Sitting on the veranda of our Vila, all we could see was the clear blue sky, lush green vegetation and herds of deer grazing the overgrown grass carelessly.
All we could hear was the chirping of birds, occasional barking of dogs and some noises of insects and animals. Experiencing the wilderness; away from noisy city life was therapeutic and most heavenly experience.
This was Masinagudi!
Recently we visited this beautiful place over a weekend. It was an amazing experience to connect with nature and wilderness. Before I share our journey and experience. Here’s all you need to know about Masinagudi.
About Masinagudi
Masinagudi is a quaint hamlet situated Tamilnadu state of India. Sandwiched between the Western Ghats and Nilgiris, Masinagudi offers a rich biodiversity including abundance of wildlife. This place is nestled between Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, which is at a distance of 15 km and the Bandipur National Park, which lies at a distance of 25 km from Masinagudi. Owing to its proximity with Bangalore, Masinagudi is one of the popular weekend getaways from Bangalore, especially those seeking a rendezvous with wild life and nature.
How to reach Masinagudi
By Air: The nearest airport in Tamil Nadu is the Coimbatore airport. From Karnataka, its Mysore airport followed by Bangalore airports. In Kerala, Kozhikode is the nearest airport
By Road: Local bus services to Masinagudi are available from all these states.
But the best way to reach Masinagudi is to drive your own car or hire a cab as the roads are extremely good throughout, (from Bangalore) other then a small muddy stretch to reach the resort. Masinagudi is 260 kms from Bangalore and it takes 5- 6 hours depending upon the number of pit stops you take.
Things to do in Masinagudi
Well,the best thing to do in Masinagudi is not to do any thing! Sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquility of peaceful surroundings, spend quality time with yourself and your loved ones.Having said that there are many activities and excursions, which you can opt for and make your stay at Masinagudi, a memorable one.
Activities include Jeep safari (which can be morning or evening). Usually safaris are organised in the morning and evening. Many resorts offer their own jeeps for the safari.
Many of the resorts offer their own activities like bird watching walk, jungle exploration walks including trekking to the hill which has a small temple and from where you can have a panoramic view of the mountains.
Our experience – Exploring wilderness
We started our journey from Bangalore early morning around 5.30 a.m., since it was 5 of us from different locations, by the time all of us were picked up from our houses it was already 7 a.m. On the way we stopped by at Kamath lokaruchi for breakfast, which was like always crowded. Rest of the journey was comfortable with weather being nice and not much of traffic.
Once we entered Bandipur the landscape changed, Sunflower and marigold fields gave way to lush green & dense vegetation surrounding the road on both sides and outline of foggy mountains touching the clouds. Since it was already noon, we were not expecting to spot any animals, but we were lucky enough to see some beautiful peacocks and herds of deers by the side of the road. Soon we reached the border of Karnataka and entered Masinagudi check post. From there it took us around 45 mins to reach Jungle retreat, the resort where we stayed. We drove by river Moyar, which apparently is a natural line of separation between Bandipur and the Mudumalai. Finally,we reached our destination; resort was situated in the middle of wilderness.
Soon we were relaxing in the dinning are cum reception of the resort. It was still some time for check in (its 2 p.m.) so we decided to satiate ourselves with buffet.
Well till then I was thinking of Jungle retreat as any other resort, soon I realized that we were up for a different experience, when property manager came and briefed us on safety instructions. First instruction was not moving out of our cottages alone from evening 5.30 p.m. till 6 a.m. in the morning. Whenever we need to go till the dinning area also, we were supposed to call and escorted by the trained staff of the hotel. This was thrilling for sure.
Resorts philosophy is coexistence with wildlife, so there is no electrical fencing and wild animals move freely in the resort even outside the cottages, especially during the night. In fact there are camera’s installed outside each villa and in the evening there is a special screening of these videos where wild animals moving outside your cottages are captured in the camera. These animals include big cats like leopards, elephants, sloth bears and many more.
We were thrilled to know this and wished to have this special encounter, in fact we planned to stay awake and watch out for any activity outside. Well no luck there!
After a wonderful buffet, which offered a good selection of the Indian as well as continental dishes, we decided to freshen up and head straight for Safari Adventure. We opted for the safari offered by the resort, as we had to go all the way to the start point to book government run safari service.
Safari experience – Sitting at the back of partly open Jeep, zooming across the road, we were trying to be extremely alert so that we don’t miss out on any animal. In Masinagudi, the Safari will not take you off the road. We could spot 2 bison’s, peacocks, deer etc no luck in spotting any big animal again.
We also visited Elephant feeding camp, where these massive animals are fed together. Unlike what I thought animals were chained, which was not very pleasant sight. (May be only at the time of feeding)
We were back to the resort by 8 p.m. Screening of the wildlife spotted at the resort was going on.After a pleasant dinner, it was time to head back to the Villa, which was warm and cozy.
Bird watching – the day began early as we opted for bird watching within the vicinity of the resort. The experts from the resort guided us through the wilderness. With binoculars and telescope, it was a nice experience to spot these birds. Sprawling open and green area of the resort is inviting to many species of birds. We spotted many birds along with exploring the resort area. It was a first time bird watching experience for me and I enjoyed this morning exploration to the fullest.
Bird watching excursion ended near the pool area, this splendid emerald pool overlooks mountains and act as drinking water for wild animals too (Although property manager assured us that water is cleaned continuously and chlorine levels are monitored)
After a refreshing morning, we sat by the pool absorbing the beauty of mountains glowing in morning sunlight. Breathing in the purest of air, which is hard to find in the city.
