Mudumalai National Park

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
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.

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.jpg 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

 * Rockgardens holiday resorts, Mudumalai
 * Rockgardens holiday resorts, Mudumalai
 * 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