HOME DESTINATIONS Ooty
Oil Shacks: In the Woods.
While the town is full of shops selling essential oils, it is an interesting exercise to get Eucalyptus oil, at source.
Like most hill-stations, Ooty has many shops selling medicinal and essential oils. The range is wide: from the popular Cinchona to the lesser known Oil of Wintergreen.
However, it is an interesting exercise to get the Eucalyptus oil at source from oil huts. These huts extract oil using traditional methods; it is a cottage industry that is slowly dying out.
These shacks are usually located in the woods where the leaves are plentiful. The heady smell of oil and thatched roof are dead giveaways. However, it is best to ask a local to point to one in the right direction.
These huts have a primitive steam distillation unit inside. A roaring fire heats the boiler that has water and fresh eucalyptus leaves. The scent is heady, as the distilled oil runs out of a pipe into a pot. This is pure oil that has not been cleaned and refined yet. It is possible to purchase this oil, however, it is important to appreciate the effort that goes into distilling and strike a kind deal with the seller.
The experience of finding an oil hut deep in the woods and watching the extraction process is a journey of discovery.
Other Attractions
On Toda Trail - Glimpses of the Earliest Inhabitants of the Nilgiris.
3hrsThe Todas, an ethnic group who used to live in the Nilgiris, migrated here more than 2000 years ago. Anthropologists believe that they evolved in seclusion.
Mudumalai National Park- Step Into The Wilderness
3hrsMudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a recognised tiger reserve. Nestled in the Nilgiris, it is home to many endangered species and is rich in flora and fauna.
The Blue Mountain Express: The Steepest Track in Asia
3hrsThe charming old world steam coaches, huffing and puffing against the blue and emerald hills of the Nilgiris, are a magnificent sight. Its thrilling to ride in one.
Mukurthi Trek: Nature's Balancing Act
3hrsDiscover the treasures of the Shola Forest in Mukurthi National Park. Trek up to a stunning view of the peaks in the Nilgiris.
The Stone House and the Oak Tree: John Sullivan's Legacy
3hrsJohn Sullivan, the man who designed Ooty, built this picture-perfect bungalow for himself. This charming building, about 150 years old, also has an oak tree of the same age for its companion.
Cairn Hill: Reminiscence of the British Era
3hrsThe forests of Cairn Hill are spread over 168 hectares and have a few of the original surviving cypress plantations from the British era.
To Shoot a Mocking Bird: A Must Feat for Birdwatchers
3hrsThe Nilgiri’s bird Laughingthrush is an artful dodger. Its mocking laughter challenges those in the vicinity. Though it is audible, it isn't easily visible.
St. Stephen 's Church: A Reminder of Colonial Heritage
3hrsMade from wood stripped from Tipu’s Palace at Srirangapatna, St Stephen’s Church follows the Gothic style of architecture and has beautiful stained glass windows.
Rose Garden: A Wonderland of Roses
3hrsThe Rose Garden of Ooty is India’s most renowned garden, sprawling across 10 acres on the slopes of Elk Hill, housing more than 20,000 varieties of roses.
Jain Mandir: Soul and Solace
3hrsThe Nasiyan Jain Temple, greatly revered by the Digambara sect of Jains, is dedicated to the first of the 24 Tirthankaras, Lord Rishabhdev.
History Trails of Ooty: Colonial Era and Beyond
3hrsJohn Sullivan, the then district collector of Coimbatore is credited to have discovered this beautiful hill town nestled in the Nilgiris. A drive on the old Mysore road is a journey through the history of Ooty.