Enjoy A Picnic At These 6 Exquisitely Beautiful & Serene Lakes In Ooty

The calming atmosphere, clear blue waters, cool breeze, the infinite sky and the surrounding beauty will leave you transfixed at these 6 glorious lakes. Make up a picnic basket, gather the fam and bring your cameras along, peeps!

1. Ooty Lake

An artificial body constructed in 1824, the lake offers a magnificent view of the environs while paddling or motor boating. Ooty Lake is the archetypal place to spend a serene evening  with the retired racing horses spotted here and there. Also, the Thread Garden across the lake has beautiful exhibitions for those with an artsy bend of mind! 

Location | North Lake Road, Westmere, Kathadimattam
Timings | 10 AM - 6:30 PM
Entry | Rs 10 (For Indians) And Rs 560 (For Foreigners)

2. Emerald Lake

Located in the Emerald village of the Silent Valley, the Emerald Lake lies about 25 Kms from Ooty and is definitely worth a visit! Popular for its picturesque sunrises and sunsets, the place is a mini paradise for all bird lovers and ornithologists because of an abundance of local flora and fauna here. You could also go around shopping for some tea products in the tea gardens nearby!

Location | Emerald Village, Nilgiris
Timings | Sunrise - Sunset
Entry | Free

3. Upper Bhavani Lake

This breathtakingly beautiful lake in the Queen of Hills attracts trekkers, photographers and travellers alike. The blue-green hued lake is located 24 Kms southwest of Ooty, masked by the dense forest. The calming atmosphere around the lake will make all your worries vanish into thin air! With mountains and floating clouds in the backdrop, embrace the magnificence while you steal some moments of quietude here!

Location | Upper Bhavani Lake, Dam Road
Timings |  9:30 AM - 4 PM
Tour Price | Rs 150 Onwards (Per Head)

4. Avalanche Lake

Named after an avalanche that took place in 1823, the lake is at a distance of 28 Kms from Ooty. This natural paradise has an extensive cover of water bodies, flora and fauna and is the best site for trout fishing. Surrounded by a rolling landscape with flowers like magnolias, orchids and rhododendrons, you can explore the surrounding areas of the lake through all the winding paths. The lake also makes for the perfect campsite for avid trekkers!

Location | Avalanche Lake, Nilgiris 
Timings | Sunrise - Sunset
Entry | Free

5. Pykara Lake

Around 20 Kms away from Ooty, the Pykara Lake Boat House offers a panoramic and serene view of the Pykara Lake, with its bends and curves, as it makes its way through the foothills of the Nilgiris. Famous for the Toda settlements, this place will leave you spellbound with its magnificence and the serenity that surrounds it!

Location | Pykara Boat House, Pykara, Near Mudumalai
Timings | 9:30 AM - 5 PM
Boating Fees | Rs 60 Onwards

6. Kamraj Sagar Lake

Picture Credits: Namaste India Trip

One of the most frequented places in Ooty, Kamraj Sagar Lake is also known as the Sandynallah Reservoir. Replete with flora & fauna, this place is especially serene during the winter season, when the mist settles on top of the water. With the mountains and forests in the backdrop, this place exudes a lot of peace!

Location | Coimbatore-Ooty-Gundlupet Highway, Sholur
Timings | 9 AM - 6 PM
Entry | Free

Rejuvenate yourselves alongside these dazzling lakesides as you steal some moments of quietude!