Explore Masinagudi: Offbeat Paradise For Hill Station Lovers

Masinagudi is a mesmerizing hill station village in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The proximity to Ooty and being in the district of Nilgiri add to the beauty of this village. Mudumalai National Park’s buffer zone belongs to this hill station village of Masinagudi.

The vintage vibes reflecting accommodation facilities in the region make it a perfect destination for those who are looking for a budget-friendly honeymoon getaway in the southern side of the country.

The village is situated at an elevation of 950 m making the landscape a delightful and vibrant one. For those who are fond of biodiversity, nature, and, vegetation, a visit to the village of Masinagudi is gonna be the most satisfying trip ever. The flora and fauna of the region are also quite rich making botany and zoology researchers and academicians flock to the destination seeking content for their studies.

Certain routes to Masinagudi will remain closed abiding by the forest rules and norms hence make sure the route you choose is free from any sort of travel and time restrictions.

It is recommended to foresee a minimum of two days in the destination of this hill station village so that you will be able to cover all your favorite destinations and experience the major activities in the region. Some of the best places to visit in Masinagudi are listed below. 

Maravakandy Dam

This is a dam located near the Masinagudi region of Tamil Nadu. Don’t expect a huge setup that will awe your vision at the first sight. Maravakandy Dam gains prominence in tourism on account of the picturesque views and experiences possible while driving to the location of the dam.

The dense forest areas and the biodiversity will amaze you with the sights of some exotic organisms and plants. This is one of the best places to visit in Masinagudi There are a lot of viewpoints on the location of the dam. So, if you are a lover of breathtaking visuals, you will definitely fall in love with this trip.

The experience inside the dam and its premises would be extremely calming and relaxing. If you are visiting the place along with your loved ones, you can also consider spending some time picnicking with them.

Apart from all the good vibes that you will get from the location, you also need to understand the significance of the dam in a different context. The commissioning of the dam happened for the purpose of a hydroelectric project and the dam has been giving due contributions for the production of electricity in the region since then. 

Moyar River

Moyar River is one of the countable rivers having tourism prominence in the Masinagudi region. People visit the banks of the river to indulge in the beauty and elegance of the surroundings and to get lost in the visuals seen in the surroundings.

The goodness of villages and the harmony between animals and nature etc. can be seen and understood by spending some relaxing time on the shores of the river. Since the journey to the location of the river is quite risky, it will also spirit up the minds of the adventure lovers visiting the location of Masinagudi. we have added this as a major priority which is also the best places to visit in Masinagudi

The Bandipur region and the Mudumalai sanctuary are separated by the Moyar river. If you are a biodiversity enthusiast, you will get the chance to be with the animals that are particular to this region.

Such indigenous species are seen plenty on the banks of the Moyar river. Moreover, the surroundings of the river banks are also agriculturally rich so if you would like to explore the plantations and the fresh crops grown there, there are also chances for the same. The major crops grown in those plantations are Tea, Coffee, Spices, and many more. 

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

This is one of the landmark tourism destinations if you are planning a trip to the location of Masinagudi. It is one of the most popular reserves of Tigers in India and one of the countable ones in Southern India. Apart from tigers, a lot of endangered species are also protected inside this wildlife sanctuary.

Indian Leopard, Indian Elephant, and Gaur are some of the other species of great repute you can find inside the sanctuary. It was in the year 1940, that the sanctuary got established in the territory of Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is spread over a vast area of around 322 sq. km.

This sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and hence people visiting the Nilgiri region make it a point to visit this sanctuary too. According to the recent reports available, there are a total of 55 species varieties in the location.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located at an elevation of 1140 mts at the tri-point junction of the States of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is an exciting place to see animals like Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Mouse deer, Sloth bear and Spotted Deer. #IncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/M84siEvwtk

— Incredible!ndia (@incredibleindia) November 14, 2018

It is said that the months between October to May would be the best time to visit the sanctuary on account of the pleasant weather conditions experienced in the region during the period. Photography and videography are also allowed inside the location of the park with a reasonable payment. Safaris are the other important activity you can enjoy in the location of the sanctuary. 

Theppakadu Elephant Camp

If you are fond of elephants and their naughty and innocent lifestyle and routine, the Theppakadu Elephant Camp is an inevitable location in the region of Masinagudi. Sightseeing and learning, both are possible in the location of the camp. The camp has got its location on the picturesque banks of the river of Moyar.

If you have already got plans to visit the National Park of Mudumalai, this elephant camp is just within a walkable distance from the location. You will be able to witness the daily routine and lifestyle of elephants in a controlled environment inside the camp. 1972 is the year of the establishment of this elephant camp. Elephant Camp is also a must places to visit in Masinagudi.

You will get the chance to see and distantly pamper a total of 23 elephants in the location of the camp. These elephants are being properly domesticated so that you won’t be able to see that wilderness in these animals.

Moreover, the authorities who are responsible for the management and maintenance of the camp ensure that these elephants are fed properly with all the required nourishments and cleansed during regular intervals. Since the river is also nearby the camp, the elephants can also get some playful time in the water of the river. 

Bandipur National Park 

If you are taking into consideration the number of tigers, the Bandipur National Park would be the second highest in the territory of India. This national park is located in the state of Tamil Nadu in its Gundulpet Taluk. The park belongs to the larger area of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve testifying to its richness and variety in biodiversity.

Apart from tigers, this national park is also famous for its Asian wild elephants. Considering the boundaries of the national park of Bandipur, it stays in proximity to three other parks. They are the Wayanad National Park, Mudumalai National Park, and also Nagarhole National Park.

