Captain Nero’s Weekender in
Coonoor
(3 nights, 4 days)
Tour Route: Coimbatore airport – Adventure Camp – Coonoor – Catherine falls – Coimbatore airport
Tour Duration: 3 Nights, 3 days
Travel dates: Sep 10-13
Group size: 18-20 people
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Brief Itinerary
Sep 10: Early morning land in Coimbatore before 10 am. Two-hour drive to adventure camp. Kayaking, rope bridge games, bonfire and barbeque
Sep 11: Drive to Coonoor. Visit viewpoints and Lambs Rock. Evening dinner at “Kapoor and Sons Villa” cafe
Sep 12: Short trek to Catherine waterfalls. Stroll around Kotagiri tea plantations.
Sep 13: After breakfast, depart for Coimbatore Airport. We shall be there by 2:30 PM.
Note: People who are finding it difficult to reach Coimbatore early morning on Sep 10, can fly on Sep 9 evening to Coimbatore. And if you want us to book the hotel stay for you on that night, it will be Rs 1500 per person for that. Trip Information:
Coonoor is a lovely hill station. It’s neighbour, Ooty just 17 kilometres away is more famous and touristy, but that’s why we love Coonoor so much more. It has lovely English villas, manors, cute names for streets, a small hill station feel and best of all, it’s full of gorgeous tea gardens.
Coonoor isn’t crowded like Ooty. The weather is pleasant, and the drives from Mettupalyam to Coonoor, as well as between Coonoor and Kotagiri (both we will do on this trip) is absolutely gorgeous.
Since we love adventure, we have added some “This Guy” elements to the trip. We have kayaking, and a short trek to a waterfall. Captain Nero, after all, can’t just be okay with sightseeing, can he?
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Sep 10: Arrival at Coimbatore; drive to Adventure Camp
All trippers have to arrive at Coimbatore airport before 10 am. Those who are finding it difficult to come early in the morning, can come the previous evening on the 9th.
Once everyone comes, we shall set off on our journey. Today, we are going to an adventure camp in the middle of the hills, next to a beautiful dam. Spend time getting to know your fellow trippers in the bus, enjoy each other’s company and your trip has started. We will stop at the dam for a bit, and everyone can take pictures.
Once we reach the adventure camp, lunch will be served. Post that, we can proceed to try out the rope/bridge games, or archery. They have a couple of trampolines and you can jump around like kids :)
The camp is beautiful. It is on the banks of the lake, and you can go for a nice, long walk. It is flanked by mountains on all sides, and is perfect for an idyllic weekend. The owner was a pilot in the Indian Navy, has several achievements listed in his name, is a recipient of the Tenzing Norgay award (equivalent to the Arjuna Award), and has built this beautiful property next to the lake.
We shall all go kayaking. Don’t worry even if you are afraid of water. There will be life jackets, the lake is calm, and you have Captain Nero as well as some camp guides with you :) Kayaking is a beautifully peaceful and calm sport, and you will love it. (Captain Nero kayaking with his friends)
(Pic taken by owner of camp, and used here with his permission)
There is a jet ski as well, and you can go speeding over the lake waters and feel the spray hit your face and delight you! Those who want to swim in the cool waters can do that as well.
In the evening, we can go for a short hike, and then there will be bonfire, barbeque and music. The camp is green, the ambience is cozy, and we hope you love this pretty place!
We shall not be staying here tonight. Around 7 pm, we will head to our hotel for the night, an hour away! Its built on the riverside, and the property is beautiful with a pool, games area and more. Sep 11: Road trip to Cunoor. Visit viewpoints and Lambs Rock
People who wake up early in the morning, can go sit by the river. Early in the morning, it will be very cool weather, the birds will all be singing, and you will get some beautiful pictures of the scenery.
After breakfast, we will drive to Coonoor. It’s a three-hour drive, out of which the last half will be up the mountains. It’s a beautiful drive once you are in the mountains, tall trees flanking the mountainside, and tea plantations springing up every now and then.
