Monsoon magic at Pykara and Kotagiri

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.

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Pine Forest

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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.

 

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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!

 

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Pykara river

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Pykara waterfalls

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.

 

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Sunrise at Kotagiri

Have you planned your monsoon weekend escapade? Let me know in your comments below.

 

Published by Mithila

I am Mithila from India, a Product Manager by profession and a traveller by passion. I get the wanderlust genes from my parents who made me their backpack ever since I turned 1. I am not only ambitious but am also a free-spirit who loves to spread her wings and take that flight. I have varied interests and hobbies such as dancing, singing, painting and writing. I am always eager to learn something new or try out a new class. Follow my blog "A Traveller's Odyssey" where I share my travel experiences with utmost details.

27 thoughts on “Monsoon magic at Pykara and Kotagiri”

  1. The pictures are so beautiful. Even though I never been to otty or kottagiri, I have seen and heard about it from movies. Especially that song from dil se.

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  4. 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.

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  5. 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 😘

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  6. 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 😉

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    1. 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 😊

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  8. 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

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    1. 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.

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  9. 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.

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  10. 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

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