Masinagudi Tourism And Travel Guide

Masinagudi is the perfect holiday destination for those who love to be amidst untamed nature and wild life, with sprinklings of tiny tribal hamlets here and there adding to its allure and spiced with beautiful seasons.

Masinagudi lies on the northern foothills of the Nilgiri hills in South India, located on the hub of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Bandipur National Park in close proximity. Needless to say, Masinagudi has so much of wilderness, with any number of wild animals and more of the most exotic of bird species!

Even a short weekend trip to the natural world of Masinagudi, which has the added zing of being close to the hill stations of Ooty and Coonoor, is bound to be tranquil and you could revel in the needed break from the monotony of modern life. If you would love to plan a trip to Masinagudi, our travel and tourism guide will help you plan a great trip.

Masinagudi has good access by road. The easiest way to reach Masinagudi would be by boarding a train to either Mysore or Coimbatore and then hiring a cab to Masinagudi.

By Air:

Take a flight to the Coimbatore International Airport from Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru or Hyderabad or from Singapore, UAE and Sri Lanka. Hire a cab from the airport to Masinagudi.

By Train:

Coimbatore Junction Railway Station serves a number of major cities from across the country whereas Mysore Railway Station has trains coming in from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Mumbai. You can travel to either of these cities and fix up a cab from the railway station to Masinagudi.

By Road:

Masinagudi on the Ooty – Mysore route has easy access by road from all major cities of Tamil Nadu and from the neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka as well. The ideal way to travel to Masinagudi would be by car.

Getting Around:

Resorts might help arrange for vehicles and a guide, though otherwise there are places you can drive to yourself, while Mudumalai and Bandipur trips have safaris for getting around within the jungle.

Masinagudi has an all time salubrious weather. The most perfect weather for the ideal holidays is popularly the monsoon months followed by winter.

Summer (March – May):

Summers are not glaringly hot, but are warm and humid and you might spot animals at the waterholes. The season is generally dry, with occasional April showers in May.

Monsoon (June – October):

Monsoon seasons turn the region green and luxuriant. Rains are not very heavy here and it’s easy to find more animals out after the rains. The landscape looks pictographic. This is the best time for a visit to Masinagudi.

Winter (November – February):

Winter is cool and misty. It’s a great time for going on treks and exploring the hamlets in Masinagudi. More birds migrate to Masinagudi for winter and its idyllic to march off on bird watching. 

The ancient jail of Gudalur:

Visit the ancient Jail at Naduvattom built way back in 1865, especially to accommodate convicts who would work in the cinchona plantations. Parts of the jail functions as a Tea Museum today. Hike up the Needle Rock and Frog Hill View Points and offer prayers at the Chandanamalai and Kusumagiri temples.

Paddy Bowl of the Nilgiris:

If you would like to spice up your visit to Masinagudi with some off road driving and river crossing in your car, with more of bird watching, visit Thengumarahada that lies close to the Bhavani Sagar Dam.

Tribal Temple Tours:

Call on the tribal villages of Masinagudi and hike off on a temple tour with the tribals to guide you through the undergrowth.

Journey through the jungles:

What would be more thrilling than taking a safari ride across the dense forests, photographing a herd of elephants or waiting for the elusive big stripped cat of the jungles to emerge out of the bushes?

Spectacular Moyar Gorge:

Take a trip to the impressive Moyar River and Gorge. A number of wild animals arrive at the Moyar River for a drink and you might get ample opportunities to observe the wild animals at the water’s edge.

The best of Masinagudi:

Explore the forests of Masinagudi, with a camera and binoculars for the charming paradise flycatchers, pitas, thrushes, sunbirds and warblers! Listen to the carols and warbles and the soft flap of wings that break the hushed stillness of the jungle air.

Trip to the Dam:

Drive through wild terrains, with herds of elephants crossing your trail, to the Marvakandy Dam. Sun rises and sun sets are the apt times of the day to wait at the water’s edge and watch for the deer and elephants to arrive at the water’s edge.

Kalhatti Falls:

A short trek away from the tea plantations of Kalhatti, the Kalhatti Falls is one of the most amazing touristy things to see on the Ooty – Mysore or Sigur Ghat road. Many do trek to the falls, but it does look spectacular from the main road as well.

Far, far away from the hustle and hurry of the crowded cities, the tribal villages of Masinagudi do know how to celebrate nature and spirituality with devotion and dances enhanced by the fragrance of wild flowers, lit oil lamps and delicious food. One of the most popular festivals of Masinagudi is the Bokkapuram Mariamman Festival (February – March) celebrated right in the middle of the jungle. The hamlet of Siriyur celebrates the Siriyur Amman Festival (February – March) with a graceful fire walking ceremony!