--- title: "Ooty, Coonoor & Kotagiri Long Weekend Trip" description: "Offbeat Kotagiri stay plus Nilgiri icons: Catherine Falls, Kodanad viewpoint, Dolphin's Nose, the toy train, Ooty and Pykara lakes and Pine Forest." url: "https://www.goweekender.in/escapes/ooty-coonoor-kotagiri-long-weekend-trip" --- # Ooty, Coonoor & Kotagiri Long Weekend Trip Offbeat Kotagiri stay plus Nilgiri icons: Catherine Falls, Kodanad viewpoint, Dolphin's Nose, the toy train, Ooty and Pykara lakes and Pine Forest. - Destination: Ooty, Tamil Nadu - Departs from: Bangalore - Duration: 3D/2N (3 days, 2 nights) - Price: from ₹9,999 - Categories: Mountains, Heights, Nature, Adventure - Booking: in the GoWeekender app (iOS and Android), run by a verified host ## Upcoming departures - 6 Nov 2026: ₹9,999 ## About this trip This Nilgiris itinerary is built for travellers looking beyond the crowded hill-station circuit. Instead of staying in Ooty town, you base yourself in Kotagiri, a calm tea-country town with far fewer tourists, and use it to explore Catherine Falls, the sweeping Kodanad View Point and the quiet tea estate trails around it at a slower pace. From there the trip takes in the icons: Dolphin's Nose in Coonoor, the UNESCO-recognised Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train ride up to Ooty, boating on Ooty Lake and an evening of cafés and markets, then tea and chocolate factories, Pykara Lake, Shooting Point and the Pine Forest before the drive back to Bangalore. A balanced mix of relaxation and exploration, with an overnight departure from Bangalore that gets you into the hills early. ## Itinerary ### Day 1: DAY 1: Overnight Departure from Bangalore & Offbeat Kotagiri The trip begins on Friday night in Bangalore. Pickups start at Udupi Grand, HSR Layout at 9:30 PM and KLM Fashion Mall, Marathahalli at 10:00 PM, from where the coach sets off on a scenic overnight drive of about 270 km into the Nilgiris so you reach early and make the most of the day. Arrive in Kotagiri, known for its calm environment and fewer tourists, check in (early check-in subject to availability), freshen up and have breakfast. Spend the day at Catherine Falls, Kodanad View Point and the tea estate trails nearby, and return to the stay by evening for dinner and an overnight stay. Stay: hotel rooms on triple/quad sharing. - 7:00 AM Arrive in Kotagiri & check in: Reach Kotagiri, check in (early check-in subject to availability), freshen up and have breakfast. Take a little time to relax and enjoy the surroundings; the slower pace is the highlight of this stay. - 10:00 AM Catherine Falls: A scenic double-cascade waterfall surrounded by greenery, one of Kotagiri's hidden viewpoints. - 1:00 PM Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant (self-sponsored). - 3:00 PM Kodanad View Point: Expansive views over the valley, tea estates and the distant plains, an essential stop in any Nilgiris itinerary. - 5:00 PM Tea estate trails: Explore the nearby tea estates and quiet walking trails that give Kotagiri its offbeat charm. - 7:00 PM Dinner, music & bonfire night: Return to the stay by evening for dinner, music and a bonfire, followed by an overnight stay. ### Day 2: DAY 2: Dolphin's Nose, Nilgiri Toy Train, Ooty Lake & Town Start the day with breakfast before heading to Coonoor for Dolphin's Nose and its dramatic cliffside views. Then board the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the UNESCO-recognised toy train that climbs from Coonoor to Ooty (tickets are subject to availability and payable on the spot). In Ooty, spend the afternoon at Ooty Lake with boating or leisure time, and the evening exploring cafés and the local market before returning to Kotagiri for dinner and the night's stay. - 7:00 AM Breakfast & drive to Coonoor: Start the day with breakfast at the stay, then drive to Coonoor. - 9:00 AM Dolphin's Nose, Coonoor: One of Coonoor's most popular viewpoints, known for its dramatic cliffside views. - 11:00 AM Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train: Ride the UNESCO-recognised toy train from Coonoor up to Ooty. Tickets are subject to availability and payable on the spot. - 1:00 PM Lunch in Ooty: Lunch at a local restaurant (self-sponsored). - 3:00 PM Ooty Lake, cafés & local market: Boating or leisure time at Ooty Lake, then an evening exploring the cafés and local markets of Ooty town. - 7:00 PM Return to Kotagiri, dinner & overnight: Drive back to Kotagiri for dinner and the night's