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Request A CallbackIf Ooty is all you know of the Nilgiris, you've barely scratched the surface.
We spent months walking through its grasslands and shola forests, travelling along village roads and meeting people who have lived here for generations. We came across the Todas and Kurumbas, and started understanding how closely their lives are connected to the landscape.
The grasslands were one of the biggest surprises. They don't look like much at first — just wide stretches of grass between the forests. But they have existed for over 30,000 years. They hold water, feed streams and support the forests and wildlife around them.
This is the Nilgiris we want to share with you. Unexplored Nilgiris is a four-day immersive journey that takes you deeper into the hills, culture and history of the region.
As we traverse through these roads of the tea estate, we take some moments out to just soak in the view in front of us! By Pritish Bhanushali
Trip Duration
4 Days
Group Size
15 at the most
Accomodation
Comfortable homestays
Pickup Details
Day 1: Ooty bus stand at 6:30 AM
Drop Off Details
Day 4: Ooty bus stand/ Charring Cross by 7 PM
Food
Local delicacies
Best Season
October to March
Rain Expectation
Post-monsoon, light showers
Suitable For
Over 5 years of age
Unexplorations take time. We plan our days so you have time to slow down, take it all in and notice the little things along the way. Here's a sneak peek into what you do, where you stay and how you move as the Unexploration unfolds
Arrive at Ooty bus stand by 6:30 am. Drive to the homestay. Learn about the tea-making process, then take a dip at Kunda waterfall.
Visit the Tribal Research Centre Museum in Ooty, then walk through the rolling grasslands and meadows of the shola forests.
Drive to the Kotagiri homestay. Visit a Kurumba tribal village and spend time learning about their way of life.
Hike through a short shola forest trail. Return to the homestay to freshen up, then head to Ooty bus stand by 7 pm. Please book your return bus for after 8 pm.
Arrive at Ooty bus stand by 6:30 am. Drive to the homestay. Learn about the tea-making process, then take a dip at Kunda waterfall.
Visit the Tribal Research Centre Museum in Ooty, then walk through the rolling grasslands and meadows of the shola forests.
Drive to the Kotagiri homestay. Visit a Kurumba tribal village and spend time learning about their way of life.
Hike through a short shola forest trail. Return to the homestay to freshen up, then head to Ooty bus stand by 7 pm. Please book your return bus for after 8 pm.
When we created this program, we didn’t want to simply showcase the beauty of the Nilgiris. That’s what you notice first. When you unexplore, you experience the cultural landscape of the Nilgiris. You begin to see the region through the eyes of its people - its oldest custodians, whose lives are deeply connected to its forests, rivers and mountains.
The shola grasslands and forests that stretch across the Nilgiris have a history that goes back long before tea and eucalyptus. You’ll be standing in one of India's oldest ecosystems that has been silently taking care of life for millions of years. As you walk through them, you’ll begin to understand why they matter to the region’s ecology and the communities who depend on them.
We’ll take you along trails in quieter, remote parts of the Nilgiris, away from the crowds. One of these trails takes you to Kunda waterfall, which flows throughout the year. There’s time to stop, look around and dip your feet in the water.
The indigenous tribes in this region have their own traditions, culture and art. Before these visits, we’ll spend time at the Tribal Research Centre, which will help you understand the communities you’re about to meet. It will also give you a sense of their long relationship with the hills, forests and grasslands, and why preserving it matters.
Behind the perfect rows of green in a tea estate is the tireless work of the local ‘ammas’. They pluck only the top two leaves and a single bud, with incredible skill and precision. Once you meet them, you’ll never look at a cup of tea the same way again.
Shakti Tripathy, Regulatory Science Professional, Pharma Industry · Unexplored Nilgiri
Had a really great experience with Unexplored Nilgiris. The best part of the trip was that all the places were truly unexplored, peaceful, and away from the crowds. It genuinely felt like we were the only ones there, enjoying nature in silence. From the homestays, especially the stay in Kotagiri, to all the destinations, everything was thoughtfully chosen. The simple homemade food throughout the trip was also amazing and added so much to the overall experience. What I loved most was how raw, real, and different the entire program felt from a regular tourist experience. It was very well managed, yet never felt commercial or rushed. We came back with some really beautiful memories. I also want to take a moment to appreciate the entire team. Chaithanya did a wonderful job of keeping the program exciting, engaging, and informative throughout. Yogesh was also very supportive and made the experience even better. Thank you both! I would love to come back and explore more of the Nilgiris. I also feel this is a beautiful experience for families, a chance to slow down, spend quality time together, and fall in love with nature and with a lesser-seen side of India. Thank you to the entire team for showing us the unexplored side of the Nilgiris.