Post breakfast it was time to enjoy some peaceful time sitting in the veranda listening to the chirping of birds and watching herds of deer right outside accessing us inquisitively.
This one-day trip was surely an enriching and peaceful experience. Checkout the next blog to read more about the resort.
Important points:
- Forest area (which includes the road that passes through the national park remains closed from evening 6.p.m. to morning 6 a.m.) So plan your travel in such a way that you cross the area before 6 in the evening.
- Evenings and early mornings are chilly; make sure to carry some warm clothes with you.
- Carrying liquor is not allowed, luggage and vehicles are checked at the entry check post of Masinagudi
- Carry hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and walking shoes.
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Very well explained.. looks lovely dark deep amd beautiful..
Thanks so much.it was a nice experience☺
This post has got me even more information!! beautiful click especially pic capture by telescope lens and elephant footmark….Love it!!!!
Thanks so much ☺
this sounds wonderful, to be so close to nature, to be one with nature really. A quite and peaceful place away from big city noise can remind us where our roots are. Even if it means having to be escorted if outdoors all evening and night to stay safe 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Criatin.you are absolutely right
Ah this sounds like a dream. I would love to do the Jeep Safari! I really like your photos – it looks so beautiful there 😊
Thanks so much Hayley ☺
Another great post Madhu, that pool looks so dreamy alone! The perfect place to get away for a little 🙂
Thanks so much Zoe.pool was really inviting !
Having lived pretty close to Masinagudi, I have never visited this beauty! beautiful write up and lovely pictures. Next time when I am in India Masinagudi would be on my Travel List! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
It’s definetly worth visiting. Hope you get to visit soon.
Looks like a great time! I like all of the natural beauty around you. It is so nice to get away from the city and breathe fresh air. It would have been great to see a leopard but maybe next time.
Thanks Christina..it was amazing to be with nature.Spoting Leopard would have been real adventure..ya probably next time
This looks soo pretty and lush! You must have had such a relaxing time there. I mean, I can feel the calmness and serenity just looking at your photos!
What is the fruit you’re eating by the pool? It looks really tasty!
Thanks Josyphee .I had a great time.well actually that’s a cactus fruit..I never knew you can eat it. It was juicy and tangy ☺
Oooh I have never tried that either! It looks sooo juicy!
Masinagudi was on our list of places to visit as well – the pictures make me put it back on my priority list. The jungle lodges seem a nice place too.
Thanks so much Sanjana.you should visit its worth. Jungle retreat was a great place to be
I’ve been going through blogs today discovering a bunch of places I’ve never heard of. Masinagudi sounds like a beautiful place. I would love to take a safari there.
Thanks so much. Glad you liked it
It’s always nice to disconnect from the busy city life and escape into nature. This is the first time I’ve heard about this beautiful place and I’m so amazed there are this many hidden gems in India. What was that pinkish fruit that you tried by the way?
Thanks Jas you are so right.world is full of hidden gems. This fruit was cactus fruit.which I had never tried before
I love such places that are close to nature…and this being nearby to Bangalore is indeed a boon,isn’t it? Hope to visit this place when I land in Bangalore sometime…lovely photographs!
Thanks so much Meenakshi.hope you get to visit soon ☺
This place is heaven on Earth! It can be so good to get away from it all and experience nature at its best. Great post!
Thanks so much. It’s really a great feeling
So interesting reading about a place I’ve never heard of before – really enjoyed this post!
WOW this sounds like such an amazing experience! It’s too bad you didn’t get to see any wildlife on the cameras but it seems like you had a great time nonetheless 🙂
Thanks so much lindz.yes we had a great time☺
This would be a lovely place to explore. Gorgeous!
Thanks so much.yes it is
Wow, this looks so beautiful. I will be heading to India for the first time soon and am very excited to see this beautiful country with my own eyes. I would love to go here, maybe I will add it to my trip?
Thanks so much Maria.i hope you have a wonderful trip to India.do let me know if you need any help
Your pictures are beautiful. I had never heard of Masinagudi but it looks like a great getaway, the scenery is so green and pretty.
Thanks so much Anisa.it was indeed an amazing place .
Gorgeous place for a weekend getaway!
Thanks so much ☺
Oh wow, that looks so pretty. I am heading to India in a few weeks for the first time and I am looking forward to exploring your beautiful country. I wish I could add this place to my list ❤
That’s great. I hope you have a wonderful trip
Let me know if you need any help
An interesting read. Not a part of India I have been to nor heard of.
Next time !
Thanks. Yes it’s not the regular tourist destinations. Kind of hidden treasure ☺
The scenery and wildlife looks amazing. I’ve never really known much about Bangalore so this was an interesting read.
Thanks so much. India has unlimited treasures to explore ☺
Ah sorry, I mean to type Masinagudi, not Bangalore! Forgive me, I just woke up haha!
Ha ha ..I can understand ☺☺😁
Wow that pool looks stunning! Looks like you had a beautiful and relaxing time!
Thanks so much☺we had a real good time☺
This sounds incredible! I loved the pictures and this article! 🙂
Thanks so much☺
The views look incredible!
Thanks it was indeed ☺
Travel blogs are always SOO interesting! Loved this post so much aah. I loved the water flowers, and all the stone-themed walls/areas. I really miss going to the resort in the summer. 🥺 That was a really cool post!
Thanks a lot , glad that you liked it 😊 exploring wilderness is really enriching experience