Trek to Tadiandamol, Barapole River Rafting, Visit Dubare Elephant Camp, Virajpet Sightseeing Tour, Visit Abbey Falls, Stay at Coffee Plantation Homestay, Jeep Safari, Kumara Parvatha Trek, Visit Iruppu Falls and others.
Popularly known as the Scotland of India, there are several things to do near Coorg as diverse as your imagination can get. Coorg boasts of its spectacular natural beauty and the quaint and calm environs. Whether you are travelling with your family or friends, the hidden escapes and breathtaking scenery of Coorg is sure to make everyone happy.
From a cabin in the woods to river-rafting holidays, Coorg can be as relaxing or as challenging as you want it to be! What to do in Coorg is a question that is best answered through the unique and diverse activities it offers! Enjoy a fresh brew with the vistas of coffee plantations or take a dip in the scenic waterfalls like Mallalli Falls. Madikeri Fort and the Golden Temple Monastery are also worth visiting when in Coorg.
You can also visit the Kote Ganapathi Temple and Gandhi Mandap for some calm and peace. There are even numerous adrenaline-pumping activities like hikes to Tadiandamol and hand-glider flights thousands of feet above the ground!
Tadiandamol is a Kannada word that translates into big mountain’, a name which does justice to the place as it is the highest peak in Coorg and the second highest in Karnataka. Trekking to the top of Tadiandamol is one of the top activities to do in Coorg for adventure enthusiasts.
Perched at a height of 5735 feet above sea level, the peak offers staggeringly beautiful views of the surrounding Shola forests. The starting point of the trek is the historical Nalknad Palace which was built by Dodda Vira Rajendra in the year 1792.
The trek itself is long and tedious but scenic. If you decide to camp at the summit, you are guaranteed beautiful views of the rising and setting sun.
Location: 274 km from Bangalore, Coorg
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Charges: Rs 3,150
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
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Another thrill among the very things to do in Coorg is trekking up to The Kumara Parvatha hill. The second highest peak in Coorg and very much the epitome of a paradise, this hill is surrounded by the eternal grandeur of nature. Smothered with the Pushpagiri range around, this one just gets to your wild heart with its scenic beauty and dense forests.
Furthermore, the trek can be a little difficult for the ones who are not used to trekking. Rest assured, everything from flairs to fauna along your way will reward you with timeless beauty and an odd sense of satisfaction during the 2 days of your unforgettable trek.
Location: Pushpagiri range, Coorg, Karnataka
Charges: Rs 3,050
Difficulty level: Moderate
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The Raja’s Seat or the King’s Seat is a beautiful vantage point and visiting the Raja’s Seat is one of the most iconic options when thinking of what to do in Coorg. Historically, this was the place where the Kings of Coorg would come to enjoy the splendid scenery spread below them.
Today, it has been commercialised and has manicured seasonal gardens and artificial water fountains that mark the area. Although the views from Raja’s Seat are always breathtaking, the best time of the day to visit the place is during sunrise and sunset.
At the Raja’s Seat, you can also visit the Gandhi Mantap where remains of Mahatma Gandhi have been kept. Apart from the Mantapa, there is also a children’s amusement park and a toy train that takes you around the place.
Location: Near Rajadarshan Hotel, Raja Seat Road, Stuart Hill, Madikeri, Karnataka
Best time to Visit: The best time to visit is from the months of October to March
Timings: It can be visited from 6 am to 7 pm
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For the adventure junkies looking for the most thrilling activities in Coorg, Nagarhole National Park is the best place to add to your bucket list. Replete with beautiful waterfalls, valleys, streams and forests, this place is blessed with spectacular natural beauty.
It is home to the most distinct flora and fauna and tourists can look forward to an exhilarating day filled with exploring wildlife with a wildlife safari at Nagarhole National Park.
Best time to Visit: For getting the best view of animals, the months of April and May are considered best. However, if experiencing pleasant weather is a priority then the months from November to February is preferred.
Location: Madikeri Road, Hunsur, Karnataka
Timings: It is open from 6:45 am to 8:45 am and then from 4 pm to 6 pm
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Iruppu Falls is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Coorg where tourists can go to see the grandeur of nature and seek repose in the lush greenery of the landscape. Attracting scores of visitors every year, Iruppu Falls is known for having the famous Shiva Temple Rameshwara and deriving its roots from the epic Ramayana.
Located along the Brahmagiri mountain range amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Western Ghats, Iruppu Falls is a mesmerizing destination to visit on your vacation in Coorg.
