Masinagudi is a small town located in the Nilgiri District of the state of Tamil Nadu. When you are visiting Ooty, which is a popular hill station in Tamil Nadu, you can consider covering Masinagudi as well. Both these places are located in the same Nilgiri District. This small town is surrounded by coffee and tea plantations and dense forests. Also, you can find wildlife sanctuaries near this town.
Masinagudi – An Introduction
Masinagudi apart from being a town is a hill station as well. This hill station is popular for its scenic beauty. Also, it is part of the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary region. So, it attracts not only nature lovers but also wildlife enthusiasts. It is an ideal destination for adventure seekers as well, as it has many waterfalls and trekking trails. With lots of things to do in Masinagudi, you can expect the best experience from your visit to this hill station.
How to Reach Masinagudi?
I have a detailed post on how to reach Masinagudi in my collection of blogs. However, here is a short information on reaching this hill station by different modes of transportation:
By Bus
Thankfully, Masinagudi is connected well to major cities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka by road. You can find both Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation and Karnataka State Road Transportation buses from different cities in these states. For instance, from Tamil Nadu, you can find direct buses from Ooty and Coimbatore that can take you to Masinagudi. From Karnataka, you can find buses from Mysore and Bangalore to take you directly to Masinagudi.
Otherwise, you can reach Gudalur, Coimbatore or Ooty from your hometown by bus. From these places, you can find direct buses to Masinagudi. The good thing about travelling by bus is that you can get scenic views of the Nilgiri Hills and surrounding forests.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Masinagudi is Mettupalayam Railway Station. This railway station is about 50 km away from the hill station. If you cannot find direct trains to Mettupalayam from your hometown, you can consider taking the train to Coimbatore Junction. From Coimbatore junction, the hill station is around 120 km. You can cover this distance by local buses or by hiring a taxi.
For the best experience, you can consider booking tickets on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway or toy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty. After reaching Ooty by the mountain train, you can hire a taxi to reach Masinagudi or you can rely on public buses.
By Flight
The nearest airport to Masinagudi is Coimbatore International Airport. This airport is located around 120 km away from the hill station. You can reach this airport by flights operated from different cities in India and even foreign countries. From this airport, you can hire a cab or rely on public transportation buses to reach Masinagudi.
Another airport near the hill station is Mysore Airport. This airport is a domestic airport located around 100 km from the hill station. If you are travelling from other Indian cities, you can book your flight tickets to reach Mysore Airport. From there, you can book a cab to reach the hill station.
By Car
Travelling by car is indeed a convenient way to reach Masinagudi. If you are travelling from Coimbatore or Bangalore, the drive will be scenic with winding roads and picturesque landscapes. If you are travelling by road from Mysore or Bangalore, you will pass through Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai National Park. On the route, you have a chance to spot wild animals. Many people enjoy this route a lot. However, when you are passing through this road, make sure to adhere to the timing restrictions.
Key Attractions & Things To Do
I have a dedicated blog post on top things to do in Masinagudi. However, in this comprehensive Masinagudi blog post, I would like to share the best things to do in this hill station:
Visit Mudhumalai National Park
Within a 17 km drive from Masinagudi, you can reach Mudumalai National Park. You can take part in a jeep or van safari in this national park. The safari trip will give a chance to see wild animals in their natural habitat. You have a chance of spotting, bears, deer, and elephants and if you are lucky enough you might even spot tigers and lions.
Visit Theppakadu Elephant Camp
Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Masinagudi is a camp for elephants. This camp is managed by the Forest Department. The camp houses many elephants. These elephants are trained under the guidance of forest authorities. When you visit this camp, you can see elephants enjoying their bath time. Also, you will be surprised to see how these huge creatures obey the instructions of their mahouts. If you love watching elephants, you will experience that the time spent in this camp is highly worthwhile.
Go To Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park
Again, located around 12 km from Masinagudi, Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park is yet another attraction for wildlife enthusiasts. You can take safari rides in this national park to get a close glimpse of wild animals.
Relax at Moyar River
This is a tranquil river located around 7 km from Masinagudi. If you are looking for a place, where you can sit and relax for a few hours, you will love this place. Also, if you love adventure activities, you will love rafting at this river.
Explore Nilgiri Tea Plantations
Masinagudi is the home to lush green tea plantations. If you wish to relax in a serene atmosphere near Masinagudi, you can explore the tea plantations. The aroma of tea will give you a relaxing experience. In addition, from the tea factory located amidst these tea plantations, you can understand how is tea manufactured. This will be an enriching experience. Most factories offer a tea-tasting opportunity for visitors as well.
Kalhatty Waterfalls
When you travel for around 20 km from Masinagudi, you can reach Kalhatty Waterfalls. This waterfall is believed to have been the abode of Sage Agastya. It looks great amidst the undulating hills. You can reach these falls on the Ooty to Masinagudi Road. If you drive your car, you can park it on the roadside to enjoy a hike to the viewpoint. From there you will have to climb down around 150 steps to reach the base of the waterfall.
