Bengaluru, Mysuru, Ooty & Coorg
Loop from Bengaluru to see the royal city, ride the mountain toy train, and stay in the coffee hills.
A popular loop for both Indian family holidays and travel agencies, featuring cities, palaces, forest roads, hill stations, and coffee-producing regions. The transfer day from Ooty to Coorg is the longest, while the pace on other days is moderate. Suitable for self-drive or hired cars, making it perfect for families traveling with children or seniors. The route can also be done in reverse.
Out-of-state vehicles entering the Nilgiris need to apply for an e-pass; mountain roads can be congested on holidays.
Day by day
Day 1 · Bengaluru, the Garden City
Bengaluru（Lalbagh Botanical Garden、Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace、Bangalore Palace、Cubbon Park）
Explore the city center by metro and taxi. Allow extra time during peak traffic hours.
Stay: MG Road & Brigade Road
Day 2 · En Route via Srirangapatna
Mysuru (Mysore)（Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna、Daria Daulat Bagh、Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas)、Devaraja Market）
Take the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway to Mysuru (approx. 150 km, taking 3–3.5 hours).
Mysore Palace is illuminated on Sunday evenings and public holidays; adjust your dates accordingly.
Stay: Mysore Palace and Devaraja Market
Day 3 · Through the Forests to Ooty
Mysuru (Mysore)（Chamundi Hill & Chamundeshwari Temple） → Ooty (Udhagamandalam)（Government Botanical Garden, Ooty、Ooty Lake）
Drive to Ooty via Bandipur and Gudalur (approx. 160 km, taking 4.5–5 hours).
The forest area is closed to traffic from 21:00 to 06:00. The Kalhatti ghat road has vehicle restrictions, so take the Gudalur route.
Stay: Charing Cross and Main Bazaar
Day 4 · Mountain Toy Train to Coonoor
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)（Doddabetta Peak、Nilgiri Mountain Railway、Sim's Park, Coonoor、Highfield Tea Estate, Coonoor、Dolphin's Nose, Coonoor）
Take the mountain railway from Ooty to Coonoor (approx. 1 hour), and return by hired car (approx. 45 minutes).
Book train tickets in advance on the IRCTC official website; they sell out very quickly during peak season.
Stay: Charing Cross and Main Bazaar
Day 5 · Transfer to Coorg Coffee Hills
Head north via Gudalur and Wayanad (approx. 230 km, taking around 6 hours).
Stay: Madikeri Town
Day 6 · Madikeri Waterfalls and Mountain Views
Coorg (Madikeri)（Mandalpatti Viewpoint、Abbey Falls、Madikeri Fort、Omkareshwara Temple）
Hire a local jeep. The road to Mandalpatti takes about 1 hour; other drives are short.
Stay: Madikeri Town
Day 7 · Golden Temple and Return to Bengaluru
Coorg (Madikeri)（Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple)、Cauvery Nisargadhama） → Bengaluru
Return to Bengaluru via Kushalnagar (approx. 250 km, taking 5.5–6 hours).