Welcome to South India’s highlands, where eucalyptus-scented breezes sweep over emerald slopes and colonial-era stories echo through stone churches and heritage bungalows. Ooty (Udhagamandalam), founded as a British hill station in the 19th century, still woos visitors with the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway, botanical gardens, and buttery homemade chocolates.

Coorg (Kodagu) swaps tea for coffee and turns the dial to “tropical alpine”: think cardamom thickets, pepper vines, gushing waterfalls, and a proud Kodava food culture centered on spices and seasonal game. Sunrise on a ridge here feels cinematic; sunset at Raja’s Seat is pure hush.

This 7-day itinerary balances must-see sights with unrushed time in estates and small cafes. Expect cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and chillier nights; pack layers and a rain shell. Road travel between the hills is scenic but winding; we note realistic drive times, forest gate rules, and booking tips for safaris and the “toy train.”

Ooty (Udhagamandalam)

Perched at 2,240 m in the Nilgiris, Ooty is a classic hill retreat—lanes lined with bungalows, tea gardens on every slope, and an old-world mountain railway puffing through pine and shola forests. Photographers love Doddabetta’s panoramas; families flock to the lake; food lovers chase wood-fired pizzas and farm-sourced produce.

• Top sights: Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor, Government Botanical Garden, Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Lake, Rose Garden, Pykara Lake and Falls, Needle Rock Viewpoint.
• Why go now: Clear winter views (Nov–Mar), fresh spring blooms (Mar–May), and monsoon mists (Jun–Sep) that turn the hills luminous green.
• Where to stay: Heritage cottages near Tiger Hill or Lovedale for quiet, or near Charring Cross if you prefer markets and easy dining.

Stay here: Browse cottages and bungalows on VRBO Ooty or hotels on Hotels.com Ooty.

Getting in (first city travel options): Fly into Coimbatore (CJB) or Bengaluru (BLR). Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Coimbatore–Ooty is ~3–4 hrs by road; BLR–Ooty is ~7–8 hrs via Mysuru. For Indian trains, browse Trip.com trains and connect to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway at Mettupalayam for the famed “toy train.”

Day 1: Arrive Ooty, lake air and garden strolls

Afternoon: Check into your bungalow and shake off the journey with a walk around the Government Botanical Garden—terraced lawns, century-old trees, and a fossilized trunk on display. Coffee stop at Ooty Coffee House for strong filter coffee and masala dosa.

Evening: Paddle or pedal a boat at Ooty Lake before twilight (last rentals typically by 6 pm). Dinner at Earl’s Secret (King’s Cliff) for Anglo-Indian classics and a fireside vibe; or Place to Bee for slow-food pizzas, Nilgiri honey tastings, and community initiatives explained by the staff.

Day 2: Peaks, tea, and chocolate

Morning: Early run to Doddabetta Peak for 360° views; carry a light jacket as winds bite. Breakfast at A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavan) for fluffy idli, pongal, and fresh vadai with coconut chutney.

Afternoon: Tour the Tea Factory & Museum to see withering, rolling, and drying in action; sample different grades. Swing by Moddy’s Chocolates for signature truffles and almond bark—an Ooty tradition since the 1950s. Lunch at Garden Restaurant (Nahar) for thalis or thin-crust vegetarian pizzas at Nahar’s Sidewalk Café.

Evening: Stroll the Rose Garden’s terraces when light is soft and crowds thin. Dinner at The Culinarium (on the Ooty–Coonoor road) for savory pies and patisserie, or return to town for North Indian grills at Hotel Junior Kuppanna’s multi-cuisine outpost.

Day 3: Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor

Morning: Board the Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Ooty to Coonoor (aim for the early departures; second-class tickets are inexpensive, first-class sells out). In Coonoor, wander Sim’s Park and sip a pour-over at Cafe Diem, then detour to Highfield Tea Estate for a short, fragrant estate walk.

Afternoon: Hire a local cab to Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose—misty cliffs and Catherine Falls in the distance. Lunch at La Belle Vie (180 McIver) for French-leaning plates in a vintage bungalow garden.

Evening: Return to Ooty by train or road. Warm up with tomato soup and garlic bread at Open Kitchen, or go hearty with chettinad pepper chicken at Ascot Multi-Cuisine. Enjoy a bonfire at your stay if offered.

Coorg (Kodagu)

Coorg feels like a living spice cabinet: coffee blossoms scent the air in spring, pepper vines loop around silver oaks, and homestays serve heirloom Kodava recipes. Base yourself in Madikeri for easy access to waterfalls, viewpoints, and day trips to Bylakuppe and Dubare.

• Top sights: Raja’s Seat, Abbey Falls, Dubare Elephant Camp, Mandalpatti Jeep track, Tadiandamol Peak, Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple), coffee and spice estate tours.
• Signature flavors: Pandi curry (peppery Kodava pork), kadambuttu (rice dumplings), koli curry, bamboo shoot curry, and honey-laced desserts. Coffee is the constant.
• Forest notes: Night traffic is restricted across Bandipur–Mudumalai (typically 9 pm–6 am). Book safaris and jeep rides via authorized counters; private vehicles are limited on certain tracks.

Stay here: Check cozy estate stays on VRBO Coorg or browse hotels on Hotels.com Coorg.

