A Drive to Dolphin’s Nose

During out stay in Kothagiri, we drove to the Dolphin’s nose - a popular places of interest near Coonoor, on the Nilgiri District of Tamil Nadu. It is an awesome viewpoint with a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Blue Mountains, but to our great disappointment, the entire view was concealed by blanket of mist by that time. Dolphin’s Nose (click here to see how it look exactly) is an enormous rock formation that is entirely unique and the protruding rock formation looks exactly like what it is named after, a dolphin’s nose.

Well over 1,000 meter above sea level, the spectacular spot is 10 km from Coonoor. But for me the best part of visit to this viewpoint was within the way in itself.  The narrow road to the dolphin’s nose was mysterious since surrounded by mist; the road expands to the lush green tea estates and encloses to thick vegetation and trees produces a sense of passing rain-forest. The most fascinating on this route was, the small streams or natural springs creating mini waterfalls and winding roads making each and every turn exciting.

Coonoor-Dolphin's Nose road passing through fog

As it was time of summer vacation, the vehicles were frequent on either side missing bumper kisses at narrow escapes. We couldn't stop anywhere on the road to take photos or spent time on views, except for few seconds on the mini falls (see below). Wading through mist and traffic, we end at the view point and waited sometime for unveil of beautiful view hidden by mist scarf. But the beauty beneath doesn't seem to respond a bit rather hold her blanket too tight and unwilling to wake up from sleep even it was suppose to be noon. J

The cousins, who accompany us, had been to this place few times and familiar with views, pointed on certain things but it was a clear picture of white to me. While on a clear day, one could see the awe inspiring Catherine Falls with its continuing stream several thousand meters below. There were row of shops near the viewpoint, offering variety of Teas, Homemade chocolates and fancy things… the ambiance of mist and tea plantation was inspiring to have our share of cheers via Tea. I ever tasted tea out of regular one and ginger tea, but like you expect I haven’t tried anything out of usual.

On our way back and again wading though the mist and traffic, we though to check the other two spots - Law’s Fall and Lamb’s Rock - taking the cross road, but someone instructed us that these places too experience similar mist, so it’s  not worth visiting at that time. We drove to Coonoor for lunch, before back to Kothagiri. 

Roadblock: Coonoor - Dolphin's Nose road missed in mist