Top Places to Visit in Coorg in Two Days
Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a scenic hill station located in the state of Karnataka, India. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty, coffee plantations, spice gardens, and wildlife. The town of Madikeri is the district headquarters of Coorg and serves as the base for most visitors to the region.
Coorg is blessed with abundant natural beauty, which includes cascading waterfalls, dense forests, rolling hills, and meandering streams. The region is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
If you only have two day to explore Coorg, here are some of the top places you can visit:
Day 1 :
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Abbey Falls: It is a stunning waterfall located amidst coffee plantations and is a popular tourist spot in Coorg.
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Namdroling Monastery: It is a beautiful Tibetan monastery located in Bylakuppe and is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India.
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Dubare Elephant Camp: Here you can observe and interact with elephants, learn about their daily routines and go for an elephant ride.
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Raja’s Seat: It is a popular garden and viewpoint in Coorg, which offers stunning panoramic views of the valley.
Day 2 :
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Talacauvery: It is the source of the Kaveri River and is located on the Brahmagiri hill. It is a popular pilgrimage site and attracts a large number of devotees.
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Madikeri Fort: It is a historic landmark in Coorg and provides stunning views of the surrounding hills.
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Iruppu Falls: It is a beautiful waterfall located on the border of Coorg and Kerala, and is a popular picnic spot.
Day 3 :
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Omkareshwara Temple: It is a unique blend of Gothic and Islamic architectural styles and a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus.
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Nagarhole National Park: It is a wildlife reserve and home to a wide variety of animals including elephants, tigers, leopards, and many species of birds.
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Coffee Plantations: Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, and visitors can explore the coffee-making process, learn about the different types of coffee, and taste some of the finest coffee in the world.
Day 1 :
Abbey Falls
Abbey Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Coorg, Karnataka. It is surrounded by coffee and spice plantations and offers a stunning view of the surrounding hills. The waterfall is created by the Kaveri River and falls from a height of around 70 feet, creating a beautiful misty effect. The best time to visit Abbey Falls is during the monsoon season when the waterfall is in full flow. There is a hanging bridge across the waterfall, which offers a spectacular view of the falls and the surrounding greenery. Visitors can also take a short trek through the surrounding coffee plantations to reach the falls. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Coorg and is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and photographers.
Namdroling Monastery
Namdroling Monastery, also known as the Golden Temple, is a Buddhist monastery located in the town of Bylakuppe in Coorg, Karnataka. It was established in 1963 by the Tibetan refugee community and is the largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. The monastery is known for its magnificent architecture, which includes stunning murals, intricate wood carvings, and beautiful gold-plated statues. Visitors can witness the daily prayers and rituals performed by the monks, visit the various prayer halls and shrines, and even attend meditation sessions. The Namdroling Monastery is a peaceful and serene place that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich Tibetan culture and traditions. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in spirituality, culture, and history.
Dubare Elephant Camp
Dubare Elephant Camp is a popular tourist destination located in the Coorg district of Karnataka. It is situated on the banks of the Kaveri River and is home to a large number of elephants that have been trained and tamed by the forest department. Visitors can take part in a variety of activities at the camp, including elephant bathing, feeding, and taking an elephant ride through the surrounding forest. The camp also offers opportunities to learn about the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect these magnificent animals. Visitors can interact with the trained mahouts (elephant handlers) and learn about the different commands used to communicate with the elephants. The Dubare Elephant Camp is a unique and memorable experience that offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with these gentle giants of the animal kingdom.
Raja’s Seat
Raja’s Seat is a popular tourist destination located in the town of Madikeri in Coorg, Karnataka. It is a scenic viewpoint that offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The name “Raja’s Seat” literally translates to “Seat of the King,” and it is said that the kings of Coorg used to visit this spot to enjoy the beautiful views and relax.
The main attraction at Raja’s Seat is the beautifully landscaped garden, which is adorned with a variety of flowers and plants. The garden is especially popular for its colorful blooms during the spring and summer months. Visitors can also enjoy a musical fountain show in the evening, which features a combination of water, music, and lights.
Raja’s Seat is a great place to visit for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone looking to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Coorg. The location is easily accessible, and there are plenty of amenities available in the surrounding area, including restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops.
Day 2:
Talacauvery
Talacauvery is a sacred place located in the Coorg district of Karnataka. It is situated at the source of the river Kaveri, which is one of the seven sacred rivers of India. The place is considered holy by Hindus and is a popular pilgrimage site.
The main attraction at Talacauvery is the temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, which is located at the site where the river Kaveri originates. The temple has a small pond, which is believed to be the source of the river. Visitors can take a dip in the pond, which is considered to be very auspicious.
Apart from the temple, Talacauvery is also known for its beautiful natural surroundings. The place is surrounded by lush green forests and hills, and the view from the top is simply breathtaking. Visitors can also take a short trek to the nearby Brahmagiri Peak, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
Overall, Talacauvery is a great place to visit for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and religious significance of Coorg. The location is easily accessible, and there are plenty of facilities available for visitors, including restaurants, restrooms, and souvenir shops.
