Coorg is one of the most loved hill stations in Southern India and is sprawling with coffee estates. You’re bound to fall in love at the first sight with the plantations and the first sip of coffee from Coorg. Make sure you also remember to buy some to take back home when you’re here. This beautiful green hill station is 1,150 meters above sea level and could be just the restful getaway you require. Learn all about this relaxing hill station situated in Karnataka through our Coorg travel guide.
History And Culture Of Coorg
In this Coorg travel guide, the first thing to understand is the history of Coorg. Coorg (also known as the Kodagu district) is a hill station with a rich history and culture. The early inhabitants of this region are called the Kodavas. Now the Kodavas are an interesting bunch that have a love for martial customs as it’s part of their culture. Tradition allows Kodavas to carry firearms without a license in India.
At festivals such as Puttari Huttari (happens in November or December), which is a celebration of the harvest, the occasion begins with the firing of guns. There’s also a festival by the name Kail Podh where weapons are worshipped. Kodavas also fire a gunshot into the sky when a child is born and during the loss of a loved one. The religious beliefs and traditions of the Kodavas are extremely unique.
During your trip, if you get a chance to stay with a local family that still follows age-old practices, you would get a glimpse into their culture. Do notice that the women also tie their saree differently and men wear knee-length coats. Attending a traditional wedding or festival in Coorg is the best way you get an opportunity to observe customs.
All we have to say is that if you get invited to a local home for food, you’ll have a blast, especially for the food. Steamed rice dumpling with pork is a dish you must try when here. If you’re vegetarian, you can gorge on Kodava Mudi Chekke Barthad (jackfruit along with black chana dish) or the famous bamboo shoot curry in Coorg.
The other essence of Kodavas is that they do have a warrior-image and this is why even today many family members in Coorg join the Indian Armed Forces. It is encouraged to do so and the region is also referred to as the Land of Warriors.
The attribute about Kodavas that you should also know about is that communities are extremely respectful of nature. Many communities are agricultural-based taking care of coffee, oranges, cardamom, and pepper plantations. You’ll get to experience their love for nature as soon as you step into Coorg as it is filled with plantations, paddy fields, and dense forests. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nagarahole National Park are spots in Coorg you can head to if you’re a wildlife enthusiast.
Now that our Coorg guide has given you an extensive picture of Coorg, let’s take you through how you can get there.
How To Get To Coorg
Getting to Coorg is easy breezy because it is well-connected. Depending on where you’re journeying from, you can easily make it here without much worry.
Getting To Coorg By Air
If you plan to fly, you’ll have to check for flights that land at Mangalore International Airport. From this airport, Coorg is just a 3.5-hours drive away. You can also consider flying into Mysore Airport. The drive to Coorg then reduces to 3 hours from Mysore Airport. Many major cities have direct flights to Mysore and Mangalore International Airport.
Getting To Coorg By Train
If you like slow travel and love a train journey, you can reach Coorg by train. You’ll need to look for trains that stop at Mysore or Bangalore Railway Station. Many metropolitan cities have trains that connect to Mysore or Bangalore. Post reaching these stations, the onward journey would need to be taken via road.
Getting To Coorg By Road
Journeying to Coorg by road could end up being your favorite option, especially if the distance is manageable from your city. The road journey will include scenery your eyes will have a hard time getting over. Pleasant weather and beautiful plantations await you on a road trip to Coorg. Coorg is easy to reach from Ooty, Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, or Coimbatore. If you’re visiting any of these places, you can club it together with a trip to Coorg.
Best Time To Visit Coorg
You can visit Coorg anytime throughout the year when you want some peace, quiet, and do absolutely nothing at all. Coorg being a hill station, the temperature is almost always cool and pleasant, falling mostly in the range of 15°C to 20°C.
Summers (March, April, May) are great if you want to escape the heat of your city and chill out in Coorg. It’s also a great time for outdoor activities such as soft trekking, camping, and visiting plantations.
Monsoons (June, July, August, September) are when everything is lush and green. Your pictures of plantations definitely won’t need an increase in brightness because the beautiful showers will greenify the place. You can consider traveling to Coorg in monsoons but you have to factor in that heavy downpours could bring a standstill to some of the plans on your itinerary.
Winters (October, November, December, January, February) is found to be the best time to visit Coorg by many. Your treks or nature trails will be less exhausting in winters because of how cool the weather gets. It’s possible that you won’t break a sweat (in the literal sense)!
Getting Around Coorg
Coorg is a hill station and to get around the popular sights here your options include local buses, rickshaws, private cars, renting a bike, or walking.
Taking a rickshaw or bus is budget-friendly and a way to get to know Coorg just like a local. You can always also consider renting a bike depending on the itinerary you’ve carved out for yourself. For a scooty, expect the rent to be around INR 600 to INR 700 a day while a motorbike will cost you slightly more, which is roughly INR 1,100 to INR 1,300 a day. Be sure to account for costs of fuel as well if you’re renting a bike.
If you’re going to be traveling with a huge group and plan to explore places neighboring to Coorg such as Bangalore, Mysore, or Ooty, then we suggest you book a vehicle for the entirety of your time. That could fall cheaper.
