A travel Guide to Coorg

Coorg Tourism

Coorg which is officially known as Kodagu is a coffee producing hill station nestled in the mountains of Karnataka. It is gaining popularity as a luxury holiday destination where you can live in a homestay for a memorable getaway from the monotonous city life. You can choose to stay in for a lazy weekend or visit some of the most popular Coorg tourist attractions like Abbey Falls, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Raja’s Seat, Madikeri Fort, Dubare Elephant Camp, and many more. You can visit this place with your family or your loved ones and just in case you do, here’s a Coorg tour guide for you.

Places to visit in Coorg

1. Abbey Falls

Abbey Falls or Abbi Falls is located 10 km from Madikeri amidst private coffee plantations and spice estates. The lush greenery along with the spectacular waterfall attracts thousands of visitors every year and is one of the popular Coorg attractions among nature lovers and photographers. You can climb an overbridge which is right in front of the waterfall that makes for a great view and sprays water on its visitors and refreshes them. You can trail to the falls through coffee, cardamom and pepper plantations to unwind and relax from yourself.

2. Raja’s Seat

It is one of the most popular Coorg tourist places located in Madikeri. It was popular even back in the day when the Kings of Coorg would visit the location to watch the mesmerising sunset with their beloved Queens. The actual seat is built on an elevation and is surrounded by pillars on four sides. You visit the place once and you’ll know why it is so famous. The mornings are misty but as soon as the sky clears, the place offers a picturesque view of the verdant gardens filled with colourful flowers. It is a perfect spot for family picnics and your little ones can even enjoy toy-train rides there. The place is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India as it holds historic significance.

3. Namdroling Monastery

The full name of the Namdroling Monastery is ThegChog Namdrol Shedrub Dargyeling but it is commonly known as the Golden Temple. Located 34 km from Coorg, the monastery is a teaching centre for Tibetan Buddhism. It was constructed with bamboo donated to the Tibetan exiles by the Government of India and showcases the Tibetan architecture on the temple tower and its outer walls. It is also the home of around 5000 Sangha community members. Upon entering the monastery, you’ll witness huge golden statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha Sakyamuni, and Amityars that are surrounded by beautiful paintings that depict the Tibetan Buddhism mythology. If you’re visiting the monastery, make sure to attend their prayers as they are one of the most serene experiences one can have.

4. Nishani Motte

Located 12 km from Madikeri, Nishani Motte is a relatively unknown peak in Karnataka. The name of the peak can be closely translated to ‘euphoria’ which perfectly describes the experience one has on their visit to the place. Nishani Motte is still quite famous among trekkers and adventure seekers. The place is home to rare flora and fauna, misty mountains and verdant meadows. You’ll come across leeches, snakes and even elephant footprints on the trail of your trek. The final 1 km of the trek i.e Blue Ridge is pretty steep so avoid trekking at night or after dark. The trek also includes several activities like river rafting, hiking, wildlife photography and much more. Once you make it to the summit, you’ll be graced with a 360-degree view of the Western Ghats.

5. Madikeri Fort

It tops the list of popular Coorg attractions and you can witness the history of several glorious rulers and dynasties. Located in the centre of the Madikeri, the fort offers a panoramic view of the town which is undoubtedly breathtaking and remarkable. It receives a lot of visitors every year and thus we can say that it is one of the most popular Coorg tourist places. The fort was originally built in the late 17th century and has gone through a lot of changes in the structure and design when the possession was passed on to Tipu Sultan. You can also witness several life-sized elephant statues, museums and several artefacts and portraits that depict the lineage of the history of the Madikeri Fort.

Things to do in Coorg

Coorg tourism offers several activities that you can involve in during your visit to the town and some of them have been mentioned below.

Trek to Tadiandamol Peak

It is the highest peak in Coorg and second-highest in the Karnataka state. It gets its name from the Kannada language and means ‘a big mountain’. Trekking to Tadiandamol Peak is one of the top things to do in Coorg. Located at 5735 ft above sea level, the peak caters to the best view of the neighbouring Shola Forest. The trek begins at the Nalknad Palace which was built in the year 1792 by Dodda Vira Rajendra. The trek itself is scenic in every sense but if you want the complete experience, you should camp at the summit for the best sunrise and sunset views.

Barapole River Rafting

Coorg offers river rafting to its visitors in Barapole. It is one of the most popular Coorg attractions. There are different rapids for different experiences that are named after the difficulty levels such as Morning Coffee, Grasshopper, Wicked Witch and the Big Bang. If you want to explore your adventurous side, then you should add this place to your Coorg travel guide.

Bathe Elephants

Yes, this is a very popular thing offered by Coorg tourism. Dubare Elephant Camp is a place where the elephants of the Kerala Forest Department enjoy the natural habitat with their fellow mates. You can observe the remarkable elephants and if you wish to, you can even scrub them. If you want to be involved in this activity, make sure to reach the camp before 9 AM as that is when the bathing of the elephant takes place.

Camping

One should experience camping in nature at least once in their lifetime. Coorg is one such place that offers this experience. Trek through the forest and plantations, pitch your tent and sleep under the stars, in the serene atmosphere of the hills of Coorg with the aroma of plantations to make one of the most romantic experiences for you and your loved ones. Wake up to a musical performed by the birds and enjoy a local breakfast. Doesn’t it sound like an experience you would love to have?

Visit Iruppu Falls

Iruppu Falls is one of the most stunning waterfalls preserved by the Coorg tourism department. It is one place that you shouldn’t miss out on when you’re in Coorg. The Iruppu Falls is widely known for being the home of a famous Shiva temple. You should add it to your Coorg travel guide where you can indulge in nature’s lush greenery, witness the sparkling white waterfall and enjoy its delightful rustling sound.

Best time to visit Coorg

Coorg is a year-round destination so you can plan a trip whenever you want. It has a moderate climate that makes every season the best season to visit Coorg. Coorg receives heavy rainfall during the monsoons making the roads muddy but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a lazy weekend getaway in the hill station. However, if you wish to indulge in adventure sports like trekking, then the months between October and March is the best time to visit Coorg.

How to reach Coorg

The town doesn’t have a railway station of its own nor can you take direct flights to Coorg. However, it is connected to several airports and railway stations in the nearby cities so you need not worry about how to reach Coorg.

By Airways

If you’re a foreign tourist, the nearest International Airport is the one in Mangalore and if you’re a domestic tourist, you can take flights to Mysore or Bangalore Airport. Wherever you land, you can easily get cabs or private buses and reach your hotel in Coorg.

By Railways

You can take a train to the nearest railway stations of Mysore or Bangalore and then hire a cab or travel by private bus to Coorg. There are numerous hotels as well as homestays in Coorg where you can accommodate during your stay.

By Roadways

The final leg of your trip to Coorg whether you take a flight or train is any way by road but if you like to take road trips and are starting from nearby cities like Ooty, Bangalore or Mysore, then you’ll have a wonderful experience as the journey won’t be tiring and you’ll be able to enjoy the scenic view to Coorg.