake is one of the popular tourist spots in Ooty for boating. It was the brainchild of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty.
Emerald Lake – It is the second best lake in Ooty and is part of Silent Valley National Park. The lake is famous for its crystal clear waters and birdwatching.
Tiger Hills-It sits at the lower end of Doddabetta Peak to the east of Ooty. The hills are famous for adventurous trekking and hiking.
Rose Garden – This terraced rose garden sits at the heart of Ooty. You can see thousands of rose varieties across five curving terraces.
Shopping in Munnar and Ooty
Shopping in Munnar
When in Munnar, you can shop at various places such as the Munnar local market, Tata Tea Museum outlet, Mattupetty Dam Bazaar, Carmelagiri Elephant Park shops, and Kanan Devan Hills Plantations outlets.Munnar markets sell tea, coffee, handmade chocolates, handicrafts, forest produce, organic honey, strawberries, textiles, articles made out of wood, bamboo and coir, oils, herbal products and the like. Kerala spices are the most sought-after ones. You can buy fresh spices like cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg from Munnar.
Shopping in Ooty
Ooty has many shopping spots like Charing Cross, Commercial Road, Ooty Municipal Market, Upper Bazaar Road, Lower Bazaar Road, Ooty Lake market, Tibetan Market and Main Bazaar. You can buy various items like homemade chocolate, eucalyptus oil, woollen shawls, local art, spices, traditional handicrafts, Nilgiri tea and the like.
How to reach Munnar and Ooty?
How to reach Munnar?
By Air– The enticing remoteness of Munnar comes with no airport of its own. The nearest airport is roughly 115 km away from Munnar -The Cochin International Airport.
By Rail– The nearest railway station is in Aluva, about 115 km away from Munnar.
From both these places, you can take a cab or bus service to reach Munnar within a few hours, enjoying a ride through the scenic beauty of the Western Ghats and winding roads.
By Road-The rugged terrain and postcard beauty of Munnar is worth exploring via a road trip. You can hire a cab or self-drive. Kerala state-run bus service is also available. You can book the tickets on the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) website.
How to reach Ooty?
By Air– As in the case of Munnar, Ooty has no airport of its own. The nearest airport is roughly 88 km away, which is the Coimbatore International Airport. Then you can hire a taxi or avail a bus service to Ooty.
By Rail– Mettupalayam is the nearest railway station serving Ooty. It is about 40-50 km away. From there, you can either hire a cab or a bus. But there is an exciting alternative to get to Ooty. It is by the Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train, which chugs across forests, valleys and tunnels. It is something you must try once in a lifetime.
By road– A road trip to Ooty is worth exploring. There are well-maintained state and national highways. Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses and private luxury buses connect Ooty with major neighbouring cities such as Chennai, Bangalore and Mysore. You can also try a bike or car ride with friends and family.
Budget for stay in Munnar and Ooty
Budget for Munnar stay
If you are looking for a budget stay in Munnar, then you will get a stay within the range of ₹1,500–2,000 per day. On the other hand, for a midrange stay, you can opt for homestays for ₹3,000 per day. Luxury travellers who prefer Munnar resorts can expect ₹6,500 and upward per day, which can reach up to ₹1,00,000
Budget for Ooty stay
For a budget stay in Ooty, expect a range between ₹1,000 and ₹ 2,500 per day. The next range is ₹2,500– ₹5,000 per day. If your wallet has the capacity to spend₹8,000 and upward per day, then you can go for a luxury stay.
Budget for Munnar and Ooty trip
Budget for Munnar trip
You can leaf through the following websites to stay informed about the cost for the trip:
Booking.com
MakeMy Trip
Budget for Ooty trip
You can leaf through the following websites to stay informed about the cost for the trip
Booking.com
MakeMy Trip
Munnar or Ooty:The verdict
If the Kolukkumalai sunrise entices you and the silence of nature speaks to you, then Munnar is your destination. If you’d rather have a walk through a town bearing a colonial past and echoing the whistling of a toy train, then Ooty would be a good choice.
