Pykara Lake Boating & Dam
Pykara Lake is a magnificent reservoir formed by the damming of the Pykara River, which is considered sacred by the indigenous Toda tribe. Located about 21 KM from Ooty on the way to Masinagudi, it is one of the most serene spots in the Nilgiris. The lake is surrounded by lush "Shola" forests and r olling grasslands known as "muntane" meadows. The water is remarkably clean and reflects the surrounding greenery like a mirror. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) operates a boat house here, offering various types of boat rides, from leisurely motorboats to high-speed adventures. As you glide over the water, you are surrounded by hills that look like they belong in the Scottish Highlands. The Pykara Dam nearby is an engineering marvel and part of a major hydroelectric project. A short walk or a battery car ride from the lake takes you to the Pykara Waterfalls, where the river cascades over a series of rocks in a spectacular display. The area is well-maintained with fenced paths to ensure visitor safety. The silence of the forest, occasionally punctuated by the sound of the falls or the motor of a boat, creates a very relaxing atmosphere. There is a small cafeteria at the boat house serving snacks and coffee. The drive to Pykara from Masinagudi involves climbing the famous Kalhatty Ghats with its 36 hairpin bends, offering an adventurous prelude to the lake’s tranquility. The lake is also a popular spot for film shootings due to its pristine beauty. The Toda people believe the river rises from the Mukurthi peak, and their cultural stories are deeply intertwined with this landscape. Visiting Pykara is a chance to see the Nilgiris in its most natural and undisturbed form, away from the commercial bustle of the main towns.
General information
-
Ideal Duration:
2 to 3 HoursPlace Type:
Lake / AdventureEntry Fees:
Entry to the lake area is 10 INR per person.
Boating charges: 8-seater motorboat is 770 INR, 10-seater is 890 INR, and a 2-seater speed boat is 800 INR. Parking costs 20 INR for cars. ...Entry to the lake area is 10 INR per person.
Boating charges: 8-seater motorboat is 770 INR, 10-seater is 890 INR, and a 2-seater speed boat is 800 INR. Parking costs 20 INR for cars.Timing:
Regular Timings: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Boating usually starts at 10:00 AM.
Ideal Visit Time: 10:30 AM to avoid the afternoon rush and catch the best morning light on the waterfalls. ...Regular Timings: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Boating usually starts at 10:00 AM.
Ideal Visit Time: 10:30 AM to avoid the afternoon rush and catch the best morning light on the waterfalls.Special Events:
World Tourism Day: On September 27, the boat house often sees special decorations and occasional discounts on rides to promote eco-tourism and awareness about the Nilgiri biosphere. ...World Tourism Day: On September 27, the boat house often sees special decorations and occasional discounts on rides to promote eco-tourism and awareness about the Nilgiri biosphere.Best Photo Spots:
The Jetty: Provides a perfect leading-line shot into the lake.
The Waterfall Bridge: Offers a top-down view of the cascading water.
Pine Forest Entrance: The tall pine trees near the parking area create a ci...The Jetty: Provides a perfect leading-line shot into the lake.
The Waterfall Bridge: Offers a top-down view of the cascading water.
Pine Forest Entrance: The tall pine trees near the parking area create a cinematic backdrop.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
-
Speed Boating: Feel the adrenaline on a 10-minute fast ride.
Motor Boat Cruise: A 20-minute group ride to explore the lake's inlets.
Waterfall Trek: A 1. 5 KM walk from the boat house to the tiered falls.
Wildlife Spotting: Keep an eye out for elephants or deer drinking at the far banks.
Photography: Capture the reflection of the Shola forests in the still water.
Picnicking: Utilize the grassy banks near the entrance for a family meal.
Battery Car Ride: Take the eco-friendly shuttle to the waterfalls if you prefer not to walk. ...Speed Boating: Feel the adrenaline on a 10-minute fast ride.
Motor Boat Cruise: A 20-minute group ride to explore the lake's inlets.
Waterfall Trek: A 1. 5 KM walk from the boat house to the tiered falls.
Wildlife Spotting: Keep an eye out for elephants or deer drinking at the far banks.
Photography: Capture the reflection of the Shola forests in the still water.