Coonoor, in my head, reminds one of a colonial English hill station. There are some absolutely beautiful villas and houses built in the traditional English style with gorgeous gardens, and flowers peeking over walls. The streets are named in the British style, and you can go for a walk in Sims Park or just around town when you have the time. We are staying in a nice hotel with a garden, a classy bar and a huge space.
After lunch, we will drive to two beautiful viewpoints including Lambs Rock. You can see the whole mountainside from here, panoramic views of the hills. Walk in these beautiful environs, smell the tea leaves, take pictures in the tea gardens, sit on a rock in the middle of the teagardens and soak in the clean fresh air, lose yourself in your thoughts and the beautiful surroundings, and just live in the moment.
This is your holiday, live it completely.
Today evening, we are going to have dinner in a very pretty place. Have you seen the movie “Kapoor and Sons”. In that the house that was shown, is actually a very nice hotel built on the cliffside in Cunoor. We are going to have dinner here today. The food is delicious, the ambience is very nice, the gardens are inviting. Why don’t we dress up tonight and go for a “group dinner date”. Cmon people, lets have some fun! Sep 12: Trek toCatherine Waterfalls ; Stroll around Kotagiri Tea Plantations
Today, after breakfast, we are going for a trek to a waterfall. So, carry your shorts, or swimwear, or whatever you feel comfortable in! The drive to the starting point is stunning. We are driving from Cunoor to Kotagiri, and this is one of my favourite drives in the Nilgiri hills. It is full of tea plantations, woods, and small villages dotted in the hills.
The trek begins in a tea garden.We walk down for about 20- 25 minutes before reaching the waterfalls.The water is shallow,it’s deliciously cool, and since it’s not above your waist at any point, you can easily step inside and play in it!
Explore the waterfalls, and the stream. Find smaller quieter spots. Dunk your new friends, splash water on everyone.See how far downstream can you go. Captain Nero will definitely try to go as far as possible! In about two hours, we shall head back to the top of the mountain, to where our car is waiting. We stop at a hillside cafe for late lunch. Post lunch, we shall explore the beautiful Kotagiri countryside and also do a mini photoshoot in the terrace tea plantation. Sep 13: Drive back to Coimbatore Airport
Trip ends today. We shall reach Coimbatore airport by 2:30 PM, so please book a flight post 4 PM.
We hope you had a good trip :) See you soon somewhere again!
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What’s included • Accommodation in a 3-star hotel on day 1 on twin sharing basis • Accommodation in Coonoor 3-star hotel on day 2 & 3 on double sharing basis (suite room) • Airport transfers both ways • Transport in private vehicle for 4 days • Breakfasts on Sep 11, 12, 13 • Kayaking in campsite • Lunch on Sep 10 • All camp games, barbeque, snacks, bonfire in campsite on Sep 10 • Entry tickets to all places mentioned in the itinerary – Dam, Lamb's Rock, Catherine falls • Trip leader Captain Nero and his eccentric ways
Exclusions • Lunches and dinners that are, not specified in the Inclusions. • Any personal expenses, or anything not mentioned under Inclusions
Total Cost Rs.12,500 per person if booked before or on Aug 22
Rs. 13,000 per person if booked after Aug 22
Arrival/Departure: Sep 10: Please arrive at Coimbatore airport before 10 Am. You can also opt to stay in Coimbatore on Sep 9. If you want us to book a hotel in Coimbatore on that day, it will be Rs 1500 per person.
Sep 13: Fly/depart back from Coimbatore airport anytime post 4 pm. Cancellation Policy:
45 days before the trip start date: full refund Between 45 and 30 days of trip start date: 50% refund Between 30 and 14 days of trip start date: 25% refund Less than 14 days of trip start date: No refund
Measures taken by OHOT to make this trip as safe as possible
1. All trippers will have to provide OHOT with a COVID negative certificate. This has to be procured within 72 hours of travel start date. Before reaching Coimbatore, the tripper will have to mail a copy of the certificate to OHOT.
2. We are staying in lovely resorts in Coimbatore and Coonoor. We have been going there for the last two years, and can guarantee its safety norms regarding COVID.
3. Most of the places we are visiting are offbeat, and will have very less people around. We are taking a conscious effort to be away from any crowded place.
Only 20 seats are available. Book now!!