Kotagiri, Karnataka
Catherine Falls
Kodanand View Point
Longwood Shola
John Sullivan Memorial
Rangasamy Peak and Pillar

Kotagiri

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Tamil Nadu India
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Kotagiri Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1 day

Best Time: December to May Read More

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"Queen of the Nilgiri Hills"

Kotagiri Tourism

Snuggled in the Nilgiris District, Kotagiri is a gorgeous hill station frequented by tourists from different parts of the country. It is one of the oldest hill stations in the Nilgiris and rests at an altitude of 5882 feet. Once served as a site of coffee plantation, today the town is a tea plantation covering a huge area of 30,000 acres. Steeped in vast expanses of greenery and rolling hills, Kotagiri offers plenty of trekking and hiking opportunities for adventure lovers. 

Home to the famed Kota tribe, Kotagiri is commonly known as the ‘mountains of the Kotas’. It is packed with European style houses and has a history dating back to the British rule in India. The 8 kilometres long trek to the Catherine Falls is one of the many highlights of this hill station. With a jagged terrain backed by a peaceful setting, this region is also ideal for rock climbing. Kotagiri is wild and pristine and there is no better way to experience the destination without staying in a homestay.

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Places To Visit In Kotagiri

Elk Falls

Elk Falls
Longwood Shola

Longwood Shola
Trekking

Trekking
Catherine Falls

Catherine Falls
Rangasamy Peak and Pillar

Rangasamy Peak and Pillar
Kodanand View Point

Kodanand View Point
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History of Kotagiri

Kotagiri has no written history before the pre-British era. It possibly has always been there without any recognition. It was inhabited by the ‘kota’ tribes for ages. The name Kotagiri itself translates to “mountain of the Kotas”. The history goes to say that in 1819, two civil servants of the Madras government namely J.C. Whish and N.W. Kindersley discovered the land while looking for outlaws. They reported back to their superior about the region having a climate similar to that of Europe and called it ‘Kotercherry’. Following this, the collector of Coimbatore bought himself a house in Kotagiri and on his suggestion, the region became a summer resort for most other British officers. The ‘Kota’ people are still just two kms away, shifted to the Aggal hamlet, although they are rapidly declining in number due to their reluctance to mix with the outside world. Currently just about 1000 or so in number, they are traditional artisans and excel in the art of pottery and terracotta baking.

Restaurants and Local Food in Kotagiri

Being located in Tamil Nadu, Kotagiri is famous for its South Indian dishes both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian. Also if you are in the town, make sure you taste the variety of tea flavors available here ranging from chocolate and elaichi tea to ginger tea.
The place houses many restaurants, mostly located near Donington Road or Johnston Square.
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Suggested Itinerary for Kotagiri

Although no number of days is enough to enjoy this nature’s masterpiece. We recommend you to take at least two days to soak in the beauty and charm of the place.

Day 1: Wake up early in the morning and begin by taking a stroll in the tea gardens and spending some time by the tea pickers. A little chat can leave you with a vast knowledge of the plantations. Towards noon you can visit the famous wildlife hotspot Longwood Shola. In the evening you can spend some time in the local markets and pick up little something on your way back.

Day 2: Kick start your next day with an adventurous trip to the enchanting Elk Falls and Catherine Falls. You can end your trip with a visit to the famous Rangasamy Peak & Pillars.

Best Time to Visit Kotagiri

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How to Reach Kotagiri

How to Reach Overview

Kotagiri is well connected to the rest of India via roadways. Regular bus services are available to and fro the town of Kotagiri. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity, however, to Kotagiri. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, approximately around 70 km from Kotagiri. Coonoor railway station is the nearest railway station to Kotagiri, 23 km away from the same.

How to reach Kotagiri by flight

Coimbatore serves as the nearest airbase to Kotagiri. Hiring taxi from outside the airport is the best option to commute from the airport to the hill station. If you prefer, take a train from Coimbatore to Coonoor, and then break at Coonoor via taxi for Kotagiri.

How to reach Kotagiri by road

Kotagiri is a popular hill station which is well connected to many major neighbouring cities via a well-maintained network of roads. There are regular bus services plying from Trichy, Coimbatore, Erode, Mettupalayam and Tirupur till Kotagiri.

How to reach Kotagiri by train

The nearest railhead to Kotagiri is Coonoor, about 21 km from the hill town. Ooty (29 km) and Mettupalayam (33 km) are the other best options to reach Kotagiri by train. You can hire a taxi from the station or direct buses also runs regularly till the town.

Local transport in Kotagiri

There are not many options in Karkala to commute from one place to another. Although, the city tends to have a good network of buses that connects almost whole town, you may want to hire a cab for your journey if time is your constraint.

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Kotagiri Photos

Kotagiri, Karnataka
Catherine Falls
Kodanand View Point
Longwood Shola

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FAQs on Kotagiri

What is the best time to visit Kotagiri?

Tthe best time to visit Kotagiri is between December to February, when the winter is at its peak. The days are chilly, and temperatures range between 9 degrees C to 19 degrees C, comfortable and pleasant.
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What are the places near Kotagiri?

The top places near to Kotagiri are Ooty which is 18 km from Kotagiri, Coonoor which is located 10 km from Kotagiri, Bandipur national park which is located 38 km from Kotagiri, Munnar which is located 148 km from Kotagiri, Madumalai which is located 39 km from Kotagiri

What are the things to do in Kotagiri?

The top things to do in Kotagiri are Elk Falls, Longwood Shola, Trekking, Catherine Falls, Rangasamy Peak and Pillar, Kodanand View Point. You can see all the places to visit in Kotagiri here

What is the best way to reach Kotagiri?

Kotagiri is well connected to the rest of India via roadways. Regular bus services are available to and fro the town of Kotagiri. There is no direct flight or rail connectivity, however, to Kotagiri. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, approximately around 70 km from Kotagiri. Coonoor railway station is the nearest railway station to Kotagiri, 23 km away from the same.
Read More

What is the local food in Kotagiri?

Being located in Tamil Nadu, Kotagiri is famous for its South Indian dishes both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian. Also if you are in the town, make sure you taste the variety of tea flavors available here ranging from chocolate and elaichi tea to ginger tea.
The place houses many restaurants, mostly located near Donington Road or Johnston Square.
Read More

Who should visit Kotagiri?

It is ideal for all types of crowds- honeymooners can find gratification in the pleasant corny weather. And for all you people seeking a breakthrough from the monotony and noise and clutter of the cities- this is the escape point you are all in need of! It is also a must-visit destination for the backpackers anxious to uncover the mystics of nature. And same so for the adventure enthusiasts- as it offers numerous trekking and adventure activities.

What is not so good about Kotagiri?

Can be reached by road only.

What is famous about Kotagiri?

A tranquil and serene place with one of the best weather conditions for travellers.

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Kotagiri Reviews

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Shashwat Kant

6 years ago
- Carry a pair of good sport shoes for there will be a lot of walking around the town.
- Monsoon being the best tie to visit the place, make sure to carry umbrellas and raincoat for light showers. (Read More)
- Do not forget to try the different flavors of tea including the delicious chocolate flavour.
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