stay. ### Day 3: DAY 3: Tea & Chocolate Factories, Pykara Lake, Pine Forest & Return Begin the day with breakfast and check out. Visit local tea and chocolate factories to taste regional flavours, then head to Pykara Lake, known for its calm waters and scenic surroundings. Stop at Shooting Point and the Pine Forest, both favourites for photographs, before starting the return journey to Bangalore, concluding a long weekend that mixes relaxation, scenery and curated experiences. Expect to reach Bangalore around midnight. - 7:00 AM Breakfast & check-out: Breakfast at the stay, then check out and load up for the day. - 9:00 AM Tea & chocolate factories: Visit local tea and chocolate factories to sample the region's flavours. - 11:00 AM Pykara Lake: Calm waters and scenic surroundings; boating is available on the spot. - 1:00 PM Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant (self-sponsored). - 3:00 PM Shooting Point & Pine Forest: Two of the Nilgiris' most photographed spots, both popular for pictures. - 5:00 PM Return journey to Bangalore: Begin the drive back to Bangalore, reaching around midnight. ## What's included - Entry fees to the places mentioned in the itinerary. - Experience of group travel and a lifetime of memories. - Entire travel as per the itinerary by AC Tempo Traveller. - Accommodation on triple/four sharing in rooms. - No meals included. - Trip captain throughout the trip. - All toll and driver night charges. ## Not included - Toy train tickets are not included. - Cost arising from uncontrollable circumstances like bad weather, landslides or public protests. - Anything not mentioned under inclusions. - GST @ 5% - Travel, accidental, health and medical insurance. - Any activities (boating, rides, etc.). ## FAQs ### What to carry? Soft copy of your Aadhaar card, cargo/track pants/shorts, T-shirts, a warm jacket or hoodie for cold Nilgiri mornings and evenings, sunscreen, good traction shoes, two water bottles, cap and sunglasses, a personal medical kit, flip-flops for lazing around the stay, polybags for wet clothes, extra cash for meals not included in the itinerary, a power bank, a small backpack for daily essentials, and most importantly your sense of humour and the spirit of adventure. ### What is the check-in policy and how strictly is the daily activity timeline followed? Activity & Daily Timeline: The hourly activity schedule provided is tentative and designed to give you the best experience. The order of places visited or timings may vary or be adjusted due to weather/climatic conditions, traffic jams, local government restrictions, or road conditions. Toy train tickets are subject to availability; if the train is full, the Coonoor to Ooty stretch is covered by road. Early Check-in: Standard check-in times apply as per the stay policy. Early check-in is strictly subject to availability upon arrival at the property. In cases where early check-in isn't available, common washrooms/freshen-up areas will be provided so you can get ready for the day's plan without delay. ### Is it safe to travel with strangers? Safety is built into everything we do. Every member completes ID verification before joining. Our community review system means travellers build reputation through completed trips. Plus, tribes typically form through chat and video calls before any trip happens, so by the time you meet, they're not really strangers anymore. ### How does GoWeekender match travellers? Our Vibe Check algorithm goes beyond basic preferences. We analyse your travel pace (relaxed explorer vs packed itinerary), adventure appetite (chill vibes vs adrenaline junkie), budget comfort zone, and interests like photography, street food, or trekking. The result? You get matched with travellers who genuinely get you, not just people heading to the same place. ### Terms & conditions We reserve the right to rearrange the itinerary to suit availability without changing the total number of days or compromising on any service. All guests must carry a government-issued ID card. Confirmation of physical & mental health is required before starting any trek/tour. No refund will be provided for problems due to government orders, harsh weather, protests, landslides, or other unforeseen circumstances. Cancellation/reschedule: the initial booking amount is non-refundable; 50% of the trip cost is charged if you cancel or reschedule 7 days before the start date, 75% if 3 days before, and 100% within 3 days of departure.