Places to visit in Coorg

Coorg Travel Guide: 19 Best Places to Visit in the Scotland of India

The Scotland of India - that's what they call Coorg, and it's easy to see why. With its abundant natural beauty, waterfalls, treks, lakes, parks, viewpoints and temples, Coorg has something for every type of traveller.

A quick brief about Coorg

Coorg, or Kodagu, is a district in Karnataka made up of many small towns, cities and villages. One of the main towns is Madikeri, which lies almost at the centre of the district and serves as the base most travellers use to explore the rest of Coorg. In this guide, we have split the places by direction from Madikeri: four in Madikeri itself, four to the north, five to the east, three to the south and three to the west - 19 places in total.

Quick answer: the best places to visit in Coorg by direction

1. In Madikeri: Omkareshwar Temple, Raja's Seat, Raja's Tomb, Madikeri Fort
2. North (towards Somwarpet): Abbey Falls, Mandalpatti Viewpoint, Kote Betta Trek, Mallalli Falls
3. East (towards Kushalnagar): Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple), Dubare Elephant Camp, Chiklihole Reservoir, Nisargadhama, Harangi Dam
4. South (towards Virajpet): Tadiandamol Peak Trek, Nalknad Palace, Chelavara Waterfall
5. West: Tala Kaveri, Karike Waterfall, Bhagamandala Temple

How to reach Coorg

You can reach Coorg by road, rail or air. By road, you'll find direct buses to the Madikeri bus stand from all major cities like Mysore, Bangalore and Mangalore, including daily government-run KSRTC services. Coorg has no airport or railway station of its own, so the nearest ones are in Mysore or Mangalore, roughly 115 to 150 km away. From either town, you can catch a bus or hire a cab directly to Madikeri.

Coorg places at a glance

Places to visit in Madikeri

Omkareshwar Temple

This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in 1820 by King Lingaraja II. It boasts Islamic architecture, with a dome at the centre surrounded by minarets on its sides. A morning visit here can be really peaceful.

Raja's Seat

Set inside Raja's Seat Park, this is where, as legend goes, the 18th-century king would witness sunsets - which is how it came to be known as Raja's Seat, or the king's throne. The entry ticket for the park is just Rs. 10.

Raja's Tomb

As the name suggests, these are the tombs of the Kodava (Coorg) rulers who reigned between the 18th and 19th centuries. From one end of the premises, you can get a view of almost the entire Madikeri town.

Madikeri Fort

Built in the 17th century by King Mudduraja of the Haleri dynasty, this fort is hexagonal in shape, with the Madikeri palace at its centre. Over the centuries it has seen many battles and successions, including that of Tipu Sultan. The fort also houses a church that's now a museum, a clock tower, elephant statues and the Kote Ganapathi Temple. Note that it remains closed on Mondays.

Places north of Madikeri (towards Somwarpet)

Abbey Falls

This is easily the most popular waterfall in Coorg - a beautiful cascade with lush greenery all around and a strong flow, especially during the monsoon. You cannot swim here, so you can only soak in the beauty from a viewing point.

Mandalpatti Viewpoint

Without a doubt the most popular viewpoint in Coorg, famous both for its spectacular views and the thrilling Mandalpatti jeep ride. A 30-minute jeep ride plus a five-minute hike takes you to the top, standing at about 4,000 feet. A shared jeep costs around Rs. 500 per person.

Kote Betta Trek

This is an 8 km trek on one side, so it can get a little tough under the hot sun, but the trail and the views are absolutely worth it. There's a small Shiva temple at the top, and the peak sits at almost 5,300 feet with panoramic views all around.

Mallalli Falls

Probably one of the most beautiful waterfalls across Karnataka. It's a 200-metre plunge, and the short hike up to it is completely worth the effort.

Best places to eat in Coorg

For budget local cuisine, Taste of Coorg is a great pick - we had breakfast there and loved it. Coorg Cuisine is next on the list; the most famous Coorgi dishes are largely pork-based, so if you're open to it, try the pork chops here. Raintree Restaurant is pricier but offers good variety and a lovely ambience, perfect for a nice dinner. And since this is the land of coffee, you'll get a good cup at almost every corner - though our favourite was Ainmane Cafe, a speciality store and cafe where you can enjoy great coffee and also buy coffee and spices to take home.

Places east of Madikeri (towards Kushalnagar)

Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple)

Established in 1963, this is the biggest teaching centre for the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, home to more than 5,000 monks and nuns who receive food, accommodation and teachings year-round. The main temple houses three statues, with Buddha Shakyamuni - the founder of Buddhism - at the centre. It's a colourful and peaceful experience.

Dubare Elephant Camp

Open from 9:00 to 11:00 am and 4:30 to 5:30 pm, this camp requires you to cross the river to reach it - either on foot or by boat, depending on the water level. The entry fee is Rs. 50, so carry cash. You can bathe with the elephants, feed them and take selfies at nominal costs, and you can also try still-water river rafting for about Rs. 250 per person.

