Kotagiri in Coonoor

Named after the local tribe of ‘Kota’ people, Kotagiri is located about 30 kilometres west of Ooty. A quieter and unassuming place than Ooty or Coonoor, this idyllic town is one of the hidden gems in Tamil Nadu. Kodanad tea estate is another popular attraction in the list of places to visit in Kotagiri. A popular spot for honeymooners, Kodanad view point provided jaw-dropping views of the valley below. One can see the Gajalahatti pass and paddy fields of Thengumarahaada basked in sunshine from this view point in Kotagiri.

The cone-shaped Rangaswamy Peak remains shrouded by the mist most of the time. This majestic peak, visible from Kodanad view point, is revered by local tribes of Nilgiri hills. The trek allows beautiful views of nearby villages and opportunities to explore tea estates in Kotagiri. Trekking in Longwood Shola Reserve Forest is a popular thing to do in Kotagiri. It’s a typical rainforest with tall canopy trees and medicinal plants. Visitors can spot animals like gaur and deer on the 2-km hike through the forest.

Pethakal Bungalow, Catherine Falls, Elk Falls, Kamatraya Temple, are Bikkapathi Reserve are other worth-exploring places on a Kotagiri sightseeing tour.