Destination - Coorg

Distance from Bangalore to Coorg - 255km /5 hours 30 minutes (approx)

ABOUT COORG

Coorg - The world knows it as the 'Coffee Cup of India'; but for the discerning traveler, a perfect home away from home. This land has a unique charm of its own and the intrusion of humans has not spoilt its inherent purity. Fresh air, the captivating sounds of nature and acres after acres of coffee and spice will refresh one's senses.

What really adds spice to the tale of Coorg is the dash of legend and local lore that permeates all discussions on the provenance of the region. According to the ancient Indian treatises or Puranas, the land of initial settlement was called Krodadesa which later became Kodavu. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word Kodava. ‘Kod’ means ‘give’ and ‘avva’ means ‘mother’, with the reference being to Mother Cauvery, one of the seven sacred rivers of India, the fountain of life and sustenance in this land.

PLACES TO VISIT

Raja's Seat

Raja's Seat in the town of Madikeri is where the kings would sit and watch the sunsets with their consorts. This is considered one of South India's most scenic locations. The view from Raja's Seat is breathtaking as you gaze upon the green valleys and towering hills. This is the perfect place to sit with a glass of wine and watch cars curving up the road to Mangalore that lies in the valley like a flowing ribbon. The government has set up a garden all around Raja's Seat. This is the ideal place to go for a morning stroll.

Mercara Fort

Mercara Fort can be found on elevated ground atop Madikeri. The fort was originally made out of mud and rebuilt by Tipu Sultan with stone, only to be wrested back by the Coorg King in 1791.There are two mortar elephants, built life-size to catch the visitors' eyes as they enter the fort. Inside the fort, the British took out the temple of Virabhadra in 1855 and replaced it with the gothic-style Anglican Church, which has since been converted to a museum.

The Madikeri Palace is inside of the Madikeri Fort and is home to the office of the Deputy Commissioner. The Palace was established by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1814. The two-story structure was renovated by the British two times and a clock tower and portico for the commissioner's car was added in 1933.

Bylekuppe

Bylekuppe near Kushalanagar is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in south India. It has several monasteries and the prominent among these are the Great Gompa of Sera Je and Sera Mey and the Namdroling monastery. The Mahayana Buddhist University is at Sera. Another important monastery is the Tashi Lhumpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. The gold-coated Buddhist statues in the monastery are imposing and unique, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetans.

Dubare Reserve Forest & Dubare Elephant Camp

Dubare Elephant Camp - This is the opportunity for you to get to know the most elegant animal of the planet - the elephant more closely. Situated on the banks of River Cauveri, the Dubare elephant camp introduces you to the various aspects of this awe-inspiring animal. Learn more about elephant history, ecology and biology or just spend hours simply watching Elephants roaming in the forest. Rediscover the child within you by feeding these gentle giants with sugarcane and bananas.

The moist deciduous forest is the habitat of a range of wildlife. So, be ready to be pleasantly surprised watching herds of Sambar and spotted deer grazing on the banks or coming for a drink to the riverside. The most mind-boggling of them all is Asiatic elephants taking a dip in the river or spraying themselves with dust. If you are lucky you may even spot the elusive crocodile basking in the sun.

Dubare is home to a variety of birds like partridges, woodpeckers, kingfishers and many more. The pleasant chirping of birds and the humming of various insects make the place serene .You may also find peacocks proudly displaying their plumages. At the sunset, flocks of birds flying across the twilight sky add to the scenic beauty of the place.

Abbi Falls

Abby Falls or the Abbi Water Falls is situated just 7-8 kilometers from Madikeri town. 'Abbi' in coorgie means a waterfall .A waterfall you don’t want to miss. The British called it the Jessie waterfalls in memory of Jessie the daughter of Madikeri's first captain. It is located in a private property and decently maintained. Abby cascades 70 ft down to flow as a small river .The falls appear suddenly, the water cascading over rocks into calm pools. A path through coffee and cardamom plantation off the main road adds to the attraction of the falls. Enjoy the gushing, roaring beauty but a desire to take a dip in the cool waters may prove to be risky. Reaching the place is a nice ride in itself as the road that drives you is very narrow with lots of turns and twists, ups and downs a two wheeler ride would be JOLLY one. A nature welcomes you at every turn .

The route to this fall, one has to go through private Coffee estates. The water flow is very high during the monsoon season and during the dry seasons the flow is considerably less. The falls is more enjoyable within the fenced area wherefrom you get its friendly pose for your camera. A hanging bridge has now been built across the gorge here offering a good view of the falls. The best time to visit is early winter when the monsoons bring plenty of water.

The excitement surrounding the coorg is tangible, and we are proud to arrange all the travel requirements for all the places.

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