Chiklihole Reservoir

The overflow from the river Kaveri feeds this reservoir. During the monsoon it's a treat to watch the water flow in all its beauty. Since it sees far fewer tourists than other spots, it's a perfect place to enjoy a quiet sunset

Nisargadhama

This spot offers a wide range of activities: rope bridges, boating, a bird park, a deer park, a children's park and an orchid garden. The entry fee is just Rs. 10, with additional charges for boating and elephant rides.

Harangi Dam

A 47-metre-high dam that looks beautiful when the water is filled to the brim. It makes for a good picnic spot when you're on this side of Coorg.

Where to stay in Coorg

Coorg offers everything from happening hostels to luxurious resorts, with plenty of properties in and around Madikeri. For a hostel, we stayed at goStops Coorg for two nights and loved the vibe and the crowd - people even prefer it for long workations. For a budget hotel or homestay, The Rural Homestay is a cosy option a little away from Madikeri, with well-maintained rooms, nice food and a warm, lovely host. Other options include Hotel Madikeri Heritage, and for high-end luxury you have resorts like The Ibnii, The Aurika by Lemon Tree, or the Taj.

Places south of Madikeri (towards Virajpet)

Tadiandamol Peak Trek

Truly the definition of the beauty of the Western Ghats, the Tadiandamol Peak is the highest point in Coorg at approximately 5,700 feet. It may be a little far from Madikeri, but the views are absolutely worth the effort. It's a 6 km trek on each side, starting from the Nalknad Palace.

Nalknad Palace

The palace carries many stories - one being that the last emperor of the Haleri family, Chikaverarajendra, took shelter here when the British attacked. It was closed when we visited, so if you're going especially for the palace, check in advance whether it's open.

Chelavara Waterfall

Surrounded by lush greenery, Chelavara is a cascading waterfall that falls in about four to five layers. You can swim at the bottom when the flow is stable, though it's now barricaded so you may only be able to view it from a distance. The best part is how few people come here - we practically had the entire waterfall to ourselves.

Places west of Madikeri

Tala Kaveri

Considered the source of the river Kaveri, this place sits in the Brahmagiri Hills and holds deep religious significance for many devotees.

Karike Waterfall

It may not be the most dramatic waterfall out there, but it's worth a visit if you're already heading to Tala Kaveri.

Bhagamandala Temple

Known for its Triveni Sangama - the confluence of three rivers, the Kaveri, the Kannike and the mythical Sujyoti - Bhagamandala is an important pilgrimage stop on this side of Coorg.

More places worth a mention

Depending on your interests, a few more spots you can check out while touring Coorg are Iruppu Falls, Burude Falls, Nagarhole National Park and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to get around Coorg

Because the attractions are so scattered, having your own vehicle or renting one goes a long way. For getting around Madikeri itself, auto rickshaws work well, but they aren't convenient for the farther spots. For those, you can hire a taxi on the spot from the taxi stand near the bus stand, or rent a two-wheeler - a bike or scooter - from Zoom Bikes near the bus stand. Their vehicles are in proper condition, and they're open from 6:00 am to 8:30 pm, so you can pick one up even if your bus arrives early morning. If you'd rather not rent, local buses reach many popular spots, but not all, and they aren't very frequent - so always ask the conductor about return timings.

Best time to visit Coorg

Coorg is an all-year-round destination, but the best time is usually post-monsoon and during winter. Summer attracts the most tourists from across the country, so if you want to avoid the crowds, it's a good idea to skip those months.

Helpful tips for visiting Coorg

1. If you're renting a vehicle, keep a government ID proof handy, as it's required.
2. Coorg stretches almost 200 km across, so split the spots by direction and cover one side per day.
3. Most tourist spots close by 6:00 pm, so start your day as early as possible to fit more in.
4. Madikeri Fort remains closed on Mondays.
5. Travel responsibly: avoid unnecessary plastics, keep your carbon footprint minimal, and respect the place and the locals.

Frequently asked questions about Coorg

Why is Coorg called the Scotland of India?

Coorg earns the nickname for its misty hills, rolling green landscapes, coffee plantations and abundant natural beauty - waterfalls, treks, lakes and viewpoints that echo the scenery of Scotland.

How many days do you need for Coorg?

Since Coorg is a large district with attractions spread across roughly 200 km, plan around three to five days and cover one direction from Madikeri each day to see the highlights comfortably.

What is the best time to visit Coorg?

Coorg is a year-round destination, but post-monsoon and winter are the most pleasant. Summer is the busiest season, so avoid it if you prefer fewer crowds.

How do you reach Coorg?

Reach Coorg by road via direct buses to Madikeri from Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. There's no airport or railway station in Coorg itself, so the nearest ones are in Mysore or Mangalore, about 115 to 150 km away.

Which is the highest peak in Coorg?

Tadiandamol is the highest peak in Coorg, at approximately 5,700 feet, reached by a 6 km trek each way starting from Nalknad Palace.

What food is Coorg famous for?

Coorg is known for its pork-based Coorgi cuisine, such as pork chops, and for its excellent locally grown coffee.