Moonmoon Mishra · Unexplored Nilgiri
I’ve been on trips to more exotic locations and stayed in luxury, but never before have I got to know a place I was visiting so intimately. Unexplored Nilgiris by Unexplored India is thoughtfully designed to take you into the heart of the Nilgiris, its flora, fauna, ecosystem, culture, and local way of life. We participated in tea-leaf plucking activities, saw how orthodox tea is made, and understood the lives and struggles of tea estate workers. The State Government Museum and the Tribal Research Centre offered fascinating insights into the six tribes that call the Nilgiris home. An excursion into a Kurumba tribal village only strengthened our appreciation for how deeply they value and preserve their culture, even as they embrace modernity for the next generation. The walks through pine and shola forests, the rolling shola grasslands, and the two pristine waterfalls we had the privilege of visiting, all of these experiences felt incredibly special precisely because they were so far off the beaten path. The homestays were in surreal locations, comfortable, welcoming, and well equipped to accommodate both kids and adults. The comfortable travel, thoughtfully curated meals that always included local cuisine, and, more importantly, the values that Unexplored India brings into every journey . all of this made this four-day un-exploration truly unforgettable. We also had wonderful company in our fellow explorers and our intrepid leader, Chaithanya, Chaithanya has this wonderful quality of mixing into everything like sweet jaggery, while still holding her ground and leading the group with such calmness and confidence. I would probably follow her anywhere! Most importantly, this was a family trip, and we came back with memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you, Unexplored India, for creating such a thoughtful and immersive way to experience the Nilgiris. It made us see the region not simply as a destination, but as a living landscape with its own people, stories, traditions, and rhythms. Looking forward to discovering many more such places with you next year!
Dheerender dasari, Knowledge Manager, Deloitte · Unexplored Nilgiri
To be honest, the team DESERVES 10/10... Like certain experiences do not need ratings they just are etched forever in your memories like life time memories! Unexplored India, another arm of Team Indiahikes, has been the best and will remain THE BEST for me! The places we visited (undoubtedly not even a single tourist existed on these places), the culture and tradition we learnt about the tribes, the alpine forests we visited, waterfalls, food, homestays, tea and Varki factory visits and Finally The People (with whom the trip wouldn't have been this great) Andddddd Nitesh, Chaitanya and Abhishek.. the entire team of unexplored India deserves a Standing ovation! I literally don't have any words for the amazing experience the team gave us during the Niligiris trip! Thank you to the team for seamless planning and execution of this Niligiris trip and the final day Cliff walk, Hatsoff once again team. P.S: We also did a green sweep of the places we visited and instilled the core values of Indiahikes. We cleaned almost 40kgs of plastic waste, segregated and the team captain took care of the disposal at the right center!