Best time to Visit: The best time to witness the beauty of Iruppu Falls is during the monsoon season
Location: Kurchi, Karnataka
Timings: Tourists should visit Iruppu Falls any time between 6 am and 6 pm every day of the week
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The Golden Temple Monastery or the Namdroling Monastery is a beautiful Monastery in Coorg which is an excellent example of the rich Tibetan architecture.
It holds great historical and cultural importance, especially for the Tibetan community, as it is the world’s largest centre of teaching for the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery complex spreads over several square metres and reaches as high has 40 feet.
The highly ornate temple has colourful murals on the outer walls, precious gold knockers on huge, red doors and colourful paintings of gods and demons belonging to the Tibetan Buddhist mythology. The temple is surrounded by large, landscaped gardens which change colour with the seasons, making it just the place to come and relax for a while.
Location: Arlikumari, P.O. Bylakuppe, Coorg , Karnataka, 571104, India
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
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Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the many wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka and is particularly known for its rich bird population. Covering a staggering area of 102 kilometres, the sanctuary is nestled between the Kukke Subramanya Forest range on one side and the Bisle Reserve Forest on the other.
The landscape is dominated by a thick tree cover and tall peaks. While here, you can spot several endangered and rare species of birds and go out on safaris in the dense canopied jungles.
A bird safari through the wildlife sanctuary can result in close encounters with the bird species like grey breasted laughing thrush, Nilgiri flycatcher, black and orange flycatcher, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar grey hornbill, grey-headed bulbul, blue-winged parakeet, small sunbird and white-bellied blue flycatchers.
Location: It is located near Mandalpatty in northern Coorg district.
Best time to Visit: The months from November to March are the most ideal to visit Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Timings: It can be visited from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm for all days of the week
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The best way to explore Coorg is on foot and the trek to Kopatty is one of the most rewarding things to do in Coorg. A half-day trek to Kopatty on an average pace will take you through a variety of landscapes, including lush green plantations, rolling grasslands which open to the views of the valley and narrow gravel paths.
The path will lead you close to the ledge before descending into the thick forest covers, giving you dramatic views of the landscape. You can easily cover the trail in around six or six and a half hours even if you plan to take a lunch break in the middle. The impressive scenery offers many opportunities to stop for a picnic or take stunning pictures.
Location: Kopatty hill, Coorg, Karnataka
Best time to visit: Autumn and Winter
Charges: Rs 3,150
Difficulty level: Moderate
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Picturesque hills and plains, rugged terrains, challenging curves and the off-roading tracks; all these make Coorg a sought after destination for Quad Biking.
Ideal for every kind of tourist, these rides can be undertaken for around 25 minutes between 10 AM to 4 PM. Chevalara in Coorg has some of the most exhilarating and exciting Quad Biking tracks.
Riding on these 250cc beasts that howl through any kind of terrain offers the much-desired adrenaline kick to adventure buffs and thus making it one of the most exciting things to do in Coorg.
Location: Kedakal Village, Suntikoppa Post, Coorg
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One of the most picturesque places in Coorg, Dubare has a plenitude of host camps that organises rafting trips. As the water level reaches the highest during the monsoons, it is considered as the peak time for a rafting expedition.
There are close to 18 different rafting routes which range from easy to moderate to difficult. The activity begins at Dubare and then stretches for about 11km. Life jackets and other types of equipment are provided to ensure a safe trip.
Rafting here is considered as one of the best Coorg adventures to indulge in. Also, you can also indulge yourself in different activities in Coorg if planning to visit Dubare , and it is one of the best things to do in Coorg.
Best time to visit: July and August.
Location: Dubare, Coorg.
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This stunning waterfall does not only captivates the beholder’s eyes but makes one fall in love with its unparalleled beauty. Falling along the Brahmagiri Mountain range of a tributary originating from river Cauvery. Irupu falls is also known as Lakshmana Tirtha Falls and this is the hidden splendour of Coorg, a very famous and picturesque spot. While on your route to Brahmagiri peak.
Most of the people do not think of Southern India when monastery hits their brains, but this information is incredibly intriguing that the Tibetan-Buddhism influence had reached the southern part of India ages ago.
Mandroling Monastery in Bylakuppe is also known as the Golden temple. Around 5000 nuns and monks live together in Harmony at Namdroling and It is the second largest Buddhism settlement in India.
You can even spend some time in the bookstore and the cafe that is inside the Monastery premises. Namdroling is also called Golden temple because of the golden paintings etched on the monastery and the three golden statutes named Buddha, Padmasambhava, and Amitayus.