Maravakandy Dam
If you are planning a visit to Masinagudi mainly for wildlife spotting, you will love this dam site for sure. Built in 1951, this dam is surrounded by lush greenery. It will look absolutely beautiful in the morning. This dam is one of the key attractions in Masinagudi, which houses an animal-watching tower. Animals frequently visit the dam to quench their thirst. So, when you visit the spot during the morning, you will have a great possibility to see tigers and elephants.
Needle Rock View Point Trekking
If you love trekking, you can hike to the Needle Rock Viewpoint when you are in Masinagudi. From this view point, you can get breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and hills. If you love photography, the sunrise and sunset are ideal times to visit this view point.
Visit Masani Amman Temple
If you need a spiritual spot, you can visit the popular Masani Amman Temple in the hill station. The locals strongly believe that the goddess is always ready to fulfil the wishes of her devotees.
Stay in Jungle Resort
How about staying in a resort that is visited by wild animals? Can you imagine the thrilling experience you can get? Yes, you can stay in a jungle resort and wake up to the sounds of birds and animals. This will be a different experience for sure.
Visit Ooty
Ooty itself is a key tourist attraction. But, you can cover important tourist spots alone in Ooty when staying in Masinagudi. You can plan a day trip from Masinagudi to Ooty to do this. The distance is 29 km. So, you can reach Ooty within an hour’s drive from Masinagudi.
Best Time & Season To Visit
Peak Season
If you are interested in visiting Masinagudi during the peak season, you can choose to visit between October and May. With lots of tourists visiting the hill station during this season, it will be hard to find accommodation options. So, when you choose this season, make sure to book your accommodation in advance. During this season, you can expect pleasant weather. The climate will be favourable for outdoor activities like sightseeing, trekking and wildlife safaris.
Moderate Season
The moderate season is between June and September. During this season, the weather will be pleasant and mild. However, there will be rain showers occasionally. During this season, you can expect lush green forests and scenic landscapes. Moreover, the waterfalls will be full during this season.
Off-Season
The off-season in Masinagudi is between May and June. During this season, the climate will be slightly humid and hotter than usual climatic conditions. However, you can make the most of your trip as there will be fewer crowds during this season. During this season, trekking and hiking are still popular activities. Also, you can visit the nearby villages to understand the culture of the local people.
Duration To See
To help you decide on the duration to spend in Masinagudi, I have written a blog on a 5-day Masinagudi itinerary. However, this does not mean that you need 5 days to spend in the hill station. If you have 5 days to spend, my post will help you. Otherwise, you can spend 2-3 days in the hill station. When you have 2-3 days, you can enjoy safari rides, indulge in leisure activities, engage in birdwatching, trekking and visit key attractions. However, if you want to cover nearby attractions like Bandipur and Ooty, you might need 5 days.
Where to Stay? Best Resorts
My post on the best hotels in Masinagudi can help you choose the best accommodation. However, in this Masinagudi Guide, I would like to share the name of a few resorts in the hill station:
- Jungle Hut
- Safari Land Resorts
- Singaras Coffee Country
- The Nest Inn
- Avadale Masinagudi
- Wild Haven
- Misty Wood Resorts & Restaurants
- Forest Hills Farm & Guest House
- Bear Mountain Jungle Resort
- The Midway Jungle Resort
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
The entry fee per person is Rs.30 to Mudumalai National Park. This is the key attraction in Masinagudi. You have the option to take a van or jeep safari in the national park. For a van trip, the ticket price is Rs.136 per person. When you wish to go on a gypsy safari, the vehicle hire charge is ₹3000 per person. For an elephant safari, you will have to pay Rs.860 per trip. The maximum number of people permitted for an elephant ride is 4. If you carry a still camera, you will have to pay Rs.25 and for a handy cam, the charge is ₹150.
FAQ
Is a Safari Trip Available in Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary for the entire day?
No, in the morning, the safari timing is between 6 and 10. Again, in the afternoon, the time is between 2 and 6 pm. So, you can plan your visit accordingly.
Can I Drive Through Bandipur National Park to Reach Masinagudi by Night?
No, the road that crosses through Bandipur National Park is closed for vehicles between 9 pm and 6 am. The purpose is to protect wildlife. So, ensure that you cross this road before 9 pm or after 6 am.
Are Guided Safaris Better Than Self-Exploration?
Guided safaris are better compared to self-exploration. The reason is that they offer expert insights and can increase the chances of spotting wildlife.
Conclusion
To conclude, I should say that Masinagudi is a destination that assures you the opportunity to reconnect with nature. You will feel rejuvenated when you get back home after exploring this wonderful hill station. It will provide an ideal escape if you are looking to unwind and explore the wild!