Deer beside the road

Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, India, near the Bandipur National Park. It is known as a place to see elephants, tigers, peacocks, deer and other animals.

Understand

Nilgiris district has been declared a plastic-free zone.

Do not feed animals. This may disrupt the ecosystem as animals will start depending on tourists for food. This can also lead to human-animal conflict

History

Frog Hill view in Gudalur

Mudumalai means Old mountain in Tamil.

Landscape

The terrain is hilly.

Flora and fauna

Mudumalai National Park has one of the highest density of animals in India. Teak forests are found in most of the areas of the national park.

Peahen

Climate

The climate is hotter than Ooty. Some parts of Mudumalai National Park comes under Rain-shadow region. Dry weather prevails during the summer months.

Get in

The nearest city is Gudalur.

• Mudumalai is accessible via the NH - 67
  • 93 km from Mysore
  • 35 km from Ooty (shortest route with dangerous curves)

  • 

    A roaming Elephant in Mudumalai National Park

    67 km from Ooty (Ooty - Gudalur - Mysore Highway)
  • 3 km from Gudalur (National Park limit begins)
  • 17 km from Gudalur to reach Theppakadu

Fees and permits

Tamil Nadu Forest Department runs a Tourist Dormitory (Peacock Dormitory) at Kargudi, a tribal village 3 km away from Theppakadu on the way to Gudalur.

Get around

It's good to have your own vehicle. Another choice is to hire a four-wheel-drive.

See

Visit

• Needle rock view point (10 km from Gudalur on the way to Ooty)
• frog hill view point (12 km from Gudalur on the way to Ooty)
• Chandanamalai temple (around 15 km from Gudalur in O'valley road)
• spices gardens
• genepool garden
• nature trek

Enjoy the panoramic scenery.

Singara Hydro-power station is 6 km from Masinagudi.

Do

You can go for an elephant safari there and also have a jungle safari organised by the forest department.

You can volunteer at local animal welfare charity IPAN, staying at their project or nearby in Masinagudi town.

Buy

Spices, tea dust, coffee powder, handicrafts

Hill products, honey, Eucalyptus oils Jackfruit, mango. Gudalur is best to purchase tea pockets with a cheap rate.

Sleep

• Greenwoods Nature Camp, Thorapally, Mudmalai (2.5 km off Ooty Mysore Highway), ☏ +91 9620401689, enquiry@greeenwoodsnaturecamp.com. Check-in: 11:30AM, check-out: 11:00AM. Offers accommodation, Jeep safari, camp fire, trekking. ₹750 to ₹2500. 
• Jungle Home, Mudumalai Border, Thorapally, Gudalur Road (10 km from Mudumalai forest office, on the gudalur road), ☏ +91 99000 87611, +91 9448485160, stay@deepjunglehome.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. ₹1200 to ₹2500 per person including all three meals and accommodation. 
• Rockgardens holiday resorts, Mudumalai

Stay safe

Dangerous animals like hungry bengal tigers and bull elephants are a problem around Masinagudi, so be careful when trekking. Mosquitoes are a problem so bring plenty of repellent and wear light-coloured clothes that cover your arms and legs.

Go next

• Ooty
• Mukurthi National Park
• Mysore
• Gundlupet
• Bandipur National Park
• Chamarajanagar
• Nanjangud