The hill station Coorg (also known as Scotland of India) is surrounded by coffee-planting mountains and misty landscapes. It is known for its flavourful coffee, peaceful surroundings and lush forests. Many tourists also enjoy the greenery, winding roads, and small streams of water that line the roadside.
The Tourist places in Coorg is ideal for all kinds of visitors, whether their interest lies in seeking adventure or visiting historical places and the best time to visit Coorg is based on the weather that you want to enjoy.
This beautiful hill station is renowned for its pleasant weather and spectacular landscape, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
Whether you’re interested in adventure activities or historical places, you can enjoy a trip to Coorg. Here, you’ll get the much-needed relaxation you need to get through a stressful day.
There are numerous viewpoints, trekking sites, and waterfalls to enjoy with friends and family in Madikeri. You can also go on coffee plantation tours and pick berries.
Apart from aromatic coffee, you can also buy spices, honey, and many other local products in Coorg / Madikeri.
Best Time to visit Coorg
With the temperature in Coorg ranging between 20 °C and 33 °C all year round, Coorg is a place that can be visited any time of the year.
In spite of this, the best time to visit Coorg is between October and June, when the climate is pleasant and the beauty of the place is in bloom. The best time to visit Coorg is from October to March for adventure sports enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts.
Being a hill station, Coorg has pleasant weather throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Coorg is between October and March, when tourists can enjoy adventure activities, such as trekking.
In April, the Coorg hill station weather is quite amazing, with little rain and warm temperatures, as it is springtime.
It is recommended that tourists avoid Coorg during the months of July and August, as the weather in Coorg is not the best time to visit coorg during those months, and landslides and heavy rainfall occur.
Coorg in Summer (March – May)
The weather remains pleasant during the summer in Coorg / Madikeri, though it can get a bit hot at times.
However, the cool mountainous breeze keeps the visit comfortable even if the temperature rises. The average maximum temperature is 35°C and the average minimum is 25°C.
Tourist places in Coorg to See in the Summer
You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in and around Madikeri during the summer months. You might want to visit Kumara Parvatha Trek, Tadiandamol Peak, and Kote Betta Hill.
If you don’t want to go for walks or treks, plan to go sightseeing. For the best views of Coorg’s green valleys and peaks, visit places such as Madikeri Fort and Raja’s Seat.
Around Madikeri, the monsoons begin around mid-June and last until September. It is unpredictable, but it is bound to occur during this season. The average high temperature during this time is around 28°C, and the average minimum temperature is around 23°C.
Tourist places in Coorg during the Monsoon Season
As a result of heavy rains in Madikeri, sightseeing and other outdoor activities will be hindered. However, if possible, you can experience the lush green landscapes during this season.
From various viewpoints around Coorg, you can see misty peaks, swirling clouds, and overflowing rivers.
During the monsoon season, you can also visit places like Talacauvery, Iruppu Falls, Abbey Falls, Mallalli Falls, and Chelavara Falls. In addition, you can participate in water-based activities such as white-water rafting and others in the rivers that flow through the hills.
Tourist places in Coorg in Winter (October – February)
Madikeri / Coorg experiences winter from late October to February. While the afternoons are warm, mornings and evenings are chilly. The average maximum temperature is 20°C; the average minimum is 12°C.
Places to Visit in Coorg during the Winter
During the winter months, you can participate in various adventure activities like camping and trekking among the fragrant coffee plantations in Coorg.
Besides living amid the fresh green landscapes, you can also enjoy river rafting and other water sports. In the winter, you can go on birdwatching and wildlife safaris.
The Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubare Elephant Camp, and Nisargadhama Forest are among the popular places to visit in Coorg in winter.
In winter, Madikeri is a favourite among couples. The wintry winds, bonfires and hot coffee provide the perfect atmosphere. If you’re single, get a blanket and read your favorite book; you can sip local wine while you read.
Throughout the winter, Madikeri hosts various festivals.
Dussehra is celebrated around October. You can also celebrate Christmas, along with the New Year, if you plan a visit around the new year. As part of the Tibetan New Year, you can visit the Kushalnagar Golden Temple Monastery between February and March.
Which is the ideal time to visit Coorg?
Madikeri enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year, but it is most enjoyable in the winter.
During the winter, the mountains feel refreshing and you can observe a wide variety of flora and fauna, along with the serenity of Coorg’s landscapes.
One of the most well-liked tourist places to visit in coorg is Madikeri/Coorg. Bangalore (250 km), Mangalore (150 km), and Mysore (110 km) are all nearby. Additionally, these cities and many other well-known locations make it easily accessible.
To go to Madikeri, Coorg, you must either ride a bus or rent a taxi. Mysore is the coorg near railway station. Many major cities, including Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai, have excellent train connections. You can also book a taxi for a relaxing ride and holiday.
Public buses are available to Coorg from different cities like Bangalore, Hassan, and Mysore. You can also hire a cab to enjoy the ride along the narrow mountainous roads of Coorg.
