Exploring Coorg in South India ~ Coorg, India | 3 days
Coorg is a paradise for those who want to escape the mayhem of South Indian cities. With coffee estates, forests for trekking, the pleasant mountain climate in the Western Ghats and a culture that is different from any other in South India, it is a place that is easy to fall in love with.
Coorg is easy to get to from Mysore or Bangalore. This itinerary gives driving instructions from Mysore for those travelling by car or motorbike. Bus travel is possible but takes more time. There are no trains to Coorg.
ACTIVITIES/ATTRACTIONS: Nature , Wildlife, Bird-Watching, Hiking
SEASON: October to March
PUBLISHED BY: Satu Rommi (Travel Writer) view profile
Day 1 ~ Drive From Mysore To Kakkabe In Coorg
Start from Mysore and get on the Hunsur Road towards Hunsur. The road is new and in good condition and you can observe South Indian countryside as you pass through fields and small villages.
Take the deviation to the left towards Virajpet. The road takes you through more countryside and then enters the Nagarhole National Park (also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park.) Watch out for monkeys playing on the road and keep an eye out for elephants: there are both wild and tame elephants here.
After leaving the park you’ll drive through Coorg's famous coffee estates. In addition to coffee, the area also grows spices and oranges.
There are several comfortable homestays in the Kakkabe area. One of the most established is the Palace Estate. Once you get to the busy town of Virajpet, ask for directions towards Kakkabe.
Arrive at your homestay, kick back, enjoy delicious Coorg good and admire the mountains.
TIPS: Bring warm clothes: nights get cold in the mountains.
Places
A beautiful homestay in Kakkabe. www.palaceestate.co.in/
Day 2 ~ Trek - Or Just Chill Out
Coorg is a great place for trekking, although mountain rain is always a possibility even outside the monsoon season. The monsoon in Coorg lasts from June to September and is heavy.
Bring good walking boots and waterproof clothes if you’re going to trek. The Tadiandamol peak, the highest peak in Coorg, is a popular one day trek. Your homestay should be able to recommend treks around the area.
Or, if trekking sounds like too much effort, just sit back with a good book and enjoy the scenery and Coorg’s hospitality. For those who like old buildings, the 18th century Nalnad Palace (right by the Palace Estate homestay) is an interesting place to explore.
TIPS: If trekking when it rains, watch out for leeches.
Places
A list of homestays in Coorg. www.homestaykodagu.com/index.html
Day 3 ~ Visit Bylakuppe's Tibetan Settlements
By now it is likely that you have decided to extend your stay in Kakkabe. If so, just repeat day no. 2. Alternatively, you could drive back to Mysore taking a different route via Coorg’s capital, Madikeri. The town has a few sights to explore, including the Abbi Falls 8 km outside town, and the Raja’s Seat that gives a good view over the area.
On the way back from Madikeri to Mysore, stop at the Golden Temple in Bylakuppe. There are several Tibetan settlements near the small town of Kushalnagar, and the Bylakuppe area is home to thousands of Tibetans who escaped to India after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. The Golden Temple is a beautiful piece of Tibetan Buddhist temple architecture in the middle of South Indian countryside, and you’ll notice you’re approaching Bylakuppe when you see the Tibetan prayer flags hanging from trees by the road. There are also monasteries near the temple.
Permits are required to stay overnight at the settlements, but foreign tourists seem to be able to visit the Golden Temple without a permit.
TIPS: Dress respectfully when visiting temples.
Places
A Tibetan Buddhist temple, monasteries and Tibetan settlements.