During the night hours of the day, vehicle transport has got restrictions in the area of the National Park and hence you need to plan your visit within the morning hours to avoid all the probable traveling troubles. Apart from elephants and tigers, there are also different varieties of organisms in the territory of the national park that are peculiar to the region of the Nilgiri biosphere and landscape.

This national park has got a total area of around 874 sq. km. During the earlier days, the royal family members of the Tamil Nadu region were frequently spotted in these forest regions enjoying hunting and other similar recreational activities. 

Nilgiri Tea Plantations

Nilgiri Tea plantations can be a paradise for tea lovers across the world. The topography, climate, and various other geographical features make the tea leaves grown in the area quite particular in taste and quality.

You can visit the plantations that make tea leaves separately for black tea, green tea, white tea, and also oolong tea. A visit to these plantations can be absolutely aromatic and they can steal your heart with the visuals of the lush green tea terraces. These tea plantations can be spotted in the hilly terrains of the Nilgiri Mountain Ranges of Masinagudi.

They belong to the Western Ghats and this itself proves the fertility and richness of the soil here. A lot of locals depend upon these plantations for their livelihood. These plantations make a significant amount of revenue, especially from exporting top-quality leaves to international territories.

Tea tasting would be one of the most enjoyable activities to do if you are visiting the location. The fresh and authentic tea leaves will give you that caffeine kick loved by many people. The elevation of these tea terraces is also something that is adding to the taste and quality of the tea leaves produced here. 

Masinagudi Jeep Safari 

For that activity lovers visiting Masinagudi, this would be one of the most interesting things you can set out for on the trip. The forest landscape of Masinagudi village is ideal for taking a jeep safari and enjoying the wildlife and biodiversity of the place.

Unfortunately, due to several reasons, this experience is not available in the location at the moment. But if you are visiting the place after this period of restriction, you must definitely try the experience and enjoy an altogether different kind of forest vibe.

The Mudumalai National Park was the location where you could have availed this experience. The safari will take you to the unseen visuals inside the national park. You will get the chance to see some of the exotic species during the safari. Also, witnessing those dangerous wild animals within the gap of the glass shield would be an adrenaline-pumping experience for sure.

Moreover, there will be a local ranger guiding you throughout the jeep safari in the park. During the days when the jeep safari was active in the park, there were a total of two timings for the same, during the early morning hours and the evening hours. A minimum of 5 registrations are required to start a safari. 

Masinagudi Camping

In the jungle vibes of Masinagudi, camping can be one of the most thrilling experiences in the place. The cold weather of the place with the mystic ambiance of the woods would be a distinctive experience in the location.

You can either come along with your gang of friends or family or just pack solo and get in touch with the other like-minded solo travelers in the location. Both would give you an unforgettable camping experience without leaving any space for doubt. Most of the agencies and service providers ensure the best camping experience for tourists in the best ways possible.

So that no need to worry about the quality and safety concerns of camping in the location. During the camping, you can also go for light trekking and hiking adventures along with your fellow travelers into the woods of Masinagudi. This can satisfy the adventure buffs to the core. Moreover, being in the middle of the forest for an entire day would cater you the best experience ever.

Being so close to nature and the wilderness can give you a feeling of getting synchronized with the beat and rhythm of mother nature. You can select your campsites according to the views possible from each of the locations if you are a fan of great sights. 

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

This is the other side of Masinagudi apart from forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural marvels. The Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is a Hindu pilgrim destination you can find in the territory of Masinagudi. This spectacular temple is located on hilly terrain with a range of panoramic visuals in all 360 degrees. 4770 feet is measured as the elevation of the temple.

The temple is also known by the name “Dakshina Govardhanagiri”. The translated meaning of the term, “Himavad” means “covered with clouds”. This name is attributed on account of the higher elevation of the temple and the clouds and mists often found appearing on top of the temple.

As per the historical records available, the time of construction of the temple gets marked as the 13^th century. The term “Gopalaswamy” in the name of the temple suggests the prominence of lord Krishna in the temple.

He is the main deity worshipped in the temple. The “dashavatara” sculpture of the temple is also quite talked about in the temple. The flute-playing idol of Lord Krishna found inside the garbagriha of the temple is also a major feature of attraction here. 

Glenmorgan 

Glenmorgan is a picturesque village near the surroundings of Masinagudi. You should definitely visit the village if you have a taste in different varieties of tea. The major attraction of the place is the tea plantations found in every nook and corner of the village. 2400m is calculated as the elevation of the place.

It is this higher elevation that makes the landscape of the village ideal for cultivating tea in the region. Apart from these tea estates, you can spot a scenic lake in the valley region of the place. The banks of this lake are also perfect to spend a beautiful picnic with your dear ones.

If you are a lover of awesome natural views, this village visit would satisfy you with the best ones available in the Masinagudi region. The surroundings of the village are also quite serene and cool making every peace lover flock to the village leaving no space for doubts.

There are entry restrictions for travelers after certain points in this hillock region. The guards in the region will give you more instructions regarding it. It would also be a perfect picnic spot if you are looking for a tranquil space to indulge in the same. 

Best Time To Visit Masinagudi

October-May

How To Reach Masinagudi?

Nearest airport: Coimbatore Airport

Nearest railway station: Mettupalayam (MTP)

Conclusion

Best place for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. Adventure freaks and solitude seekers would also be satisfied with the vacation at Masinagudi. 

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