Photography is allowed inside the monastery and one can even light some incense sticks and sit for some time to soak in the piousness of the place.
Location: Arlikumari, P.O. Bylakuppe, Mysore, Karnataka 571104
Best Time to visit: Any time of the year.
Entry fee: No entry fee.
Timings: 7 AM to 6 PM on all the days of the week.
Average time required to visit the place: 1 to 2 hours.
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 35 KM.
This river camp has trained Elephants and their mahout who bathe them and feed them. The Dubare Elephant Camp is a project which is run together by the forest department and Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. There are naturalists who elucidate the biology, ecology and the history of Elephants to the visitors and you can not only see them but even participate in the river bath, and feeding.
Between Wayanad and Kannur districts in Kerala in the north and the east and Coorg in Karnataka in the south, lies the trekker’s paradise- Brahmagiri hills, the highest peak in the sanctuary that covers an area of 181 KM and derives its name from the Brahmagiri hill.
The celestial presence of Thirunelli temple and the adorable Iruppu falls amid the green groves en route makes the trekking experience a lifetime event that states with you for long.
It is suggested that you take a guide which will charge around INR 200 but will make your journey informative and more fun.
Height: 1,608 m
Location: Border of Mananthavady Taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala and Virajpet Taluk, Kodak district, Karnataka India.
Best Time to visit: December to March
Entry fee: A single charge of around INR 200 for the guide which is mandatory to take on the hike.
Timings: Daytime, an evening trek can be tricky.
Average time required to visit the place: The trek can be of 6 to 8 hours depending on the route opted.
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 60 KM
Originating from the river Kaveri, Chelavara falls are one of the most scenic falls in Coorg, famous for their unique appearance. Also known as Embepare (Tortoise) falls locally, the gushing columns of water crash down from a height of 150 ft. on a huge tortoise shaped rock and it is best Coorg sightseeing places.
It is a mesmerising sight to see the huge white curtains of water cascading down amidst lush green surroundings. The surroundings of the falls are enveloped in the intoxicating fragrance of coffee from the nearby plantations.
They are reachable after a 10-minute easy hike from the end of the Virajpet road. There is a 50 ft. deep plunge pool at the bottom of the fall for a cool refreshing dip. The best time to visit this famous Coorg tourist place is during the monsoons.
Height: 150 feet
Location: 2 Km From Choma Kund Hill, Madikeri, India
Best Time to Visit: Monsoon is the best time but is equally risky. Winter season is the safest one.
Entry fee: No entry fee.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week.
Average time required to visit the place: More than 2 to 3 hours.
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 43 Km
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It is incredibly amazing to know that Karnataka boasts of 21 wildlife sanctuaries and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of them that adds more greenery to the state’s sizeable vegetation.
Sprawled across an area of 102 KM, this wildlife sanctuary is world famous for its sustainable approach to endangered bird species. It is almost 290 KM from Bangalore and is situated in the Somwarpet taluk district in Coorg.
Many small streams chisel down the steep terrain of the sanctuary which is caved by Bisle Reserve Forest on one side and Kukke Subramanya Forest range on the other. Around 70 % of the jungle is densely covered and many exotic bird species are found such as Malaria Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Blue Pigeon, Blue-winged Parakeet and white-bellied blue flycatcher etc.
Height: 1712 meters above the sea level ( Pushpagiri- the highest peak in the Sanctuary).
Location: Somwarpet, Kodagu, Coorg-571251
Best Time to Visit: Winter season (November to February)
Entry fee: INR 10 per head.
Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM n all seven days of the week.
Average time required to visit this place: 3 to 4 hours.
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: 64 Kms.
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Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park this park is named after the Nagarhole (Cobra) river passing through its rich tropical forest cover. Located in Kodagu and Mysore, it was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and converted into a national park in 1988. Wildlife enthusiasts love to visit this place in Coorg to see the interesting array of its inhabitants like Wild Boars, Sloth Bears, Antelopes, Barking Deer, Leopards, and birds.
This 18th-century temple is an important religious pilgrimage site and amongst the most popular places to visit in Coorg. The legend goes that it was constructed by King Lingarajendra II to repent for his violent deeds and holds a Shivalingam from brought specially from Kashi.
The temple is famous for its extremely unique architecture that is a mix of Islamic and Gothic influences. It has a large central dome surrounded by four minarets like that of a dargah.
The ambience is peaceful and one can spend time besides the huge water tank full of colourful fish inside the premise.
