Jungle Retreat

Against the back drop of the Nilgiris
Tired of the hectic city life? Want to escape to a serene place where you can just unwind? A resort tucked away in the wilderness of Mudumalai in the Nilgiris offers you that space. Jungle Retreat is set in the foothills of the Nilgiris, skirting the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park in Tamil Nadu. Jungle Retreat is built in such a way that you feel one with the nature. The rooms are set apart from each other, outdoor lighting is restricted to only that necessary for orientation, security & safety. At Jungle Retreat they let nature work its magic.

A standard room
The resort offers different kinds of accommodation. There are cottages, bamboo huts, dormitories and tree houses. Do not get fooled by the rustic surroundings, the rooms are very cosy and comfortable with all the modern facilities….well, almost all, because there are no televisions, no telephones and no music in the rooms to invade the peace and serenity of the surroundings. Each cottage has sprawling private verandas that offer spectacular views of receding mountains and tropical jungles.The rooms in Jungle Retreat will cost you anywhere between Rs 420-3375 per day, depending on the type of accommodation you choose.

Gypsy Safari
There is so much to do once you are in Jungle Retreat. Go for trekking in the unspoilt and beautiful surroundings, or go for a safari in a gypsy. You will find a lot of species of birds in the resort campus. If you are an early bird, you may also find spotted deer. On very rare occasion leopards have also been spotted. The resort arranges for trips to the nearby elephant camp, the plantations, or if you want to go up the hills to Ooty or Coonor that can be arranged too.

The picture perfect pool
Some guests of the resort do not go for trips or treks and are happy even if they do not spot any wild life because the resort itself offers so much. Try your hand in the snooker or any other board game that the resort has. The best part about Jungle Retreat is its picture perfect swimming pool. Its set against the backdrop of the Nilgiris and looks like a watering hole. Most guests in the evening just hang around in the main restaurant/bar area and mingle around. Jungle Retreat even arranges for bonfire and the guests just have a drink, exchange stories or simply laze around.

The restaurant/bar area


What makes Jungle Retreat so special is the hospitality. I am not talking about a star hotel service, it’s the way they make you feel at home. The Jungle Retreat team is extremely courteous and very friendly. So what if the resort is set in wilderness, they do not compromise with the food they serve you. They serve buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner with evening tea. They have a combination of continental and Indian cuisine. The bar in Jungle Retreat is also very well stocked.The food will cost you Rs 700 per day, which includes all the meals.

In lap of nature
Fly to Bangalore or Coimbatore and catch a cab. Jungle Retreat can arrange for these cabs. Bangalore is 247km from Jungle Retreat. Ooty is 35km and Mysore is 107 km from Jungle Retreat. Board a bus to Ooty with a ticket to Theppakadu and hop off at Mudumalai wildlife Reception Centre, Theppakadu. From Theppakadu you could either hire a Jeep or call Jungle Retreat from the Wildlife Department Office or the Youth Hostel.

The best time to travel is between October to April, although the Nilgiris is lush green and has its own charm during the monsoons. Its always better to book your rooms in advance.