Plan Your Perfect Trip to Masinagudi With This Traveller’s Guide

Masinagudi is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you should take advantage of as a wildlife enthusiast. It is a captivating hill station situated on the Nilgiri mountains and is part of a national park situated on the road connecting Mysore to Ooty. Masinagudi is a small village where temples of Tamil Nadu like Elk Hill Murugan temple in Ooty are also located nearby. If you go on a jeep safari into the forests, you will see the lush flora full of bamboo, wild ginger, cinnamon, rosewood, turmeric, pepper and other plants. One must visit the forests during the monsoon season to see deciduous trees shed their leaves.

It is a famous place for scenic beauty and wildlife making it an exciting retreat for all nature lovers and photographers. Here you can spot animals such as leopards, jackals, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears, Bengal tigers, sambar deer, gaur, langur, pythons, and flying lizards. macaque, hyenas, and much more. For all the birdwatchers, it also has many avian species such as the grey-headed bulbul, Nilgiri wood pigeon, woodpeckers, hornbills, cuckoo, thrush, owl, etc. If you want to witness the wildlife you check out some of the Tamil Nadu tour packages online and find the one that suits you best. Here are some of the places that you can visit in and around Masinagudi:

1. Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Maravakandy Dam
3. Moyar River
4. Pykara Falls
5. Theppakadu Elephant Camp

1. Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Nestled in the western side of Tamil Nadu, the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit near Masinagudi shares borders with the states of Kerala and Karnataka. Also, it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is crusted with other national parks which include Wayanad, Mukurthi Bandipur, Nagarhole, and Silent Valley national parks. The forest department organizes a jeep safari in Masinagudi’s Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary for people to see rare species of animals. Here you will get to see the mystic beauty of various wildlife species in their natural habitat like chitals, wild boars, panthers, jackals, etc. It is one of the famous tourist spots around Masinagudi, especially among nature lovers.  Before going on the safari make sure you carry things like walking shoes, water bottle, mosquito & insect repellent, binoculars and caps in your backpack.

2. Maravakandy Dam

If capturing some amazing wildlife pictures is one of the reasons for your visit to Masinagudi, this dam is the perfect place for you. As it is one of the best places to see and capture the scenic beauty of Masinagudi. Maravakandy Dam is located near Masinagudi and is one of the best places for birdwatching. It also has an animal-watching tower where many photographers are seen taking amazing pictures of birds like White-naped Woodpeckers, Rufous woodpeckers, Plum-headed parakeets and others. If you are looking for the perfect place to spot animals like deer, elephants, tigers etc., this place in Masinagudi is one of the best places to visit for you as it is one of the highest points near Masinagudi.

3. Moyar River

Moyar River separates Bandipur and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and is located 7 km away from Masinagudi. It originates from a town named Moyar. While looking for tourist places to visit near Masinagudi do not forget to add this place to your itinerary. Its rich beauty and biodiversity in the surrounding area make it one of the major tourist destinations of Masinagudi. It is one of the best places to visit near Masinagudi for photographers, as it gives them the space to capture wildlife, especially during mornings and evenings when many animals like tigers, elephants, etc. come to the river to quench their thirst. Here you can also indulge in activities like fishing and boating. If you want to feel closer to nature and wildlife, it is one of the perfect destinations for you to visit in Tamil Nadu.

4. Pykara Falls

Pykara river cascades into a wonderful waterfall known as Pykara Falls which is a tranquil haven for those seeking respite from the chaos of city life. It is one of those places around Masinagudi that offers a picturesque landscape view of Ooty and stands tall as a captivating sight for those travelling between the two cities. Here you can also indulge in adventure activities such as trekking and camping or picnicking with your friends and family. Also, it is one of the perfect places to visit near Masinagudi where you will get a stunning backdrop to make a head stop and click some amazing pictures. The pristine landscape views of the Pykara Falls are truly nature's beauty and a delight to watch. Also, the Pykara Lake is 2 km away from the waterfalls where you can enjoy boating with your family.  If you are planning to visit this place in Masinagudi, try to schedule your trip around July when the weather is ideal for a visit. At this time of the year, you will also experience gentle drizzling and easily accessible paths. Also, make sure when you visit here, to follow the general rules such as no swimming as it is not advised due to the presence of massive rocks.

5. Theppakadu Elephant Camp

If you are looking for interesting places to see in Masinagudi, Theppakadu Elephant Camp is the right choice for you. This place in Masinagudi is perfect for wildlife lovers, wildlife photographers, nature enthusiasts and wanderers. If you love animals especially elephants and want to feel closer to nature, you can visit the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, as it is one of the best places to visit in Masinagudi. It houses a huge number of trained elephants and is not that far from the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It is an amazing place for tourists to have an unforgettable wildlife experience. Here you can get up close and personal with these gentle animals, feed them and watch them get a bath. This camp is run by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and tourists are allowed here only at specific times. It is open to visitors from 8:30 am to 9:00 am and in the evening from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

How to Reach?

Via Train

Though there are no direct trains to this town, to reach this destination you have two options via the railway. You can board your train at the Mysore junction from where you can take a bus to Masinagudi and travel for 90km more. It is the most convenient option for travelling by train. Another option that you can see is the Coimbatore junction which is situated at a distance of 120 km from Masinagudi. Your journey from this railway station to Masinagudi will be full of landscape views of the Nilgiri hills.

Via Flight

Those who wish to come here by flight can board at the Coimbatore International Airport as several domestic flights connect to this airport. Once you reach this airport you can easily get a taxi to Masinagudi.

Via Bus

If you wish to travel by bus, you can do so, as Masinagudi is quite well-connected to major cities in Tamil Nadu. Both state-run buses and private luxury bus services are available.

Planning a long weekend getaway? Visit Masinagudi for an amazing and lively experience of the wildlife.