Location: Highway 88, Stuart Hill, Madikeri, Coorg, Karnataka, 571201, India
Best Time to visit: November to March.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee.
Timings: 6:30 AM to 12:00 Noon and again from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM.
Average time required to visit the place: Minimum 1 hour.
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 1 KM.
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Taking a plunge down over a height of 90 ft., Burude falls are hidden in the green thickets on Siddapur-Kumta road in Sirsi district of Karnataka.
Once reached the bottom of the waterfall, you will find a marvellous sight of milky white water pounding the rocks and making it impossible for you to fall in love with the view. Burude falls is also known as Illimane Fall that follows a course of five concrete steep steps.
This spectacular waterfall is one of the places to visit in Coorg which you can not afford to miss. During the monsoon, one has to pass through a small gurgling stream through the forest and
Height: approximately 90 feet.
Location: SH-489, Siddapura - Kumta Road, Sirsi 581355, India
Best Time to visit: October to February, however, Monsoon is the time when the volume of water increases but the trail will be covered with swarms of leeches.
Entry fee: Free
Average time required to visit the place: 1 to 1.5 Hours (Gradually through easy and moderate trekking route)
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 20 KM
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Indulging in an island escape is always exciting and when the island is located in the middle of a river, it feels like ‘ a cherry on a cake.’ Nisargadhma is an unspoilt and naturally blessed island on the river Kaveri in Karnataka and one of the best Coorg attractions.
To reach this ultimate picnic spot you have to walk through a patch of bamboo groves, sandalwood trees and teak trees etc. One can even walk through the shallow beds of the river and enjoy the chilled rush of the water.
Nisargadhama island is very close to Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement which is another incredible place to hit while in Coorg. Spend some hour of solitude at this island or enjoy the boat ride and elephant safaris. This is one of the offbeat places to visit in Coorg for a unique island escape.
Location: Madikeri, Coorg, Karnataka 571234, India
Entry fee: INR 10 per head (adults) and INR 5 per child.
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM on all days of the week.
Average time required to visit the place: half a day or a day.
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 28 KM.
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Located in the Daddamalthe village, this is the largest lake in Coorg bestowed with stunning natural beauty and is one of the best place in Coorg. This placid lake is surrounded by hills with thick vegetation, coffee plantations, and caves.
Since too many tourists do not visit the lake, it lets the visitors spend some time in the quietude of nature away from the noise of the city. You can spend time boating through the mangroves where you might even spot wild elephants.
Named after goddess Honamma, the lake also a holy place for the locals. A temple is built on the riverbank, which adorns a colourful festival look during the yearly celebrations of Gowri festival. The lake can be visited between 8:00 am- 6:00 pm on any day of the week.
Location: Honnamana Kere, Somwarpet, Coorg, Karnataka, 571201, India
Best Time to Visit: Winter season
Entry fee: No entry fee
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM on all the days of the week.
Average time required to visit the place: 2 to 2.5 hours.
Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 45 KM
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Another one of the thrilling things to do in Coorg is trekking all the way up to Nishani Betta peak. The 12 km hike up to the peak is decked with the beauty of emerald green plains and fragrant coffee plantations. No less than any other peak around the world, the exquisite beauty of this one is breathtaking. The Brahmagiri range cocooning the Nishani peak will welcome you with a tight embrace while you marvel at the old world heritage of the Western Ghats. The peak boasts of a latitude of 60 degrees making the trek a bit difficult. The blue ridge trek is a 12 km long trek and can easily take 4-5 hours to complete. Furthermore, the final stretch of 1 km is comparatively harder but worth the fight for the view from the top is unparalleled.
Location: Nishani Hills, Madikeri, Coorg, Karnataka
Charges: Rs 800
Difficulty level: easy to moderate
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Located in the western ghats, Coorg is an evergreen hill station and no matter which time of the year you visit this place, you will always enjoy your holidays. The climate stays pleasant throughout the year.
Summers can be a little hot and the maximum temperature during summer days may reach 40oC but it never goes any higher than this. So, if you want to beat the summer heat by visiting this hill station, you can avoid visiting it during May and June. Rest of the year, the temperature will be quite pleasant. In winters, the temperature will not go below 10oC, and it's also a good time to visit the place. However, if you want to avoid too much rain, as the trekking becomes a little risky due to rain, you must not go during the monsoon season, that is July and August.
Of all, March and April are the best time to visit the place.
