Ooty is called the Queen of Hill Stations because it’s so pretty, with old-fashioned charm and amazing views. Coonoor is quieter but just as lovely, with hills and valleys covered in mist. Whether you’ll be exploring botanical gardens, savoring freshly brewed tea, going on nature walks, or driving through winding roads that snake through lush greenery, you’re bound to have a wonderful time in the Nilgiri hills.
Here’s a guide to your first trip to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka that includes – Ooty, Coonoor, Mysore, and Coimbatore. Let’s begin 🙂
Itinerary for a 5-day trip to Tamil Nadu
- Day 1 – Arrive at Coimbatore Airport.
- Day 2 – Travel and explore Coonoor
- Day 3 – Travel to Ooty and explore
- Day 4 – Travel to Mysore and explore all it has to offer.
- Day 5 – Fly back to Pune/ source
Best Time to Visit Tamil Nadu
Winter is ideal for exploring the state. Due to the Nilgiris mountains, the weather of Ooty and Coonoor is always pleasant. The peak tourist months for Ooty and Coonoor are April to June, coinciding with the summer vacation for kids, making it the perfect time for families to plan a trip.
Day 1 – Reach Coimbatore
We wanted to keep the trip relaxed and slow, so spending a day at Isha Foundation seems to be the perfect plan.
Book a cab from Coimbatore Airport to the bus stand. There are regular buses to Isha Foundation from Coimbatore. Alternatively, you can also book a direct cab.
We arrived at Isha Foundation around 12:30 PM and had pre-booked a room, which turned out to be clean and spacious, nestled amidst lush greenery. The surroundings were frequented by birds, adding to the serene ambiance. The entire campus is well-maintained, with mountains and greenery all around. I particularly enjoyed walking barefoot in the campus, although it’s not mandatory; I chose to do so out of personal preference.
Ranjan spent several minutes attaching the flowers in my hair, and this is the result 😉
The Dhyanalinga is the highlight of this place, offering a tranquil space for meditation. It’s incredibly peaceful and calming. I recommend staying at this place for a night. There are daily rituals practiced by volunteers and devotees, such as yoga, meditation, gathering to dance in the playground to the beat of drums.
One thing I noticed was that the focus seemed to be more on the Satguru than on God. This is just my personal observation. I noticed large posters of the Satguru in eating spaces and shops, which may be for branding purposes. While a Guru should certainly guide us to understand God, I believe there should be a balance, and the Guru should not become our sole focus or be equated with God. It’s important to show respect and devotion to the Guru, but ultimately, our reverence should be directed towards the divine.
The good part of living in an ashram is that before every meal, centering and prayers are done. The food is balanced, and it is eaten while sitting on the floor without talking to each other. If you enjoy spicy food, you can also eat outside the ashram.
Additional places to explore in Coimbatore include the Sri Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Gedee Car Museum, and Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple. If you visit during the monsoon season, don’t miss the opportunity to witness the majestic Siruvani Waterfalls and Monkey Waterfalls.
Day 2 – Travel to Coonoor
Coonoor is famous for its tea gardens and panoramic viewpoints. Here, we enjoyed peaceful walks among the rolling hills, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and admiring the vast stretches of greenery.
If you have time, visit Lamb’s Rock and the Tea Garden.
Day 3 – Toy train ride in Nilgiris – an experience one should not miss
- An early morning toy train ride to reach Ooty.
- Get an epic view of the different peaks in Nilgiris from Doddapetta Peak. The journey and the destination are equally beautiful. It is also the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Mountains.
- While driving back towards the city, visit the Tea and Chocolate Factory to gain insight into the process. You can also buy some treats for friends and family from their store.
- Drive towards Pyakara Lake; the first glimpse of the lake will leave you spellbound.
- On the way to the lake, make multiple stops to visit the Pine Forest, Eucalyptus Forest, shooting points, and other tourist spots.
- If time allows, you can add visits to Emerald Lake, Upper Bhavani Lake, Avalanche Lake, Bellikkal Lake, and Kamaraj Sagar to your itinerary.
Day 4 – Drive through Bandipur national park to reach Mysore
- An early morning walk in the botanical garden followed by travel to Mysore.
- The roads amid the enthralling Bandipur National Park promise a memorable time for everyone.
- Visit Mysore Palace and then drive back to Bangalore or travel back to your source.
Day 5 – Bangalore
Ranjan is fond of Gramin restaurant in Koramangala, Bangalore. Ever since we got married, he wanted me to taste their food, so we included it in our itinerary. The food was delicious as spices were well-balanced, making it a great restaurant to visit with your family and friends.
The next morning, our flight was delayed by several hours. We booked another flight and eventually landed at Terminal 2 (T2). This airport has bamboo work, ample natural light, and verdant green patches, all seamlessly integrated with modern amenities.
Managing stays in Tamil Nadu during trip
Ooty is one of the top tourist destinations in India, where you can choose a hotel room according to your budget. During our stay, we opted for goStops, where the rooms were spacious, clean, and included a common garden area where one could sit, relax, and enjoy their meals. It is slightly away from the hustle and bustle of Ooty.
We also stayed a night in Coonoor but weren’t satisfied with our experience at The Birdhouse Backpackers Hostel.
We made bookings in advance at Isha foundation at Coimbatore because rooms are not readily available if you don’t prebook. There is usually a queue of people outside the reception. If you don’t get a room inside the ashram, you may need to walk a lot daily to the ashram for various activities they have throughout the day.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave them in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to help you out. I hope this blog has provided some insights to help you plan your road trip to Nilgiris.
Happy travels 🙂 :)!
CurlyGirlyTravely 
“Lovely blog! The Nilgiris are such a refreshing summer escape, and your description of Ooty, Coonoor, and Coimbatore beautifully captures their charm. Inspiring read for travel enthusiasts!”
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