Lastly, plan moments to explore Coorg without a vehicle. Take some time off to stroll quietly, go for a trek, or explore a nature trail. Make sure you’ve packed a good pair of trekking or jogging shoes for when you decide to take long walks!
Breaking Stereotypes About Coorg
Coorg only has coffee plantations
This is the most interesting part of the Coorg tavel guide. To say that Coorg only has coffee plantations to offer is a huge understatement! The hill station has cascading waterfalls, a rich national park, really great trekking spots, and fine FOOD!
Abbi Falls, Mallalli Falls, and Iruppu Falls are the ones that will leave you awestruck. Simply look at pictures of them and you’ll probably book your flights right away. Besides coffee plantations, the hill station is also home to Nagarhole National Park. The park has a healthy population of Bengal tigers, elephants, leopards, and Sambar deer. The scenery of Nisargadhama forest also showcases that the beauty of Coorg is unlike any other.
When it comes to food, you have so many divine options such as –
- Bambale fry (Bamboo shoot)
- Kumbala curry (pumpkin)
- Paputtu (steamed rice cakes with coconut)
- Erchi kannu (mutton curry)
- Koli barthad (chicken fry)
- Nei koolu (ghee rice)
- Kadala curry (black channa curry)
- Tumbuttu (Banana with roasted rice and sesame dessert)
- Koovale puttu (steamed jackfruit sweet dish)
- Pandi curry (pork dish)
Need we say more? Or is it crystal clear that the reason to visit Coorg is much more than just its coffee plantations! If you’re a foodie or just a lover of beautiful scenery, you must plan a visit to Coorg.
Go Check Out
Abbi Falls
If sitting by a cascading waterfall is the reason you planned a trip to Coorg, this is the one spot you want to add to your itinerary. There are steps that lead to the waterfall and it is a fairly doable journey to the waterfall from Coorg.
Dubare Elephant Camp
A short boat ride will take you to Dubare Elephant Camp, which is less than an hour away from central Coorg. The camp is a great place for kids and adults who wish to see an elephant from up close, learn their names, watch the elephants eat, and then bathe in the river.
Mandalpatti Trek
Mandalpatti is a beautiful viewpoint in Coorg from where you can get all those Insta-worthy shots you need. If you love trekking, you will love this spot.
Raja’s Seat
This is yet another site from where you can get panoramic views of Coorg. You need to capture the sunrise here (or sunset if your alarm fails to wake you up)!
Namdroling Monastery Golden Temple
This monastery is an hour away from Coorg and is the perfect place to meditate, sit down, and hear your inner thoughts. If you plan to visit, avoid taking pictures but just spend some time enjoying the peace and quiet of the monastery.
Summing Up!
Hope this article has covered most parts of Coorg and has left an impression on you from a tourist point of view. Explore this beauty with your family and friends with a pleasant ambiance and breathtaking views.
FAQs On Traveling To Coorg
Which Is The Best Month To Visit Coorg?
You can plan your trip to Coorg anytime throughout the year as the temperature is pleasant ranging from 15°C to 20°C. Many consider winters to be the best time to visit, from October to February.
How Many Days Are Needed To Visit Coorg?
If you’re making a trip to Coorg from Bangalore, Mysore, or Ooty, 2-3 days is plenty to enjoy the scenic beauty of Coorg. If you’re traveling from further away, at least plan a week in Coorg so that it’s a relaxing holiday and you get a good break.
Is Coorg Better Than Ooty?
Ooty is at a higher elevation than Coorg and many prefer Ooty for that reason. Both Ooty and Coorg are popular hill station getaways in the South of India. There’s a vast difference in food options and activities between the two. Coorg has more options for activities such as an elephant camp, cascading waterfalls, and wildlife sanctuaries while Ooty is more about soft treks and light sightseeing. You can also read our Ooty Travel Guide to know more about Ooty.
How Much Will It Cost For A Trip To Coorg?
If you stick to a very tight budget, your trip to Coorg for 2 days can cost up to INR 8,000 to INR 10,000 for a single person. If you prefer staying in a luxurious resort, take a flight to Coorg, and book a private vehicle, costs can easily reach INR 20,000 for a single person.
Which Airport Is Closest To Coorg?
Mysore Airport is closest to Coorg and many big metropolitan cities have direct flights to Mysore. From Mysore, it will take you roughly 3 hours to reach Coorg.
What Clothes To Wear In Coorg?
The weather in Coorg is almost always pleasant and by the end of the day, it can get way cooler. Ideally, carry a pullover or sweater that you can put on when it’s chilly. Carry clothes you’re comfortable with and don’t forget to pack good trekking shoes.
How Far Is Mysore From Coorg By Road?
The drive from Mysore to Coorg is beautiful and takes less than 3 hours.
Why Is Coorg So Famous?
Coorg is a scenic hill station famous for its coffee plantations, sanctuaries, waterfalls, and mouth-watering food. When you’re here, be sure to plan your itinerary around Nisargadhama forest, Abbi Falls, Mandalpatti, Namdroling Monastery, and Nagarhole National Park if you have the time.
Is Coorg And Madikeri The Same?
Coorg and Madikeri are in the same geographical location. But Madikeri is the headquarters in the district where Coorg lies. Kodagu is the district in which Coorg is situated, that is why Coorg is often referred to as Kodagu as well.
