India

Coonoor

Intro

The city of Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1850 meters in the heart of the green mountains of Nilgiris, in the state of Tamil Nadu. With its breathtaking views and tea plantations, this region will fully satisfy your desires for escape and relaxation in contact with nature, a tourist journey punctuated by gourmet interludes in the tea rooms of the city. Have good vacations in the heart of the Blue Mountains!

History

Coonoor enjoys a privileged location in the heart of Nilgiris or “Blue Mountains”. It was the British governor, John Sullivan, who was first impressed by the charm of the region, after enjoying the benefits of lush nature during an expedition to the eastern plateau in May 1819. Along with French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Louis Claude Théodre Leschenult de la Tour he contributed largely to the promotion of the region.
Sullivan was not spared by the evils which struck the whites in the plains of India. It is said that when he arrived on the heights of the Nilgiris near Coonoor, the English administrator would have miraculously recovered his strength. Between 1820 and 1827, with the support of the directors of the East India Company, the general pleaded for the development of this part of the Blue Mountains. He proposed to set up a sanatorium where sick European Units will be treated in India. Seeing the degradation of the health of troops, due to heat and dust on the plains, the British accepted the Sullivan project. The region was equipped with its first railway lines, including the Blue Mountain, to facilitate the transportation of the sick. Although the credit of the development of region goes to Europeans, the first inhabitants of the region were Danayakas and Todas. The old traditional houses on the outskirts testify to the presence of these tribes in the region.

Aujourd'hui

Perched at a height of 1850 meters above sea level in the Nilgiris, Coonoor is the second largest city in the Blue Mountains after Ooty. Its privileged location and natural landscapes make the city an exceptional tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. On the spot, relaxation and escape are guaranteed in the heart of vast tea plantations representing the main activity of the inhabitants of the region. The journey to Coonoor takes place via a railway line, on a hundred-year-old train. Along the route punctuated by small winding roads, let yourself be seduced by the diversified landscapes revealing successively to you. The Nilgiris Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, connects Kallar to Ooty through 16 picturesque tunnels and offers a striking panorama of the natural environment. Between waterfalls, tea plantations and summits, the scenery is assured. With its rustic manual steam locomotive, this small train will take you on an enchanting ride until you arrive in Coonoor. Once you've landed, put your suitcases in your guest house, put on your explorer's costume and discover the resort. Head to the famous Nilgiris tea plantations. Appearing in the region around the year 1830, with the opening of the first tea factory in 1854, this activity was perpetuated over generations. The tea of this region, along with the products of Assam and Darjeeling, are among the finest teas in the world and the pride of the Sub-Continent. Growing at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,500 meters, the Nilgiris teas are distinguished by their sweet and fruity taste. Discover the secrets of the production by scheduling a visit of old factory Brook Lands, average cost of 10 rupees. Being a tea capital, Coonoor lists several tea rooms where you can taste these beverages in a friendly atmosphere. For a gourmet break, let yourself be particularly tempted by a cup of black tea, a real delight that will not fail to titillate your taste buds, just like your nostrils. Also try the chocolate tea, a very special mixture promising an explosion of tastes and flavors.

Climate

From March to June, the summer season in Coonoor is characterized by a temperature ranging from 22 ° C to 37 ° C. Beginning in July, the monsoon season includes a wet period with an average precipitation. The winter season begins in December and ends in February, with temperatures ranging from 10 ° C to 20 ° C.

How to get there

The nearest airport to the city of Coonoor is Coimbatore, about 70 km away, in connection with Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Singapore. A road network connects the two cities. Coonoor is also connected to Mysore and Bangalore by road. As for the railway line, the station is located on the Ooty-Mettupalayam route.

How to get around

The train is the best means of locomotion to visit the region of Coonoor. However, inveterate walkers can perfectly indulge in hiking. There are also rickshaws, taxis and various car rental services with drivers.

What to do in Coonoor?

• Enjoy a train ride
• Stroll through the heart of the tea plantations
• Enjoy hiking in the Blue Mountains
• Taste Nilgiris teas, etc.