Surrounded by the majestic mountains of Karnataka and the ever-foggy landscape, Coorg is a popular hilly region for coffee production. It is known for its beautiful green hills and rivers that run through them. It is also a popular tourist destination due to its culture and the charm of its people. The Kodava family is a local clan that specializes in martial arts and is known for its hospitality. During your visit to Coorg, visit beautiful towns such as Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Gonikoppal, Polivetta, and Somwalpet are top places to visit in Coorg and experience the beautiful concept of ‘homestay’ to make your experience even more memorable.
Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is the most flourishing hill station in Karnataka. Known for its stunning exotic landscapes and lush greenery. Forested hills, spice, and coffee plantations enrich the landscape. Madikeri is the center of the region. All transportation starts here.
When is the best time to visit Coorg?
The best time to visit Coorg is from October to June when the weather is pleasant and dry. However, if you like to hike, October to March is the best time to visit Coorg, as the weather is perfect if you want to spend more time outdoors. Avoid visiting during the monsoon period from late July to August due to heavy rains and landslides.
Top places to visit Places in Coorg :
Madikeri Fort
Madikeri Fort is one of the renowned places to visit in Coorg which was built by King Mudd Raja in the 17th century. Celebrated the announcement of Madikeri as the new capital of Coorg. The king also declared the construction of the Madikeri Fort, which was later conquered by many rulers, including the Tipu Sultan. The basic structure of the fortress underwent several changes, most of which were made by the British during the Imperialist era. Today, the fortress houses the offices of the deputy governor, a life-size elephant at the entrance, and a museum with rare collections and artifacts. It is one of the best places to visit in 3 days in Coorg.
Creator: Mudraja
Year built: the 17th century
Recommended duration: 1 hour
Distance from city center: 900 m Opening hours: 9:00 to 18:30
Location: Madikeri Fort, Stuart Hill, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201
Admission fee: Free
Omkareshwara Temple
It is one of the most visited places in Coorg that is located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, this beautiful temple attracts travelers with its tranquil atmosphere and unique architecture. Founded by King Lingarajendra II in 1820, it features interesting architecture and attracts trekkers from far and wide. If you are on a family trip, be sure to visit this beautiful temple and spend some quality time with your family. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular attractions in Coorg. The fusion of Gothic and Islamic architecture is a unique experience not to be missed during your holiday in Coorg.
Builder: King Lingarajendra
Year Built: 1820
Recommended duration: 1 hour
Distance from city center: 1 km
Business hours: Monday-Sunday (6:30-12:00, 17:00-20:00)
Location: Omkareshwara Temple Road, Madikeri 571201, India
Admission fee: Free
Gaddige Raja’s Tomb
The Rajah’s Seat is located in the town of Madikeri and is considered one of the most beautiful sights in Coorg. A popular sunset spot, it offers stunning views of the green valley and surrounding hills. It is also surrounded by beautiful gardens with seasonal flowers and musical fountains. In ancient times, this garden was a favorite place of the kings of Kodagu, who spent time here watching the sunset with their queens. Raja Sheet has many elevated spots overlooking the beautiful valley. The best times to visit are early morning and evening.
Creator: Chikkavilla Rajendra
Year Built: 1820
Recommended duration: 1 hour
Distance from city center: 1.5 km
Hours: 5:30 am-7:30 pm / Music Fountain: 7 pm (weekdays), 6:45 pm-7:20 pm (weekends) Venue: 7/73(1, SH27, Mahadevpet, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201)
Entrance fee: 5 INR (garden), 20 INR (toy train)
Abbey Falls
Having your car on your road trip to Coorg will not only allow you to easily see the sights on your way to Coorg but also allow you to soak up all the stunning scenery of this beautiful destination. Such a great place at Abbey Falls is one of Coorg’s most popular spots. The waterfall is located 1 km from the town of Madikeri, between coffee and spice plantations. Enjoy the beauty of the Kaveri River as it cascades down rock walls and into waterfalls. The best time to travel is November and December just after the monsoon.
Creator: Mudraja
Year built: the 17th century
Recommended duration: 2 hours
Distance from city center: 5.5 km
Business hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Abbey Falls Rd, Hebbettageri, Karnataka 571201
Entrance fee: 15 INR
Chethali
If you are interested in culture, it will be interesting to visit the local villages when in Coorg. Chettari, a small village on the road between Madikeri and Siddhapur, is just the right place. The misty hills blend perfectly with the endless greenery, a perfect place to enjoy tranquility and relaxation, making it one of the best places to visit in Coorg in December. If you’re shortlisting where to visit Coorg, don’t miss this place. The popular Cherala Bhagwati Temple in Chettari also attracts many tourists.
Recommended duration: 3 hours
Distance from city center: 16.2 km
Location: Kodagu District, Karnataka
Admission: Free
Mandalpatti viewpoint
Mandalpatti Viewpoint he one of Coorg’s most popular tourist attractions. Coorg has a lot of greenery, so trekking is one of the activities. There are also many tourist spots here where you can enjoy this activity, but Mandalpatti is considered the best. To see Coorg, climb the scenic Makkandur Route to Mandalpatti Lookout. But be sure to bring water for the trail as you begin one of Coorg’s best treks.
Recommended duration: 1.5 hours
Distance from city center: 20.6 km
Business hours: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Location: Madikeri, Karnataka
Admission fee: Free
Kopatty Hills Trekking
Another of Coorg’s fascinating excursions is Copati, an inspiring walking experience that discovers dense forests, media, dows, and valleys. This is one of the few lesser-known walks in the Western Ghats about 40 minutes from Madikeri. If you like adventurous exploration, plan a trek to this amazing place surrounded by the natural beauty of Mother Earth.
