Kakkabe is 38 kms from Madikeri, the headquarters of Coorg, and is situated in Karnataka's Western Ghats. It is the largest producer of honey in South East Asia. It is a sleepy little town and a perfect get away for a weekend. Kakkabe is flourishing and has developed to a popular tourist destination. Nalnad palace and Padi Igguthappa temple the holiest Kodava shrine, Thadiyendamol Coorg's highest peak are the main attractions here. And also trek to the scenic Kabbe Pass and Chelavara Falls.
The main ethnic dwellers are Kodavas, living with flustered culture and beliefs. A popular base for rain forest treks, Kakkabe is abode to some uncommon and extraordinary orchids and plants.These woodlands are famous for some wildlife species like pangolin, barking deer, various varieties of birds and flying squirrel.
Tourist Attractions
Padi Igguthappa Temple is dedicated to Igguthappa, another name for Lord Subramanya. (iggu in kodava is grain and thappa means to give). Igguthappa is also the Rain God and the main deity of Kodavas. Thousands gather for the Kaliyarchi festival which falls in the month of march the god is taken out on a procession to the top of Mallama Betta Hill and then reinstalled in the temple. Then it is followed by various ceremonial dances.
The devotees believe in the miracles by Iguthappa, where any one can ask for anything from this super power God. Tulabhara, weighing oneself against fruits, sugar, coconuts, rice etc, is an important offering here. This temple governs significant role in the cultural and traditional life of the place.
Nalnad Palace built by Dodda Viraraja in 1792, is situated at the bottom of the highest peak Thadiyandamol. 
once belonged to the Hindu king Langaraja, promises the tourists a valued visit and enthralls everybody with its eye-catching paintings and marvelous architecture. This Palace served as the royal hunting lodge and summer home of the Kodava Kings.
The palace has intricate wood carvings all around the structure and decorated with ancient paintings and historical architecture. The low-slung conical roof, crested dome, pillared facade, intricate wooden friezes, wall murals and the courtyard with its four bulls.
Also don't miss the local Kapala tribesmen who inhabit the area around Nalnad. There is a saying that the King bought them from Kerala but believed to be originally from Ethiopia.
Thadiyendamol is the highest peak in Coorg at 5,730 feet, and the second highest in Karnataka.The first being the Mullayanagiri in Chickamaglur district. It is one of the most picturesque spot in south India with untampered original forest and natural perennial springs all around.
It is a trekkers’ paradise. The views from the hill top is awesome and breathtaking. It takes about 2 to 3 Hrs to trek depending on from where you are climbing and equally long to come down. The climb climb from Palace Estate is shorter, but from Honey Valley side the route is longer but you go through thick rainforest and more scenic terrain. Palace Estate is located at the foot of the Thadiyendamol peak and is an ideal base camp for trekking.
On a clear day you can get a glimpse of the coastline.
Karada has one of the finest ancestral homes in the Kakkabe region and is not so far from Kakkabe center. From this place, the far-off horizon is spotted with a large number of peaks. Karada offers exciting adventure, mix of scenic beauty and maximum fun for those seeking the nature’s beauty and long terrain hills.
Chelavara Falls this majestic stream falls is much admired and is visited by most of tourists visiting this part of coorg. The roar of the falls can be heard from a distance and the road to this falls goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations. Two kilometers from this place there is a sunset point from where u can enjoy the sunset.
Kakkabe is a trekker’s pleasure to those people seeking for serenity, as there a number of treks small and medium and of varying grades that is apt for most visitors. Though most trails are leeches infected during the monsoon.
The most admired trek is the one to the undulated Thadiyendamol peak - it has the prestige of being the second highest peak in Karnataka. It is a long trek and the view from the hill top is imposing and breathtaking.
A fast growing adventurous sport, Rock climbing, is packed with excitement and if one wants to experience this thrilling sport, Thadiyendamol in Kakkabe invites with its full vibrancy. This sport is a real challenging one, straining and pushing out all your energies out of you. This hill provides easy and convenient access to climbers.
Recommended time to Rock climbing is September to May.
Best time to visit: September to May
Post monsoon are rewarding for bird watchers. March-April is the festival season for the local temples.
How to get there
- The nearest airports are Mangalore (172 kms) and Bangalore (260 kms).
- The nearest train station are at Mysore (127 kms) and Mangalore.
- There are regular buses from Bangalore (260 kms), Mysore (127 kms), Mangalore (172 kms) and Hassan (146 kms).
Bangalore > Srirangapatanam > Hunsur > Kushalnagar > Madikeri > Bettageri > Napoklu > Kakkabe
Where to Stay
Palace Estate, the location of our home stay, was located at the foothills of the Thadiyandamol peak, and had a private waterfall!
For bookings, contact:
Palace Estate
Kakkabe Post
Karnataka - 571212
Phone : 08272 - 238446
Mr. Prasad Poovanna
Mobile : 98804-47702
Misty Woods
Kakkabe, Virajpet
Kodagu, Karnataka - 571212
Phone : 08272 - 238561
Green Woods Home Stay
Manjunath: 98459-37332
Sriram: 99009-53100
Muruly: 98808-44356
P.M. Gopi: 98452-90386
Phone: (08272) 317719
greewoods123homestay@gmail.com
greenwoods.coorg@gmail.com
Adhishakthi Homestay
Kabbinakadu Kakkabe
Coorg, Karnataka 571212
Phone: (08272)-238439
Also See:
