Ooty is a city and municipality in the Nilgiris region in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Its official name is Udhagamandalam. It is the administrative center for the Nilgiris district and is situated 128 kilometers (80 miles) south of Mysore and 86 kilometers (53 miles) north of Coimbatore. It is often referred to as the Queen of Hill Stations. It served as the Madras Presidency’s summer capital. Nature lovers should not miss Ooty’s beautiful lakes. There’s no denying that these naturally stunning water bodies have breathtaking landscapes. Experiencing Ooty’s lakes will make you feel energized and refreshed.

Given below is a list of 8 lakes in Ooty that is worth visiting:

1. Ooty Lake: John Sullivan built Ooty Lake, an artificial lake close to Ooty in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India, in 1824. It has a 65-acre surface area. Tall Eucalyptus trees encircle the lake, and streams that meander across the hills feed its waters.

Water birds can be captured in stunning photographs with the stunning Nilgiri mountain ranges in the background which enhances the Ooty lake view by those with a great interest in photography. The Boat House in Ooty lake offers rowing, paddle, and motorboat rentals. There is a kid-friendly miniature train at an amusement park. Boat races and other entertainment events are scheduled for two days in May.

• Emerald Lake: In the Tamil Nadu region of India, the Nilgiris district, Emerald Lake lies close to Emerald village. It is around 25 kilometers from the town of Ooty in a place called the Silent Valley. Children, adults, and anybody who appreciates the beauty of the hills and lakes like Emerald Lake. You can be sure that the emerald surroundings and the lovely wind will make your soul happy. You’ll think you’re in heaven as you take in the vast fields and breathtaking splendor of this place. The surface of the lake reflects the sky’s shifting color. The lake is well-known for its diverse fish population and its abundance of birds. At Emerald Lake, birdwatching is a well-liked tourist activity. Additionally noteworthy are the beautiful views of the sun rising and setting across the lake. Tea plantations that sell tea-related goods are everywhere around the lake. So don’t forget to try some.

• Bellikkal Lake: The little, untouched hill station of Bellikal, located in the Nilgiri Hills at an elevation of roughly 5500 feet, is renowned for its beauty and tranquility. Every visitor to the area is enchanted by Bellikkal Lake’s sparkling, clear waters. The lake not only provides visitors with lovely views of the area but also keeps them entertained with enjoyable activities. Visitors can see a variety of local species, including deer, bison, elephants, tigers, bears, and bears. Adventure seekers can have fun boating, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing at the lake. Bulbuls, woodpeckers, bulbuls, and crow pheasants are among the birds that bird enthusiasts enjoy observing. A traditional Ayurvedic massage and other body treatments are also available to calm your nerves and internally restore you.

• Avalanche lake: In Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district, 28 kilometers from Ooty, is Avalanche Lake situated. The massive landslide (avalanche) that happened in the area in the early 1800s is how the lake got its name. A gently rolling landscape filled with rhododendrons, orchids, and magnolias in bloom surrounds the lake. Visitors can walk along the lake’s edge on its winding walkways and enjoy the scenic beauty, and serenity of the place while soothing their souls and calming their minds. Visitors to the lake are also welcome to go trout fishing. Near the lake, a trout hatchery has been created, where tourists can purchase fishing rods and other equipment needed for trout fishing. Tourists pitch their tents close to the lake and use it as a camp site. Rafting across the lake and hiking in surrounding mountainous areas like Upper Bhavani, where there are dense woods and unspoiled wild habitats, are two more tourism activities in the area.

• Pykara lakes: The largest lake, Pykara Lake, is situated in the Niligiri district of Ooty, about 21 kilometers from the city. The ideal destination in Ooty for honeymooners, couples, and nature enthusiasts is Pykara Lake. Actually, this lake is a dammed hydroelectric power project’s backwaters. The lake is incredibly beautiful and is well-liked by both locals and visitors. The sholas (the local term for forests) that encircle the lake add to its natural splendor. Both locals and visitors visit the area for picnics. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation operates a boat house, a hotel, and a restaurant. From the boat house, you can rent a motorboat or a speedboat for a thrilling journey. In close proximity to the lake, tourists also have the option of visiting the roaring Pykara Waterfalls.

