Dodabetta Peak in Ooty
· Summer: March-June (12°C - 29°C)
· Winter: November-February (2°C - 24°C)
Monsoon: July-September
Best time to visit:
October-May
Opening Time: 07:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 05:00 p.m.
Weekly Holiday: Nil
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: INR 5
Children:
INR 5
Cameras: INR 10
Video Camera: Nil
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
INR 5
Children:
INR 5
Cameras:
INR 10
Video Camera:
N/A
Ooty, nature’s very own paradise is full of surprises, Doddabetta Peak being one of them. ‘Doddabetta’ in the local language means ‘Big Mountain’ and it completely justifies the peak’s height of 8,650 ft. above sea level. Located about 10 km. from the main city centre, it is the highest peak in the whole of South India. It is a part of the Nilgiri Range which acts as the merging point between the Western and Eastern Ghats.
As a magnificent vantage point for the visitors, the top of the peak lets one enjoy the unlimited beauty of nature. Dense forests, sholas, valleys and open plain lands are all remarkably visible from here. A telescope house with two telescopes offers the opportunity to admire each of these alluring facets of nature from close.
Trekking is a fun-filled activity one can enjoy at the peak, admiring the vegetations like herbs, shrubs, rhododendrons and grasses. Eucalyptus, for example, leaves the visitors mesmerized. The forest reserve surrounding the peak is home to many wild species like wild boar, bison, barking deer, hare and panther.
Connectivites
Road:
The vantage point is accessible by the well-maintained Ooty-Kotagiri Road, boasting of flawless natural grandeur spread on either side. Buses from Ooty bus stand regularly ply to the summit. You can also hire a taxi or jeep.
Railway:
Mettupalayam Railway Station (about 54 km. away) is the closest railhead. You can hire a taxi from the station to continue your journey towards the peak by road.
Airway:
About 100 km. from Doddabetta Peak is the Coimbatore Airport offering regular flights to many cities. Reaching the final destination from the airport is most convenient in a taxi.