Despondent and crestfallen with clamorous tourists on your arrival at heavily commercialized Ooty – southern India’s favourite hill-station? Don’t be, because you can still find a quiet escape at Pykara, a scenic hamlet, just 20 km away from Ooty town. Even if you are staying at Ooty, you can plan to have your tryst with nature and fill your lungs with exuberance at Pykara for a day. You can easily hire a cab or an auto for the day, to enjoy a hassle free journey.
As you cruise through the windy ghats of the blue mountain range, you come across several resplendent locations, a couple of which have served as popular shooting spots for Bollywood movies. I stopped by the Pine Forest for a delightful view. As I traversed through the tall pine trees arranged in a small downhill, I reached the emerald coloured Kamraj Sagar river.


I followed the horse track on the left and was left awed by the peaceful atmosphere and unparalleled charm of Kamraj Sagar. The bird orchestra and light drizzle aggrandized the experience.
Apart from the pine forest, I stopped at the lush green Tree Park and the verdant meadows of 9th Mile shooting spot that offered different views of the Nilgiri mountain range, before arriving at the Pykara waterfalls. The Pykara river rises at Mukurthi peak and flows down majestically in a series of cascades. The river is considered sacred by the Toda people, a Dravidian ethnic group who live in the Nilgiri Mountains. Although Pykara is not a full fledge waterfall, the cascaded effect makes it picturesque. This waterfalls is best visited during monsoons as the river is pretty dry in summers. The dramatic skies and tumultuous downpour added to the charisma of this place. Pykara also has a boat house a few km away from the waterfalls. The long queues on a rainy day was not very attractive and I chose to enjoy an ice cream and watch the speeding boats from afar!


Kotagiri, located at 30km from Ooty is your quintessential plantation. The name Kotagiri means ‘mountains of the Kotas’, the traditional home of the Kota tribe. Kotagiri is surrounded by tea estates and vast serene landscapes. It is also home to a variety of birds. There are not may places to see here apart from the Catherine Falls and Kodanad view-point. There are a couple of less explored trekking trails and rock climbing opportunities too. It is also a bikers paradise due to excellent roads and fantastic views of tea plantations throughout. Kotagiri is much quieter and less busier than Ooty and Coonoor and is a perfect place to enjoy some lone time in the lap of mother nature.

Have you planned your monsoon weekend escapade? Let me know in your comments below.
Hey Mithila!! Love this so much! Very inspirational and I would love to go soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully written
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Shammi!
LikeLike
Thank you so much dear Christine!! Let’s go on special girl trip when you come down to India!
LikeLike
Beautiful narration with lovely images..keep it up 👆 Mithila
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much.
LikeLike
I was virtually teleported to this beautiful place while reading your blog. That’s the power of writing and I have to say, you nailed it this time too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Padma!
LikeLike
Very beautiful description n nice pic to watch with as if we r travelling with u into that world I appreciate ur passion in all sphere n ur determination good keep it up waiting for next explore all the best 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed reading 😊
LikeLike
such a nice read and well compiled narration…
that’s a one delightful place plus less crowded,
i’ve never been anywhere in south, there are too many places to visit i guess, pictures are stunning ❤
this time east is calling after-that s se south 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot Ricky… Wow NE has been on my wish list too. Hope you have a great time ! And yes , do visit the south too. There are many beautiful places 😊
LikeLike
Nice read ..!!
Plus the pics are awesome ..👍🏻
I think will have to Visit the place again for this experience ..
Hopefully 4th time is the charm 😉
LikeLike
Thanks a lot Raken.. You must visit the place . I’m sure you will love it 😊
LikeLike
India is very fortunate to have nature’s bounty in Western Ghats- worlds heritage site. Unfortunately,politicians have converted WG into a milching cow wherein Timber and other forest wealth has been looted and today western ghats over the years has been reduced to mere green patch.Whatever remaining should be protected so that our future generation can have the glimpses of mighty Western Ghsts
Very nicely written from the view point of Tourists and I am sure your blog will encourage lot of people to visit the place
LikeLike
So true! As rightly said by someone famous – ” We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”. The destruction should stop, and the preservation should flourish.
LikeLike
So well articulated. I can see a shift in the style of your writing from the previous blogs. This outstands in excellence.
The pictures too were well framed and it looked as if I was reading a journal from a travel company.
LikeLike
Thanks a bunch Nikko. Means a lot coming from you ! Missed my DSLR though – all pictures are phone clicks 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful narration.your blog makes us feel that we too had the glimpse of nature.ur description of nature added with nice pics makes the read interesting.keep it up.enjoy traveling
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed reading!
LikeLike
Lovely pictures and hats off to your writing skills. Loved every bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a bunch Ashu 🙂
LikeLike
Amazing ! Could relate to your experience
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mario
LikeLike
Beautiful write up.Your description of the nature is as beautiful.It was wonderful going through your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I’m happy that you liked the blog!
LikeLike