Nandita Pai, Chartered Accountant · Unexplored Nilgiri
When I first received the Unexplored Nilgiris email from Nandana in the morning, I was instantly intrigued. By evening, there was just one slot left and I signed up without overthinking it. Looking back, I’m so glad I did, because I ended up having one of the most heartwarming and memorable vacations of my life with complete strangers (at least at the start!). My journey from Bangalore to Ooty already felt special, with a few fellow travellers on the same bus it made everything feel easier and more familiar. And the moment I arrived at the homestay, the warmth and hospitality made me feel right at home. I knew then that this trip was going to be something truly special. Every experience felt magical in its own way from tea plucking at the beautiful Deva Shola tea estate, to playing in waterfalls, to learning about the Toda, Kota, and Kurumba tribes. Visiting their villages and interacting with them was deeply enriching, their simplicity, wisdom, and way of life leave a lasting impression. What made the trip even more meaningful were the little, unexpected connections. At the Kotagiri homestay, I discovered a surprising professional link with the owner and even within our group, one of the girls had studied at the same school as me! Moments like these made the world feel incredibly small and beautifully connected. This trip wasn’t just about the breathtaking beauty of the Nilgiris, it was about people and connection. Our group of 15, from different walks of life, bonded so effortlessly that it felt like we had known each other for much longer than four days. For someone like me, who usually keeps to herself, it was such a pleasant surprise how easy and natural it all felt. Trying local food instead of sticking to fancy dining was another highlight,it made the experience feel more authentic, more grounded, and honestly, more enjoyable. One thing that really stayed with me was the team’s thoughtful policy of leaving every place better than we found it whether it was picking up trash along the way or segregating waste at the end of the trip. It felt like such a simple yet powerful reminder that if this experience left us better, it’s only fair we do the same for the places we visit. Kudos to the team for embedding this so seamlessly into the journey. If I had to sum it up, my biggest takeaway is how beautifully connected we all are, if we just allow ourselves to be open to it. I went in not knowing what to expect, and came back with a full heart, wonderful memories, and friendships I truly hope to keep. A big shoutout to the Unexplored India team—Nitesh, Chaithanya, and Abhishek—for making this experience so seamless and special. Their warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care ensured that everyone felt included, comfortable, and most importantly, had a great time. They mentioned we’d feel like a big group of friends by Day 4, but honestly, that happened by Day 1 itself! I’d also like to take a moment to tell Nitesh how thoughtfully this entire trip was curated. The attention to detail, the seamless planning, and the flawless execution truly stood out and made all the difference to the overall experience. This is something truly special, and it shows. I left with a heavy heart, but also with so much gratitude and joy. This was truly a 10/10 experience Team Unexplored India, take a bow!
We spend a lot of time choosing the homes you’ll be staying in. We look for places that feel connected to their surroundings and give you a sense of what life is like here. The bedrooms are shared and gender-specific. It’s a simple, comfortable way to stay together during the journey.
Ooty
You’ll spend the first two nights in Ooty. The homestay is located at a high point in a tea estate with sweeping views of the valley, tea plantations, and farmlands below.
Kotagiri
For the third night, you'll stay in a home on the slopes of Kotagiri with views of the rolling shola grasslands.
Real photographs shot by group leaders, unexplorers and commissioned photographers.
Over the last 17 years, we’ve trekked through some of the most beautiful, diverse landscapes in our country. But we also know how different travelling through India can feel. We've realised that some of the most interesting parts of our country don't make it onto a typical tourist itinerary.
They are found in the small details and little moments. A village temple, the family kitchen, an old house, a local festival. Maybe a conversation with someone who has lived there all their life. These things don't always fit neatly into a sightseeing list, but stay with you longer. This is what we look for when we travel. Journeys that give people the time and space to look closer and travel deeper.
This is Unexplored India.
We believe that when you understand a place a little better, you begin to see it differently. Our hope is that, along the way, you also rediscover something that makes you feel proud of India too.
Arjun Majumdar is the Founder & CEO of Indiahikes. In this video he talks about why we started Unexplored India after 17 years of leading treks and what it means to travel this way through the country.
A closer look at the people, places and traditions of India that often remain unseen.
The People of the Nilgiris
Who are the people who have called the Nilgiris home for centuries? From the Toda of the high grasslands to the Kattunayakan of the deep forests, the six indigenous communities of these mountains have developed remarkably different ways of living with the land.
Read the full storyAll Homestays
shared accommodation with 2-4 people in a room
Every meal
From breakfast on day 1 to lunch on day 4
All transport
All transportation during the 4-day Unexploration is included, pickup from Ooty Bus Stand on Day 1 to drop back to Ooty Bus Stand on Day 4.
Permits
Forest and community permits, arranged before you arrive
Group Leaders
Guidance and facilitation throughout the trip from an expert who will bring the region to life with historical and cultural stories.
You will receive a 90% refund if you cancel 20 days or more before the trip date. Please check the detailed cancellation policy for complete terms and conditions.
Our Tempo Traveller will pick you up from the Ooty bus stand (near Rajiv Gandhi Statue), at 6:30 AM on Day 1!
At the end of your journey, we'll drop you off in Ooty at Charring Cross or Ooty Bus Stand by 6-7 PM on Day 4. Since we will be coming from Kotagiri, you can get down at Kotagiri too at 4-5 PM on Day 4 (in case you are taking a cab back to Coimbatore on the same evening).