Travel Ooty → Coorg: Drive ~280 km via Gudalur–Mysuru–Hunsur–Kushalnagar (6.5–8 hrs, ₹9,000–12,000 for an air-conditioned SUV). Buses run with a change at Mysuru (₹700–1,200, 9–10 hrs). No direct train. If you prefer to break the journey, consider an en route stop near Bandipur/Mudumalai for a wildlife drive (daytime only). If you’d rather fly partway, you can go Ooty → Coimbatore by road, then fly to Bengaluru and continue by road; check options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Scenic transfer to Coorg, sunset at Raja’s Seat

Morning: Depart Ooty after an early breakfast. The forested stretch through Mudumalai and Bandipur often yields deer, peafowl, and langur sightings. Note daytime-only forest road access and no honking/feeding rules.

Afternoon: Break in Mysuru for a classic benne (butter) dosa at Vinayaka Mylari or a South Indian thali at Hotel RRR, then continue to Madikeri. Check in and stretch your legs with a short heritage walk around the old town lanes.

Evening: Catch golden hour at Raja’s Seat, a cliffside garden with layered valley views. Dinner at Coorg Cuisine for pandi curry with kadambuttu, or vegetarian spice-forward plates at The Fort Mercara.

Day 5: Elephants, falls, and a coffee estate

Morning: Head to Dubare Elephant Camp for the first session (typically 9–11:30 am). Interactions vary by season and forest policy—expect controlled feeding and observation rather than bathing. Add a coracle ride on the Kaveri if levels permit. Breakfast en route at Big Cup Café (strong cappuccinos, eggs, and waffles).

Afternoon: Visit Abbey Falls; take care on the steps and spray-slick rocks. Continue to Madikeri Fort for ramparts and a small museum. Lunch at Raintree, set in an old bungalow—try the koli curry, neer dosa, and lemon pie.

Evening: Join a guided coffee and spice estate walk at your homestay or a nearby plantation to learn about pulping, drying, and roasting. Dinner at The Coorg Food Co. (Kushalnagar) for regional staples and seasonal specials.

Day 6: Ridge-top adventure—Mandalpatti or Tadiandamol

Morning: Choose your adventure. Option A: Mandalpatti Jeep Safari (sunrise is spectacular; jeeps are authorized beyond the checkpoint, ₹1,800–2,500 per jeep). Option B: Tadiandamol Trek (start early; permits and a local guide recommended; carry water and rain gear).

Afternoon: Post-adventure lunch at Beans N Brews (burgers, smoothies) or back in town at Udupi the Veg for fast, tasty tiffin. Rest and sip an estate-made pour-over while reviewing bird sightings from the day.

Evening: Low-key night. Try Ainmane Café for coffee tastings and Kodagu snacks; pick up roasted arabica, pepper, and vanilla to take home. Dinner at your estate, or book The Falls (if staying at The Tamara) for a refined, candlelit meal.

Day 7: Monastery hues and departure

Morning: Drive to Bylakuppe to the Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple). The gilded statues, thangka art, and low hum of prayers offer a meditative close to the trip. Breakfast at Fresh Beans Café in Kushalnagar for simple bakes and pour-overs.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for spices and coffee at local co-ops. Depart toward Bengaluru (5–6 hrs) or Mangaluru (4–5 hrs). Search flights on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. For trains within India, browse Trip.com trains.

Evening: If you’re staying an extra night, book a spice-forward dinner at Raintree or a home-style meal at a plantation stay. Pack beans airtight—they’ll perfume your suitcase.

Practical tips

• Toy train bookings are limited—arrive early or reserve ahead; first-class is comfier, second-class has the old-timey buzz.
• Forest stretches close overnight; avoid late departures. Expect random wildlife crossings—drive slow.
• Carry cash for small entry fees: Raja’s Seat (₹10), Abbey Falls area parking, Dubare gate, Mandalpatti checkpoint.
• Layers are essential: mornings and evenings are cool year-round; monsoon trails can be slick.

Optional add‑ons if you route via Chennai (gateway to Tamil Nadu)

Got a layover or extra day in Chennai? Add a cultural prologue before heading to the hills. These highly rated experiences pair well with a South India itinerary.

Highlights of the Chennai (Guided Half Day City Tour) — Colonial boulevards, temple spires, markets, and Marina Beach in one sweep.

Sowcarpet Street Food Walking Tour in Chennai — North-Indian-influenced snacks, chaat, and sweets in a historic trading quarter.

Mahabalipuram Private Tour from Chennai — 7th‑century shore temples and rock‑cut marvels along the Bay of Bengal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dining cheat sheet (Ooty): Ooty Coffee House (filter coffee, dosas), A2B (veg tiffin), Place to Bee (slow food pizzas), Earl’s Secret (heritage setting), Nahar’s Sidewalk Café (pizzas), The Culinarium (pies and desserts), Moddy’s (chocolates).

Dining cheat sheet (Coorg): Coorg Cuisine (pandi curry), Raintree (Kodava staples and bakes), Big Cup Café (espresso and brunch), The Coorg Food Co. (regional plates), Ainmane Café (coffee tastings), Beans N Brews (casual bites).

In one rewarding week you’ll ride a mountain railway, taste teas and coffees at their source, and chase sunsets from Ooty’s gardens to Coorg’s ridges. The Western Ghats work a quiet spell—expect to return home with beans, spices, and a new sense of calm.