Kotagiri District
Kotagiri District is amongst one of the scenic Hills Stations cradled within the stunning Nilgiris Hills. It is perched at a height of 1,793 meters above mean sea level and situated at a distance of just 33 kms by car from south-east of Ooty.
Kotagiri is known for its excellent weather and named as the hill station with the second best climatic conditions in the world. It is positioned in such a way that the Doddabetta Mountain range protects this hill station from the heavy south-western monsoons thus manages to contain the most inviting weather for all seasons.
Kotagiri is a dramatic hilly region flanked by lush green tea gardens that produces the finest Nilgiri tea and is famous for the Nilgiri Thailam or Nilgiri Eucalyptus oil. Kotagiri also offers a number of memorable trekking options for novice as well as professional hikers.
Kotagiri is in fact an old hill station that was later developed around a number of ridges or inclinations and valleys. The stunning and distinguished Doddabetta Range is situated just 22 kms away from Kotagiri, not to be missed during your trip and other tourist sites like the Kodanad View Point that offers an exquisite view of the gentle sloping blue Nilgiri hills as you get to trek through a jungle trail that leads you to a small stream. Major tourist attractions such as the Uyilatty Falls also known as the Elk Falls, St. Catherine Falls, Lord Rangaswamy Peak, Rangaswamy Pillar, Nehru Park, Sullivan Bungalow or Pethakal Bungalow, Longwood forest and Thengumarahada are a must visit and you can also opt to trek to these sites and enjoy the spectacular view throughout your road trip.
Kotagiri is a delight for trekkers as it offers a number of walking trails such as the path of Kotagiri – St. Catherine falls, Kotagiri – Kodanad and the Kotagiri – Longwood Shola forest path leading you through a sight of panoramic views of verdant green tea garden terrains and the magnificent River Moyar and its valleys.
Kotagiri flourishes with huge European style bungalows that were built during the British Raj and most of them have managed to retain their architecture. These bungalows are very habitable whereas a few have been transformed into up-market cottages.
Kotagiri is home to a number of There are numerous tea factories producing the famous Nilgiri tea. Kotagiri also has some gold deposits, which were mined to levels possible during the days of the British rule. Presently research is going on to determine if it would be possible to extract more gold from the mines.
Kotagiri also offers tourists with a platter of luxury home stays in ancient English bungalows and several well furnished hotels for accommodation purposes. This town has a hoard of eating outlets serving a variety of fine as well as budget vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines. You can enjoy the famous Nilgiri tea including ones with different flavours such as Chocolate, Ginger, Green Cardamoms and Lemon etc. along with hot samosas in the cool weather of Kotagiri that adds to your vacation delight.
Kotagiri offers a number of Taxis and Auto rickshaws easily available on hire to get around the town. In case you wish to travel out of Kotagiri, then taxis are available on hire after 8:00 PM at reasonable rates. Frequent Buses also ply from Mettupalayam to Kotagiri that are available in the foothills of the Nilgiris, from Ooty and Coonoor too.
Kotagiri is well connected by Road to major cities. It is situated 66 kms away from Coimbatore via Mettupalayam and approx. 33 kms away from Mettupalayam, 28 kms away from Ooty and 23 kms away from Coonoor.
Coonoor is the nearest railhead from where you can hire public transport to arrive at Kotagiri whereas the nearest airport is at Coimbatore situated 105 kms away from where the road is well connected to Chennai, Bangaluru and Cochin. You can also avail tickets on more crowded buses from Mettupalayam to Kotagiri, however, it is recommended to travel first to Coonoor and then take a bus travelling to Kotagiri for a more comfortable journey experience.