Madikeri Fort
Madikeri Fort, also known as Mercara Fort, is a historical fort located in the town of Madikeri in Coorg district of Karnataka, India. The fort was built in the 17th century by Mudduraja, the then king of Coorg. The fort has been rebuilt and renovated several times over the centuries by various rulers.
The fort is a major tourist attraction in Coorg and offers a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The fort is surrounded by a moat and has two entrances. The fort has a museum that showcases the history of the fort and the region. The museum has a collection of artifacts and weapons used by the rulers of Coorg. The fort also has a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
One of the main attractions of the fort is the magnificent view of the surrounding hills and valleys from the fort ramparts. The view is especially breathtaking during sunrise and sunset. The fort also has a prison cell, a torture chamber and a secret underground passage, which adds to its historical significance.
In addition to its historical significance, Madikeri Fort is also a popular picnic spot and a great place to relax and soak in the natural beauty of Coorg. There are several small shops and restaurants outside the fort that serve local delicacies and souvenirs.
Iruppu Falls
Iruppu Falls, also known as Irupu Falls, is a picturesque waterfall located in the Brahmagiri Range in the Western Ghats, near the town of Srimangala in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, India. The falls are formed by the Lakshmana Tirtha River, a tributary of the Cauvery River.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana passed through the Brahmagiri Range during their search for Sita, and Rama shot an arrow into the ground to create a spring, which is believed to be the source of the Lakshmana Tirtha River.
The waterfall is surrounded by lush green forests and is a popular tourist destination in Coorg. The falls cascade down from a height of about 60 meters and are surrounded by a serene and peaceful environment. Visitors can take a short trek to reach the waterfall, which is about 2 km from the entrance.
There is a small temple called the Rameshwara Temple located near the waterfall, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that taking a dip in the waters of the Lakshmana Tirtha River near the temple can wash away one’s sins.
Overall, Iruppu Falls is a must-visit destination in Coorg for nature lovers and those seeking some peace and tranquility.
Day 3:
Omkareshwara Temple
Omkareshwara Temple is a popular temple located in the heart of Madikeri town in Coorg, Karnataka. The temple was built in the 18th century by King Lingarajendra II in a mix of Islamic and Gothic styles of architecture.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its unique design, which features a dome in the center, with four minarets at the corners. The legend associated with the temple is that King Lingarajendra II was haunted by the ghost of a Brahmin, whom he had killed for his selfish reasons. The king was advised by a sage to build a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva to get rid of the ghost. Thus, the king built this temple with the help of an architect who was a Muslim.
The temple’s entrance features a beautiful pond with fishes, which adds to the serenity of the place. The main deity inside the temple is a lingam, which is believed to be self-manifested. The temple also has a small shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
One of the unique features of the temple is the presence of a large number of brass lamps, which are lit during the annual festival of Deepavali. The temple also houses a huge bell, which is said to have been brought from a temple in Srirangapatna.
Overall, Omkareshwara Temple is a popular destination in Coorg, known for its unique architecture and religious significance.
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole National Park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is a popular national park located in the Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka, India. The park covers an area of around 643 square kilometers and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The park is named after the Nagarahole river, which flows through it. The park is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to many endangered species of animals such as tigers, elephants, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, and various species of deer, including the rare and endangered Indian bison or gaur.
Nagarhole National Park is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 270 species of birds found in the park, including the rare Oriental white-backed vulture and the critically endangered white-rumped vulture. Other notable bird species found in the park include the crested serpent eagle, osprey, kingfisher, and the Indian roller.
Visitors can explore the park by taking a jeep or elephant safari, which are conducted by the forest department. The best time to visit the park is between October and May when the weather is pleasant and the animals can be easily spotted.
Overall, Nagarhole National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. It offers a unique and enriching experience of exploring the beautiful natural world of Karnataka.
Coffee Plantations
Coorg is well-known for its lush coffee plantations, which are spread across the region. Coffee plantations in Coorg are not only a major source of livelihood for the locals but also an important part of the region’s heritage.
Coffee was first introduced to Coorg by the British in the early 19th century, and today, the region is home to some of the finest coffee plantations in India. The coffee grown in Coorg is known for its rich and aromatic flavor and is exported all over the world.
Visitors to Coorg can explore the coffee plantations by taking guided tours, which are usually conducted by the plantation owners. These tours offer an insight into the entire process of coffee cultivation, from planting the seedlings to harvesting the beans.
Apart from coffee, the plantations are also home to other crops such as pepper, cardamom, and vanilla. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic beauty of the plantations, with the green hills and valleys forming a stunning backdrop.
Some of the popular coffee plantations in Coorg include the Tata Coffee Plantation, Coorg Cliffs Resort, and the Chilipili Estate Homestay. These plantations also offer accommodation options, ranging from luxury resorts to budget homestays.
Overall, a visit to the coffee plantations in Coorg is a must-do activity for anyone visiting the region. It is a great way to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the region and experience its natural beauty.
