Through the forest to the Nilgiris
The road from Mysore to Ooty crosses two protected forests, Bandipur in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu. Both are tiger reserves, and together they form part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. On the drive, many travellers see spotted deer, langur monkeys, peacocks, wild boar and sometimes elephants. The tours on this page follow this route, so a short wildlife experience is built into a classic hill holiday.
These trips suit families with children, school groups and anyone who wants a taste of the forest without a hard jungle stay.
Where the tours go
Mysore: the palace, Chamundi hill and the gardens, usually on the way in or out.
Ooty and Coonoor: the lake, the botanical garden, tea estates and hill viewpoints.
Kodaikanal: the star-shaped lake, pine forests and cliff views, on the longer trips.
Packages on this page
- Ooty and Coonoor from Bangalore - 2 days, 1 night
- Mysore, Ooty and Coonoor from Bangalore - 3 days, 2 nights
- Ooty, Coonoor and film shooting spots - 3 days, 2 nights
- Mysore, Ooty and Kodaikanal from Bangalore - 4 days, 3 nights
- Ooty, Coonoor and Kodaikanal from Bangalore - 4 days, 3 nights
- Mysore, Ooty, Coonoor and Kodaikanal from Bangalore - 5 days, 4 nights
For more time in the wild, see the MM Hills and BR Hills trip, which goes into the BR Hills forest, or Bangalore with Bannerghatta by car for a safari close to the city.
Rules and tips for the forest road
The highway through Bandipur and Mudumalai is closed to vehicles at night, roughly from 9 PM to 6 AM. Tours are timed to cross in daylight. Inside the forest, vehicles may not stop, and passengers must not get out, feed animals or throw anything. Keep noise low and windows up near elephants.
Jungle safaris inside the reserves are run by the forest departments and are not always part of the tour. Ask us if you want to add one. October to May is good for the hills. Animals are often easier to see in the dry months, from February to May, when they come near water.
Frequently asked questions
Will we surely see wild animals?
No one can promise sightings. Deer and monkeys are common. Elephants and bigger animals are a matter of luck.
Where is the fare shown?
Each package page shows the current fare and inclusions.
Is a safari included?
Usually not. Check the package page, or ask us to add one.