White water rafting is one of the best experiences that one can indulge in while visiting Coorg. It would be an enthralling and exciting experience for you. Barapole river is one of the most adventurous rafting sites in the entire state of Karnataka, and when you are in Coorg, you must not miss it.
The rafting in Coorg is a thrilling experience as there are a plethora of menacing and rousing rapids, but depending on your rafting skills, you can choose the rafting route. Though, the rapids are not very challenging, they certainly are risky. The Barapole river has 9 ferocious class 2 rapids. There are some level 3 and level 4 rapids as well.
In Coorg, children will enjoy activities like a visit to the Dubare Elephant camp where they can see as many as 150 elephants, and can see the mahouts giving bath to the elephants and training the Mysore Dasara festival. Here children can learn everything about the elephants.
Apart from this, they can enjoy the jeep safari to the various waterfalls and can have fun in Raja's Seat park. Children can also visit the various wildlife sanctuaries in Coorg and can witness the animals in their natural habitat.
Yes, Coorg is an amazing place for camping and one can enjoy overnight camping with family & friends here. The most famous camping sites in Coorg include:
Coorg is a land so rich in beauty and greenery, during the monsoons apart from its lush green carpet is the sound of numerous streams and waterfalls nearby that form a picturesque sight. Some of the must visit waterfalls in their whole gush and splendour are:
The following wildlife parks and sanctuaries can be best discovered with a Safari:
Known basically for its tourist attraction, Coorg is also a center for devotion and pilgrimage. The following are some of the famous Temples of Coorg:
Bylakuppe in Coorg is an area which is known as home to several Tibetan settlements. It gives the visitors an opportunity to explore the Tibetan culture. The Golden Temple with its humongous 40 ft statues and 7000 monks is what attracts people to view this unique vista.
Yes, you can go for a jeep safari in Coorg. There are many places like waterfalls, forests, wildlife parks and sanctuaries that can be best visited by a jeep safari.
Jeep safari offers a unique way to explore the different tourists' spots in Coorg, and especially the waterfalls. It is an enthralling ride and would become one of the most memorable experiences of Coorg for your lifetime.
Nishani Motte trek is another prominent trekking destination in Coorg. This is one of the easiest trekking destination. Yes, anyone in good health and at least a bit physically fit can do it.
Kumara Parvatha trek is one of the most difficult treks in Coorg and an ideal place for you if you are looking forward to explore the adventurous side in you. Only well trained and experienced people do trekking here, as it is 6 - 7 km trek on one side through the lush green forests, green meadows and beautiful landscapes.
The peak of Kumara Parvatha is 1712 meters high from the sea level and lies in the Pushpagiri range.
Coorg is a city filled with scenic beauty and adventures. Couples and newlyweds can spend quality time here capturing memorable photos and rejuvenating themselves in the lap of nature. They can also experience the adventurous life near the campsite enjoying with each other. There are various honeymoon packages of Coorg that are just perfect for a romantic outing with your partner.
The overnight camps with a bonfire are an incredible way to spend a romantic evening right under the stars. Apart from this, couples can visit the aromatic coffee plantations and the serene waterfalls with pristine natural beauty. All the waterfalls in Coorg are splendidly beautiful and the atmosphere near the waterfalls is quite tranquil. Couples can also experience thrilling white water rafting together and indulge in sightseeing across the various picturesque hills in Coorg.
Yes, Coorg is a good destination for a distinguished family vacation. There are so many places to explore in Coorg right from scenic beauties to divine temples and pilgrimages. There are many enthralling activities like rafting, camping, trekking, visiting natural waterfalls, and visiting wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
There are many places where one can enjoy with the family, like the wildlife sanctuaries where children can see the animals living in their natural habitats. One of the most unique experiences that one can have in Coorg with family is a visit to the Dubare Elephant training camp. Here you can see the elephants getting trained, getting the food served and getting bathed by the mahouts. In fact, the tourists can also help in bathing the elephants on the banks of the river kaveri in this elephant training camp.
If you want your children to learn about a different culture, then you can visit the Namdroling Monastery in Coorg. Here, you can explore the Tibetan culture as it is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India.
Monsoon adds some of its flavors to Coorg. During this season, roads become wet and there is a time to time drizzle happening at irregular intervals. The best part is that Coorg looks greener than ever which is pleasing to watch as a tourist. But, at the same time, the rain might make the trekking destinations and some waterfalls little risky to visit.
Thus, one must avoid visiting Coorg in monsoon, if you want to visit all the tourist destinations. But, if you want to enjoy the rain and get mesmerized by the natural beauty, you can plan a trip to Coorg during the monsoon.