• Upper Bhavani Lake: Upper Bhavani Lake, one of Ooty’s most pristine lakes, is less well-known to tourists. For those who enjoy nature, it is a fascinating location. The lake, which is perched high above the avalanche zone, can only be reached with the forest department’s approval. The Upper Bhavani Lake is tucked away amid the lush vegetation of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department offers bus safaris that travel to the lake. The opportunity to explore the Nilgiris’ abundance of wildlife is provided by the 45-minute bus ride through areas frequented by powerful elephants and a wide variety of other animals. The bus safari will be a memorable experience for those who appreciate the unadulterated beauty of the wildlife, with predefined stops to take in the views of the ethereal shola forests and look for animals and the last stop is the Lake. There is a rough road that winds through the lake’s shore and into the woods for those with an adventurous attitude. To explore the mind-blowing riches of the Nilgiri forests, venture into the woods.

• Kamaraj Sagar lake and Dam: One of Ooty’s most stunning lakes is Sandynalla Reservoir, also known as Kamaraj Sagar. Rainwater is the main source of water for this dam. About 400 acres are covered by the dam. The Sandynallah Reservoir is six kilometers long. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Ooty. Newlyweds looking to make their honeymoon special, nature lovers seeking solace in the peaceful environment, and photographers hoping to capture the breathtaking natural beauty will all find Kamaraj Sagar Lake to be the ideal place. A great area to relax with your family, it is frequently visited by many bird watchers who want to see the various bird species that visit the reservoir for water and food in the form of fish. Fish of several different species can be found in the reservoir. The majority of fish species are, however, trouts. You will undoubtedly like the ideal ethereal setting created by the singing of birds deep within the forest. Government Museum, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Ooty Lake, and many other sights can be visited near and surrounding Kamaraj Sagar Dam.

How to reach Ooty ?

• How to reach Ooty by flight ?

The closest domestic airport to Ooty, which is well-connected to major Indian cities, is Coimbatore, which is around 88 kilometers away. Bangalore, which is 295 kilometers from Ooty, has flights to most major cities across the world, so you can also fly there. Regular flights connect Bangalore and Coimbatore from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. You can take a taxi or a bus to Ooty from the airport once you get there.

• How to go Ooty by train ?

40 kilometers away from Ooty, in Mettupalyam, is the closest railhead. Trains connect Mettupalyam with Chennai, Coimbatore, Mysore, and Bangalore. The Ooty Udagamandalam Passenger Train, the Mettupalyam Udagamandalam Passenger Train, the Mangalore Mail, and the Mangalore Express are a few of the well-known trains. From here, you may also join the historic Nilgiri Mountain railway, which will take you on an exhilarating journey uphill. Take a taxi from the train intersection, though, if you want to get there more quickly.

• How to reach Ooty by Bus?

From Bangalore, Mysore, and Chennai, you can travel in both luxury and public transportation to Ooty. These are buses that run overnight, and the trip is very smooth. Be aware that a special government bus departs daily from Calicut at 5 and 7 o’clock in the evening and travels to Ooty in just six hours.

• How to reach Ooty by self-drive?

The nicest aspect of a road trip to Ooty is the breathtaking scenery and reserve forest region that you pass through while driving. There are two ways you can use if you want to drive from Bangalore to Ooty: via Mysore or via Chamarajanagar. Once in the border town of Gundlupet, you turn onto the forest road and travel through Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. In this section, keep an eye out for elephants.

Best time to go to ooty:

The entire year is the finest time to visit Ooty because the weather is nice and ideal for sightseeing. Throughout the year, the temperature often fluctuates between 5 and 15 degrees with cooler nights. The best weather and outdoor activities are available from October to June, which is the busiest season. If you don’t mind the rain, you can travel to Ooty during the monsoon season, when the town is charmingly refreshed by the rain. Numerous people flock to the area each year for the Tea and Tourism Festival to enjoy this magnificent location.