This Pykara belt is your lake–falls–meadows combo: boating on a wide reservoir, golf course outer views,pine-scented forests, classic 6th Mile & Wenlock Downs shooting points and a seasonal falls view.You can also extend the circuit further towards Needle Rock View Point on the Gudalur sideand onwards to Mudumalai safari & elephant feeding camp if you want wildlife plus valley viewsin one stretch.All tied into one easy half-day or extended full-day circuit from Ooty with timings, typical fees and parking cues.
By Travel2Ooty Local Team — Verified monthly with boat house, safari & local partners •
Green fairways and tall trees viewed from the road side; quick outer photo stop as you exit Ooty towards Pykara.
Allow: 5–10 mins roadside stop
Tall straight pines on a hillside overlooking the water; movie-style frames, horse rides and shaded walks.
Allow: 30–45 mins
Calm reservoir with tree-lined banks; quick outer view and photo stop along the scenic route.
Allow: 10–20 mins
Gentle meadows mixed with tree clusters; easy walk and film-style frames popular for family & couple photos.
Allow: 20–30 mins
Handpicked 2–5 day Ooty trips with stays, cab, sightseeing and flexible add-ons.
Ideal for: Couples, families, groups
Iconic rolling grasslands used in many films; kids can run around while you take wide-sky landscape shots.
Allow: 45–60 mins
Stepped cascades seen from fenced viewpoints; access & flow depend on forest rules and water level.
Allow: 40–60 mins (walk + views)
Wide reservoir with TN Tourism motor & speed boats, basic snacks and classic lakeside photo angles.
Allow: 1–1.5 hrs (queues vary by season)
Cliff-top viewpoint (Oosi Malai) on the Ooty–Gudalur road; often added after Pykara Lake for wide valley and sunset-style views.
Allow: 45–60 mins (walk + photos)
Kid-friendly itineraries with comfortable hotels, breakfast and relaxed sightseeing belts.
Ideal for: 2–6 members
Government-run jeep/bus safaris inside Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, usually clubbed after Pykara–Needle Rock when you drive down towards Masinagudi/Gudalur side.
Allow: 2–3 hrs including reporting and safari
Watch camp elephants being fed and bathed at fixed slots near Theppakadu; a hit with kids and families when you combine Pykara–Needle Rock with Mudumalai side.
Allow: 45–60 mins including waiting and viewing
Budget-friendly group plans with shared stays, campfire options and flexible add-ons.
Ideal for: Friends & small groups
Doorstep pickup from Ooty • Fixed-route Pykara loop • Option to extend till Needle Rock, Mudumalai safari & elephant camp on Gudalur side
Book Your Pykara Cab| Belt | Key Spots | Suggested Slot | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Pykara Half-Day | Pykara Lake & Boating, Pykara Falls (if open) | 14:30 – 18:30 | Boat house lot + forest parking |
| Meadows & Pines Loop | Golf Club outer view, Tree Park (6th Mile), Pine Forest, Wenlock Downs | 09:30 – 13:00 | Roadside bays & local lots |
| Lake + Dam Scenic Run | Kamarajar Dam outer view, Pine Forest, Pykara Lake | 10:00 – 16:30 | Dam-side stops + boat house parking |
| Extended Pykara + Needle Rock | Pine Forest, Wenlock Downs, Pykara Lake & Boating, Needle Rock View Point (towards Gudalur) | 09:30 – 18:30 | Multiple local lots + Pykara boat house + Needle Rock bay |
| Pykara + Mudumalai Wildlife Day | Pykara Lake, Needle Rock View Point, Mudumalai Safari, Mudumalai Elephant Feeding | Early start – full day | Boat house, view point bay & official forest parking |
From Ooty Town: Pykara Lake is~20–23 km on the Ooty–Mysuru road (NH route), usually~40–60 mins by cab depending on traffic and photo stops at Golf Club outer view, Tree Park, Pine Forest or Wenlock Downs.
Pro tip: Do meadows & pine forest in the morning and keep boating forlater afternoon to avoid harsh overhead light and club both experiences comfortably. If you want Needle Rock plus Mudumalai,keep extra buffer for the ghat drive, safari reporting time and any forest check-post delays.
Oct–Mar usually gives pleasant weather and good lake levels. Apr–May is busy summer rush;queues for boating get longer. Monsoon brings mist, slippery paths and occasionalrestrictions at falls/forest zones and cliff viewpoints like Needle Rock.
Timings/fees and access to Pykara Falls, Needle Rock View Point and Mudumalai safari/elephant feeding can change with season & forestdecisions; re-check locally on the day before you drive out.
We’ll stitch hotel + cab + Ooty town + Pykara side, with boating slots, meadows and optional Needle Rock & Mudumalai safari extension.
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