Highlights
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Mettupalayam to Ooty
- Ooty lake, botanical garden and Doddabetta
- Coonoor tea estates and Dolphin's Nose
- Kodaikanal lake and Coaker's Walk
- Pillar Rocks and the pine forest
- Meenakshi temple in Madurai on the way out
This is the trip for people who want hills and nothing else. You arrive by the toy train, the one part of the Nilgiris you’d regret missing, and spend three unhurried nights around Ooty and Coonoor. Then a long drive south to Kodaikanal, which is quieter and greener. Ending at Madurai instead of going back to Coimbatore saves a day of driving and gives you a morning at the Meenakshi temple.
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1: Coimbatore to Mettupalayam, toy train to Ooty
Arrive in Coimbatore the night before or on the overnight Nilgiri Express from Chennai to Mettupalayam. The toy train leaves at 7:10 am and climbs through the tea and forest to Ooty by around noon. Our car meets you at Ooty station with your luggage. Rest of the day free.
Day 2: Ooty sightseeing
The Government Botanical Garden, the rose garden, Doddabetta peak and a tea factory. Afternoon boating on Ooty lake or a drive to Pykara lake and falls.
Day 3: Coonoor
A day at Coonoor: Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose and Lamb’s Rock viewpoints over the plains, and a tea estate walk. Back to Ooty for the night.
Day 4: Ooty to Kodaikanal
A full day’s drive down from the Nilgiris, across the plains and up the Kodaikanal ghat road. We leave early and stop for lunch on the way. Evening walk by Kodai lake.
Day 5: Kodaikanal sightseeing
Coaker’s Walk and Pillar Rocks early, before the mist comes up around 10 am. Then the pine forest, Guna Caves viewpoint and Bryant Park, and cycling or boating on the lake in the afternoon.
Day 6: Kodaikanal to Madurai
Drive down to Madurai, about 120 km. Time for darshan at the Meenakshi temple if your flight or train is in the evening. Drop at Madurai airport or station.
Toy train tickets
The Mettupalayam to Ooty train has few seats and they go quickly, especially from April to June and on long weekends. We book on IRCTC as soon as the reservation window opens for your date. If it’s full, we drive you up the ghat road instead and book the shorter Ooty to Coonoor section on day 3, which is easier to get.
What's included and what isn't
Included
- Hotels for 5 nights (3 Ooty, 2 Kodaikanal) with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver from Ooty to Madurai, plus Coimbatore to Mettupalayam transfer
- Drop at Madurai airport or station
- E-pass applications for Ooty and Kodaikanal
- Help booking the Nilgiri toy train on IRCTC
Not included
- Flights or trains to Coimbatore and from Madurai (quoted on request)
- Toy train tickets and entry fees
- Green tax at check posts
- Lunches, boating and cycle hire
- Honeymoon extras such as cake or room decoration (on request)
- Tips and personal expenses
Visa, costs, best time and travel tips: Mysore, Ooty and Kodaikanal Tour Packages.
