De Rock, Coonoor

De Rock, an eco-sensitive Resort is a gateway to nature. It is is perched on the lovely Nilgiri mountains, in the lap of mother nature, offering an exquisite panoramic view of the surrounding picturesque landscape. It is located at Lambs Rock in the Nilgiris, skirting the natural rain forest on one side and an overhanging cliff on the other (the famous Lambs Rock).

The rock is a jagged cliff that drops down several hundred feet to the lush jungle below. On the right hand is the Hulical ravine. From here, it is possible to see the Coonoor stream some 5000 feet below. This vantage point also provides you with an excellent view of the Coimbatore plains, and the verdant tea gardens on the other side.

De Rock is the perfect place to enjoy and explore. If you are someone with a desire to explore nature and be a part of it or someone looking for a relaxing vacation in pristine locations away from the maddening crowd or some one looking for the elegance and romance of living in tranquil serene environs, so much closer to nature.

With nature at its best, De-rock is an ideal get away for enjoyable family vacations.

De Rock offers accommodation in country style cottages with sprawling private verandahs that afford spectacular views of receding mountains and tropical jungles. The rooms have been styled individually to cater to different requirements.

Room types
Cliff view
Cliff view cottage offers a spectacular view of the overlooking cliff. The sit out verandah overlooks the 'lambs rock' view point whilst the bedroom windows offer a fantastic view of the natural beauty of the surroundings. The cottage has a spacious bathroom and shower cubicle. Both the furniture and décor within create a cozy atmosphere as well make you comfortable with a luxurious feel that blends itself into the picturesque natural landscape and the exhilaration of the holiday mood.

Rain forest view
Rain forest view comes with a private balcony that looks over the rain forest below. The large windows create an illusion of a large picture frame of the natural forest to enjoy and cherish. The spacious, cozy room with a spectacular view of the rain forest trees, and the private balcony, the furniture and décor serves as your private cabin in paradise and makes you feel every bit a part of the natural surroundings.

Plains view
Plains view cottage has large windows to capture and offer you the spectacular view of the plains of Mettupalayam and Coimbatore as far as the eye can see. A great place to sit by the windows to catch spectacular view of the sunrise by dawn. The ever changing landscape with the moving clouds below through the day, and the effect of the well lit plains below by nightfall is a delightful sight. The furniture and décor is well done to make you feel a sense of oneness with the surrounding landscape.

Dining
De Rock caters food with enough variety to please any palate with delicious home cooking concept. Though room service of food is discouraged, they offer you a fantastic furnished outdoor dining experience in the garden, with spectacular views and salubrious natural climate to enjoy.

You can make your stay a memorable one with the wide variety of activities which let you relax in the lap of nature and create a feeling of excitement.

Nature Walks
Take a nature walk alone or with a local guide, breathe the fresh mountain mist air, be with nature and take in all its glory, hear the sounds of nature, you may also see Malabar squirrels, barking deer, bison and so many species of birds both migratory and sedentary. You could walk the meandering mountain paths, the forest roads or the tea plantations, or just stroll around anywhere serenity invites you.

Trekking
Trekking, for the more adventurous, could be organized with a local guide to escort you  up hillocks, across rocky streams, or along the perimeter of the reserve forests or take you off the regular beaten tracks to the nearby beauty spots. A good pair of walking shoes and the needed weather protection accessories will make this a pleasant experience. They need two days notice to book a suitable local guide.

Hiking
Hike up to the nearby beauty spots with packed lunch or go up a mountain see the panoramic views it offers, or hike off the beaten tracks from the main thorough fares and visit scenic locations, villages, farm steads & rural communities and experience the tradition, culture and heritage of the Nilgiris.

Nilgiri mountain railway
The most ideal way to begin your holiday in the hill resort would be to take the train journey to set the pace for a leisurely, stress free holiday. Children, parents, and grandparents will thoroughly enjoy themselves as the train goes up the hill and down the valley through panoramic landscapes, across bridges and through tunnels. As the huffing and puffing train clings to the mountain sides, taking sharp curves, you get to see nature at its best.

Tea factory visit
Coonoor is known for the verdant tea plantations. A visit to a tea factory is a worthwhile trip to experience first hand the harvesting of the tea bushes on the hill slopes, the processing of the leaves and to taste the famous Nilgiri tea. You could have a guided tour of the processing units and also buy your favourite teas. You could also visit the tea museum if you wish to indulge further and learn more about tea and its history. The annual tea and tourism festival attracts crowds in large numbers.

Shopping in Coonoor
Just about anything available in the cities can be had at Ooty with the added attraction of leisurely shopping. Exclusive Nilgiri products including Nilgiri tea, fruits, natural oils like Eucalyptus, Toda embroideries and plant nurseries are easily available in town. Co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market are some of the best places for shopping fruits and general groceries. Kairali of Kerala Handicrafts and Poompuhar of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts have their showrooms near the Super Market Buildings on Charring Cross. The Nilgiris are also known for their fine confectionery and delicious home made chocolates.

