Mukurthi National Park, an extremely picturesque park is located on the south eastern corner of the elevated Nilgiris Plateau in Tamil Nadu. The park forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere and is one of the two National parks in the Nilgiri district. 

Mukurthi extends to an area of 80-sq. km (7846 ha) at an average elevation of about 2400m. This park has a wide variety of flora and fauna similar to the Himalayan Flora and fauna. The terrain, primarily grasslands is characteristically interspersed with numerous isolated, compact, sharply defined montane wet temperate mixed forests locally termed 'Sholas' with beautiful brooks. The sholas have savannah woodlands, and evergreen trees which are more stunted than those in lowland evergreen forests. Billithadahalla, Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park.

Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius) is the main attraction in this park. Besides that Sambhar, barking deer, Nilgiri marten, otter, jungle cat, jackals etc are the commonly found animals. 

The bird population includes Laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle etc. 

The park also has large varieties of butterflies that includes blue admiral, Indian red admiral, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues, Rainbow trouts and Indian fritillary, which has a similarity to the Himalayan Butterflies. 

Among the park's highest peaks are Devabetta (2553 m) and Mukurthi, which offer some of the best views of the Nilgiris. At the foot of the Mukurthi hill (8380 ft), 9 km from the peak lies the Mukurthi dam which also is a must see place. Nilgiris gentle slopes and cool climate offers easy trekking. There are no entry permits needed nor it is essential to hire a guide in these trek routes but it is good to inform the District forest Officer especially if you are going on a long trek inside the park. 

Facilities inside the park :

For adventure seekers, there are trek routes and camping facilities. Trekking is enjoyable in Parson's valley, Porthimund and Pykara as the areas have a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. Mukruthi lake is great for trout fishing. Permission must be acquired from the Director, Fisheries Department, Udhagai. There is a trek from the picturesque Parson’s Valley to Porthimund, a village lying deep in the hills. One could pitch a tent here for the night, before proceeding to Mukurthi. There is a forest bungalow here for stay. From Mukurthi, you can trek north to the Pandiar Hills, and pitch a tent for the night. Then to the Pykara Falls, along the Pykara Lake. For trekking details contact Nilgiris Trekking Association, 31 D, Bank Road, Ooty.

The park is open on all days from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm except Tuesdays. 

Entry Fee : below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.

Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000.

Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle : no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5

Contacts : 

• The Wildlife Warden, 
  259, Anna Salai, DMS Compound, 
  IV Floor, Teynampet, 
  Chennai 600006 
  Phone : 044- 24321471

• The Wildlife Warden, 
  Mahalingam Buildings, 
  Coonoor Road, 
  Udhagamandalam (Ooty) – 643001   
  Phone : 0423- 2444098
  District Forest Officer (North)
  Phone : 0423- 2441950
  District Forest Officer (South) 
  Phone: 0423- 2444083

• Tourist Officer
  Tourist Office
  Wenlock Road, Ooty - 643 001
  Phone: 0423- 2443977
  Fax: 0423- 2444369

• Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association
  C/o DFO (North)
  Mount Stewart Hill,
  Ootacamund, 643 001
  Phone: 0423- 2447167

Accommodation: 

There are Forest Rest Houses at Mukurthi, Avalanche and Pykara. Alternately one can stay at Ooty, 27 km away. Here are a list of hotels in Ooty. 

• Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court 3 Star
  123, Selbourne Road,Udgawandalam (Ooty)- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2441415 / 16, 2441068, 2443022,
  Fax : 0423 - 2441417
  Email - Contact Us

• Holiday Inn Gem Park Ooty   3 Star
  Sheddon Road, Udagamandalam-643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2442955, 2443066, 2441761, 2441762
  Fax : 0423 - 2444302,
  Email - Contact Us

• Hotel Khems
  Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2441635 /36, 2444188,
  Fax : 0423 - 2442461,
  Email - Contact Us

• Hotel Lakeview
  West Lake Road, Ootacamund-643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2443580 - 82, 2443904, 2440978 - 83,
  Fax : 0423 - 2443579,
  Email - Contact Us

• Hotel Sinclairs Ooty  Udagamandalam  3 Star
  444, Gorishola Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2444309, 2441376 - 80,
  Fax : 0423 - 2444229,
  Email - Contact Us

• Howard Johnson The Monarch  3 Star
  Church Hill,Off Havelock Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2444408, 2444418, 2443655,
  Fax : 0423 - 2442455,
  Email - Contact Us

• Howard Johnson The Monarch Safari Park  Udagamandalam
  Bokkapuram, Masinagudi-643 223
  Phone : 0423 - 2526250, 2526343,
  Fax : 0423 - 2526326,
  Email - Contact Us

• Merit Inn Southern Star  Udagamandalam
  22, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643001

• Nahar Hotels (Nilgiris)  3 Star
  52 A. Charring Cross, The Nilgiris , Ootacamund- 643 001: 
  Phone : 0423 - 2442173, 2443685,
  Fax : 0423 - 2452253,
  Email - Contact Us

• Nalapad Residency  2 Star
  ood Cock Road, Near Rex School
  St. Marys Hill
  Udagamandalam- 643 001

• Savoy Hotel Heritage
  77, Sylks Road, The Nilgiris 
  City : Udagamandalam- 643101
  Phone : 0423 - 2444142 upto 2444147,
  Fax : 0423 - 2443318,
  Email - Contact Us

• Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Ltd
  P.B. No. 73, Kundah House Road, Fernhill-Udagamandalam- 643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2441073, 2450948, 2450949,
  Fax : 0423 - 2445890,
  Email - Contact Us 

• Sterling Holiday Resorts, Elk Hill
  P.B. No. 25, Ranakrishna Mutt Road, Ramakrishna Puram
  Udagamandalam-643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2441395,
  Fax : 0423 - 2444265,
  Email - Contact Us 

• The Nilgiri Woodlands
  Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
  Phone : 0423 - 2442451, 2442551,
  Fax : 0423 - 2442530,
  Email - Contact Us

• The Willow Hill  Udagamandalam  2 Star
  58/1, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
  Phone : 0423 - 2444037, 2444758, Cell: 9994310025,
  Email - Contact Us

• Welcome Heritage Fern Hills Palace
  Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam- 643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2443910 to 15,
  Fax : 0423 - 2443097,
  Email - Contact Us

• Welcome Heritage Regency Villas
  Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam - 643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2442555, 2445681 /82 /83,
  Fax : 0423 - 24443097,
  Email - Contact Us
  

How to get there: 

Air: Nearest airport is at Coimbatore (140 km). There are regular buses to the Nilgiris from Coimbatore, or taxis and vehicles can be hired from Coimbatore or Chennai to do the trip. 

Rail: The nearest railway station is at Udhagamandalam (Ooty) (40 km). A train also links Coimbatore and other southern cities to Mettupalayam, in the foothills of the Nilgiris.

Road: There are regular buses to the Nilgiris from Coimbatore (140km), in addition, taxis and vehicles can be hired from Coimbatore or Chennai to do the trip. From Udhagamandalam (40 km) there are four different entry points for reaching the sanctuary.