From Bangalore and Mangalore airports, you can take buses, cabs, or taxis to Madikeri. Mysore airport is also nearby, but it has limited connectivity.\
Tourist Places to Visit in Coorg
This hill station is 1452 meters above sea level and is a beautiful large hill town located in the Western Ghats. Madikeri or Mercara is the capital of Coorg. This place is a paradise for nature lovers because of its green slopes, colourful scenery, misty mountains, cascading falls, dense tropical forest, tea, coffee, and spice plantations.
Known as the ‘Scotland of India’, Madikeri is also known as the ‘Kashmir of South’. There are so many tourist places around Madikeri that we have compiled a list of the best places to visit in coorg:
1. Chiklihole Reservoir, Coorg
If you have the time, Chiklihole Reservoir is a place worth visiting. The place is away from the usual crowds at popular tourist places to visit in coorg and offers some calm and peace to its visitors.
The water of the dam flowing beautifully and the lushness of the surrounding area creates a fresh atmosphere.
Chiklihole Reservoir is located between the towns of Madikeri and Kushalnagar of Coorg district. It is approximately 15 km from Madikeri and Kushalnagar, and is closest to Nanjarayapattana.
The reservoir is located on one of the tributaries of the River Cauvery, offering tourists seclusion and privacy that is unlike any other best places to visit in coorg. A dense forest and a rich flora and fauna add to the place’s charm.
It is also an ideal tourist places and a great place for family outings. Its breathtaking scenery is a photographers paradise. The sunset view is mesmerizing from here and a memorable experience.
Tourists are required to carry all the basic amenities when visiting the reservoir since there are no shops nearby. It is best time to visit the reservoir between June and March, which is the monsoon and winter season.
Located within a few kilometers of the reservoir is the Dubare forest reserve, which offers excellent opportunities for trekking and nature walks.
2. Harangi Dam, Coorg
An interesting tourist places to visit in coorg, Harangi dam is situated in the Hudgur village near Kushalnagar if Coorg District. It is the first dam built across the Cauvery tributary. With its height of 47 meters and length of 846 meters, it creates an impressive sight of strong streams of water.
It is a popular picnic places to visit in coorg as well as a place where one can spend some calm moments with the family. It is located approximately 36 km from Madikeri and is easily accessible.
Due to its relative lack of crowding, it is a nice location providing some peace and seclusion. For that reason, Harangi Dam is the ideal location if you want to get away from the typical tourist trappings.
When the reservoir is full with water in August and September, it is the ideal time of year to visit the dam.
Accommodation facilities are available here for tourists who want to stay over for a night or more. The public works department can assist tourists in making reservations for guesthouses.
There is also something for religious tourists. There is a Cauvery temple located quite near the dam, which is worth a visit.
3. Omkareswara Temple, Coorg
The Omkareswara Temple in Madikeri was built by Linga Rajendra in 1820. It is an architectural masterpiece with both Islamic and Gothic style.
A footpath leads to the Mandap. Here the Sivalinga was called Omkareswara and regular rituals were performed. The temple has a beautiful pool in front of it. It has four minarets around it, and a dome at the center.
4. Madikeri Fort, Coorg
One of the most popular tourist places to visit in coorg is Madikeri Fort. The fort was first built in the last quarter of the 17th century by Mudduraja and was later renovated with stones and bricks by Tipu Sultan, who named it Jaffarabad. It has a rich history, with many battles and successions.
In 1790, Doddavira Rajendra was in charge of it. Within the complex of the fort, the British constructed a portico to store the commissioner’s car and a clock tower in 1933. Later, King Lingarajendra Wodeyar II rebuilt it. Currently, the Deputy Commissioner’s office is located in the fort.
You will find two life-sized mortar elephants at the entrance to the fort. A temple dedicated to Virabhadra also stood within the fort, but was later removed by the British in 1855. Its place is now occupied by an Anglican Church, which is a beautiful architectural work.
Despite its Gothic architecture, the church is not a museum featuring antiques and is run by the state archaeology department.
Additionally, the fort has many other buildings such as the Mahatma Gandhi Public Library, the Kote Maha Ganapathi temple, and the district prison.
5. Mandalpatti Trek, Coorg
In Madikeri, Mandalpatti is located 4 km before Abbey Falls. Offering amazing scenic beauty and perfect opportunities to be amidst the best of natural settings, Mandalpatti is becoming increasingly popular amongst tourists.
Aside from the usual crowdedness of tourist places to visit in coorg, the place offers some seclusion and privacy.
Trekkers and those who enjoy adventure and the best of natural settings will find the place ideal. To go trekking, trekkers must obtain entrance tickets from the authorities at Mandalpatti’s base.
Trekkers can enjoy gorgeous scenery and a variety of wildlife on this trek. However, there are no facilities along the way, so it’s best to carry items like water and food.
It is 4 km away from the famous Abbey Falls that tourists must take the deviating road to get to Mandalpatti. Mandalpatti does not have a bus service, so tourists are required to hire their own vehicles.
It is best to avoid visiting during the rainy season, as the route is not completely developed and therefore can be slippery and risky.
Mandalpatti is best visited between November and January, when it is covered in mist. Although the place is surrounded by mist during this time, the view from the top of Mandalpatti is breathtaking.
