About Mukurthi National Park
The Mukurthi area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in August 1982 and later upgraded as a National Park in October 1990 to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, a stocky goat which is the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Mukurthi National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site. The Mukurthi peak at above 8000 feet above sea level provides great fascination with its odd shape of a sharp acute angle and is a grand imposing edifice to the region around.

Exploring Mukurthi National Park
The easiest way to get to Mukurthi is by road both from bigger cities like Bangalore and Chennai. The best way to explore this haven of natural resources is by foot. Ooty being the nodal point, it is the starting place for some fascinating treks into the reserve – though this can be done only with prior permission. Ooty is a good place to base yourself, homestay hosts in the area can give you handy tips for the treks and advise you on some special trails too.

Wildlife of Mukurthi National Park
Initially set up for the conservation activities around the Nilgiris Tahr, it is home to many other species of animals, namely leopards, deer, otters, small Indian civets, wild dogs, jackals, black nape hare and a plethora of avian diversity. It’s a treat for wildlife and bird watching enthusiasts.

Things to do in Mukurthi National Park
There are a number of trekking routes which are listed on the Tamil Nadu Forest Department website.

The Mukurthi peak is a trekker’s delight, don’t miss Parson’s peak, Pykara falls and extensions into Devabetta, Silent Valley and Mudumalai National Park. After roughing it out in the wild, give yourself a rest in Ooty to enjoy beautiful gardens, visit a tea factory and relax with a picnic in the numerous green spaces.

When to go to Mukurthi National Park
Avoid the monsoons if you are not enthusiastic about leeches. For those who do not get flustered with weather, the rains are unbelievably beautiful to watch. The favourable season to visit Mukurthi is between February and May and then again in September to November. This is when you will see clear skies, the best of weather to trek in and robust waterfalls along the way.

Read our Ooty destination guide.

If you are interested in visiting Mukurthi National Park  then our reservations team can help you plan a trip based on your interests. Get in touch to find out more!

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1. Coonoor
Less than 20 kilometers from Ooty, Coonoor makes a great day trip. Coonoor is a very laid back place where most activities are centered around nature and its appreciation. This is the ideal place to feel one with Mother Nature and indulge in some rest and relaxation.

“Tea estate in Ooty”

2. Niligiri Toy Train Ride
Nilgiri’s famous Toy Train is a great way to reach Coonoor. The charming train started operating over a century ago and considering the terrain of the region it is rightfully considered an engineering marvel. The blue-cream train oozes old world charm with delightful wooden coaches and large windows that provide enchanting views. It’s called a toy train because it’s so slow that you can high-five the children outside. It stops every hour and so you can easily hop in and out for a short photo session. A ride of the usually crowded train should be considered as a rare experience as well as a functional mode of transport.

“Ooty Toy Train”

3. History of Nature
Ooty is a feast for those interested in horticulture. Many varieties of fruits and flowers are grown at the Government Botanical gardens, which were opened in 1847. The Gardens have well over 650 species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old.

“Government Botanical Gardens”

4. Lake Ooty
If you like the outdoors you will love the Ooty lake. It was built in 1825 and is almost 3 kms long. Boating, angling, strolling around the perimeter are popular activities here. This is one of the best places to visit in Ooty for families who want to spend time together. Fishing permission is required ahead of time.

“Ooty Lake”

5. The Dodabetta Peak
Perched at an altitude of 2,623 meters, this is the highest point in the district, and the best place to visit in Ooty for a spectacular vantage point. It is located 10kms from Ooty and is a great place for photographers and nature lovers. On a clear day you can see as far as Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore.

6. Lamb’s Rock
This is another vantage point that’s shared by Coonoor and Ooty in terms of distance. It serves as a lovely picnic spot and offers splendid vistas of the plains of Coimbatore and the region’s tea states.

“A beautiful scene on the way to Lamb’s rock, Ooty”

7. Kodanadu
16kms from Kotagiri is Kodanadu. It is situated on the eastern edge of the Nilgiris. This is also a good viewpoint, which offers enchanting views of the Moyar river and endless tea estates. The Rangasamy peak is visible from the watchtower here.

8. Festivities
In January, you can enjoy a Tea and Tourism Festival. But other important regional festivals are Thaipoosam in Elk Hill Murugan Temple (February), Bookkapuram Mariamman Annual Festival (February), Ooty Mariamman Temple Festival (April), Coonoor Mariamman Temple Festival (April), Boat Races and Boat Pageantry in Ooty (May), Flower show in Ooty (May) and Fruit show in Coonoor (May).

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore and Mumbai. Ooty is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Coimbatore, depending upon traffic and weather conditions.
• Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms). The major broad gauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected with all major cities.
• Mettupalayam to Ooty is connected by a Mountain Railway which is a scenic 4 hour journey. The ‘Nilgiri toy train’ connects these two destinations, at the foot of the Nilgiris.
• Ooty is well connected by good roads. It is 535 km from Chennai (via Salem), 89 km from Coimbatore, 18 km from Coonoor (via Gudalur), 155 km from Mysore, 187 km from Calicut, 290 km from Bangalore, 281 km from Kochi (via Coimbatore and Palakkad), 236 km from Kodaikanal (via Coimbatore and Palani).
• Ooty enjoys superb weather all year round. December and January are its winter months. The temperature in winter hovers around 5C. In summer, the temperature can go up to 25C.
• A homestay offers the perfect accommodation for a trip to Ooty. A mere five minute drive from the main Ooty town Aarani Cottage makes an ideal base to stay.
• Many visitors opt to stay in Coonoor and take day trips to Ooty. Check out our wide range of Coonoor homestays.

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1. Places to visit and things to do in Tamil Nadu
2. Sightseeing and places in Coonoor
3. Camping in India – the best places to sleep under the canvas