Just got back from an amazing trip to Ooty, and let me tell you, one place you absolutely cannot miss is Avalanche Lake Sanctuary! The sanctuary is only 28 kilometers away from Ooty town, so it’s an easy day trip.
Key Takeaways
- The name comes from the Avalanche Lake, created by a landslide in 1823.
- This sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- You can do a lot of fun things here. You can walk through a eucalyptus forest, enjoy the view of the lake, or go on a jeep safari.
- If you’re coming from Ooty, the best way is to go through a village called Palada. You’ll also pass by the Emerald Lake, which is surrounded by hills and forests.
Way to Avalanche Lake Sanctuary
You have three options to reach the sanctuary: a cab, your own vehicle, or a bus. I took my scooter along with my brother because I wanted to stop by to take photos. The sanctuary is about 28 kilometers away from Ooty, so it will take you around an hour and a half to get there. But trust me, the journey is worth it. The road to the sanctuary is not very wide and has many twists and turns. But don’t be scared! The views are stunning. You will see green hills, colorful flowers, and blue skies.Â
You will also pass through a little village called Palada. This is a good place to stop for a while and have a hot cup of tea. The people here are very friendly.
After Palada, you will reach the Emerald Lake. This is a beautiful lake near the Avalanche Lake. It’s very peaceful and relaxing. You can stop here and enjoy the magical scenery. You will see beautiful hills and forests around the lake. The Emerald Lake is just a few minutes away from the Avalanche Lake Sanctuary. The sanctuary is open from 8 am to 6 pm. You will need to pay a small entry fee and follow some rules.
Things in Avalanche Lake Sanctuary
The Avalanche Lake Sanctuary has three main attractions: the eucalyptus forest, the lake view, and the jeep safari. I’ll tell you about each one of them, and what I liked the most.
Eucalyptus Forest
The first thing that you’ll notice when you reach the sanctuary is the smell of eucalyptus. It’s so refreshing and soothing. The forest was small but the eucalyptus trees are very tall and thick. They were planted by the British long ago, and they have grown into a beautiful forest.
The eucalyptus forest is a great place to take a walk and enjoy the nature. You can see many colorful flowers, like magnolias and rhododendrons, along the way. You can also hear the birds singing and the wind blowing. It’s very peaceful and relaxing.
The eucalyptus forest is also good for your health. The eucalyptus oil, which comes from the leaves of the trees, can help you with many problems, like cough, cold, asthma, sinusitis, and headaches. You can buy some eucalyptus oil from the local shops or the forest department, and use it as a natural medicine.
Avalanche Lake View
The next thing that you’ll love in the sanctuary is the lake view. The lake view is a perfect place to sit and relax. We sat by the lake for a long time.
We also tried few hot snacks and a tea in the sanctuary. It was perfect for the cold weather and we returned near the lake for some more photos.
Jeep Safari
The third thing that you can do in the sanctuary is the jeep safari. This is for those who like some adventure and thrill. The jeep safari is a 2-hour ride, which takes you through the rough and wild land of the sanctuary. You can see the different kinds of plants, like shola forests, grasslands, and swamps, that grow in the lake area.
I did not go for the jeep safari, because I wanted to spend more time in the the lake. But I heard from some other travelers that the route was enjoyable and adventurous. They said that they saw very few animals but they had a lot of fun.
Hope you liked the blog, and hope you will visit this place someday. It’s one of the best places to see the beauty and diversity of nature. If you do, please share your photos and stories and would love to hear from you. Happy traveling! 😊