Madikeri a picturesque town of Kodagu (Coorg) is popularly known as the land of coffee, cardamom, colonel and the Cauvery. It is located in a beautiful hilly set up surrounded by lush green forest slopes of Western Ghats.
Coorg is also known as a virtual paradise capped with misty hills and cool springs. Unlike other tourists spots, Coorg is known to retain its old world charm with crispy air, thick green forests, exotic spices, coffee fields along with an abundance of flora and fauna.
Location:
Coorg is a vast area of greenery, with Madikeri in Central part, tropical rain forests and mountains bordering Kerala in West, and wildlife sanctuary in the southern part.
Best time to Visit:
Coorg is beautiful no matter what time of the year you choose to visit and offers moderate type of climate throughout the year, but the best time to enjoy the place to the fullest is from OCTOBER to APRIL.
How to reach:
By Air:
Since Coorg does not have its own airport, so the nearest airport is Mangalore, which is approx. 135 km away from this beautiful hill station. Flights to Mangalore are available from all the major cities to reach Coorg.
By Road:
Coorg is well connected by road with the cities like Mysore (118km), Bangalore (255km) and Mangalore (139km). You can hire taxis, state buses or private cabs to reach the hill station.
By Rail:
Coorg does not have a rail network system. The closest stations to the hill station are Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan.
6 must see places in Coorg:
Coorg is an extremely picturesque and alluring mountainous area in southern Karnataka, not far from Bangalore and Mysore. It is one of the top travel destinations in Karnataka, which always appeal to nature lovers and travel enthusiasts.
1) Coffee Plantations:
Coorg is best known for its coffee plantations. It contributes 60% of India’s coffee production. The best way to experience the coffee plantations is to plan a stay in coffee estates. You can enjoy walking tours to the plantations, as well as sample fresh coffee. It’s fascinating!
2) Waterfalls
Abbey falls and Irupu falls are the two biggest waterfalls in the Coorg region. They are at their best just after the monsoon season, but have a cascading water all year around. Abbey falls is located around eight kilometres north of Madikeri, and Irupu falls is 90 km south of Madikeri.
3) Mountains:
Coorg has a number of towering peaks and valleys, which sets a perfect mood for trekking. One of the famous routes for trekking is from Kakkabe to Thadiyandamol. Keep 5 hours for this trek. You can also enjoy trekking from the Brahmagiri range, starting from Virajpet, to Irupu falls.
4) Dubare Elephant Camp:
If you are in Coorg and an elephant lover, don’t miss the opportunity of visiting them at Dubare Elephant Camp. It is an elephant training camp operated by the Karnataka Govt. You can learn all about elephants, ride them, and even take a bath in the river with them.
5) Namdroling Nyingmapa Tibetan Monastery and Golden Temple
One of the 10 must see Buddhist monasteries. This monastery is known as second largest Tibetan settlements in India. It’s located in Bylakuppe, near Kushalnagar, around an hour east of Madikeri.
6) Raja’s Seat
Raja’s seat is the most well-known sightseeing attraction around Madikeri. The best thing about this place is that it offers breath-taking sunsets and panoramic views across the valley, all the way to Kerala.
Food in Coorg:
The food in Coorg has a very distinctive and unique taste, where in lot of spices are used to make the dish absolutely lip smacking and delicious. Rice forms their staple food and most of the veg and non-veg delicacies are enjoyed with rice. One of the famous delicacies of Coorg cuisine is rice dumplings and pork curry also known as Kadambuttu and Pandi Kari. Coorg is not only famous for its exotic dishes but also for its wine and drinks. No feast or ceremony is ever considered complete unless and until liquor is served. Homemade wines are also prepared from locally grown fruits.
Coorg, also known as the Scotland of India is a marvelous hill station of southern Karnataka. It’s misty hills, lush green valleys, evergreen forests; breath-taking waterfalls will definitely lure your eyes. One trip to Coorg and the memories will linger in you for the rest of your life.