Recommended duration: 3-4 hours
Distance from the city center: 28.4 km
Nearby attractions: Bagamandala, Tallacobury, Abbey Falls. Location: Copaty
Entrance Fee: Free
Bagamandala
Bagamandala is a popular pilgrimage site at the base of Tarakoberi, 39 km from Madikeri. Locals believe these sacred baths provide spiritual uplift. Also known as ‘Triveni Sangam’, the Kaveri, Kannike, and Sujoti rivers are the sacred confluence of the three rivers. The third river is believed to be a mythical river that flows underground to Sangam.
Creator: Cholas
Year Built: 1790 AD
Recommended duration: 1 hour
Distance from city center: 36 km
Location: Tarracobury
Nearby attractions: Copaty Hills, Tullacobury, Abbey Falls. Entrance Fee: Free
Dubare Elephant Camp
Coorg has so much to do and visit in 4 days whether you are with family, friends, or alone. One of the most interesting things to do in Coorg is to meet elephants at his Elephant Camp in Dubai. With over 150 elephants, this camp is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with these adorable animals. Watch elephants being bathed, fed, and trained by mahouts. Ride a coracle on the Cauvery River to see crocodiles, gaurs, wild dogs, sloth bears, and peacocks. Creator: NA
Built-in: NA
Recommended duration: 2 hours
Distance from city center: 36.5 km
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 11:00 am / 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: Kusharanagar, Nanjarayapatna, Karnataka 571234
Participation fee: 690 rupees to 1330 rupees (Indians), 1467 rupees to 2270 rupees (foreigners)
Somwarpet
Located in the northeastern part of Coorg, the main town of Somwarpet Talka is one of Coorg’s most popular tourist attractions. The region is known for producing high-quality crops such as coffee, pepper, ginger, and cardamom. According to the last census, the region has a population of less than 10,000 and is fluent in English, Hindi, Konkani, Kodavatak, Arevashe, Barely Bass, and Tulu. The area also offers delicious local delicacies such as pork curry, kadubitu, chicken curry, and akki roti.
Creator: NA
Built-in: NA
Recommended duration: 4-5 hours
Distance from city center: 37 km
Location: Somwarpet Talka
Nearby attractions: Honnamana Kere Lake, Mandalpatti, Mallari Waterfall. Timing: NA
Entrance Fee: Free
Honey Valley
Nilakandi Falls, also known as Honey Valley, is a beautiful waterfall set in a dense tropical forest. These Nilakandi Waterfalls spring from the Tadyanmor Mountains and give visitors an inspiring waterfall shower. If you want to soak up Coorg’s natural beauty, be sure to plan a visit to this waterfall. This breezy place offers plenty of walkers and Coorg’s best adventure sports.
Recommended duration: 3 hours
Distance from the city center: 38.5 km
Location: Nilakandi Waterfall
Nearby attractions: Lakshad Palace, Brahmagiri Trek, Tadiandamor Summit. Timing: NA
Entrance Fee: Free
Nishani Motte
Nishani Mot is one of Coorg’s lesser-known spots and an ideal weekend trek for Bangalore. The area is part of the Tara Covery Wildlife Sanctuary, home to many wildlife such as elephants and leopards. It is recommended to trek with a trekking guide as this is not a secluded area. The ridge road along the dense forest is the real pleasure of this trip. This paradise tourist attraction is one of the best in Karnataka.
Recommended duration: 3-4 hours
Distance from the city center: 39.4 km
Entrance fee: INR 3000
Lovely Nisargadama
Nisargadama is a beautiful island 28 km from Madikeri, surrounded by lush bamboo, sandalwood, and teak trees. The island is naturally formed by the Kaveri (Kaveri) River and is located in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. An interesting activity in Coorg is staying in bamboo huts on the tops of the trees, and enjoying elephant rides and boat trips along the river. This is one of the best places to visit in Coorg in May.
Recommended duration: 3 hours
Distance from the city center: 39.7 km
Location: Near Kushalnagar in Kodagu District
Villakuppe
Among Coorg’s tourist attractions, Villakuppe is full of cultural attractions. The second-largest Tibetan settlement in India. Bylakuppe’s main attraction is the Golden Temple or Namdoling Monastery, which is a typical Tibetan architectural style. The city is especially worth visiting during the hugely celebrated Losar Festival (Tibetan New Year).
Builder: Lugsam Samdupling
Year built: 1961
Recommended duration: 2 hours
Distance from city center: 40.7 km
Location: Bylakuppe, Coorg
Tadian Damour Summit
At 1748 meters high, Mount Tadiandamor is Coorg’s highest peak. He is also the second-highest mountain in Karnataka. This place is one of the most popular destinations in Coorg, especially among walkers. There are moderate and difficult trekking routes here, but the views from the top are truly breathtaking. The climb to the rock point in particular is a bit difficult and the road narrows from there. For novice trekkers, the Tadiandamor summit is also recommended. With green hills and foggy weather, low mountains surrounded by milky clouds, it is a paradise for nature lovers. Producer: Dodda Veerarajendra.
Year built: 1792
Recommended duration: 2 hours
Distance from city center: 40.7 km
Location: Kodagu District, Karnataka
Nearby attractions: NA. Business hours: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission fee: Free