Ooty

Udagamandalam, also known as Ooty, sits at 2240 meters (7349 feet) elevation in Tamil Nadu state and is surrounded by green mountains, dense forests and rolling tea plantations. The town spreads across several hills with steep streets, red brick colonial buildings and a central lake bordered by paths and gardens.

The British administration began developing the area in 1819, turning it into the summer capital of Madras Presidency to escape lowland heat. Tea plantations were introduced later and have shaped the appearance of the mountains ever since.

Walking through the streets and surrounding tea estates, visitors encounter the Toda, Kota, Kurumba, Irula and Badaga communities who continue to speak their languages and practice their agricultural traditions. Small markets in and around the town offer handcrafted items and homegrown produce from these groups.

The nearest major transport link is Coimbatore International Airport, 88 kilometers (55 miles) away, from where buses and taxis continue the journey into the mountains. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage, runs on a narrow track from Mettupalayam and offers a slower, scenic alternative.

The Government Botanical Garden, opened in 1847, now houses 2000 plant species from different climate zones, including trees several centuries old. Each year it hosts the largest flower exhibition in South India, drawing gardeners and breeders from across the country.