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Pykara

Pykara

1 dayBest: Apr–Jun, Sep–NovLakes#lake#boating#views
1 day Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

Lake, dam and falls near Ooty

Why this weekend?

Pykara lake boat ridePykara fallsPine forest drive
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The day-by-day plan

Day 1Day 1 · The lake
  1. Boat ride
  2. Pykara falls
  3. Forest walk
  4. Picnic hour
  5. Return

Geography & terrain

Pykara lies in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu at about 2,134 m, 22 km from Ooty and 15 km from Naduvattam — the lake village of the region, its boat rides, the waterfalls and the forest set on the Pykara river.

History & culture

The lake's story runs with the 1930s dam era — the lake of the 1930s dam and the picnic life of the British Nilgiris, with the lake's modern role as the nature stop of the Ooty circuit and the home of the motorboat rides and the 4-tier Pykara falls and the 1998-era forest walks; the lake's history of the 1932 dam and the winding approach and the deer sightings, gives Pykara its lake character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Lake waters
🏖️

Lake waters

Waterfall tiers
🏖️

Waterfall tiers

Forest walks
🌟

Forest walks

Picnic lawns
🌟

Picnic lawns

Hill decks
🌟

Hill decks

Eat & drink

  • Dosa with sambar
  • Chettinad chicken
  • Idiyappam with stew
  • Banana leaf meals

Getting there

Fly
Chennai (MAA) / Coimbatore (CJB)
Train
Chennai Central & Madurai junctions
Road from Chennai
varies by district — 50–500 km
Getting around
Autos, local trains, city buses

Budget snapshot

Total
₹3,000–8,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay
₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food
₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport
₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities
₹700–1,100

Month by month

Jan—
Feb—
Mar—
Apr—
May—
Jun—
Jul—
Aug—
Sep—
Oct—
Nov—
Dec—

Practical info

  • Language: Tamil (English understood in tourist spots)
  • Best window: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
  • Connectivity: good 4G in towns
  • UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

  • The season (Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov) holds the lake
  • The boat rides run on the counters
  • The walks ask the walking shoes

Frequently asked questions

The lake village of the Nilgiris.

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The boats, the falls and the walks.

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A full day.

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Lake, dam and falls near Ooty

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