Lying deep in the Nilgiri Hills at an altitude of 2,268m, the famous hill station of Ooty was a favourite hill station of the British during the days of the Raj. This hugely expanded and now rather over exploited town sprawls across hills and abounds with relics from the Raj – old Gothic-style buildings, churches, parade grounds, country cottages, tea gardens and botanical gardens, these days it is a little bit hectic, but it doesn’t take long to escape into quieter, greener areas where tall pines rise above what could almost be English country lanes. The journey up here on the celebrated miniature train is romantic and the scenery stunning. Even the road up is impressive. During the April-to-June ‘season’, Ooty is a welcome relief from the steaming plains and becomes very crowded with domestic tourists. It is quieter between October and March, but take some warm clothes, overnight temperatures occasionally drop to 0°C.