Coorg, also known as Kodagu is a famous tourist spot in Karnataka. It is situated in the western ghats and is filled with lush green fields all around. The place is very rightly attributed as the Scotland of India due to the temperature and beautiful landscape. The place is filled with vast hills and coffee plantations that are complemented with sandalwood and teak forests and make for a lavish and abundant landscape.
The whole of Coorg is filled with small hamlets and villages which give the place a rustic feel. The amazing climate and the lush green landscape make Coorg perfect for treks and long walks. The place also has a rich variety of fauna which makes it a paradise for birdwatchers. The place also gives you the option to undertake various adventure activities such as white-water rafting. There are a lot of hotels, homestays, and hostels that make sure that there are ample places for tourists to crash. You can also use Oyo coupons and avail discounts on your next hotel booking.
How to reach Coorg?
Being one of the major tourist spots in Karnataka, it is very easy to reach Coorg. You can reach Coorg through any of the three means, namely, Airways, Roadways, and Railways.
Airways
The nearest domestic airport to Coorg is Mangalore and is situated 159 km away. Bengaluru Airport is the nearest international airport and is located 259 km away from Coorg. Both airports are connected to various airports in India by air. The Bengaluru International Airport is also very well connected to various gulf countries and other foreign cities. You can get a taxi from any of the airports and easily reach Coorg.
Roadways
The roads are all very well connected and there are a lot of state transport buses that ply from various corners of the state and connect Coorg to the rest of the cities. The major cities connected by KSRTC buses are Mysore (125 km), Bengaluru (259 km) and Mangalore (159 km)
Railways
The nearest railway stations that connect Coorg are Mangalore, Hassan, Thalasserry and Mysore. Mangalore is a major station that is connected to almost all major cities in India and make it easier to reach Coorg.
Top Tourist Attractions in Coorg
Abbey Falls
This amazing waterfall in Coorg is well surrounded by scores of trees and coffee and spice plantations. It is one of the places to visit during the monsoons and make for a perfect picnic destination. The Abbey Falls has also been featured in a lot of Bollywood movies which makes it very popular. It also has a hanging bridge and pepper vines spread all around. This amazing natural wonder ensures that you spend quality time with your loved ones and relax in this natural habitat.
Nagarhole National Park
This National Park is also named Rajeev Gandhi National Park and is considered as one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is spread across the districts of Mysore and Coorg and can be termed as a must-visit tourist spot during a visit to Coorg. If we trace the history of the place, it was a private hunting ground for the kings of Mysore and cover a total area of 258 sq. km. There are a lot of snake-shaped streams running through the park while housing valleys and a lot of waterfalls as well. With a thick forest cover, the national park houses a lot of animals such as tiger, leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, the hyena, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, gaur, wild boar, and elephants. The Nagarhole National Park acts as a natural retreat for vacationers and provides for a wonderful interaction with various wild animals.
Raja’s Seat
What started as a seasonal garden with artificial fountains all-around for the royalty of yesteryears has now become an amazing hangout spot for all tourists visiting Coorg. The tourists can spend some quality time while enjoying sunrise and sunset. The Raja’s Seat is situated in such a way that the incoming rays of the sun are shrouded by the hills and clouds and color the whole garden in a golden hue. You cannot miss out on visiting this place while you are on a trip to Coorg.
Brahmgiri Peak
The stories of the amazing Brahmgiri peaks have been steeped in history and a lot of mystery. The hill gets its name from a famous temple of the same name and was considered to be created by Lord Buddha itself. It is said that he meditated in the caves located in and around the mountain. The mountain provides an enchanting trekking experience and you can also spot some rare birds in the vicinity. It is an easy 9 – 10 hours trek that will definitely bring you close to nature and should be among the top 2-3 things to do while in Coorg.
Madikeri Fort
The previous owners of this majestic building include people such as Tipu Sultan and Dodda Veerarajendra and store a lot of fascinating stories. It was a mud structure to begin with and has gradually turned into what it is today. The fort houses a number of government offices today such as the Municipal Headquarters of Coorg, Department of Archaeology’s museum and a church that has also been converted into a museum. If you are a tourist with kids, the site of the fort makes for a perfect spot for a day out that can be made better with a picnic lunch. The fort is adorned with beautiful designs and two real size elephants at the entrance make for an imposing feature.
Coorg has become one of the most popular hill stations of South India and with amazing connectivity with some of the major cities, it has started to attract a lot of tourists in recent times. Amidst the enchanting aura of coffee plantations, one can find the most beautiful home stays, hotel bookings and adventure sports. There are a lot of hotspots for tourists of all kinds to visit and enjoy their holidays. So plan a trip to Coorg now and treat yourself to an amazing meeting with the nature.