“Sailing into Tranquility: The Pykara Boat House Adventure in Ooty”
If you want to enjoy boating in Ooty then there are two places to visit. Both are popular tourist spots in Ooty.
Along with the cool climate, the scenic and calm lake provides the right ambience for a boat ride.
One of them is the popular Ooty Lake. But we are not going to discuss that here.
Here we are going to talk about a boat ride far away from the traffic congestion of main Ooty in the laps of nature.
Nestled amidst the hills of Ooty lies a hidden gem, a popular getaway that promises to offer both serenity and excitement – the tamilnadu tourism Pykara Boat House, Ooty.
My recent visit to this picturesque adventure destination unfolded into a peaceful boat ride on the blue waters of Pykara.
Join me as I recount the mesmerizing experience of sailing on a ten-seater boat through the pristine waters of Pykara.
*Setting the Scene:*
We were a part of a tourist group that had booked a full-day tour of Ooty. One of the popular stops was the Pykara Boat House in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
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Location and Accessibility:
Pykara Boat House distance is about 22 kilometres from Ooty. Don’t get cheated by the distance. It can take longer than you think to reach the destination. The road to the destination is filled with bends, curves and ups and downs. It’s an adventure in itself. The lush greenery on both the sides of the road provides an eye pleasing view.
Our bus stopped at a distance away from the boat house. There were many vehicles parked on the sides. We all got down and stretched before walking down towards the Pykara boat house.
As the boat house came into view, I saw a good crowd at the base of the lake waiting to board the boats neatly lined up. A few speedboats with tourists were already on their way for the round trip.
The sky was blue covered with white clouds that appeared like white cotton candies floating in the sky. The land on both sides of the lake was covered with lush green trees.
There’s a restaurant here too if you feel hungry after your boating adventure. They also have washrooms here which is bang opposite to the boat house.
Watching the boats zooming in and out created in me an anticipation of an exciting boat ride and added a buzz to the serene ambience.
Operating Hours:
The Pykara Boat House opens at ten in the morning and closes at five-thirty in the evening. But it is advisable to find out the actual timing to avoid any last-minute surprises or waste of time.
If you are arriving at Ooty when the weather is going through a change then there can be seasonal variations in timing too.
We had reached there in the afternoon. I would not say that the place was heavily crowded but there were a good number of people going up and down the stairs that led to the lake.
Types of Boats-Boat Selection and Preparing for the Journey:
There are different kinds of boats available depending on your thrill and adventure appetite.
If you want to experience a thrilling ride on the waters of Pykara then choose a speed boat. Within minutes you will be flying on water. Ofcourse, there will be an expert driver behind the wheels to make sure you experience the thrill in a controlled manner. You will have to wear a life jacket for your own safety that will be provided by the staff and is included in the tariff.
If you are with family or a group seeking a peaceful ride on the blue waters of the lake then you have the option of choosing an 8-seater or a 10-seater boat. These boats have overhead sheds so that you don’t feel the heat of the sun or rain.
There is another option of an open boat that seats six people. It’s not a speed boat but travels faster than the eight or ten-seater.
As we were in Ooty in the second week of March, the weather was sunny but the temperature was pleasantly cold. It’s a rare climate when the Sun is shining at it’s full glory but you don’t feel the heat because of the cool breeze.
Many years back, I had the opportunity to have the same boat ride during the rainy season too. During that time water was below us and was also poring from the sky. I was literally shivering because of the chill in the atmosphere.
Duration and Tariff of the Boat Ride:
Here’s the tariff for hiring the boat:
1. Speed Boat (2-3 person): Rs.1150/- for a 10-minute ride
2. Eight Seater: Rs.1150/- for a 20-minute ride
3. Ten Seater: Rs.1350/- for a 20-minute ride
The tariff is inclusive of the driver’s charge and 18% GST. Only one child below 5 years is allowed.
Now, looking at the above tariff options you may be wondering – what if we are only a couple or a small group of four and we don’t want to take the speed boat? How can we take a ride on an eight seater or a ten seater?
There’s a way. This is what the tourists do once they face this situation.
Near the ticket counter you can keep a lookout for other small groups who want to take the same boat as you. Yo can either ask them to join you or you can join their group to either complete a group of eight or ten.
One of you can book the boat by paying at the counter while other members can share their contribution with that person. This way the ride becomes economical for everyone.
As we were a group of ten including a child, we booked the ten-seater boat. The total bill was for Rs.1350/-. One of us booked the boat and the rest of us paid him Rs.135/- each for the ride.
You can make payments via Gpay and other mobile platforms. But it is advisable to carry enough cash on you. The place is remote and chances are there might not be any mobile network now and then to make the payment.
Fortunately for me, I got the network and paid my share through the mobile platform. It has become my habit: Whenever I travel I prefer to save cash and pay via mobile platforms. You never know when cash may come in handy.
The group started descending the colourful stairs painted in blue and green that gelled well with the nature around.
Be careful while going down the stairs towards the boat. Even though there are railings on the staircase, they are a bit shaky. It’s better to be extra cautious.