Picnicking: Utilize the grassy banks near the entrance for a family meal.
Battery Car Ride: Take the eco-friendly shuttle to the waterfalls if you prefer not to walk.
Information
-
Why Famous:
Sacred River: Famous for being the largest and most sacred river in the Nilgiris for the Toda tribe. It is also famous for its high-speed boating experiences and the nearby tiered waterfalls. The hydroelectric power house at Pykara is one of the oldest in South India. ...Sacred River: Famous for being the largest and most sacred river in the Nilgiris for the Toda tribe. It is also famous for its high-speed boating experiences and the nearby tiered waterfalls. The hydroelectric power house at Pykara is one of the oldest in South India. -
Architecture:
Gravity Dam Design: The Pykara Dam is a masonry gravity dam, roughly 800 feet long and 100 feet high. The boat house features a contemporary mountain-cabin style with wooden cladding and large glass panes, measuring about 60 by 40 feet. The structure is designed to blend ...Gravity Dam Design: The Pykara Dam is a masonry gravity dam, roughly 800 feet long and 100 feet high. The boat house features a contemporary mountain-cabin style with wooden cladding and large glass panes, measuring about 60 by 40 feet. The structure is designed to blend with the forest environment, using locally sourced stone for the foundation and retaining walls. -
How To Reach:
By Air: Coimbatore Airport (100 KM).
By Train: Ooty Railway Station (21 KM).
By Road: Directly on the Ooty-Gudalur highway; 21 KM from Masinagudi.
By Local Transport: Any ...By Air: Coimbatore Airport (100 KM).
By Train: Ooty Railway Station (21 KM).
By Road: Directly on the Ooty-Gudalur highway; 21 KM from Masinagudi.
By Local Transport: Any bus going from Ooty toward Gudalur or Mysore will drop you at the Pykara junction. -
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Seasons: Winter (October-March) is the best time with full water levels and cool air. Summer (April-June) is pleasant but can be crowded. Monsoon (July-September) makes the falls thunderous but boating might be closed during heavy rain.
Time o...Seasons: Winter (October-March) is the best time with full water levels and cool air. Summer (April-June) is pleasant but can be crowded. Monsoon (July-September) makes the falls thunderous but boating might be closed during heavy rain.
Time of Day: Morning is peaceful; late afternoon is good for soft photography light. -
Near Tourist Places:
Mudumalai (30 KM), Ooty Lake (21 KM), Shooting Point / 9th Mile (6 KM), 6th Mile (9 KM), Glenmorgan (15 KM), Wenlock Downs (10 KM), Kamraj Sagar Dam (15 KM), Botanical Garden (23 KM), Doddabetta (28 KM), Needle Rock (25 KM).
Tourism Tips
-
Health & Safety: Wear life jackets during boating (mandatory). The rocks at the waterfall are extremely slippery; stay behind the fences.
Packing: Wear comfortable sneakers for the walk to the falls.
Accommoda...Health & Safety: Wear life jackets during boating (mandatory). The rocks at the waterfall are extremely slippery; stay behind the fences.
Packing: Wear comfortable sneakers for the walk to the falls.
Accommodation: Limited options at Pykara; better to stay in Masinagudi or Ooty.
Cash: Carry cash for boat tickets and snacks; network for UPI can be weak.
Connectivity: Mobile signals are weak near the water; best at the parking area.
Reviews
FAQs
Masinagudi Itineray And Cost:-
Pykara Lake Boating & Dam Tourism:-
Other Places In Masinagudi :-
Other States In India :-
Information about New and Updated Locations() of Tamil Nadu Has Been Added :-
Card subtitle
Note:-
Information provided here in good Faith and for reference only.
Near Places
6th Mile Shooting Point
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
9th Mile Shooting Spot
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Coonoor Bazaar
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Kalhatty Waterfalls View Point
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Kargudi Watch Tower
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Katary Falls
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Lamb's Rock
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Maravakandy Dam
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Moyar River Viewpoint
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Mudumalai Interpretation Centre
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Naduvattam View Point
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Nilgiri Tea Plantations
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Pykara Lake Boating & Dam
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Saint Monica Lakee
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Silent Valley Turnout
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewherein Other Cities