The mesmerizing scenery with the winding roads squint you through the green fabric , as I the pass plantations of coffee, cardamom and pepper vines which merge with forests,
foliage and fauna. After all, you do not get to see paradise on earth often. Coorg is a little town near Bangalore and is called as “Scotland of India”, locally known as Kodagu or Kodavu from the Kodavas who inhabit this region in the state of Karnataka.
Here’s an Itinerary to experience the best of Coorg in 3 days with me & hope you will like .
It was a month of mid October and my visit to Coorg was unexpected. One evening i just took the train and landed in Mysore. If you like train journeys, there is nothing like looking out of a glassless window of a regular compartment and enjoying the views and glimpses of nature.
Best Time to Visit Coorg
The best time to visit Coorg is between October to Feb, when you can enjoy the sightseeing as well as outdoor activities. One should avoid visiting between the months of June to September due to its geographic location and fierce monsoon.
How to Reach Coorg
Coorg is approximately 270 KM from Bangalore, 150 KM from Mangalore and 118 KM from Mysore. Since it is located on higher terrain therefore no direct connectivity through train or flight is there. But the most common and easiest way to reach Coorg is by Bus. Bus services are available from all major cities in Karnataka including capital city Bangalore, Mangalore & Mysore. You can book through the KSRTC official website or Redbus.com. The best option at cheaper cost would Airavat Club Class buses at ₹650 which i booked through the KSRTC website. But remember if you’re traveling to offbeat places like Chiklihole Dam you have to book auto rickshaw as conveyance will not be available.
Where to Stay in Coorg
There is a vast number of options available in Coorg from luxury cottages to beautiful homestays to budget hostels. Zostel and Manyana Hostels are one of the best options for budget accommodations. With prices as cheap as ₹500-600 per night for dorms, both hostels have a spectacular location and delicious food.
Zostel is located amidst coffee plantation, waking up in the morning would never be this much refreshing. There is a pond nearby the property, stroll around and breathe in the fresh air away from city chaos.
[NOTE: Avoid taking accommodation in the center of Madikeri Town and near the bus stop. Such hotels are usually expensive and are in the overcrowded streets. You will always find better options a little away from the main town. do some research online].
My 3-day Coorg Itinerary
Coorg has so many places in and around where you you can spend time. But due to promoted tourism, there’s an increase in the number of tourists visiting Coorg and hence most of the places remain overcrowded. So, lets start with the top mention places that are worth visiting.
Day 1
Omkareswara Temple
Raja’s Seat
Entry Fee: Rs. 5 for Person & Rs. 10 for Toy Train
Madikeri Fort
Abbey Waterfall
Day 2
Dubare Elephant Camp
Dubare Elephant Camp is a perfect place to experience the life of elephants. You can Spend time with elephants, can feed them (They charge approx ₹150 per person to get into the river with elephants).
It opens at 9 AM and gets closed at 11:30 AM, you have to stand in the queue and wait for your turn to take a ferry ride to the camp. The cost of the ticket is ₹100 per person. It is advised to reach the camp by 8:30 AM as the queue gets longer later. If you reach the camp early, it will also mean that you can enjoy more before the tourists’ rush comes in.
Namdroling Monastery
Apart from the rich local cultures they give equal respect to
foreign culture as well. The famous Namdroling Monastery, also known as The Golden Temple is located in a town called Bylakuppe (5KM from Kushalnagar and 35 KM from the main town of Madikeri), a hub for Tibetans. Bylakuppe is the largest settlement of Tibetans in India after Dharmashala. This Monastery is also home for around 6000 monks who’re peacefully lives here.
Namdroling Monastery is an excellent example of Tibetan architecture. It is spread over an area of 80 sqm and has 40 feet high statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha Shakyamuni, and Amitayus. The main shrine is in a huge hall where hundreds of monks pray together. Walls of the hall are covered with beautiful paintings and murals from Tibetan & Buddhist mythology.
Just outside the Namdroling Monastery, there is a shopping complex and a lot of cafes where you can taste the Tibetan food & buy Souvenirs like prayer flags, prayer wheels, dreamcatchers from the shops, you can take few as a token of memory from this beautiful place.
Day 3
The last day of the itinerary can be kept more of a leisure type and you can explore the main town and market of Madikeri. There are many tourist places within the main town, but I’ll tell you the places that are worth visiting despite being too crowded.
Coffee Plantation Visit
If you’re in Coorg, then your visit is incomplete without visiting Coffee Plantation. There are many coffee estates in and around Madikeri Town where you can visit the plantation and learn about the process of coffee making. Tour lasts for at least an hour. Although you can such visits online, I would suggest you inquire local people about the same. They will advise you on the best ones at cheaper charges than what you will find online. Also, by doing so you don’t need to worry about the timings and can plan according to your own convenience.