As there was a line to reach the bottom we used the waiting period to click some group selfies and individual pics against the background of the natural beauty.
The wait was not so long. One of the attendants enquired and when he came to know that we were a group of ten, he asked us to break the line and come down. We all assembled at the base near the lake. The boat was standing tied up ready to take us on our ride. A warning sign was displayed there warning people not to take selfies near the water or while on the boat. Sometimes it so happens that in the process of taking the perfect selfie, you may hurt yourself.
Still, you can take a selfie as long as you are careful around that area because the wooden platform you are standing on is a floating platform.
Safety Measures:
We all boarded the ten-seater boat. There were life jackets for everyone. We took one each and wore them over our dress. I got a child’s life jacket that didn’t fit well but it did the work.
As I embarked on the boat, the gentle ripples beneath and the swaying boat hinted at the ride that awaited us.
*Navigating Pykara Lake:*
As the boat gently glided over the clear waters of Pykara Lake, the green landscapes unfolded around us. The stillness of the lake was broken only by the rhythmic sound of motor caressing the water.
Even though the Sun was shining bright, the weather was cool. It was the perfect climate for the ride.
On the boat also we took photos using the front camera of our smartphone.
Come to think of it: Being in the city, a ride on the boat can appear nothing great, but when you sit on the boat, taking that ride, it brings a different kind of emotion.
The boatman or the driver of the boat sat there calmly making sure the boat was on course. I looked at him and wondered, every day he must be taking different tourists multiple times on the same ride, following the same route. Did he enjoy his job? His calm face didn’t reveal anything and I didn’t ask.
There were a couple of speedboats zooming past us at full speed. Most of us watching the speedboat might be wondering if they should also have opted for something more adventurous like the speedboat.
I had an even more daring kind of adventure riding a speed boat on the backwaters of Kerala. Compared to my experience, this appeared mild.
Finally, our round trip came to an end and the boatman parked the boat for us to get down. Other passengers were waiting to experience what we had just experienced.
We all removed our life jackets and returned to land.
We climbed up the staircase. Near the entrance, there was a seating place. My wife and I sat there enjoying the Pykara lake view as the boats sailed into the lake and the speedboats zoomed back and forth.
Finally, it was time to leave Pykara Boat House. Our next stoppage was a restaurant where we would be having our lunch.
Thrills and Chills:
While the boat ride offered moments of tranquility and peacefulness, it also had its fair share of minute excitement. The gentle twists and turns of the boat, coupled with the occasional gusts of cold wind, added a touch of thrill to the journey. The boat ride became a perfect blend of peaceful contemplation and refreshing adventure.
Facilities and Amenities:
You can avail of the following amenities at the site:
a) Parking Area
b) Drinking Water
c) Restaurant
d) Restroom
e) Life Jacket on the boats
f) Rescue Team
g) Seating arrangement in a Shaded area
Tips for Visitors:
1. Clothing: The weather in Ooty is almost always pleasant and cool. Irrespective of the season you are arriving in Ooty it is advisable to carry warm clothes and jackets to keep yourself warm. You will be required to carry additional clothes during the rainy season. The temperature can drop and the climate can get cold.
2. Best time to visit Pykara Lake: Monsoon is at its peak from July to September in Ooty. Sometimes you may experience drizzling in June too. So if you love rain and enjoy walking and getting wet then this is the best time to be in Ooty and Pykara Lake House Boat.
But if rain is a no-no for you then you can visit the place from October to March. This trip of ours was in March but I also experienced the boat ride during the rainy season too.
Ooty being a hill station for the people the day starts slowly. The hustle and bustle of the city begins only after eleven in the morning. So if you want to avoid the crowd you can visit the boat house before eleven. But please check and confirm the opening timing of the place. We reached the place around lunch time and it was not so crowded. So around lunch time is also okay if you don’t want to get caught up in a crowd.
3. Responsible Travel Practices: Every traveller can play an important role in preserving the beauty of the destination they explore. As you travel to breathtaking destinations kindly take care that you don’t litter the place. When we visit a tourist spot we expect it to be neat and clean. Then why not take personal responsibility and make sure that when we leave we leave the place garbage-free from our side? So that when others arrive after us they also find the place as natural as possible for them to enjoy.
When we travel we carry a small garbage bag with us. If we consume some eatable and don’t find a dustbin nearby we put it in that garbage bag. When we return to the hotel we through it in the right place.
This is our small way to make sure the tourist spots remain clean.
Conclusion:
Sailing through Pykara Boat House in Ooty, Tamilnadu was more than a mere boat ride; it was a soul-stirring experience that immersed me in the natural beauty of Ooty.
The Pykara Boat House, with its serene lake and vibrant surroundings, is a testament to the enchanting allure of nature in Ooty.
If you find yourself in Ooty or are planning to visit the hill station, make sure to embark on this boat ride for a journey that goes beyond the ordinary bus, bike or car ride back home, leaving you with memories to treasure forever and selfies to revisit the experience.
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