A travel guide to Coorg.
A travel guide to Coorg.
Introduction: Coorg also known as Kodagu / Madikeri. This hilly station is situated at about 1150meters above sea level. It is located in western ghats in Karnataka. It is known for its coffee estates, countless streams, steep hills, lush forests, rich flora & fauna, and breathtaking views.
Best time to visit: October to May, best is post monsoon to see the lush greenery.
Getting there:
1.Mangalore airport – 160 kms away.
2.Mysore airport -120kms away but not Fully functional.
3.Train till Mysore, after that direct bus to madikeri.
4.Personal vehicle.
5.If you are coming through public transport to madekeri it’s better to hire a jeep or car for full day tour.
Stay:
Nearly 400 hotels, homestays and resorts are available. If you have 3 days and 2 nights I recommend staying one day and night in a resort and 2 days sightseeing along with one night at a hotel. If you are coming for 2 days and one night I recommend booking a hotel or homestay. Hotels at kushalNagar are at reasonable prices.
Basically coorg is divided into two parts.
1.Madekeri proper: sight seeing is mandalpatti trek, Raja seat, Raja tomb’s, Medikeri fort and talacauvery.
2.Kushal Nagar: 30kms away from Madekeri. Sightseeing is Dubare elephant camp, Nisargadhama, Harangi dam, Chiklihole reservoir, golden temple.
Day1: Madekeri.
1.Mandalpatti trek: This is something you should not miss. It’s 15kms away from the main city. Last 7kms is off road, so only 4 × 4 jeeps will go. You can hire a jeep from the bus stop or near the trekking point. If you hire from a bus stop, they charge around 2-3k depending on demand and day. From trekking point 1.5-2k. Minimum 2 hours is needed. 200rs entry fees for 4 wheeler and 100rs for 2 wheeler.
2.Raja seat: Located in the heart of the city. A spectacle of layers of greenery, chain of high and low-rise-mountains attired with mist, the Raja Garden was a one-time-favorite of the kings of Kodagu who used to watch the setting sun, and spend time with their queens here. 30-60 mins we can spend here. Entry fee is 5 rs.
3.Madekeri fort: Located near Raja seat. Notable structures in the fort include two stone statues of elephants at the northeast entry and a church in the southeast corner. There is a parking area outside and entry to the fort premises is free.
4.Abbey falls: The waterfall is on the early reaches of the river Kaveri, located between private coffee plantations with stocky coffee bushes and spice estates and trees entwined with pepper vines. There is a hanging bridge constructed just opposite the falls. Flow is much higher during the monsoon season. Minimum 1 hour is required.
5.Madikeri Market: Madikeri is famous for spices. Spices are full of aroma and taste. Madikeri honey should not be missed. In spices there are small dried chillies which are very spicy. It’s must buy spices if you like spicy food. Natural bath scrub is available.
Day2:Kushal Nagar:
1.Nisargadhama: It’s a Island formed by the kaveri river. This Island has lush foliage of thick bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak wood trees. The island is accessible through a hanging rope bridge. There is a deer park, a children’s playground, an orchidarium, a bird park, and some outdoor activities. In the bird park we can feed the birds, birds will sit on our hands and eat the feeds. This experience was awesome. 10Rs entry fees and parking fees extra. Cottages are available inside which are maintained by the Karnataka tourism board.
2.Dubare Elephant Camp: It is located on the banks of River Cauvery in Coorg. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Coorg. It attracts hordes of tourists from everywhere throughout the country. The elephant camp boasts of plenty of elephants and offers tourists with an exceptional opportunity to be close to them and spend some memorable moments with them. A project undertaken by the forest department and jungle lodges and resorts, Dubare Elephant Camp is a perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts. Here elephants are trained for dussehra celebration. Minimum 2 hours needed.
Timings: 9:00 Am – 11 Am, 4:30pm – 5:30pm.
Fees: Entry fees – 20, boat fees- 30. Depending on elephant activities, charges differ.
3.Hirangi Dam:It is located in the Hudgur village near Kushalnagar, Harangi dam makes for an interesting visit. The dam has been built across the tributary of River Cauvery and has a height of 47 meters and length of 846 meters. It is one of the popular picnic spots with a mesmerizing natural setting and relaxed atmosphere. Located at a distance of approximately 36 km from Madikeri, Harangi dam is the first Dam to have been built across River Cauvery. It’s a nice place to click good quality photos.
4.Chiklihole: Located in between Madikeri and Kushalnagar, Chiklihole Reservoir is a place worth visiting once on your Coorg tour. It is approximately 15 km away from Kushalnagar and Madikeri. The nearest town to the Reservoir is Nanjarayapattana.
The reservoir has been made on one of the tributaries of the River Cauvery. Although the place is not as popular as other tourist spots of Coorg, it offers some good moments to its visitors. For those looking for some seclusion and privacy away from the crowd, this is the place to visit. You are offered with worth capturing scenic beauty.
5.Golden Temple: It has been closed since the 1st lockdown. The Namdroling Monastery, popularly referred to as ‘The Golden Temple’ is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India. Located in Bylakuppe, about 5 kms from Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, The Golden Temple complex is home to about 16000 refugees and 600 monks .
Timings: 9Am – 6pm.
