[knightrider_7]

This is a short travelogue of my recent one-day trip to Ooty. Unlike most of the travelogues (drives or rides) here in Team BHP, this is a group tour, which comprised of 14 members. The proposal for the tour came in the first week of February and the initial plan was to visit the usual suspects: Banasurasagar dam, Pookode Lake and the rest, in Wayanad district. The date was fixed quickly as February 18, Sunday. On the penultimate day of the trip, a small meeting of the participants were held, and the destination was changed to Ooty, after some discussions. A force traveller (17 seater) was booked and the departure time was decided at 3.30 am. The list of places to be covered was only roughly decided before the trip, and since the trip is now over, I will list out the places we have covered below:

1. Needle rock viewpoint
2. Pykara waterfalls
3. Shooting point
4. Doddabetta peak
5. Tea factory
6. Eagles dare adventures

As the trip was in a traveller, that too at early morning (we started at 3.45 am) and night, I cannot provide the exact road conditions. However, there were some construction works going on the Nadugani ghat section, and the rough patches were felt inside the vehicle. After Gudallur, the roads were good throughout the trip. Now, let the picture do the talking.

Needle rock viewpoint

The route



Some pictures



View from the watch tower. Way to this point can also be seen







The sunrise



We had breakfast on the way to our next location after this. The food was prepared and packed on the night before.

Somewhere en route to pykara waterfalls





Pykara waterfalls

This is on the left side of the road if you are travelling towards Ooty. Parking facility is available on the right side (free of cost). You have to walk a little to reach the ticket counter an the waterfalls. Battery cars are available at Rs. 10 per person.

The route



Pictures of the lake







The waterfalls



The shooting point

The route



View from the top 1



View from the top 1



Other side of the hill



Inside the forest



View from the forest



After the shooting point, we went to Ooty city, and had food from Amma's kitchen. The food was average. We proceeded to doddabetta peak after spending some time roaming around Fernhill.

Doddabetta peak

The route



View from the watchtower 1



View from the watchtower 1



Near the echo point





Tea factory and Tea museum

The entry fee per person is Rs. 10. You will get free tea and/or green tea at the end. You can buy tea leaves, tea powder, green tea, chocolates etc. from here.

The route



Tea factory



Way to the entrance of the tea factory



View from the entrance



View from the parking lot. The Eagles Dare Adventures is just opposite to the tea factory. The cost per person is Rs. 300. Only four members from our group went to try that.



Horse ride is also available near.



We started our journey back after this, had the dinner from Hotel Malu Highland at Vazhikkadavu, and reached Kattangal at 12.30 in the night. The total cost per person except the lunch was Rs. 840. Overall, it was a very nice one day trip which was pocket friendly.

[knightrider_7]

Sharing some more picture from my friends.
(Picture courtesy respective owners)

Views from needle rock viewpoint









Views from pykara waterfalls









View from the shooting point



Doddabetta watchtower



Some random clicks















Guys trying the zip line



Some information boards











Finally the team



See the one with the raised hands? That's Yours truly

[SDP]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[mvadg]

Your pics made me smile.
Great pics, and very polite! If you know what I mean...