u/Upbeat_Speech_6480

A special thanks to Tony & Sanju (local guides) for helping me discover another hidden gem of Ooty that most tourists never get to see.

1. Sengothari Malai 🌄
   This is one of the most peaceful and untouched places around Ooty. Very few tourists know about it, which makes it perfect if you want to enjoy nature away from the crowd.
   The entire route is surrounded by lush tea estates, eucalyptus trees, and beautiful mountain views. You’ll need to walk around 1 km through the tea gardens, but trust me—the views at the end are absolutely worth it. On a cloudy day, it feels like you’re literally walking through the clouds.
   If you love photography, nature, or simply want to sit in complete silence, this place is a must-visit.
   ⚠️ Note: The trail is not suitable for small children or elderly people, so I wouldn’t recommend it for families with kids.

2. Mudumalai Forest 🐘🦌🦚
   This isn’t exactly a hidden place, but surprisingly many tourist packages skip it or charge extra for visiting.
   The drive through the forest itself is an unforgettable experience. If you’re lucky, you can spot elephants, deer, peacocks, Indian bison (gaur), monkeys, and many other birds right from the roadside.
   You can also enjoy:
   ● 🐘 Forest Safari
   ● 🐘 Elephant Feeding Experience
   For wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts, this place is definitely worth adding to your Ooty itinerary.
   📍If you have to choose just one hidden spot from this post, Sengothari Malai is the clear winner. The peaceful atmosphere, tea garden walk, and breathtaking views make it one of the most beautiful hidden locations around Ooty.
   Special thanks once again to Tony & Sanju for showing us the real, unexplored side of Ooty. ❤️

I’m happy to share a couple of hidden local gems in Ooty that made our trip truly memorable. A special thanks to Sanju and Tony for showing us these beautiful places!

1. Echo View Point
   It genuinely feels like you’re standing above the clouds. The view is breathtaking, and yes—your voice echoes beautifully here, making it a fun experience for both kids and adults.
2. Kunda Waterfall
   One of the most peaceful places we visited. Surrounded by endless tea gardens and eucalyptus trees, this hidden waterfall looks like a natural private jacuzzi. The water is crystal clear, and it’s the perfect spot to relax and spend quality time with your family away from the tourist crowds.
   Sharing a few random, completely unedited photos from our visit. If you’re planning an Ooty trip and love exploring offbeat places, don’t miss these hidden gems.
   More hidden spots coming soon! 🌿📍

As our Ooty trip comes to an end, the only feeling we have is… we don’t want to leave! ❤️
Before sharing our experience, a heartfelt thank you to Sanju and Tony. They didn’t just organize our trip—they made us feel like family.
📍29th June – Coimbatore
Our journey began with Marudamalai Temple, a peaceful temple surrounded by beautiful hills.
In the evening, we visited Isha Yoga Center. If you’re visiting Coimbatore, don’t miss the 7 PM light show—it’s absolutely mesmerizing and one of the best experiences of the trip.

📍30th June – Ketti & Ooty
We stayed at Castle Stay, Ketti, and honestly, this place deserves a special mention. Waking up to endless tea gardens on both sides was simply magical.
Our morning started with a local village walk with Sanju. We explored the schools, watched fresh carrots being washed, and enjoyed delicious local bonda with hot tea.
During the day we visited:
Balavadivel (Child Murugan/Kartikeya) Temple
Government Rose Garden
Tea Factory & Chocolate Factory
Zip Line
A special thanks to Sanju for helping us buy authentic chocolates from the local market at much better prices than the tourist shops.
But the biggest surprise came at night…
Since it was our little princess Jinal’s 3rd Birthday, Sanju arranged a surprise cake-cutting celebration with a bonfire.
Away from home, we never expected such a beautiful gesture. It truly felt like celebrating with family.

📍1st July – Pykara & Mudumalai
We visited Pykara Waterfalls, Boat House, and Shooting Spot.
They were nice…
But the real highlight was Mudumalai.
The drive through the forest was unforgettable. We spotted elephants, deer, monkeys, peacocks, and many other wild animals on the roadside.
Later, we visited the elephant camp and got the chance to feed elephants, where we met the famous Oscar-winning elephant Raghu from The Elephant Whisperers. That was a lifetime memory.

📍2nd July – Coonoor
The Toy Train journey from Ooty to Coonoor was absolutely breathtaking.
We also visited:
Madras Regiment Museum
Sim’s Park
Both were good experiences.
But once again, Sanju surprised us.
He took us to a hidden local viewpoint that isn’t crowded, isn’t commercial, and isn’t even easy to find on Google.
There, we watched local women working in the tea gardens, carrying nearly 45 kg bags on their backs. Seeing their dedication gave us immense respect for their hard work.
Standing above the tea plantations with clouds floating below us felt like standing on top of the world.
This hidden place became one of our favourite memories from the trip.

❤️** Travelling with a 3-Year-Ol**d
Travelling with a toddler isn’t easy. You can’t rush from one attraction to another.
Throughout the trip, Sanju and Tony never hurried us. Every plan was made according to our baby’s comfort.
Our daughter Jinal became so comfortable with both of them that it felt like we were travelling with our own family. We even visited Sanju’s home and met his lovely family.
That warmth and hospitality made this trip even more special.