Tamil Nadu

The Coonoor region is at an altitude of 1850m, Coonoor is the first of the three Nilgiri hill stations, Udhagmandalam, Kotagiri and Coonoor.

Coonoor is now a bustling town. It's market area is fabulous with all the wonderful cooking smells. Accommodation is found up the hill approximately 1-2kms.

Kotagiri is a quiet village located 28kms east of Udhagamandalam (Ootty). It is the oldest of the three hill stations and is surrounded by tea plantations and tribal Kota settlements.

Udhagmandalam (Ooty) is historically the home of the Toda tribal people whose beliefs centres around the buffalo. Unfortunately today there are only approximately 1500 Toda remaining. In the early 19th century, the British established Ooty to serve as their summer headquarters. Until 25 years ago the area resemble a combination of English and Australian single storey cottages.

Dont's:
When visiting mosques or temples shorts or sleeveless tops are not to be worn. Smoking and the holding of hands, the touching of carvings or statues and the touching of someone's head is not permitted. Removal of shoes prior to entry. These apply to both men and women. In some mosques you will be required to cover your head.

Never point the soles of your feet to another person or statue.

The right hand should be used for all occassions. The left is considered dirty.

When swimming nudity is not allowed, even in remote areas. Women should wear a sarong if they are in public view.

Some animals are considered sacred, please check with local authorities.

Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.