Live Like A Hobbit At The Wilds At Northern Hay In Masinagudi

Rustic, homely and at the convergence of a coffee plantation and the Mudumalai National Park, Tolkien meets the Brothers Grimm at this jungle lodge.

From the instant you hop into their off-roader at the Singar Post, it’s adventure game on! You’ll go bumping around in the jeep through dense forests and rough terrain, so when you land up at The Wilds at Northern Hay’s gate, you’ll feel like you’ve teleported somewhere else. With coffee plantation on one side and the jungle on the other, just being on the property { a 98-acre plantation} is relaxing. Hidden under foliage almost, the bungalow has a total of seven rooms to pick from and we’re always spoiled for choice – so we need to keep going back to try ‘em all! We’ll even camp in the living room with its warm charm, quaint mug collection and homely feel.

Jakanarai, Sultana and Connemara are part of the main house so they keep this a bit more luxurious. The first is ideal for the middle path of fancy bed but brick-stone walls, pick Sultana for the glamour of a four-poster bed, drapes and carpets, and Connemara should be your home if you want a hotel-esque setup. Windermere offers brick walls and cosy wooden beds, plus the extra privacy as it’s attached but not part of the main bungalow. Grasmere matches Grasmere in look, but is located a little way off. Honeymooners or canoodling couples, this one is a great option.

For those with the adventurous streak longing for jungle rustic, say hello to Mughowse and Tree House, set away from the bungalow. Mughowse reminds us of the Hobbit homes in The Shire that JRR Tolkien wrote of, and it comes very close to replicating those exactly. Think low stone ceilings, high beds and windows made from log wood, and of course mood lighting. The Tree House is an exact log cabin but up in the tree tops {naturally}, and we love to just sit in it, reading a book.

Meal options are limited, but tasty, with simple Indian food taking centre stage. It can get a bit monotonous if you stay more than two days though. But what doesn’t get monotonous are the jungle rides the forest department. Sighting deer, sambar, bison, Malabar squirrels, elephants and boar are quite ordinary but exciting no less. But it’s the prospect of seeing a tiger or leopard that has us coming back, consistently.

It’s really rather rustic {in fact only Sultana, Grasmere and Windermere have air conditioning} so be prepared to share the bed with bugs and insects sometimes! Ultrathon {the marvellous insect repellent cream} to the rescue!