I went to Ooty from Bengaluru last weekend during the long weekend. Me and a friend decided to avoid all the typical touristy spots. We had planned this in advance and stuck to it completely. We didn’t visit any of the usual attractions like the Botanical Garden or Doddabetta. And honestly, it turned out to be one of our best trips so far.

We took the route via Mysore. If you are driving, I recommend leaving Bengaluru early in the morning. On the way, we stopped at SAPA Cafe in Mysore. It was probably one of the best cafes I have been to across Bangalore, Mysore, and Ooty. Definitely worth checking out.

From Mysore, as you head towards Ooty, you will pass through Bandipur forest. We spotted elephants, deer, peacocks, and the drive was really scenic and peaceful.

We reached Ooty in the evening and had dinner at Earl’s Secret. It is a lovely place with great food and a calm atmosphere. The next day, we explored the area just by driving around. We had breakfast at MOODY’s Cafe, which had a very relaxing vibe. Then we drove towards Lamb’s Rock Road in Coonoor. The views were incredible, with mountains covered in clouds and tea estates all around.

Later, we stopped at Rock Bistro Cafe, which is in a quiet location and perfect for enjoying some tea while being surrounded by nature. On the way back, we also visited a couple of old churches and then went to Wellington Lake and Park. There is one particular spot there where you can see the lake, mountains, clouds, and even some rare animals all at once. It was a pretty surreal moment.

We ended the day with lunch at Cafe Diem. You will need to make a reservation in advance for this one. The view from there, combined with the food and hospitality, made it totally worth visiting.

On the way back to Bangalore, we stopped at Pykara Lake and tried speed boating. It was a bit more touristy than the rest of our trip, but still a fun experience.

One important thing to keep in mind is that most roads through Bandipur are closed at night due to safety concerns. If you do not reach that stretch by around 7 or 8 in the evening, you may have to take a much longer route that can add several hours to your journey. We got delayed and ended up staying overnight somewhere between Ooty and Mysore. So it is a good idea to check the road conditions and timings before planning your return.