Coonoor

Coonoor is a destination that has been blessed with the scintillating view of the Catherine Falls on one hand and the Nilgiri Hills on the other.

It is thus no surprise that this hill station in Tamil Nadu is among the favorite destinations for many who are looking to enjoy a bit of trekking and experience the unparalleled natural beauty.

Historical Background:

Ooty was already a popular hill station established by the British and soon Coonoor followed suit. By the 19^th century, this habitat of the Toda tribes became a popular tourist destination.

Things to Do and Major Attractions:

There are several hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills and they are connected by rail-roads where the toy train is operational. This train journey can be a blissful experience for the traveler as the train moves through the slopes of the mountains.

One of the major attractions in the region is the Sim’s Park which provides for a blissful walk amidst the greenery. There are some exotic birds in Coonoor such as Pipits, Skylarks, and Nilgiri Verditer and this makes bird-watching a popular activity among the tourists.

For the amazing view of the Nilgiri Hills and Catherine Falls, people visit the Dolphin’s Nose which is a famous viewpoint in Coonoor. The famous hill station of Ooty is a short distance from this place and there you can indulge in adventure sports and activities such as trekking and hiking.

Tourists also visit the famous tea estates in Coonoor such as the High Field Tea Estate. The Wellington Lake, Lamb’s Rock, Tiger Hill Cemetery, etc. are some of the other popular places of interest in Coonoor.

People and Culture:

The religious segregation in Coonoor is majorly Hindus and Christians, although Muslims and other religions can also be found. People of the Coon tribe are majorly the inhabitants of the land and they speak Tamil and Badada languages.

English is understood in this part of India. Coonoor is known for its fruit and vegetable festival and it is conducted in Sim’s Park in the months of May.

Local Food and Popular Shopping Items:

While in Coonoor, it would be advisable to have a taste of the Wellington Paratha in Ramachandra Hotel. You can also enjoy Italian and Continental dishes in Quality restaurant which is another fine eatery in the region.

For a fancy dinner, the Taj Gateway Hotel would suffice. The region is known for its authentic eucalyptus oil and Lavender which people shop for. You can also buy items such as bed sheets and handlooms from the local markets.

Best Time to Visit:

If you are planning to visit Coonoor, make sure that you visit during the months of October to March. The perfect climate during these months will make exploring the region a pleasurable experience.

Availability of Accommodation Type:

While all ranges of accommodation options are available in Coonoor, the most remarkable and luxurious living can be experience in JJS Cottages, Greenview Rest House, and Wallwood Garden.

For a cheaper home-stay option, you can try the Sunvalley Homestay or other such hostels.