Ooty – Coonoor

A Journey on TOY Train J

For the last day of our stay in Ooty we decided to take a ride on Toy train to Coonoor, Because of time constrain we could not make it up to Mettupalayam, but as I heard from many people the stretch between Coonoor to Mettupalayam is too good compare to Ooty to Coonoor.

From Ooty to Coonoor its around 20 mins and train journey will be of 1 hour 30 minutes. Nischith went to station and took tickets for us; general class tickets will cost 10/- rupees per head. There is no reservation policy for general class, everyone should stand in a que and guards will allow 10 people to one compartment.  

First class tickets that cost seventy five rupees per head are also available on this train, but since the numbers of first class seats are very limited, they got sold out very quickly.

The train will stop in 3 or 4 different stations; I have not noticed all the stations (actually we were busy in photo shoot).

We reached Coonoor around 1.00PM by the time we reached Coonoor Vishwa was waiting for us in car and dropped us back to Ooty, on road hardly it will take 30 mins to reach Ooty. 

Over all it was wonderful trip, train journey remained us the childhood days.    

Emerald dam

Emerald dam is one of the lovely lakes around Ooty and it has a scenic view and attractive. After exploring Avalanche and Upper Bhavani lakes we headed towards Emerald dam. It is  a beautiful place with pine trees and farms surrounding the blue water of Emerald. This is one of the must visit places when you are around Ooty.

We can’t go near the dam its restricted area, but there are many wonderful viewpoints created by the dam’s back water.

Don’t know the exact name of this spot, but they mentioned it as shooting spot. I felt this is the perfect place to click a pic which I was waiting to from long time (wanted to take a pic of my car near some water place).

I could say this is one of the great trip because we could cover 3 beautiful lakes of Ooty 

Avalanche Lake, Upper Bhavani Lake and Emerald dam 

We reached back Ooty around 6.30 p.m. with loads of good memories 

Next plan of the trip was to travel to Connoor on Toy train from Ooty

Lakidi – Upper Bhavani Lake

Plan for the day was to visit Upper Bhavani Lake, We were ready by 7.30 a.m. and had some time to kill before the start of the ride. So started our all time favorite task ‘photo shoot’ around the guest house 

Since we were staying in Avalanche guest house which was next to forest check post, we are the only group for the first batch of the ride.

This ride operates between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Fees Details:

Each Person           : 150/- (Ride will be in Swaraj Mazda mini bus).
Student Permission : 75/-
Jeep Ride               : 1200/- (Max 8 people are allowed in one Jeep, better to take this ride).
Still Camera             : 20/-
Video Camera         : 50/-

We don’t wanted to wait for other people to join, we hired a jeep and started our ride towards Upper Bhavani Lake. 

It will be 2 hours ride and they will stop at 3 points, 1st near one unknown water falls, 2nd near Bhavani Temple and finally near Lakidi (Upper Bhavani Lake).

Driver was telling because of less rain this season dam was not filled and if it is filled completely then it would have been more beautiful.

On the way we were lucky to spot one wild animal Fox which was roaming around the beautiful place.

Lakidi is a picture perfect place for nature lovers formed by the back water of upper Bhavani dam surrounded by grassland intermixed with sholas.

After finishing the Jeep ride, we said good bye to wonderful place and checked out the guest house headed towards Emerald Dam. 

Avalanche Lake - Ooty

Once we are done with safari in Bandipur our next plan was to reach Ooty and join Nischith. He was in Ooty for a vacation and we were about to join him, with the help of his uncle he managed to book a forest guest house at Avalanche. I heard its a quite a big process and we were very much thankful to him for making the necessary arrangements. Last time for Mukurthi Trekking also he only helped us to take permission from forest department.

We reached Ooty around 11.30 and joined Nischith, got freshened up and we were all set to go to Avalanche. We have to carry all the necessary items to prepare dinner and breakfast from Ooty only. Finished all our shopping in hurry, finished our lunch at Nischith’s home only and started our journey towards avalanche around 2.30PM. 

Avalanche forest guest house is located around 25Kms from Ooty along the road leading towards Majoor via Emerald, easily it will take 2 hours to reach the destination, road condition is one reason and through the beauty which you have to pass will make you to stop many times..!!! 

Avalanche Lake is one of the famous Lakes in Ooty, is formed not by an avalanche, but due to a huge landslide that occurred in 1823. Surrounded by the rolling terrain containing an array of blooming flowers, which looks like some-one has painted it.

From Emerald town need to take deviation towards right after 5th hairpin curve, there are all chances to miss the route here.  

By the time we reach guest house it was around 4.00 PM the Jeep ride to Upper Bhavani Lake was closed, spent some time walking around the check post and in photo session.

Need to mention, Avalanche guest house is well maintained by the forest department and hospitality is also very good.

Ended the day with delicious Biryani prepared by guard and with some chicken items 

Plan for next day was to visit Upper Bhavani Lake and Emerald Dam