COIMBATORE –COONOOR – CATHERINE FALLS – ADVENTURE CAMP – COIMBATORE
Coonoor is a lovely hill station. Its neighbor, Ooty, just 17 kilometers away, is more famous and touristy, but that’s why we love Coonoor so much more.
It has lovely English villas, manors, cute names for streets, a small hill station feel and best of all, it’s full of gorgeous tea gardens.
Coonoor isn’t crowded like Ooty. The weather is pleasant, and the drives from Mettupalyam to Coonoor, as well as between Coonoor and Kotagiri (both we will do on this trip) is absolutely gorgeous.
Since we love adventure, we have added some “This Guy” elements to the trip.
We have kayaking and a short trek to a waterfall.
The hill station of Coonoor is located in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. The nearby Nilgiri hills are renowned for their tea estates. The expansive public garden known as Sim's Park is home to eucalyptus trees, roses, and rhododendrons. Through Coonoor, the steam Nilgiri Mountain Railway connects the towns of Mettupalayam and Ooty. Views of the tumbling Catherine Falls can be seen from Dolphin's Nose.
SHORT ITINERARY :
July 24: Early morning landing in Coimbatore before 10 am. Drive to Coonoor.Visit viewpoint and Lamb's Rock. Evening dinner at “Kapoor and Sons Villa”café.
July 25: Short trek to Catherine Falls. Stroll around Kotagiri tea plantations.
July 26: Drive to adventure camp. Kayaking, rope bridge games, bonfire and barbeque
July 27: After breakfast, depart for Coimbatore Airport. We shall be there by 2:30 PM.
Note: People who are finding it difficult to reach Coimbatore early morning on July 24, can fly on the evening of July 23 to Coimbatore. And if you want us to book the hotel stay for you on that night; it will be done at an extra cost.
Detail Itinerary
All trippers have to arrive at Coimbatore airport before 10 am. Those who are finding it difficult to come early in the morning, can come the previous evening on the 23rd.
Once everyone comes, we shall set off on our journey. Spend time getting to know your fellow trippers in the bus, enjoy each other’s company and your trip has started.
We will drive to Coonoor. It’s a beautiful drive once you are in the mountains, tall trees flanking the mountainside, and tea plantations springing up every now and then
Coonoor, in my head, reminds one of a colonial English hill station. There are some absolutely beautiful villas and houses built in the traditional English style with gorgeous gardens, and flowers peeking over walls. The streets are named in the British style, and you can go for a walk in Sims Park or just around town when you have the time.
Today evening, we are going to have dinner in a very pretty place. Have you seen the movie “Kapoor and Sons”? In that the house that was shown, is actually a very nice hotel built on the cliffside in Coonoor. We are going to have
dinner here today. The food is delicious, the ambience is very nice, the gardens are inviting. Why don’t we dress up tonight and go for a “group dinner date”. Cmon people, lets have some fun!
JULY 25 : TREK TO CATHERINE WATERFALLS ; STROLL AROUND KOTAGIRI TEAPLANTATIONS.
Today, after breakfast, we are going for a trek to a waterfall. So, carry your shorts, or swimwear, or whatever you feel comfortable in!
The drive to the starting point is stunning. We are driving from Coonoor to Kotagiri, and this is one of my favorite drives in the Nilgiri hills. It is full of tea plantations, woods, and small villages dotted in the hills.
The trek begins in a tea garden. We walk down for about 20- 25 minutes before reaching the waterfalls. The water is shallow, it’s deliciously cool, and since it’s not above your waist at any point, you can easily step inside and play in it!
Explore the waterfalls, and the stream. Find smaller quieter spots. Dunk your new friends, splash water on everyone. See how far downstream can you go.
In about two hours, we shall head back to the top of the mountain, to where our car is waiting. We stop at a hillside cafe for late lunch.
Post lunch, we shall explore the beautiful Kotagiri countryside and also do a mini photoshoot in
the terrace tea plantation.
JULY 26: DRIVE TO ADVENTURE CAMP. KAYAKING, ROPE BRIDGE GAMES, BONFIRE, AND BARBEQUE.
Early in the morning, it will be very cool weather, the birds will all be singing, and you will get some beautiful pictures of the scenery.
Today, we are going to an adventure camp in the middle of the hills, next to a beautiful dam.
We will stop at the dam for a bit, and everyone can take pictures. Once we reach the adventure camp, lunch will be served. After that, we can proceed to try out the rope/bridge games or archery. They have a couple of trampolines and you can jump around like kids :)
The camp is beautiful. It is on the banks of the lake, and you can go for a nice, long walk. It is flanked by mountains on all sides and is perfect for an idyllic weekend.
There is a jet ski as well, and you can go speeding over the lake waters and feel the spray hit your face and delight you! Those who want to swim in the cool waters can do that as well.
In the evening, we can go for a short hike, and then there will be a bonfire, barbeque, and music. The camp is green, the ambiance is cozy, and we hope you love this pretty place!
We shall be staying here tonight in dorm rooms.
The owner was a pilot in the Indian Navy and has several achievements listed in his
name, is a recipient of the Tenzing Norgay award
(equivalent to the Arjuna Award) and has built this beautiful property next to the lake.
We shall all go kayaking. Don’t worry even if you are afraid of water. There will be life jackets, the lake is calm, and you have Captain Vinu as well as some camp guides with you :)
Kayaking is a beautifully peaceful and calm sport, and you will love it.
JULY 27: DRIVE BACK TO COIMBATORE AIRPORT
The trip ends today. We shall reach Coimbatore airport by 2:30 PM, so please book a flight post 4 PM.
We hope you had a good trip :) See you soon somewhere again!
