Coonoor Tourist Attractions

Coonoor is a small hill town in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, about 19 km from Ooty. It is a little lower and warmer than Ooty, and much quieter. The town is surrounded by tea estates, and the air often smells of fresh tea leaves. Coonoor suits travellers who want calm walks, valley views and a slower pace than the busy Ooty market.

Top places to visit in Coonoor

One full day is enough to see Coonoor's main spots. Many visitors combine it with a stay in Ooty.

• Sim's Park - a botanical park on a valley slope with rare trees. It hosts a fruit show every May.
• Dolphin's Nose - a rock viewpoint shaped like a dolphin's nose, with views of deep valleys and Catherine Falls.
• Lamb's Rock - another cliff viewpoint on the way to Dolphin's Nose, looking over the plains towards Coimbatore.
• Tea Garden - walk through tea estates and visit a tea factory to see how leaves become tea.
• Toy Train - Coonoor is a main stop on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Even a short ride to Ooty is a nice experience.

Best time to visit Coonoor

October to June is the best time. March to June is the peak season, when families escape the heat of the plains. December and January are cold at night but bright and clear during the day. The monsoon, from July to September, brings heavy mist and rain. Some viewpoints may show only clouds at that time.

How to reach Coonoor

The nearest airport is Coimbatore, roughly 70 km away. Mettupalayam is the nearest main railway station. From there, the toy train climbs up to Coonoor station. You can also take a bus or taxi up the ghat road, which takes about 1.5 hours. Buses and taxis run often between Coonoor and Ooty. From Bangalore, most travellers come via Mysore and Ooty, or via Coimbatore and Mettupalayam.

Plan your trip

Coonoor fits well with Ooty on one trip. Our Ooty-Coonoor Tour Package from Bangalore covers both hill towns with transport and hotel stay.