Coonoor is one of the three beautiful Nilgiri hill stations in Tamil Nadu, the other two being Ooty and Kotagiri. It is located at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level with Ghats and green hills. A variety of flowers and birds are found here. It provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also known for its production of Nilgiri tea
History:
The Nilgiri hills have been the home of the Toda tribe for centuries. It was in the 19th century that the British made it a popular tourist destination. Attracted by the temperate climate, the British elite lost no time and established their settlements in the hills. In August 1891 the Governor of Chennai laid the foundation of the Nilgiri railway. By 1908 the railway line was extended up to Ooty. Today the train has become a major attraction for travellers. The place has been used as the backdrop for David Lean's movie A Passage to India (1984) based on E. M. Foster's novel.
The weather here is very pleasant. The maximum level rises up to 27 degrees C, while in winters the minimum level is 10 degrees C. The best time to travel is anytime between November and March.
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here.
A tourist visa applicable for the entire country (India) is sufficient
Road Get to Coimbatore and from there rent a vehicle and then drive around north of Coimbatore through National Highway NH 67 via Karamadai.
Train Nearest railway station is Mettupalayam (46 kms). The closesr major broadgauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities. Mettupalayam to Ooty is connected by a Mountain Railway (the famous toy train) which is a good 4 hours journey. There are five stations between Mettupalayam and Coonoor. The first station is Kallar, second is Adderley, third is Hill Grove forth one is Runnymede and the last one is Kateri.
Sim's Park The park is situated in a deep ravine on the Northern side of Coonoor Railway Station at an elevation of 1768 to 1798 mts. The park can be divided into eight major sections. The natural shola with winding footpaths all over the higher slopes of the park is the most distinctive and picturesque feature of this park. This apart a number of individual tree specimens planted in a scattered fashion all over the place, lend a special charm to the park, specially when they bloom in different seasons throughout the year.
Lamb's Rock It is 8 Kms from Coonoor on the way to Dolphin's Nose. It commands a grand view of the Coimbatore Plains. It is a favorite place for tourists.
Laws Falls The Place is a beautiful picnic spot, situated at Coonoor-Mettupalayam Road at the distance of 7 Kms from Coonoor. The height of the falls is about 180 feet. There are vast stretches of undisturbed sholas and it is a paradise for Naturalists.
The Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint Which is 10 kms from Coonoor, is an important place to visit. It not only provides a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Nilgiri hills but also of the famous Catherine Falls.
Pasteur Institute, Pomological Station, Silk Rearing Station,Lady Canning’s Seat are a few other tourist attractions.
Take long walks to any of the villages situated around Coonoor. A walk by the tea gardens would be a memorable one.
Shopping:
There are also other little shops, selling local produce like tea, honey, jams and preserves and some that sell beautiful embroidered works.
Try the different varieties of tea and coffee. Most places serve authentic South Indian cuisine.
Since Coonoor is a popular tourist spot, one can find a lot of option for stay. There are a good number of hotels and guest houses like Hotel Taj Garden Retreat, Hotel Velan Ritz, Hotel Wellington, Vivek Tourist Home, Hotel Blue Hills, Sri Lakshmi Tourist Home, Sri Venkateswara Lodge and Labarrier Inn.
The true solitary beauty of Nature tugs at your heart making the trip memorable for years to come.