Coonoor
Sim's Park
The Sim's Park is spread over an area of 12 hectares and is situated in Upper Coonoor. The park it is believed has more than 1000 plant species, including many flowering plants, pines, ferns and shrubs. The park is situated in a deep ravine on the northern side of Coonoor railway station at an elevation of 1768 to 1798 metres. It occupies the slopes and base of a small ravine. At the head of the gardens, the well kept lawns, the artistically laid out ornamental beds, looking beautiful and lacking no wealth of the flowering plants or shrub in great variety and colour, are great feasts to the eyes.

Lamb's Rock
Lambs rock is perhaps the most favorite place for picnic parties near Coonoor. The rock is a sheer precipice of jagged rock which drops down several hundred feet to bury itself in the luxuriant jungles below. Lamb's Rock is also a vantage point that is ideal for taking pictures and is a wonderful picnic spot. It is known for the splendid views it offers of the plains of Coimbatore and the tea gardens, and natural forests surrounding the area.

Dolphin's Nose
You can come down to Dolphin's nose and have a good time, enjoying games and an outdoor picnic. The Dolphin's nose is a great vantage point that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. If it is clear day, you can even see the Catherine falls from here

Law's falls
Is named after Col. Law, who traced the ghat road. This is a pretty cascade on the Coonoor river near its junction with the mettupalayam road. The fall is located 5 km off Coonoor-Mettupalayam road. It is one of the prettiest places in the district and it attracts many visitors. The Law's falls are a paradise for naturalists.

The Droog
It is 17 km from  Coonoor. One has to go up to Nonsuch Estate and trek down for about 4km. There is a dilapidated fort which is said to have been Tippu Sultan's outpost. The peak stands at an elevation of about 2,000 mts. and directly overlooks the plains.


Lady Canning's Seat
Lady Canning's seat is about 8 kms from Coonoor bus-stand and further the same road as Lamb's Rock. It is perhaps the loveliest point in the heart of the woods.  Lady Canning, wife of the Viceroy was fond of this spot, which commands a panoramic view of  the numerous tea  estates, Lamb's Rock, the Droog & the Lampton's Peak can all be seen one above the other from here and even Mettupalayam is visible at a distance.

Events & Festivals
Tea and tourism Festival
If you are in Ooty in the month of January, you cannot possibly miss the Tea and Tourism festival. At the festival, you can learn more about your favorite drink and possibly taste some of the best cups of tea.

Makar Pongal
In January, if you find yourself holidaying in Ooty, then do not forget to join the festivities and enjoy the celebrations.

Flower Show
The popular flower show is held in May at the botanical gardens and is a great event that attracts visitors from all over.

On the road to lambs rock one can spot Bison in the Tea Gardens; the area is, however, an ornithologist's delight with abundant bird population of different species. Those who take the walks around could spot Malabar squirrels, golden macaques, the occasional barking deer etc., and plenty of bird life. However, the easy road approach to Mudumalai Wild life sanctuary and tiger reserve from here is an added attraction.

Mudumalai National Park
The first wildlife sanctuary in South India, Mudumalai is home to a large number of animals. Wildlife at this lush green sanctuary flourishes in the midst of surreal greens, interposed by swamps, grasslands and forested hills. Wildlife such as bonnet macaques, langurs, elephants, Indian munjtac, wild boar, mouse deer, sambhar, hyena, sloth bears, flying squirrels, jackal, gaur, spotted deer, tigers, leopards are present.

Birds
Changeable Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Jerdon's Baza, Bonelli's Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Besra, Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Hawk Owl,Grey Junglefowl, Red Spurfowl, Painted Spurfowl, Painted Bush Quail, White bellied Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Flameback, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Emerald Dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, Black-hooded Oriole, Greater Racket-tailed Dronge, Black-headed Cuckoo shrike, Grey-headed Bulbul, Forest Wagtail, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Loten's Sunbird, etc. are found here.

Reaching De-rock Coonoor is a very easy affair. Coonoor town is well connected by road and rail.
The southern approach is via Coimbatore - Mettupalayam - Coonoor for tourists from Chennai, Cochin, etc.,
The northern approach is via Ooty - Coonoor for tourists from Bangalore, Mysore, Calicut etc., either way it is a memorable drive. The resort is located 6 km from the Coonoor railway station.

By Air
The nearest airport is at Coimbatore with a good network of domestic flights to other cities. The distance to Coimbatore is 80 km and the drive from Coimbatore to Coonoor takes about one and half to two hours. The other towns of Nilgiris namely Ooty, and Kotagiri are 18 km apart. Local transport within and around Coonoor is easily available in the form of buses, cabs, autos.

By Rail
The century old heritage railway station at Coonoor is located on the nilgiri mountain railway route between Ooty and metupalayam. The heritage Nilgiri mountain railway (Toy train) journey from Mettupalayam to Coonoor is a memorable experience. The train passes through tunnels, tall girder bridges, forest clad hills, and the breathtaking views are not forgottten easily.
Several passenger trains are connect the rest of India from Mettupalayam and Coimbatore railway stations.

By Road
Coonoor town is connected to other towns and cities within Tamilnadu, parts of Kerala and Karnataka with regular bus services, and private travel/ tour bus/ cab/ van operators. A drive up to Coonoor is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.