Manipal to Ooty Road Trip: Through Mysore, Gudalur, Masinagudi & Bandipur Forest Roads

Some of the best journeys begin without a plan. Our road trip from Manipal to Bandipur via Mysore and Ooty was one such spontaneous escape—driven by a longing to be in the wild, to revisit old memories, and to simply let the road lead the way.

We left Manipal late in the day, not in a rush but with a sense of curiosity about where we would end up. By the time we reached Mysore, it was already night. We had no real plans—just the idea that Bandipur was calling. Mysore, on this trip, was only a resting point, a familiar city to pause before stepping into the unknown the next day. On our way toward Bandipur the following morning, we passed through Gundlupete. Along the route, we spotted vast sunflower farms in bloom. The golden fields were hard to ignore, and we couldn’t resist pulling over. One farm in particular had opened its gates to visitors—for a small fee, you could walk through the flowers and click photos. We went in. It was a short break but a refreshing one. More than the photos, what stayed with me was the farmer’s presence at the gate, collecting a modest fee with a calm smile. A simple but clever way to turn nature into opportunity.

As we drove further toward Bandipur, a wave of nostalgia hit me. I had visited the forest years ago, and certain memories had stayed buried until that moment. I wasn’t alone in feeling sentimental. My sister and I started talking about our childhood visit, sharing memories with our friend Thejesh, who was with us on this journey.

Back then, our father had taken us to Bandipur, and we stayed right in the heart of the jungle—hosted by the then Forest Chairman of Karnataka. I remember carrying a small digital camera, trying to photograph deer that grazed near our room, and listening to forest sounds as I fell asleep. One night, we were even told to stay inside because a leopard was roaming just outside our homestay. That trip had left a lasting impression on both of us.

This shared memory reignited our desire to spend another night in the forest. We looked up Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), the government-run eco-tourism lodges inside Bandipur, hoping to book a safari and stay there. Unfortunately, everything was fully booked for the day. The next available safari was the following morning.

Though disappointed at first, we quickly decided to stay nearby for the night. We didn’t want to rush or miss this chance to reconnect with a place so important to us.

Since we had a full day to spare, we decided to take a detour to Ooty. The drive up through the Nilgiris was as beautiful as ever—mist clinging to the trees, eucalyptus in the air, and winding roads cutting through the hills.

Thejesh had some relatives in Ooty, and he also knew someone who could arrange horse riding. We reached his relatives’ place, spent some time catching up with them, and soon found ourselves riding horses through mist-covered paths. The temperature dropped sharply as the sun began to set, and we, who had just left the coastal humidity of Manipal, found ourselves pulling our jackets tighter and soaking in the mountain chill.

On our way down from Ooty, we stopped at Chandru View Point. There, we found a modest roadside shop run by an elderly couple. The steam rising from their corn pot drew us in. They served us hot steamed corn—simple but delicious. When we asked if they had anything else, they offered to make us some raw banana and green chili bajjis.

It was cold, the kind of cold that makes your fingers numb, and the piping-hot bajjis were just what we needed. The flavors, the crunch, and the spice hit differently in that weather. We also ordered a plate of Maggi, and surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the best bowls I’ve ever had—perfectly cooked, mildly spiced, and comforting in that mountain fog. Before we left, the couple handed us a fresh mango as a gift. There was something so warm about their gesture, something that reminded us that kindness doesn’t need to be grand—it just needs to be genuine.

Our Stay at The Deer Meadows, Gudalur

We continued our journey and found a place to stay near the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, in Gudalur, called The Deer Meadows. The initial welcome wasn’t great. The caretaker seemed uninterested, and the room left much to be desired. We had doubts about our decision. But once night fell, things began to change.

We went for a short walk with our torches and saw deer sitting just outside our stay. Later in the night, a few even entered the property. It was surreal to be that close to wildlife, without cages or barriers. The silence of the forest at night, broken only by the occasional rustle or distant call, reminded me of how wild and peaceful nature can be at the same time.

Though the accommodation didn’t meet expectations, the forest certainly did.

To be continued in Part 2, where we check into Jungle Lodges, face a camera mishap, and come face to face with the legendary tiger of Bandipur—Bheema.