If you tell anyone that the quaint little hill station of Ooty in South India is a backpacking paradise, people won’t believe you. But it is true, because to a backpacker, the calmness and serenity of the destination is the most important factor. Another factor involves keeping the costs of their travel in check. This little hill town which was established by the Britishers in the 1800sfills all the ticks in any backpackers list. Here’s a backpacker’s ultimate travel guide to Ooty.
Travelling to Ooty
The travel options to Ooty are cheap and abundant. It is well connected via roads from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore etc. There are a lot of trains which also ply from almost all the major cities nearby. If you want to go backpacking most authentically, you can also hitchhike to the town withoutfacing any problem at all. The road to Ooty is beautiful and scenic so make sure you keep your eyes open and bask in the glory of nature on your way to one of the best hill stations in the country.
Staying in Ooty
Ooty is considered as one of the cheapest tourist places in the country. There are numerous options available tostay, ranging from expensive five-star hotels to lodges and home stays. You can book hotels in Ooty at best price both online and offline without any hassle. If you have an adventurous streak, you can also consider the groups offering campsites on the ground near some of the most scenic locations in this hill paradise. There you can pitch your own tent and stay without as much as spending a dime.
Places to See
The most exciting part of any journey for a backpacker is going to explore the destination. And Ooty offers a lot in this regard. There is a lot one can explore in this city which makes all the budget travel and stays as a backpacker worthwhile. Starting from the stunning Ooty lake, you are bound to be mesmerisedby its unparalleled natural beauty. It is an artificial lake which was constructed by John Sullivan in 1824. It is well known for its boat races and casual boating. You can walk from there to St. Stephen’s Church, which is the oldest church built in the Nilgiris District. Known for its beautiful architecture and paintings, this 19th-century church gives a very relaxing vibe to all the visitors. From there you can go visit Ooty Botanical gardens which is a massive 22 hectares of picturesque gardens maintained by the government. The gardens are well known for having fossils of a tree which is believed to be 20 million years old. There’s also a summer festival which takes place here annually.
What to Eat
Ooty is a heaven for casual eaters and foodies. While being soft on your wallet, this town will make you crave for its scrumptious food. There are a lot of shops offering lip-smacking traditional south Indian food. Ooty is also well known for its baked goods, so don’t forget to try the various assorted baked items like buns and cakes. Also, most of the hotels here have a walk-in restaurant, and you can book hotels in Ooty at best priceonline before coming here to have a pleasant experience.
To sum everything up, Ooty is a heaven for backpackers. From nature trails to historic buildings and monuments to tea gardens and lakes, Ooty offers everything for the most affordable price you can imagine. And this alone makes Ooty as one of the top picks for any kind of traveller especially the ones who are on a low budget and are looking to have some adventure and fun.
