Mudumalai

Geography and Weather:

Mudumalai is located at an altitude that starts from 960 to 1266 meters. The terrain is so vast, which consists of dense forests, rivers, valleys, and hills. This topographic variation contributes to a rich biodiversity. The sanctuary forms a huge space for wildlife movement between the eastern and western Ghats.

The weather condition of Mudumalai is moderate, with summer temperatures starting between 20°C and 37°C. 15°C will be the maximum winter temperature. From June to September, the southwest monsoon, Mudumalai receives substantial rainfall. Moreover, October to December is the northeast monsoon. These weather conditions support various types of forests, such as wet evergreen forests, thorn forests, dry deciduous, and tropical moist deciduous.

Biodiversity:

Mudumalai is a famous biodiversity tourist spot that includes more than 500 species of birds and animals, hundreds of plant species, amphibians, reptiles, and countless insects.

Fauna:

Here, you can find a huge number of Indian elephants. Mudumalai is a part of the Nilgiri Elephant Corridor, a specific migratory route for elephants around southern India. The following are some of the major mammals:

• Sloth bear

• Indian leopard

• Bengal tiger

• Sambar deer

• Dhole (Indian wild dog)

• Gaur (Indian bison)

• Malabar giant squirrel

• Muntjac (barking deer)

• Chital (spotted deer)

Mudumalai is a wonderful spot for bird lovers because it has more than 260 bird species recorded, including the Malabar trogon, crested serpent eagle, the endangered Indian vulture, and grey-headed bulbul.

Flora:

The flora of Mudumalai is diverse and includes trees such as sandalwood, rosewood, bamboo, and teak. Semi-evergreen and tropical evergreen trees are found in the higher altitude zones. Grassy clearings are well-known as sholas serve as grazing grounds for herbivores and offer hunting spots for predators.

Cultural and Cinematic Connections:

In Mudumalai, traditional tribal festivals, dance, and song forms also revolve around nature worship and animal symbolism, reflecting the deep cultural ties with the forest. Mudumalai earned national attention when it became part of the setting for the Oscar-winning documentary “The Elephant Whisperers,” which featured the Theppakadu Elephant Camp.

The story of a couple who adopted an orphaned elephant calf displayed not only the emotional bond between animals and humans. Moreover, it also benefits the necessity of ethical treatment and conservation of wildlife.

Eco-tourism:

Mudumalai has become a famous spot for ecotourism. Here are various ecotourism spots in Mudumalai:

Mudumalai National Park: As a tourist, you can visit the Mudumalai National Park. Here, the climate will be pleasant, so you can enjoy the best wildlife sightseeing in this park. October to May are the best months to travel to this park. The following are various visitor experiences for nature lovers:

Bird watching: Mudumalai has plenty of different birds. As a bird lover, you can see all types of birds.

Trekking: At Mudumalai National Park, they will arrange guided treks. These guided treks will help you to explore its diverse ecosystems and spot several species.

Elephant Safari: Near the Mudumalai National Park reception, you can choose an elephant for a ride in the forest. We are damn sure that you can get the unforgettable, beautiful ride experience by watching the greenery around and above. You will not go deep in the forests.

Safari rides: Rs.5,000/- will arrange a jeep safari ride for you. In the jeep safari, you will be taken to view the wildlife in their natural habitat of Mudumalai. Moreover, elephant camps offer a chance to observe and interact with elephants.

Photography: Mudumalai Sanctuary is the most famous tourist place with abundant wildlife and scenic natural landscapes. So it will be a fantastic place for photographers.

Temple Tourism: At Mudumalai, there are several religious festivals that occur at temples. ArulmiguMariyamman temple, Bokkapuram, that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. Goddess Mariamman is the Hindu goddess of rain. As a tourist, you can taste Koozh from devotees of this temple. From February to March are months when festivals happen at this temple.

During the Thiruvizha festival, there are several shops and entertaining activities for children, including giant wheels. Moreover, some devotees also pierce skewers on their bodies and cheeks to display their devotion to the god.

Planning a Mudumalai trip? Here’s how to go:

Here, we have given you detailed information on how to reach Mudumalai. If you want a comfortable and smooth journey, then read these ways:

By Road: Mudumalai is well-connected to all the major cities in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. So there will be a lot of state roads and highways. There are regular bus services from nearby cities such as Coimbatore, Mysore, and Ooty to Mudumalai. Whether you expect a personalized journey, you can also hire private cabs to reach Mudumalai.

By rail, Mysuru Junction, Ooty Railway Station, and Coimbatore Junction are the possible railways to reach Mudumalai. There are no direct trains in Mudumalai. After reaching the railway station, you have to book a private taxi or bus to reach Mudumalai.

By Flights: Coimbatore International Airport is well-connected to major cities across India, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Vizag, Pune, Goa, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and New Delhi.

After reaching Coimbatore, you can easily reach Mudumalai within 4 to 5 hours. The well-maintained road network ensures a comfortable and smooth journey, making Coimbatore Airport a perfect option for tourists to reach Mudumalai.

To make your Mudumalai trip a memorable vacation, we at Ooty Vistas have designed affordable tour packages with customization options.

We have all types of accommodation options that help you to get the trekking experience around the thick forests of Mudumalai.