KOTAGIRI

The oldest and the third largest hill stations in the Nilgiris, Kotagiri’s climate is claimed to be one of the best in the world. The literal meaning of Kotagiri is the lines of the house of the Kotas. The beautiful hill station is quietly tucked away in the Nilgiris and used to be the summer resort of the British. Unlike Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri is situated in an 'open-terrace' massif. The name Kotagiri means ‘mountains of the Kotas’.

Attractions

This lesser explored hill station has quite a few major attractions. Kodanad View Point, located 18kms away from Kotagiri on the easternmost ridges of the Blue Mountains, offers beautiful view of the hill station.
Another popular attraction here is the Elk Falls. Situated about 7km from Kotagiri near Uyilathi Village, the sight of Elk Falls is pure bliss. The surrounding of the falls is as beautiful as the fall itself.

Away from the chaos of the urban life, the Catherine Falls nestled amidst the lush greens of the Nilgiris, is another famous attraction. The Catherine Falls is interestingly the second highest waterfall of the Nilgiris. This tourist favourite place is often visited by people seeking escape. The Catherine Falls has a tranquil aura and offers something to everyone. From nature lovers to adventure enthusiasts to photographers, the beauty of Catherine Falls attract everyone.
For all the wildlife enthusiasts, Longwood Shola is a place in Kotagiri that offers a wide spectrum of wilderness in its full prime. This dense and thick cover of evergreen forest houses animals like flying fox and Indian Bison.
Surrounded by tea estates and lush green landscapes, Kotagiri also offers plenty of opportunities for trekking and rock climbing. You can also opt for a leisure walk through the tea plantations, as you watch the workers pluck tea leaves and soak in the pleasant climate of the region. You can also opt for a visit to the tea factories that cater to international markets.

Best time to visit Kotagiri
December to May is the best time to visit Kotagiri. The place offers amazing views during winters and arriving summers. During summers, between March to May, the temperature is pleasant and is a perfect time to explore the hill resort. As the monsoon season ends, the place is transformed into a beautiful fresh meadow.

How to reach Kotagiri
By Air – The nearest airport to Kotagiri is the Coimbatore Airport, which is well connected to major cities in India and abroad like Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Pune, Sharjah, Bangkok, Singapore and Ahmedabad.
By Train – The nearest railway station to Kotagiri is the Coimbatore Railway Station, as the station is connected to major cities of the country.
By Road – Kotagiri is well connected by roads to all the major cities of the state. Kotagiri is 29 Kms from Ooty, 63 Kms from Coimbatore, 126 Kms from Erode, 194 Kms from Salem, 258 Kms from Trichy and 294 Kms from Bangalore via Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation.