School Estate, Coorg

One trip to Coorg and it’ll haunt you for the rest of your life. That’s Coorg for you- incomparable scenic beauty, lush green valleys, coffee plantations, teak wood forests & majestic mountain ranges.
Coorg is situated on the Western Ghats of Karnataka in South India.
But the predominant entity here is nature at its best. Coorg is like the dreamland of the philosopher. If you like to mingle with nature, romance in the mountains, feel the tingle of the cool and gentle breeze, watch leaves flutter in dance-like movements and hear sounds of birds fill the air, then Coorg is just the place for you!.
 

Getting There

Coorg or Kodagu is the southwestern district of Karnataka bordering Kerala.
 
Air: The nearest airport is Mangalore 135 km. Bangalore is 260 km.

Train: The nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan 146 km

Road: From Bangalore, the route via Mysore, is the oft-frequented route. The stretch after Hunsur is scenic and the drive through the coffee plantations is absorbing.

Things to do

Madikeri
The capital of Coorg formerly called Mercara, Madikeri is often known as the Scotland of India. It has enchanted millions of travelers with its misty hills, lush forests, coffee plantations and breath taking views. Also known for its lovely climate, Madikeri is a world record holder for the cardamom crop.

Kakkabe
Famous for being the largest producer of honey in south East Asia, though most come here for the Padi Igutappa temple. Built as a hunting lodge, the Nalnad Palace is used as a kiddies’ camp, though no one will really mind you pottering around. You could also visit the honey farms.
 
Omkareshwara Temple
With a dome in the middle of a square lake and minarets at each corner, this is a catholic mix of Keralite, Gothic and Islamic architectural styles. Built in 1820 by King Lingarajendra.

Cauvery Nisargadhama
A great place to cuddle up for the night. This 2.5 sq. km. large island in the middle of the River Cauvery is some place to romance.

Bhagamandala & Telecauvery
At the convergence of the rivers Cauvery, the underground Sujyothi and the Kanike, the Bhangandeshwara temple here has a distinct Kerala touch. The serene temple has intricate carvings and a copper roof. Every October 17, on Tulasankranama, thousands come here to swim and pray. For this is Telecauvery (meaning Head of the Cauvery), the origin of one of the seven sacred rivers.
 
Nagarhole National Park
Created from a former raja’s hunting grounds, Nagarahole is one of the best game sanctuaries in South India, providing a natural living conditions to several wild animals like elephants, tigers, panthers, rhinos and wild elephants, but one is more likely to see smaller game like gaur, deer, wild dogs and langur. Jungle safaris are available as elephant rides.

Irpu Falls
You could begin from behind the Rameshwarna temple, and relax at a refreshing pond halfway up the falls. Then, if you are some strange sort of enthusiastic trekker and have some spare RBC (the leeches demand that), carry on to the top.
 
Abbi Falls
Just 7 kilometers from Madikeri town are the Abbi Falls, as remarkable and striking a sight as you would see anywhere. The narrow road to Abbi Falls is a combination of steep ups and downs, twists and turns, wriggling through the green and dense foliage of surrounding coffee plantations.

Somwarpet
This is the coffee heartland of Coorg. You will pass through some of the finest coffee estates you will ever see. Magnificent trees reaching up to the skies, casting much wanted masses of shade to the coffee plants.
Apart from the popular sight seeing places, Kodagu district has a whole lot of Trekking Tracks.

Accommodation

A Carpet of Green
Accommodation in Coorg is also available in resorts in the midst of plantations. But even if you are staying in a hotel, chances are that the owner does own a plantation or knows of someone who does.

Eating
 
Coorg cuisine is highly influenced by the mouth-watering South Indian delicacies. A lot of coconut, curry leaves; ginger, chilly and spices like pepper and cardamom, grown here in abundance are used. Most South Indian states boast of a vegetarian diet but Coorg has a very rich cuisine of dishes prepared with meat, pork being an all time favourite. Pork, mushrooms, chicken, bamboo shoots, rice and banana are but a few favourite ingredients that result in the delicious food prepared.

Facilities

For the adventurous at heart, it is an absolute treat.
There are numerous possibilities including trekking in the coffee estate, golfing and angling (Mahaseer too!) options available.

Golf at Virajpet

Cycling

Jogging Track

Ayurvedic Massages

Elephant rides

There are numerous possibilities including trekking in the coffee estate and Elephant rides at the Nagarhole Wild Life Sanctuary.