Mist, Magic, and My Gals: Our Coonoor Getaway 🏔️✨

Ever since my first-ever girls' trip to the sunny shores of Pondicherry, I’ve been chasing that high. There’s a specific kind of soul-refilling magic that only happens when you’re away with your best friends — the kind that lingers long after the trip ends. (To read more about that Pondicherry trip, click here.) This time, we traded the salt air for the eucalyptus-scented breeze of the mountains. We chose Coonoor, nestled in the heart of The Nilgiris—a place known for rolling tea gardens, misty mornings, colonial charm, and weather that can change its mood every hour. January in the Nilgiris is magical: cool days, foggy evenings, sudden sunshine, and that constant smell of eucalyptus and tea in the air.

We locked in a date, planned every tiny detail (because that’s how we roll), and booked the coziest BnB—Le Rêve (it felt like it was plucked straight out of a storybook), And just like that, the countdown began.

Day 1: Forest Trails & Late-Night Giggles | 24.01.2026

The morning began with real life—cooking for my family, packing my bags, and mentally switching into gals trip mode. Mr. R drove me down to Kotagiri to meet the girls. Kas, Pinks, Prats, and Vino had travelled from Chennai and checked into The White House for freshening up, while K had come in from Bengaluru the previous day.

I picked up breakfast from Moddy’s (an Ooty staple, honestly) for the Chennai gals and then drove to Coonoor bus stand to pick up K. Once reunited, we barely wasted a moment before diving straight into our first adventure — a hike at Longwood Shola Reserve Forest. - This quiet stretch of green felt like the perfect reset after the chaos of travel. Towering trees, leafy crunchy trails, and that unmistakable forest hush made every step feel grounding. To read more about Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, click here.

The weather that day was cool and fresh—perfect for a forest trek. Though the girls’ bus was delayed by nearly two hours and we were late by an hour for our 11 a.m. slot. After filling out waiver forms, we set off with a wonderfully patient guide who explained the forest’s unique ecosystem, its flora and fauna, and even took us slightly off-trail for a more immersive jungle experience.

The Shola forest felt surreal—towering trees, sunlight filtering through dense canopies, and that quiet only nature knows. Pinks, being the adventurer she is, even drank the pure, untouched water straight from a natural stream and filled her bottle like it was the most normal thing ever 😄.! We hiked, we laughed, and we shared stories that only the trees could hear.

Post-trek hunger hit us hard, so we headed to Berry Peckers for lunch. While the food itself was good, the service tested our patience—wrong orders, delays, and hanger levels rising rapidly. A few tempers flared, but food eventually fixed everything (mostly 😅).

From there, we finally headed to Le Rêve. The house was everything we hoped for—warm, cozy, and inviting. Room allocations happened quickly: Kas and I upstairs, K and V next door, and Pinks with Prats downstairs. Pyjamas on, drinks poured, and we gathered in the living room for gossip, catching up, and endless laughter. Time flew. Before we knew it, it was 3 a.m. We reluctantly called it a night, knowing another full day awaited us.

Day 2: Toy Trains and Foggy Nights 🚂🌫️ | 25.01.2026

I woke up around 7:30–8 a.m., had my coffee, grabbed breakfast, and got ready for the day. The plan? Toy train ride from Coonoor to Ooty—a Nilgiris classic. I had always assumed the journey might be slow or boring, but clearly I forgot who I was travelling with. Between leg-pulling, nonstop laughter, and snapped a million photos until we reached Ooty the ride was anything but dull. The weather in Ooty was sunny and bright, a contrast to Coonoor’s usual mood.

We reached Ooty around 2 p.m., took an auto, and headed to The Periodic Table for lunch. After eating, we walked around a bit—only to realise we couldn’t find an auto back to the station. What followed was a full-on sprint through Ooty roads. Pure chaos. Somehow, by sheer luck, a kind stranger stopped and dropped us just in time—we boarded the train literally seconds before it departed. The return journey was just as fun, with a lively crowd and infectious energy. Back in Coonoor, the weather had completely shifted—foggy, grey, and dramatic. Kas, Pinks, and I stopped at Selfie Spot for pictures while the others patiently waited (true friendship right there 🫶). Then it was back to Moddy’s for hot cocoa, coffee, and badam milk.

After some rest, we dressed up for the night and headed to Hopscotch, a pub in Coonoor. The fog was so dense that visibility was almost zero, and our driver crawled along carefully. Inside, we had shots, indulgent starters, drinks, and plenty of photos. While there was no dance floor—just live music—we still had a great time. Back at the BnB by 10 p.m., the real party began. Dancing, experimenting with new drinks (Kas was in her mixologist era 😉), playing Exploding Kittens, editing pictures, and endless banter carried us through till the early hours of the morning, we didn't hit the pillows until the sun was almost up.

Day 3: Saree Dreams and Bitter-Sweet Goodbyes| 26.01.2026

Our final morning was a "Dazzle in the Mist" theme. I woke up around 9:30 a.m., had breakfast, and we planned the day ahead. As promised, it was saree photoshoot day. The weather remained hazy and foggy, but honestly—it only added to the charm. Dressed in sarees, we turned the BnB into our personal photoshoot location, laughing, posing, and creating memories we’ll treasure forever.

After changing and checking out, we said goodbye to K, who had to leave early. The rest of us went souvenir shopping—tea, spices, oils—followed by a visit to a tea factory (and yes, more tea purchases). We then headed to Dolphin’s Nose, though the fog played spoilsport yet again. Still, we managed a few pictures along the way.

By 4:30–5 p.m., hunger struck and we made our way to Cherrie Berry—hands down the best meal of the trip. Excellent service, delicious food, and quick orders restored our energy instantly. While the girls went off to buy exotic fruits and vegetables, I met my family who had come to pick me up.

Saying goodbye was bittersweet. I was happy to be back with my son and Mr. R, yet already missing my gals. I felt that familiar tug-of-war: so happy to be home, yet already missing the chaos of "the gals."

Before we dispersed, we locked in dates for our next trip—giving me something to look forward to until we meet again. Some trips end when you return home. This one? It stays—with the fog, the laughter, and the love. Until then, I’ll just be here, scrolling through these photos and smiling.