Madikeri - Coorg | Scotland of India

Officially known as Kodagu, Coorg is among the most exotic hill stations in South India known for their awe-inspiring scenery and lush greenery. This quaint hill station is not only blessed with magical, salubrious climate, ideal for a peaceful sojourn but also produces coffee and pepper on a large scale. It is famous mainly for its austere sights, varied wildlife, world-class coffee and the Kodavas, the ethnic warrior people of Coorg.

Coorg, which is often called as the Scotland of India, is nestled amid emerald hills that dot the southernmost tip of Karnataka. Lying serenely among high mountains, its landscape stays misty throughout the year. The aboriginals of the place are Kodavas. Apart from Kannada, the other two main languages of this hill station are Kodagu and Kodava. This is that kind of a place where you can pass hours staring at the magnificence of nature with a book in one hand and a luscious cup of coffee in the other. It is very rich in biodiversity which makes it a great place for naturalists. The best time to visit Coorg is between October to May and the peak season for this hill station is within February to May. A place with a rich history and beautiful scenery is always popular among tourists and Coorg is no exception. The hill station includes several attractions that captivates one’s eyes and heart. Situated in the heart of Karnataka, Coorg and the places near Coorg to visit are nothing short of ‘Heaven on Earth’.

Places to visit in Coorg

The popular tourist attractions in Coorg include Bhagamandala, Talakaveri, Nisargadhama, Dubare, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, The Raja’s Seat, Madikeri Fort, Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple and Nagarahole National Park. Pushpagiri and Brahmagiri in Coorg are ideal for trekking. The area is spread over 4102 sq km. Coorg is home to the famous Namdroling monastery, also called the Golden temple on account of the gold work done on every painting. The place offers countless streams, rich flora & fauna, lush forests and breathtaking views. It is a tourist’s paradise. It has an abundance of opportunities to make one’s holidays enjoyable and provides a calming effect to the visitors. Being an important leisure destination, Coorg is well-connected to other major cities of the country by air, road and rail.

Coffee and Spices at Coorg

The place is also a good destination for compulsive shoppers. With its sprawling coffee estates, Coorg happens to be one of the major producers of coffee in India. On top of every shopper’s list for Coorg is the world-famous variety of coffee, Coffea Arabica and Coffea Robusta, which are grown here. Surprisingly, even after rapid urbanization in India, Coorg landscape is dotted with more green patches than concrete jungle. Spices and dry fruits, honey, oranges and chocolates are also some of the favorites from this place.

Activities to do, festivals celebrated and food to try at Coorg

It is also a place of adventure. One can enjoy white-water rafting, paragliding and trekking in Coorg. For people who want to relax, the place offers ayurvedic spa, bird watching, nature walk, fishing and a lot more. The Festivals in Coorg has perfect history and meaning behind each festival, every cultural activity that has been followed from their ancestors.

Famous festivals of Coorg are Puttari in November to December, Kailmahurtha in September, Kaveri Sankramana in October, Shivarathri in March and a few more. One needs at least 3 days for a leisure tour of Coorg. A two-day itinerary is a bit packed, but still reasonable. Having said that there are many tourists who visit as a day tripper from the nearby cities, though it is very hectic. Coorg is a lot about soaking yourselves in the ambient than sight-seeing.

There are several local restaurants serving one of the best local dishes to the visitors. Kadambattu, Bamboo shoot curry, Akki roti and Koli curry are the four most mouth-watering dishes from Coorg.

Budget per person per day to visit Coorg

The place being not so costly makes it easy for people planning for a trip to Coorg. A budget of around INR 6,800 per person provides one with 24 luxurious hours. For transport INR 800 covering for a round trip from Bangalore by bus, for accommodation INR 3000 for a good budget hotel stay, for sightseeing INR 2000 if one goes for a couple of activities, for meal INR 1000.

Climate and advisable clothes

Coorg is also known for its pleasant climate. Located in the middle of the Western Ghats, Coorg is part of the tropical belt. Thus, the weather here can be classified as Tropical Monsoon Climate. Having a moderate climate makes every season a great season to visit Coorg. Winter lasting from October to January, reaching a minimum temperature of 14°C and maximum 26°C, the advisable clothes are Thick Cotton Light Wool and Sneakers. Summer lasting from February to June, reaching a minimum temperature of 20°C and maximum of 32°C, the advisable clothes are Light Cotton and Sneakers. Monsoon, from July to September reaching a minimum temperature of 18°C and a maximum of 30°C, it is advisable to carry an Umbrella, a Raincoat and Sneakers.

Why should one visit Coorg?

This place is truly a traveler’s magnet for no one can resist the temptation of visiting the luscious spread of green landscapes, lip-smacking Kodagu cuisine and tempting, gorgeous trekking tracks here. Visit Coorg and get lost in the Scenic Beauty and Charm of Nature.

How to travel to Coorg

Coorg is well connected with the cities like Mysore which is 118 km, Bangalore which is 255 km and Mangalore being 139 km from Coorg, so how to reach Coorg is not a difficult task. One can hire taxis as well as state buses to reach the hill station from these cities. If one goes for a longer trip, one can also visit Ooty which is at a driving distance of 234 Kms taking around 5.50 hours.