Gene Pool Trek
The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu
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- Max altitude
- 940 m
- Days
- 1 day
- Distance
- 8 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
The official Trek Tamil Nadu portal rates it easy: an 8 km out-and-back (4 km each way) forest walk of about 4 hours with little height gain, but it passes through elephant country and can be leechy and slippery when wet.
Photos
On the trail
The route
Day by day
Day 1 · highest point
Gene Pool reception, Nadugani → Gene Pool reception, Nadugani (out and back through the forest)
870 m → 940 m → 870 m
Ups and downs
Altitude profile
Where it is
Map
Trailhead and high point only — not a recorded track. Use it with a proper map.
Weather
Next 5 days on the trail
Live forecast for the trailhead and the high point. Mountain weather changes fast — check again on the morning you start.
Trailhead · Gene Pool eco-tourism centre reception, Nadugani
at 870 mLoading forecast…
High point · Highest point of the Gene Pool forest trail (location not published; marker at the reception point)
at 940 mLoading forecast…
Each day: high / low °C · rain mm and chance · snow cm · wind km/h
Weather data: Open-Meteo.comModel forecast, not an official warning. For alerts follow IMD and the local administration.
Plan the trip
How to reach
- Trailhead
- Gene Pool eco-tourism centre reception, Nadugani (nearest town: Gudalur)
- Nearest railway
- Nilambur Road (about 40 km)
- Nearest airport
- Mysuru (about 118 km)
- By road
- Gudalur (about 12 km on the Gudalur-Nilambur road to Nadugani); Ooty / Udhagamandalam (about 62 km via Gudalur); Nilambur, Kerala (about 40 km via Vazhikkadavu and the Nadugani ghat)
- Drive
- About 3.5 h from Mysuru
Plan the trip
Permits and fees
| Permit | Issued by | Fee (Indian) | Fee (foreign) | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trek Tamil Nadu trail booking: Gene Pool | Tamil Nadu Forest Department / Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation (Trek Tamil Nadu) | ₹699 | — | Book online at trektamilnadu.com (trail 'Gene Pool', Nilgiris). Seen 18 Oct 2026: ₹699 per adult (18+) and ₹599 per minor aged 6-17, plus 5% GST (the page shows ₹999 struck through, so the price may be a temporary offer). The fee includes the trek permit, a forest guide and trek insurance on the route; transport to the reception point is extra. Groups are up to 15 people. Carry photo ID; minors need a signed consent form. |
Plan the trip
Cost
Self-guided
₹900–2,500
With an operator
₹734
Per person, ex-Gudalur. Every walk here is guided: the official Trek Tamil Nadu ticket (₹699 + 5% GST = about ₹734 per adult, seen 18 Oct 2026) includes a forest guide, and Thrillophilia resells the same trek at ₹734. We found no other operator selling it. The 'self-guided' range is our estimate for doing it on your own booking: the portal fee plus a bus or auto/taxi from Gudalur (12 km) and food; independent walking without the booking is not allowed.
Gear
Top picks for this trek
The gear that matters most on this route, chosen from its altitude, season and risks.
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Packing checklist
Matched to this trek: altitude, season, days and the risks on the route.
Packed 0 of 17
Hot days in Mar: start at first light and carry extra water and ORS.
Tick each item as it goes in the bag.
Know before you go
Good to know
- Mobile network
- Not confirmed by our sources; Nadugani is on a main road, but expect patchy signal inside the forest.
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; Gudalur town (about 12 km) has ATMs - carry cash.
- Nearest hospital
- Gudalur Government Hospital (about 14 km)
- Water
- Not confirmed on the trail; carry 1.5-2 litres per person. A stream and waterfall lie near the end of the walk, but bathing is not allowed.
Highlights
- Tropical forest trail inside the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border
- Walk through the Gene Pool conservation garden at Nadugani, set up in 1989 for Western Ghats plants
- Forest guides explain medicinal plants and the traditional life of local tribal communities
- Chance of sambar, elephant and wild dog signs; trekkers report fresh leopard and tiger pugmarks
- Easy half-day walk that pairs with Frog Hill viewpoint and the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve nearby
Risks
- Wild elephants, leopards and tigers use this forest (Trek Tamil Nadu lists elephant and wild dog; trekkers report fresh pugmarks); stay with the guide, keep quiet and follow instructions.
- Leeches are common in wet weather; trekkers advise carrying salt or sanitizer and wearing long socks.
- Nadugani gets heavy south-west monsoon rain (about 2,860 mm a year); the trail is slippery in June-September. Check the portal for dates before you plan a monsoon visit.
- The walk ends near a stream with a waterfall where currents are strong; bathing is not allowed.
- Trekking in Tamil Nadu forests is allowed only through the official Trek Tamil Nadu booking; entering the trail without it is not permitted.
Know before you go
Questions
How long is the Gene Pool trek?
The official Trek Tamil Nadu trail is 8 km two way (4 km out and 4 km back) and takes about 4 hours. The portal gives a maximum elevation of about 940 m.
How much does the Gene Pool trek cost and how do I book it?
Book on trektamilnadu.com. On 18 Oct 2026 the portal charged ₹699 per adult (18+) and ₹599 for ages 6-17, plus 5% GST. The ticket includes the permit, a forest guide and trek insurance; getting to the reception point at Nadugani is up to you.
Can I do the Gene Pool trek on my own?
No. It is a forest trail in the Gudalur forest division, and trekking is allowed only through the Tamil Nadu Forest Department's Trek Tamil Nadu booking, which sends a forest guide with every group.
Where is Gene Pool and how do I get there?
The Gene Pool eco-tourism centre is at Nadugani, about 12 km from Gudalur on the road to Nilambur in Kerala and about 62 km from Ooty. The nearest railway station is Nilambur (about 40 km) and the nearest airport given by the portal is Mysuru (about 118 km).
Is the Gene Pool trek good for beginners and children?
Yes - the portal rates it easy and sells tickets for ages 6 and up. It is a gentle forest walk, but wildlife and leeches mean children should stay close to the guide.
In an emergency
Save these numbers before you lose signal. Tap to call.
- 112All emergenciesIndia’s single emergency number — works in every state
- 108Ambulance
- 1077District disaster control room
You are in
District: The NilgirisTamil Nadu
- Nearest hospital
- Gudalur Government Hospital (about 14 km)
- Last ATM
- Not confirmed; Gudalur town (about 12 km) has ATMs - carry cash.
- Phone network
- Not confirmed by our sources; Nadugani is on a main road, but expect patchy signal inside the forest.
Before you set off
- Tell someone your route and when you will be back.
- Carry a charged phone and a power bank.
- Download an offline map of the route.
- Turn back if the weather turns bad — the mountain will wait.
Questions about Gene Pool
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Where this comes from
Sources
Last reviewed:
- Gene Pool - Trek Tamil Nadu — Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Trek Tamil Nadu trail list, July 2026 — Trek Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu Forest Department / TNWEC) (official)
- Gene Pool Trek, Tamil Nadu — Thrillophilia
- Gudalur's Gene Pool Garden is an example of participatory forest management — Down To Earth
Photos: Arun Jose, CC BY-SA 4.0; Monalperoth, CC BY-SA 4.0; Dhivya Dhivya, CC BY-SA 4.0
