Coonoor Tourism

Coonoor Tourism One of the most beautiful and serene hill stations you will come across in the country, Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the wonderful Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats. It is situated at an altitude of 1930 meters and just 19 km fromOoty. Coonoor is a delightful location to have a panoramic view of the Nilgiri Hills and theCatherine Falls. Coonoor is a dream come true for writers and poets due to its rich greenery, the manicured hills, the Colonial culture and amazing sceneries, which will leave you relaxed and inspired. While in Coonoor you can completely lose yourself to nature and its eternal beauty. Download Coonoor PDF Guide > What's Great? Beautiful natural vistas. Many trek routes into the Nilgiris. Easily accessible via the Coimbatore airport. What's not so Great? Some areas are not very well equipped to handle tourism. It can get crowded during the peak season in summer and winter. Heavy monsoons may lead to traffic congestion. For Whom Coonoor is the ideal spot for a family vacation in the mountains to escape the summer heat. For those looking to be more adventurous, there are some trek routes that start from Coonoor and go to various parts of the Nilgiris. Many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are located nearby. It is less crowded than Ooty, the other popular hill station in the Nilgiris.

Tea Gardens of Coonoor Coonoor, the second highest hill station in the Nilgiris is home to some of the largest and most mesmerising tea gardens in India. You have probably heard of the tea garden tours in Ooty, but Coonoor has equally fascinating tours if not more. Additionally, they are less crowded since Coonoor is still a relatively unexplored destination. Tea plantations take up a significant part of the town's land and provide employment to a large number of people. The terrace plantations that run for acres together is a sight not to be missed. There are also many treks that pass through tea gardens and lead to various waterfalls and viewing points in this area. The Green Valley Located in the heart of the Nilgiris, Coonoor is also known as the green valley because of the large forested areas that are green throughout the year. This region also receives a lot of rainfall that helps to maintain the abundant plant and animal life of this region. Sim's park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in this city and is a botanical garden built in Japanese style. Today, it has more than 1,000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants. In May each year, at the peak of the tourist season there is a fruit and vegetable show that is a major attraction. Flora and Fauna Coonoor is an all-time favourite of those who love the sight of lush green nature around themselves. The presence of Nilgiri mountain range means a wide range of biodiversity native to the region. Flora Tea plantations are a sight as common as the blue sky, offering a picturesque combination of bright blue and lush, widespread green. Apart from the tea plantations, the famous Sim?s Park has introduced many rare and exotic tree & plant varieties to Coonoor including Eucalyptus, Acacia, Pinus, Cinnamomum, Rudraksha, Araucaria, Quercus, Phoenix, Magnolia, Pine, Turpentine, Tree ferns, and Camellia. Fauna A favourite pastime in Coonoor is bird watching which gives a fair idea of a sheer variety of the avian creatures flying around here. Cormorants, Pipits, Thrushes, Parakeets, Skylarks, and Nilgiriverditer are commonly found here. Gaur ( a relative of the Bison) is endemic to the region of Coonoor and the Nilgiri hills and their population has seen a tremendous increase in recent years. They can be seen grazing in the tea plantations. Wild Elephants are also sighted in nearby areas. Festivals Annual festivals in Coonoor are held to promote the wide variety of tea, fruits and vegetables grown in the area. Coonoor is popular as the younger cousin of Ooty because of its tea gardens and an annual Tea Festival is just the right way to celebrate the lush plantations of this tea garden town. The Tea and Tourism festival is held in January every year and brings in tea connoisseurs from all around the world. A huge variety of teas is kept on display for both tasting and sale. Local dance and music form part of the event which takes place over a span of three days. The arrival of summer is beckoned with the annual Fruit and Vegetable festivals which is a two-day event held in May. The venue is the astonishingly beautiful Sim?s Park which is spread over 30 Acres and houses the rare Rudraksha tree along with a vividly coloured spread of lovely flowers. Exhibitors from various districts in the State make this annual journey to showcase their varied and bountiful produce of fruits and vegetables.

