Living most of my life in South India and travelling to far many places in and around India, it is a pity that I had never visited the famous Ooty. But not until April 2019 — and what a way to finally visit. The occasion was the 2nd edition of the Ooty Ultra Marathon, one of the most scenic trail running events in South India. I had signed up for the 15km category, which turned out to be one of the most memorable runs of my life — I finished 6th overall in my category, running through the misty Nilgiris hills at dawn.
But before the race, we had a full day to explore. Here is everything from Day 1.
The Nilgiris — A Quick Introduction
Ooty — officially Udhagamandalam — sits at an altitude of about 2,240 metres in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. This salient hill station did not come to prominence until the 18th century when the British discovered it and made it their summer retreat. It briefly served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency. When we speak of Ooty it includes the surrounding towns of Wellington and Coonoor as well — each with its own distinct character.
We had opted for a day tour vehicle that takes you through Ooty, Wellington and Coonoor — a popular and convenient option with many operators available near the bus stand. There are several other tour packages available depending on your interests and budget.
Wellington Cantonment
Our first stop was Wellington — a small, beautifully maintained town in the Nilgiris known primarily as a settlement of the Indian Armed Forces. It is home to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), one of the very few institutions of its kind in the country. The DSSC imparts training to mid-level officers of the Indian Armed Forces as well as officers from friendly foreign nations. The town has the characteristic cleanliness and quiet order of any well-maintained cantonment — a refreshing contrast to the busy hill station buzz of Ooty town.
We were fortunate to witness a political moment as well — Mr. A. Raja, a DMK candidate fighting from the Nilgiris constituency for the upcoming General Elections, was campaigning in Wellington. Known widely for the 2G spectrum controversy, he was animated and energetic in his speeches, trying to connect with voters in the hills. It was one of those unexpected travel moments that reminds you that India is always full of surprises.
Singara Tea Estate, Coonoor
Coonoor is the heart of tea country in the Nilgiris, surrounded by some of the most beautiful tea plantations in India. As our driver took us through the winding roads of Coonoor, the landscape transformed into vast stretching hillsides blanketed in tea — row upon row of carefully trimmed bushes carpeting the slopes as far as the eye could see. The air smelled clean and cool, carrying a faint earthy freshness that is unique to high-altitude tea country.
Our driver stopped at Singara Tea Estate — one of the most well-known tea estates in the Coonoor area. What makes Singara particularly interesting is its ownership — the estate belongs to Mayur Madhvani, husband of the legendary Hindi film actress Mumtaz, one of the most celebrated stars of 1960s and 70s Bollywood. The connection between this quiet Nilgiri hillside and old Bollywood glamour is one of those charming, unexpected facts that makes travel in India so endlessly interesting.
At the estate we received a brief introduction to how tea plantations are cultivated and how tea is processed from leaf to cup — the plucking, withering, rolling, oxidation and drying that transforms a fresh green leaf into the tea in your morning cup. It was a quick stop rather than a full guided tour, but enough to give a genuine appreciation of how much effort goes into every cup.
Adjacent to the tea estate our driver also took us to a small chocolate factory and an eucalyptus oil extraction unit — both minor but enjoyable additions to the Coonoor experience. We did some shopping at the estate — a good place to pick up Nilgiri tea directly at source.
Catherine Falls and Dolphin’s Nose
From the Singara Tea Estate area our driver took us towards one of the most popular viewpoints around Coonoor — Dolphin’s Nose.
Dolphin’s Nose is a dramatic rocky outcrop that juts out from the hillside, its tip shaped uncannily like the nose of a dolphin when viewed from the right angle. There are telescopes stationed at the viewpoint to help you appreciate the formation up close. The views from here over the Nilgiri valleys are sweeping and beautiful.
From this same viewpoint you can see Catherine Falls — perched in the midst of the hills, appearing beautifully distant from where you stand. The falls appear very far from the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint, almost like a silver thread running down the green hillside. We did not trek closer to the falls on this trip — the view from the distance was spectacular enough, especially through the telescopes.
Catherine Falls is actually a twin waterfall dropping approximately 250 feet — one of the taller waterfalls in Tamil Nadu. If you have time and energy, there are trek routes that take you closer to the base of the falls.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
| Location | Coonoor & Wellington, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu |
| Distance from Bengaluru | ~295 km, ~6 hours |
| Distance from Chennai | ~535 km, ~9 hours |
| Best time to visit | October to June |
| Avoid | July–September monsoon — roads can be difficult |
| How to reach Ooty | Train via Mettupalayam (Nilgiri Mountain Railway) or road via Mysuru |
| Day tour operators | Available near Ooty bus stand — negotiate rates |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who owns Singara Tea Estate in Coonoor? Singara Tea Estate is owned by Mayur Madhvani, husband of Hindi film actress Mumtaz. It is one of the well-known tea estates in the Coonoor area of the Nilgiris.
Q: Can visitors enter Singara Tea Estate? Yes — the estate allows visitors and local taxi drivers regularly bring tourists there for a brief introduction to tea cultivation and processing. There is also a small shop selling Nilgiri tea and other local products.
Q: What is Catherine Falls and how do I reach it? Catherine Falls is a twin waterfall of about 250 feet located near Coonoor. It is best viewed from the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint. For a closer view, there are trek routes available from Coonoor town.
Q: What is Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint in Ooty? Dolphin’s Nose is a rocky outcrop near Coonoor shaped like a dolphin’s nose, offering panoramic views of the Nilgiri valleys and a distant view of Catherine Falls. Telescopes are available at the viewpoint.
Q: What is the Ooty Ultra Marathon? The Ooty Ultra Marathon is a trail running event held in the Nilgiris. The 2nd edition was held in April 2019 with categories including 15km, 30km and 60km. Now they have added 90km as well.
Q: How many days are enough for Ooty? A minimum of 2 days is recommended — Day 1 for Coonoor, Wellington and the surroundings, and Day 2 for Ooty town, the Botanical Garden and Ooty Lake. I cover Day 2 in a separate post.
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Have you visited Singara Tea Estate or run the Ooty Ultra Marathon? Share your experience in the comments — I’d love to hear from fellow Nilgiris travellers!
Vagabonding Life! 
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