Introducing Kotagiri
Kotagiri is a quiet village 28km east of Ooty. The oldest of the three Nilgiri hill stations, the village itself is dusty and uninspiring but the surrounding landscape of tea estates, tribal Kota settlements and rolling hills is a world away from the overdevelopment of Ooty.
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From Kotagiri you can visit Catherine Falls, 8km away near the Mettupalayam road (the last 3km is by foot only, and the falls only flow after rain), Elk Falls (6km) and Kodanad Viewpoint (22km), where there’s a view over the Coimbatore Plains and Mysore Plateau. A half-day taxi tour to all three will cost around Rs 600. The scenery on the road down to Mettupalayam is gorgeous, so you may want to detour this way if you’re heading down from Ooty.
A couple of very basic lodges are in the small town centre and a splendid 1915 colonial building, Stone House Retreat (273300; www.naharhotels.com; r Rs 2000), offers fabulous views and atmosphere but charges like a wounded bull for all extras.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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