One Day Itinerary Day 1:Arrive in Coonoor by road or rail and take the afternoon to soak in the beautiful vistas of the hill station. After lunch, proceed to Sim's Park, one of the unique botanical gardens in India. Today, it has over 1,000 species of plants and flowers as well as carefully crafted landscapes. Japanese style architecture dots the garden and if you go in May, you can visit the annual fruit and vegetable exhibition that receives thousands of visitors each year. Day 2:Leave early in the morning and proceed to Dolphin Nose, a viewing point that offers one of the most beautiful views of the Nilgiris. Proceed to Lamb's rock from where you can see the expansive tea and coffee estates on the backdrop of the foggy Nilgiris. After Lunch, you can visit one of the many waterfalls around the town. Day 3:Visit the Rallia Dam, located 10 kilometres away from the city centre. For the trekkers, this is an exciting place because there are many routes that branch out from here. For the wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, the breathtaking vistas and birds, butterflies and flowers will be an experience of a lifetime and for those who want to sit back and relax, you can lounge on one of the rocks at the water's edge and enjoy the beautiful view of the backwaters, the mountains and forests around you.

Restaurants and Local Food in Coonoor Coonoor is well known for offering a delectable selection of unusual Jams like Peach, Mulberry, and Passion Fruit. You can indulge in the fresh and fruity taste of the jams while in Coonoor and also take some home. You can also experience the taste of unadulterated organic honey which is one of the best offerings of the city in terms of natural products. The most popular local dish of Coonoor is Rajma and Avare Beans which is absolutely unmissable. The best part is that it is easily available in many local eateries, so finding and relishing it won?t be tough at all. Other than the local favourites, both North Indian and South Indian cuisine is available in Coonoor. Mughlai food is also available in some eateries. Hyderabadi Biryani Houseserves is a tourist favourite for serving delicious tandoor items and biryani at affordable prices.Ababa Cafeis perfect for the quiet, laid-back tourist who wants to sit in a peaceful corner, take in the serene ambience and enjoy some scrumptious desserts and tasty coffee.Cafe Coffee Beanserves quick snacks and fresh fruit juices. For a taste of international cuisine, visit to theCulinariumis a must as it serves European, Mediterranean,  and British cuisine along with some Indian food options and is compared to authentic European restaurants in terms of food and overall ambience.Hotel Sri Lakshmiserves affordable meals and visitors suggest to stick to South Indian options here as the safest bet in terms of taste.Cafe Diemis an excellent option for vegetarians who are looking for options other than South Indian food and don?t mind spending a little extra money as it serves an entire selection of tasty and innovative vegetarian items. For those seeking a taste of the most authentic South Indian cuisine,Rangoli Restaurantin Upper Coonoor is a great option. View 4 Restaurants in Coonoor >>

Oct-Maris the best time to visit Coonoor The period from October till March is perhaps the best time to visit a hill station like Coonoor. The greenery, the tea plantation, the clear skies and a hint of morning mist make the place appear magical to the travellers. The place is cold at this time, yet pleasant and offers all the more enjoyment. One needs to carry some woollens as nighttime temperatures can get low. Weather in Coonoor Loading... Coonoor in Summer (March - May) Summers in Coonoor are mild and pleasant, making it the favourite season for tourists to travel here. The forests and rivers are still vibrant due to the retreating monsoon showers, and the breeze is ever present. Summer lasts from March to May with slight rainfall. It may be cloudy during late May before the onset of monsoon. The temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celcius. Coonoor in Monsoon (June - October ) There is no definite season for precipitation in Coonoor and rainfall occurs throughout the year. February is the driest month and October sees the highest amount of rainfall. However, rains come in small spells and you can still enjoy your vacation. The temperature during the months of June to October hovers just below 20 degrees Celcius and this is also a good time to visit Coonoor if you want to see the magic of the clouds and the fog. Coonoor in Winter (November - February) Though the temperature in Coonoor is more or less constant throughout the year, the months of November to February see the lowest temperature. It can drop to 8 to 10 degrees Celcius but usually is around 15 degrees Celcius. December and January are the coldest months. This is the time when many treks are organised starting from Coonoor, and the forests are most beautiful during this time, just post monsoon. Monthly Weather in Coonoor Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 15 32 February 17 33 March 19 35 April 21 36 May 21 34 June 20 32 July 19 31 August 19 32 September 19 31 October 19 32 November 18 32 December 16 32