All About Coorg Tourism For A Ideal Holiday

Undulating hills, sprawling grasslands, deep valleys, lush green environs, coffee plantations and spices makes the ‘Scotland of India,’ Coorg special. Situated at a height of 1,150, Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is one of the most sought after hill stations of Karnataka. Here is all that you will want to know about Coorg tourism for a perfect holiday.

Thadiyandamol hills, coorg — Sunrise at Thadiyandamol hills in Coorg. Image Courtesy snapper san

Coorg tourism: A Little About The Culture And History Of Coorg

The fascinating aspects about Coorg tourism is its history and culture, a little knowledge about which will enrich a discerning traveller’s experience. Apart from being scenic, Coorg boasts of a rich culture and distinct traditions. Its lip smacking cuisine, especially the non-vegetarian dishes, is worthy of mention. Various communities like Kodava, Tulu, Kudiyas, Gowda and Buntas make up the population of Coorg, the majority being the Kodavas. The Kodavas are widely known for their chivalry and hospitality.

The people of Coorg Image courtesy Iromi Perera

From the 2nd to the 6th century the Kadambas controlled the northern part of Coorg and the Gangas ruled the southern part from the 4th to the 11th century. The Cholas won over Coorg from the Gangas. Over the next few centuries, the place came under the control of different dynasties like the Hoysalas, and the Vijayanagara Empire. The region then fell into the hands of the local chieftains called the Nayakas and then taken over by the Haleri dynasty, who ruled over it till the 19th century. It was in 1956 that the place was declared as a district of Karnataka.

Places to visit in Coorg

An interesting aspect about Coorg tourism is that it offers tourists a variety of places to visit in Coorg. Apart from those in Madikeri, there are many other places to visit near Coorg. Here goes the list of Coorg’s tourism places and their importance.

Nestled in the lap of nature is Talakaveri, which tops the list. It is the place of origin of the river Kaveri, where a temple stands too.
The Raja’s seat in Madikeri overlooks the valleys below and is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise and the sunset
The Madikeri Fort is a must see for history buffs
Abbey falls, the Iruppu falls and the Mallai falls enthral the tourists with their cascading beauty.
The Omkareshwara temple depicts the Islamic and Gothic architecture.
Talakaveri and Bhagamandala are 8 km apart and the latter is a triveni sangama, the confluence of three rivers, which is sacred.
The Golden temple (Namdroling Monastery) boasts of Tibetan architecture with captivating murals on the walls.
The Gaddige, popularly known as Raja’s Tomb, includes a complex series of tombs belonging to the Kodava dynasty.

Abbey Falls, Coorg — Abbey Falls. Image Courtesy Ranna Photography

Other places to visit near Coorg are Chelavara Falls, Harangi Dam, Nisargadhama, Dubare Elephant Camp, Honnamana Kere and Mandalapatti, Padi Igguthappa temple etc

Things to do in Coorg

Adventure Activities in Coorg

Coorg tourism offers a wide scope for adventure activities like trekking, golf, angling and river rafting for tourists while holidaying in Coorg. The Pushpagiri Hills, Kotebetta, Nishani Motte and Tadiandamol, the highest peak in Coorg are some of the places to trek, while they also offer some stunning views.

Tourists can also engage in watersports in The Upper Barapole river, while Valanoor happens to be the hotspot for anglers.

River Rafting in Coorg

Best time to visit Coorg

October to June is the ideal time to visit Coorg. However, April to mid June in Summer is a very pleasant season to holiday in Coorg. Monsoon, which comes in by the first week of June and stays on till September, may not be the ideal time to visit. Winter in Coorg is from November to March and is normally cold.

How to reach Coorg

Madikeri is the headquarters of Coorg and all transportation to go about Coorg begins from here.

By Road

Coorg is directly accessible only by road. There are many government and private buses plying to Coorg from major cities. You can also hire cabs if travelling with family.

By Air

The nearest domestic airport to Coorg is Mangalore, located 160 km away.

By Train

There isn’t a Railway Station at Coorg. Mysore Railway Station is the closest railway station to Coorg. It is 107 km away. The Mysore Railway Station connects to all the major cities in India. From Mysore, one can either take a bus or hire a car. The other closest stations are Mangalore and Hassan, with 150 kms and 104 kms, respectively.

Where to stay in Coorg?

Being one of the popular hill stations of Karnataka, Coorg provides a variety of options to stay, from homestays to resorts to luxury resorts. This is another important aspect about Coorg tourism, which makes holidaying in Coorg a memorable experience.

Places to visit near Coorg within 200 km

Tadiandamol Peak (39.9km), Nishani Motte Peak (47.7km), Mysore (107.3), Nagarhole (60.9km), Sakleshpur (112.8km), Kabini (111km), Hassan (111.7km), Belur (137.5km), Bandipur (187.3km), Chikmagalur (159.8), Udupi (202.1km), Mangalore (150.6), BR Hills (194.2), and many more are some places to visit near Coorg within 200 kms.