Want to spend some quality time in the lap of Mother Nature? Bison Valley in Bellikkal is the place for you amidst the lush greenery that would make you feel like a paradise on earth. One of the most beautiful vantage points in Ooty, this valley is quite popular among photographers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers as it promises everything a traveller would expect from a vacation. One major attraction that makes Buson Valley a hot tourist spot near Ooty is that you will find 36 hairpin bends while driving from Ooty to the valley. If you want to know more about Bison Valley, read the article till the end and get your bags ready for exploring the mystic and beautiful valley of Ooty.
Bison Valley: Popular For Cardamom Forest And Tea Plantation
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Famous for cardamom forests and tea estates, Bison Valley is a spectacular viewpoint located in Bellikkal near Ooty. This valley got its name from the Indian Bison that you can spot in large numbers in this area. Bison Valley is just 19 km from Ooty, situated on Ooty-Masinagudi Road. You can spot a diverse range of wildlife living in their natural habitat. Some of the common wildlife animals are tigers, bears, elephants, deer, and various birds like drongos, bulbul, morning droves, shrikes, and woodpeckers.
Once you reach the vantage point of Bison Valley, you can enjoy spectacular views of the cardamom forests and verdant tea plantations everywhere till your eyes can see. The favourite thing visitors love to do is to take leisurely walks exploring the flora and fauna around this valley. Apart from nature lovers, Bison Valley also offers fun and thrilling activities for adventure enthusiasts, like mountain biking and hiking.
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What To Expect At Bison Valley
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Bison Valley is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ooty among both nature lovers and animal enthusiasts. You will find a perfect blend of serene landscapes, wildlife encounters, and adventurous pursuits in this valley. Whether you prefer to soak in the scenery’s tranquillity or participate in heart-pounding, thrilling activities, it caters to all types of tourists. A diverse range of wildlife inhabits, including Bears, Tigers, Elephants, and Deer. In this valley, you get an exciting opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
One of the best places in Ooty for birdwatchers, Bison Valley, offers a claiming and rewarding experience to visitors. You can spot various bird species in this valley, like drongos, morning doves, bulbuls, shrikes, and woodpeckers. Birdwatching is one such activity that allows you to connect with nature on a different level. For adventure seekers who love to get an adrenaline pump, there are activities like mountain biking and trekking in the valley. These activities are the perfect element of excitement for the tourists.
Top Places To Visit Near Bison Valley, Ooty
Explore the top places to visit near the valley and get a mesmerising view.
Ketti Valley
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A hidden gem nestled on the Ooty-Coonoor road, Ketti Valley is the second-largest gorge after the Grand Canyon of the USA. One of the famous hill stations in Coonoor, it is nestled amidst beautiful waterfalls, cliffs, and a lush green landscape, making it an attractive tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. The valley’s depth is over 7000 ft, surrounded by several high cliffs, extending from the plains of Coimbatore to the Mysore Plateau.
Apart from sightseeing, there are many other things to do at Ketti Valley, like the best hiking and mountain biking trails here. You can also enjoy watching beautiful cascading waterfalls, creating an astounding backdrop for pictures for your life memories. Also known as the Switzerland of South India, Ketti Valley promises some breathtaking views of the Nilgiris mountain hills and fourteen neighbouring villages inhabited by the Toda and Badaga tribes.
Address: Ooty – Coonoor Road, Lovedale, Ketti 643003
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
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Avalanche Lake
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After exploring Bison Valley, you can visit Avalanche Lake, the most beautiful lake in Ooty. A picture-perfect location, this lake is in the lap of the green slopes of the Nilgiris. This makes it an ideal tourist destination for photographers and nature lovers in Ooty. Just 20 km from Ooty, this place offers visitors many activities besides sightseeing. There is mountain trekking, rafting, rappelling, trout fishing, open jeep driving, horse riding, and a lot more to do at this lake.
These thrilling adventure activities are another reason thousands of tourists visit Avalanche Lake throughout the year. One of the most popular activities at Avalanche Lake is trout fishing. Post-monsoon, this lake becomes an ideal place in Ooty for fishing enthusiasts. A trout hatchery is nearby for all your fishing requirements.
Address: Avalanche Lake, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Needle Rock View Point
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If you are looking to witness the ultimate beauty of Ooty, then visiting Needle Rock View Point should be your priority. This vantage point offers stunning panoramic views of the Nilgiri hills. A welcoming retreat amidst the lap of nature, this place is paradise on earth, overlooking the widespread carpet of tea estates and dense green forests of the Nilgiris.
Needle Rock View Point, located 9 km from Gudalur, The Nilgiris, promises a 360-degree view of the surrounding valleys and plains. There is a lot more to Needle Rock View Point beyond the panoramic views of the lush green valleys. This is a natural retreat for you,, promising an escape from the chaos of city life to rejuvenate and meditate. Also popular as Soochimalai, this place is a hidden gem in Ooty and a favourite tourist spot for people who love to spend time alone admiring nature.
Address: FGXC+M8X, Ooty Main Road, NH67, Tamil Nadu 643212
Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Best Time To Visit Bison Valley
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Weather in Bellikkal where Bison Valley is located remains pleasant throughout the year, however if you want to see the valley in its full glory you should visit during the monsoon from July to September.
Even in summer, the climate remains fantastic and never gets humid or hot. Even though the winter season is good to visit Bison Valley, do not expect any snowfall here! During the monsoon, you just need to take some precautions as the path to the valley gets slippery due to heavy rainfall.
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Bison Valley has all the elements of nature that can steal your breath away in seconds. Located in Bellikkal, a small yet beautiful village in the south of Sigur Plateau in Tamil Nadu, this valley promises to take you to a completely different world of calmness and serenity. At this place, you can just forget about your worldly duties and soak in the fresh air that feels like an elixir for the body, mind, and soul. So, if you are planning for a trip to Ooty get Bison Valley included in your itinerary so that you do not miss out on an exotic hill station.
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Cover Image Credit: Sujith Sivadasan for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Bison Valley
What animals are found in Bison Valley?
A wide variety of wildlife inhabits Bison Valley including bears, bison, deer, tigers, and elephants. Apart from this, you can also find diverse varieties of birds at Bison Valley like drongos, bulbul, morning droves, shrikes, and woodpeckers.
How did Bison Valley get its name?
Bison Valley is a popular tourist place in Bellikkal near Ooty. This place got its name from the Indian bison that is commonly found in this area. Apart from this, a wide variety of wildlife inhabits this valley.
How to reach Bison Valley in Bellikkal?
Bison Valley is just 19 km away from Ooty and well-connected with other parts of Tamil Nadu by road. You can either drive your vehicle or hire a cab from Ooty to Bison Valley. The road from Ooty to Bison Valley has a total of 36 hairpin bends that makes the drive a thrilling experience.
What is the entry fee to visit Bison Valley in Bellikkal?
There is no entry fee to visit Bison Valley in Bellikkal. Tourists can visit this valley any time of the day as it remains open for visitors throughout the day.
What activities are available at Bison Valley for visitors?
Bison Valley is a favorite tourist destination among nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Apart from sightseeing, you can enjoy adventure activities like mountain biking and trekking at Bison Valley.
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