13 Things to do in Coorg

There are so many things to do in Coorg! Known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is a charming hill station in Karnataka in South India. This region is renowned for its coffee plantations, lush landscapes, and pristine rivers. With something for everyone, it is no wonder that Coorg is one of the most loved hill stations of India. Read on to find out some of the best things to do in Coorg!

Visit the waterfalls

Coorg is home to many beautiful waterfalls. Abbey Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in India. Cascading from a height of 70 feet, the waterfall provides a spectacular sight. Nature lovers and photography enthusiasts should definitely visit these falls.

Iruppu Falls flow through a lush green forest, making you feel as if you are right in the middle of an enchanting fairytale.

Another beautiful waterfall in Coorg is the Chelavara Falls, with water roaring down from a height of 150 feet on a rock shaped like a tortoise. This is why locals call this “Embepare”, which means “tortoise rock”.

Mallalli Falls, Nilakandi Falls, and Burude Falls are a few other waterfalls you can visit in Coorg. The best time to visit these waterfalls is post-monsoon, in September and October.

Abbey Falls

Stroll through the plantations

Coorg, or Kodagu, is most known for its beautiful coffee plantations. Known as the Coffee Capital of India, Coorg is one of the leading coffee producers in the country. You can visit these lush plantations and learn more about the art of coffee cultivation through various guided tours. You can see the entire process, from picking the beans to roasting them and making them ready for packaging.

Coorg coffee plantations

Embrace the nature and wildlife of Coorg

Nature and wildlife thrive in Coorg. This naturally beautiful hill station is home to many national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and forests, which house plenty of amazing flora and fauna.

Nagarhole National Park is one of the best reserves in all of India. It is home to tigers, elephants, peacocks, bears, and many other species of animals.

Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary spans 181 square kilometers  and includes lush green forests and grasslands.

Dubare Elephant Camp is a unique place where animals and humans co-exist. Visitors can experience trained elephants up close, and even feed and bathe them! You can even go on an elephant ride.

Bird watching in Coorg is a popular activity which pulls in many ornithologists and nature lovers from around the world. Coorg is home to more than 300 species of birds. One of the most popular places for bird watching in Coorg is the Pushpagiri Bird Sanctuary.

Nisargadhama Forest Park is a delta formed by River Kaveri and connected by a hanging bridge. The park has many activities for adults as well as kids – boating, elephant rides, and also a deer park.

Dubare Elephant Camp

Visit scenic viewpoints

The scenic region of Coorg naturally has many scenic viewpoints as well. Raja’s Seat is an elevated garden that looks over the beautiful valleys of the region, a great place to experience the sunset. The garden was originally built for the Kings of Kodagu, and is now a go-to picnic spot for locals.

Mandalpatti View Point is situated atop the Western Ghats, offering a beautiful vista of the lush valleys and hills that cover the region.

Raja’s Seat

Go trekking

The dense forests and thick green forests with mesmerizing views make Coorg a great destination for trekking. The region has many hiking and trekking trails suitable for all kinds of trekkers.

The Tadiandamol Trek leads to the highest peak in Coorg, with majestic views of hills and valleys in various shades of green. You can also trek to Nishani Motte, Brahmagiri Hill and Kopatty Hills.

Tadiandamol trek

Visit the temples

The Omkareshwara Temple was built in the early 1800s as a tribute to Lord Shiva. However, it is built in the Islamic and Gothic style of architecture, depicting a Muslim mosque more than a temple.

Rameshwara Temple is another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated on the banks of River Lakshman Tirtha, and adjacent to the stunning Iruppu Falls.

The Golden Temple, or the Namdroling Monastery, is situated in Bylakuppe, the second largest Tibetan settlement in India.

Igguthappa Temple is one more beautiful temple you can visit in Coorg.

Omkareshwara Temple

Try the local cuisine

Coorg offers some truly delicious cuisine, and you cannot leave without trying some of it. One of the most popular local dishes of Coorg is the Pandi curry, also known as Coorg Pork Curry.

There is no dearth of vegetarian dishes here, so make sure to try the Coorg style biryani, koovaleputtu, nool puttu, akki roti, and more. The region uses fresh, local ingredients to make the meals.

If you want to learn more about the cuisine, you can even go for guided food tours, which delve deeper into the gastronomic history and preparations.

Pandi curry, a speciality of Coorg

Enjoy water activities

Coorg has many lakes, streams, and rivers, where you can enjoy a number of activities.

A different experience to try in Coorg is fishing and angling. With crystal clear rivers and streams, Coorg is a good destination for fishing. Plus, the waters are home to many fish species, such as the mahseer.

River rafting in the Barapole River is one of the most popular activities for adventure enthusiasts. There are different levels of rapids for different types of rafting.

One of the most thrilling activities in Coorg is rappelling, but with a twist – waterfall rappelling has you climbing down the rocky part of the waterfall. This activity is popular at the Chelavara Waterfalls in Coorg, and is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

If you do not want to indulge in any physical activities, you can go boating in the many lakes of Coorg, or have a picnic by the lakeside. Harangi Dam is a great spot to enjoy a nice picnic with your loved ones.

River rafting in Coorg

Indulge in adventure activities

Quad biking is a popular activity in Coorg, thanks to its naturally muddy slopes and paddy lands through which you can maneuver if you love such adventure activities.

Microlight flying is another adventure activity, where you soar 5000 feet above the region. You get a bird’s eye view of the entire district of Coorg, with its pristine rivers and verdant hills and valleys.

The Misty Rainforest near Coorg also has adventure activities like ziplining, hanging bridge walks, and walking on tyres.

Mircolight flying

Visit the spiritual water bodies

Talacauvery, or Talakaveri, is a famous religious attraction in Coorg. This place is the origin of the river Cauvery, or Kaveri. The place is dedicated to the river god, and many visitors come here to perform religious rituals or take a holy bath in its waters. You will find a lot of tourists here during the Tula sankramana, or Kaveri Sankramana festival.

Honnamana Kere Lake is the biggest natural lake in Coorg. Nestled amidst lush hills and coffee plantations, the lake is named after Goddess Honnamana. Legends say that the goddess sacrificed her life to save the village. This lake is especially visited during the Gowri festival, when people worship the goddess at a temple near the lake.

Talacauvery during the Tula Sankramana festival

Visit Madikeri Fort

The Madikeri Fort is a major tourist attraction in Coorg. Situated in the town of Madikeri, the magnificent fort offers a glimpse into the history of Coorg. It was built in the late seventeenth century by Muddu raja, the ruler of the region.

Madikeri Fort

Indulge in self-care and wellness

The serene vibes and natural environment of Coorg make it perfect for yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. This is one of the most renowned destinations for Ayurvedic tourism. A lot of luxury hotels and resorts in Coorg offer wellness and meditation packages during your stay. You can also indulge in a nice Ayurvedic massage and spa.

Indulge in an ayurvedic massage and spa

Go shopping

There are a range of local products you can shop for in Coorg. Most popular for its coffee plantations, the region produces some of the best coffee in India. You should definitely purchase some to take back home. Coorg is also well-known for spices, and you can get some aromatic spices like black pepper, cardamom, and cloves here.

You can check out Madikeri Market, Friday Market, and Coorg Shoppe while shopping.

Shop for spices in the markets of Coorg

So, what will you be doing in Coorg first? Let us know! At India Someday, we create personalized itineraries to India for you based on your likes and preferences. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!