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Mudumalai National Park- Step Into The Wilderness
Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a recognised tiger reserve. Nestled in the Nilgiris, it is home to many endangered species and is rich in flora and fauna.
Located on the Ooty-Mysore route, the Mudumalai National Park is a paradise that is home to different endangered species of birds and animals like Bengal tiger, long-billed vulture, white-rumped vulture, snake eagle, leopard, elephant, gaur, dhol and the sloth bear. This place is a must on your itinerary if you are a wildlife enthusiast.
This national park shares its borders with Kerala and Karnataka. It is divided into five parts - Masinagudi, Theppakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota. In fact, Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu), Bandipur (Karnataka), Nagarhole (Karnataka) and Wayanad (Kerala) national parks together form the largest forest area in India. Although located in three Indian states, they are part of the same forest and contiguous. Apart from various other species, this area is home to a large number of tigers, thanks to conservation efforts.
The best time to visit the park is usually from October to May as animals are drawn to the watering holes during this period. From October to December, misty and chilly mornings mark the onset of winter in the forest.
Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is under consideration by UNESCO to be declared as a World Heritage Site for its ecological biodiversity.
Good to know :
Location: 45 km from Sterling Ooty Fern Hill, 44 km from Sterling Ooty Elk Hill.
Wear clothes that blend into the environment and maintain silence while visiting the park.
Other Attractions
On Toda Trail - Glimpses of the Earliest Inhabitants of the Nilgiris.
3hrsThe Todas, an ethnic group who used to live in the Nilgiris, migrated here more than 2000 years ago. Anthropologists believe that they evolved in seclusion.
The Blue Mountain Express: The Steepest Track in Asia
3hrsThe charming old world steam coaches, huffing and puffing against the blue and emerald hills of the Nilgiris, are a magnificent sight. Its thrilling to ride in one.
Mukurthi Trek: Nature's Balancing Act
3hrsDiscover the treasures of the Shola Forest in Mukurthi National Park. Trek up to a stunning view of the peaks in the Nilgiris.
The Stone House and the Oak Tree: John Sullivan's Legacy
3hrsJohn Sullivan, the man who designed Ooty, built this picture-perfect bungalow for himself. This charming building, about 150 years old, also has an oak tree of the same age for its companion.
Cairn Hill: Reminiscence of the British Era
3hrsThe forests of Cairn Hill are spread over 168 hectares and have a few of the original surviving cypress plantations from the British era.
To Shoot a Mocking Bird: A Must Feat for Birdwatchers
3hrsThe Nilgiri’s bird Laughingthrush is an artful dodger. Its mocking laughter challenges those in the vicinity. Though it is audible, it isn't easily visible.
St. Stephen 's Church: A Reminder of Colonial Heritage
3hrsMade from wood stripped from Tipu’s Palace at Srirangapatna, St Stephen’s Church follows the Gothic style of architecture and has beautiful stained glass windows.
Rose Garden: A Wonderland of Roses
3hrsThe Rose Garden of Ooty is India’s most renowned garden, sprawling across 10 acres on the slopes of Elk Hill, housing more than 20,000 varieties of roses.
Jain Mandir: Soul and Solace
3hrsThe Nasiyan Jain Temple, greatly revered by the Digambara sect of Jains, is dedicated to the first of the 24 Tirthankaras, Lord Rishabhdev.
History Trails of Ooty: Colonial Era and Beyond
3hrsJohn Sullivan, the then district collector of Coimbatore is credited to have discovered this beautiful hill town nestled in the Nilgiris. A drive on the old Mysore road is a journey through the history of Ooty.