This summer my family planned a trip to the Nilgiris in South India. We finalized Coonoor and Ooty - the 2 largest hill stations in this region - as our pit stops. I had not heard about Coonoor before but after reading positive reviews on Tripadvisor, we decided to give it a shot. In this blog, I am mentioning about the mesmerizing Coonoor.
We stayed in Coonoor for a single day but that did not do justice to this place. If you love being around nature and less number of attractions in the city does not bother you, spend atleast 2-3 days in Coonoor and explore this place on foot. For me, Coonoor stands out to be one of the the most beautiful hill stations I have ever visited in India.
Overview
Located in Tamil Nadu and nested in the Nilgiris, Coonoor is a peaceful, scenic and offbeat hill station having a close proximity to Ooty. This town is relatively untouched and is usually preferred by tourists who want a relaxing environment and want to stay away from over-crowded places. Though it was summer time, there was a chill in the winds and our woolens prove to be quite handy during this time. The place may not be boasting of many tourist attractions but if you are a nature's lover, Coonoor is an ideal place for your vacation.
(Source: Wandertrails)
Even though Coonoor is a small hill station, it is easily accessible, the nearest airport being Coimbatore which is about 70 km in distance. We took a morning flight to Coimbatore and it took 2.5 hours to reach Coonoor via taxi. One can also board a toy train from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. Though we did not get a chance to experience this journey, I have heard that this ride is extremely beautiful and should not be missed.
There are not many large hotels in this place, therefore, we opted for a BnB namely Bella Vista. This homestay offers 5-6 rooms and is popular for its delicious food and wonderful service. The rooms were basic but we did not mind that as the surrounding environment was breathtaking.
Climatic Conditions
With an altitude of 1,850 meters, the temperatures hover around 15-25 degrees in summers, while in winters the temperatures usually stay below 10 degrees. Oct-Mar is considered to be the best time to visit this town.
Key Attractions in Coonoor
Some of the popular attractions of this town are as below:
- Sim's Park - This botanical park displays a wide variety of plant species. In addition, it also offers boating services in a small pond within this park. There are also several swings placed near the pond keeping children's interest in mind. The park has a very nominal entrance fee and this tourist spot should feature in every traveler's bucket list.
- Popular View Points - Dolphin Nose and Lambs Rock are the 2 major peaks in Coonoor offering spectacular views of the Nilgiris. It was already drizzling when we reached Dolphin Nose. However, as the rain stopped and the sun started piercing the dark clouds, we even witnessed a rainbow from the peak and the atmosphere was simply majestic to witness it from that height.
- Picturesque Tea Estates - Any trip to Coonoor is incomplete if you miss wandering through lush green tea estates. Highfield Tea Factory is one of the prominent tea factories of this area. It not only offers strolling around its vast tea plantation but also allows to enter the factory and see the making of the finest teas in the world.
We stayed in Coonoor for a single day but that did not do justice to this place. If you love being around nature and less number of attractions in the city does not bother you, spend atleast 2-3 days in Coonoor and explore this place on foot. For me, Coonoor stands out to be one of the the most beautiful hill stations I have ever visited in India.
