With beautiful cascading waterfalls, lush green forests, high mountains, and serene landscapes dotted with acres and acres of land covered in tea gardens, coffee and spice plantations, Coorg is a popular hill station in Karnataka blessed immensely by mother nature. Officially known as Kodagu, it is counted among the districts to receive the highest rainfall in India and is covered with enchanting rolling mist throughout the year. The largest coffee producer district of India, Coorg, is often referred to as the "Scotland of India" owing to its scenic beauty like Scotland. There are ample tourist places to visit in Coorg, rangingfrom magnificent waterfalls to majestic hills, dense green forests to lands covered in coffee plantations as far as the eye can see, famous historical structures and much more. Let's take a brief look at a few top places to visit in Coorg below.

1. Abbey Falls

Abbey falls, popularly known as Jesse falls, is one of the most enchanting waterfalls in Sothern India, with gushing milky water falling from 70 ft height and lush green surroundings. It takes 15-20 minutes of a short trek through the dense, aromatic plantations of coffee and spices to reach this mesmerizing waterfall. One can actually hear the roaring sound of plunging water from quite a distance away before the actual waterfall comes into view, adding to the exciting trekking experience, which improves many folds during the monsoons. Located amidst western Ghats, Abbey falls is one of the best places to visit in Coorg, a total package for trekking lovers and shutterbugs alike.

2. Madikeri Fort

Standing proud in the center of the Madikeri town, Madikeri Fort, also called Mercara Fort, is a prominent destination for visitors exploring Coorg tourism. Originally constructed in mud by Mudduraja in the late 17^th century, it was rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan during his reign and has since undergone many changes over the years. It was rebuilt and renovated multiple times by many different personalities and rulers of the bygone era to suit their taste and purposes. The fort houses several contrasting structures all in one premise, such as a temple an Anglican Church which now houses a museum, a temple, a library and a prison. it is an example of an extraordinary architectural design, also providing a wonderful insight into history through the many artefacts and antique items it preserves. Madikeri Fort is hardly 4 km away from the Club Mahindra resort, which is one of the top resorts in Madikeri, Coorg.

3. Dubare Elephant Camp

Located on the banks of Kaveri River, Dubare elephant camp is a major tourist attraction in Kodagu where tourists can explore and observe from up close the different elephant species, their eating habits and their way of living. These elephants are trained and looked after by trained professionals and mahouts who have in-depth knowledge of their habits, behaviour, biology and history. Tourists are allowed to touch, bathe and feed these humongous creatures under the guidance and watchful eyes of mahouts accompanying each elephant. The camp also offers other fun activities like bird watching, trekking, camping, jungle safari on Jeep, elephant rides etc. Jungle safaris here provide a thrilling experience where you can spot different animals and bird species like Sambar, deer, bear, tuskers, gaur, Hornbill, Parakeets, peacocks etc.

4. Rajas Seat

Rajas Seat is a beautiful tourist spot in Coorg overlooking deep green valleys, plantations and undulating hills. It is always bustling with people, frequently visited by locals as a favourite place destress and a treasured tourist site. The place consists of a statue sheltered by a structure made of four equidistant pillars bridged by arches and a vibrant garden of seasonal flowering plants complete with a musical fountain. bathed in the sun's golden glow, the entire site turns into something like a dream during the sunrise and sunset moments, a sight to behold for naturalists and avid photographers. A toy train ride offered at the site provides an exhilarating experience for individuals and their families, moving leisurely around the garden offering a panoramic view of the scenic surroundings and the valleys beyond.

5. Namdroling Monastery

The NamdrolingNyingmapa Monastery, also known as golden temple in Bylakuppe, is the largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and a must-visit tourist destination for Coorg explorers. The monastery exhibits a wonderful architecture originally erected from bamboo with ornate walls showcasing beautiful Tibetan paintings and a shrine comprised of tall gold-plated structures of Sukhayami, Padmanasambhava, and Amityas. It is home to over five thousand monks and nuns and houses a hospital as well as educational institutions such as a junior high school and a religious college. The monastery officials schedule a one-month retreat session every year, which is a great opportunity to receive guidance in spiritual practices.

Lands of Coorg are saturated with one too many tourist destinations, including ancient temples, historic palaces, magical waterfalls, and several wildlife sanctuaries, Which seems almost impossible to cover during a single holiday getaway. Omkareshwara Temple, Gaddige Raja’s Tomb, Chettalli village, Mandalpatti Viewpoint, Kopatty Hills, Bhagamandala pilgrimage (Triveni Sangam), Nilkandi Falls (Honey Valley), Cauvery Nisargadhama, Iruppu Falls, Tadiandamol Peak, Tala Kaveri Temple etc. are some of the other top sites in Coorg observing a large number of visitors throughout the year.

This is by no means is an exhaustive list of things to do in Coorg as there are many other places to visit and ample fun activities to take part in, and get a taste of the local cuisine of Coorg is one such experience you cannot miss out on. One such delicacy is Kadambuttu (dumplings of steamed rice), a famous part of Coorg cuisine usually served with vegetable curry or ginger and coconut chutney. Coorg has much to offer in the form of different mouthwatering flavours of regular and seasonal dishes. Pandi curry, Paputtu, Noolputtu, KakkadaNyend Curry, and Baimbale Curry are examples among the wide range of delicacies you can try while at Coorg. The best time to visit Coorg is between October and May for a pleasant stay and the best touring experiences.

How to reach Coorg?

Coorg is well connected to nearby major cities by rail, road and airways. Mangalore airport is the nearest airport to Coorg, located approx. 160 km away from the Center and has scheduled flights to major Indian cities. The nearest railway station to Coorg is the Mysore junction situated 95 km away. Also, a regular deluxe bus service is available to Coorg from nearby cities like Mysore and Mangalore facilitated by KSRTC. Additionally, the area is well served by cab services as well.