6. Nehru Mantap, Coorg
Nehru Mantap, a lesser-known yet fantastic places to visit in coorg, is situated close to Raja’s Seat in the Madikeri town. It provides a breathtaking view of the far-off mountain and the Madikeri Radio Station. A breathtaking perspective of the town is also provided.
It is worthwhile to visit, especially if you are a nature lover. If you wish to spend some quiet time alone or away from the usual rush, Nehru Mantap is a great place.
Enjoy some calm and peaceful time amidst refreshing natural surroundings creating a serene and soothing environment. From here, you can capture some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
From Raja’s Seat, it will take you approximately 10 minutes of walking to reach this place. It is situated on a hilltop behind the Madikeri radio station. You will have to climb approximately 25-30 steps.
There is amazing silence and peace here, so it is a great place for refueling oneself. It is generally thought to be a perfect place for creative people to sit and work as they are surrounded by nature and no one else.
Other popular tourist places in Madikeri town include Raja’s Seat, Madikeri Fort, Omkareshwara temple, and Abbey Falls/Abbi Falls.
7. Abbey Falls, Coorg
Located 1 km away from the town of Madikeri, Abbey Falls or Abbi Falls is a popular tourist places and was once known as Jesse Falls.
Located between the natural greenery of coffee plantations and spice estates, Abbey falls have a wild beauty. Water cascades over rocks into a pool, and the roaring sound of the waterfalls can be heard from the road.
During the monsoon season, there is a hanging bridge here that offers a spectacular view of the waterfalls. The greatest time to view Abbey Falls is in early January.
8. Dubare Elephant Camp, Coorg
In the Coorg district of Karnataka state, Dubare Elephant Camp is located on the banks of the River Kaveri.
It is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in coorg, drawing tourists all over the world, especially wildlife enthusiasts. Tourists are able to interact with elephants and engage in various activities related to them at the camp.
Dubare Elephant Camp is a joint effort of the forest department and jungle lodges and resorts. Aside from the elephant interactions, visitors will appreciate the rich flora and invigorating atmosphere.
The elephants here were used to be trained for the Mysore Dussehra festival, but now they are mostly used for jungle rides.
They are trained by naturalists. Tourists are provided with detailed information on elephant history, ecology and biology by these trained naturalists. This camp is unique because tourists are able to interact with elephants for three hours in various activities.
A 45 minute bath in river Cauvery allows them to feed elephants with ragi, jaggery, sugarcane, bananas and coconuts, followed by a 45 minute elephant ride into the jungle.
There are elephant rides scheduled for tourists between 10 am and 12 noon, and in the evenings from 4 pm to 5 pm. Cottages in Jungle lodges & resorts offer comfortable accommodation amidst lush greenery and wild nature.
9. Honnamana Kere Lake, Coorg
Honnamana Kere (Honnama Lake) is an established tourist places to visit in Coorg. Honnamana Kere, the biggest lake in the Coorg region, is a popular tourist places to visit in coorg. This location is in Daddamalthe, about 6 kilometers from Somwarpet, one of Coorg’s taluks.
There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Honnamma located near the lake, which attracts not only nature lovers, but also religious tourists.
There are many visitors to the temple during the festival of Gowri Pooja. Many newlywed couples pay their offerings and seek the blessings of Goddess Honnamma.
Also, the Lake offers captivating scenic beauty. It is a place where one can just relax and enjoy some quality time with their loved ones.
It is surrounded by mountains, cliffs, and a huge expanse of coffee plantations along with two hills called Gavi Betta and Mori Betta.
Aside from sightseeing, a variety of outdoor activities are also available, such as boating and fishing.
In addition to the lake, tourists can visit other beautiful tourist places in the town of Somwarpet, such as Mallalli Falls and the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
10. Kotebetta Trek / Peak, Coorg
Kotebetta, a popular tourist places to visit in coorg, is the third highest peak in the region, following Tadiyandamol and Brahmagiri. Kotebetta in Madapur, located near the cities of Somwarpet and Madikeri, is approximately 1620 meters above sea level.
It is easily accessible and provides no problem due to its location on the border of Dakshina Kannada and Coorg districts.
Kotebetta means Fort Hill because the hill resembles a fort in its appearance. At its peak is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Kotebetta provides tourists with fantastic trekking chances. It is 10 kilometres from Hattihole. Tourists begin their trip in Hattihole and end at the peak via lush forest.
There are captivating natural settings that make trekking enjoyable and refreshing. The peak offers a mesmerizing view of the surrounding area.
Trekking at Kotebetta is best done between October and March. No permission is needed from authorities to trek here. While trekking, it is recommended to have a guide with you.
Take all the necessary equipment with you, including a torch, proper shoes, insect repellents, and a first aid kit.
There are many places to visit in coorg, called the Kashmir of South India. Most of these places can be visited in 3 days.
The gorgeous hill stations of Coorg are known for their deep gorges, pristine waterfalls, peeking brooks, scented plantations, abundant nature and mesmerizing views, so book your trip now.
During sunset, the sky turns a brilliant orange and blue, creating a spellbinding effect. Trek along the trails and enjoy the sunset.
English