We went to Coorg last week and we would like to share our experience. You can find the whole history about Coorg, how to reach there and the places to visit in internet.
Here I’ll tell you about my journey in brief.
Coorg is really a very beautiful place, full of greenery. Its a paradise for greenery lovers.
How did we reach: We took a overnight KSRTC bus from bangalore to Coorg (7 hours). KSRTC Rajhamsa Buses are there from Bangalore and Mysore to Coorg. Buses are comfortable and frequent. If you have Car then superb.
Where did we stay: We stayed at KSTDC hotel Mayura Valley View. Good rooms (newly constructed) are available in nearly 1000 Rs. per night. And the location is also very good. We booked it from Bangalore KSTDC office.
How did we roam around: We reached there Friday morning, checked in the hotel and talked to the hotel manager about how to roam around. He told us take a Cab or go by local Bus. But Bus doesn’t go to many places. So we took the Cab and went to Bhagmandala, ThalaCauvery and Abbey Falls. But we didnt enjoy much as we couldnot enjoy the fresh air and greenry behind the Cab’s tinted glasses.
So next day we decided to check if we can get Bike on rental. And yes we did get. And really second day was too good. We went Tibet golden Temple, Harangi Dam, Cauvery Nisarg Dham, Dubare Forest. Everything was too good.
Third day we roamed around local places like Raja’s seat and Gaddige by walk. And left the same day for Bangalore.
We couldnot cover everything because of a bit of time went in exploring the place and deciding where to go. So here I am writing how you should plan so that you can enjoy each second of you stay.
Hotel stay and mode of roaming around you decide by yourself. Couple can take a bike and big groups can hire the Car, SUV or Cab. I am assuming here that you are staying in Madikeri so all the distances given in bracket are from madikeri. Other distances are between the consecutive spots.
Day 1:
Local Sight Seeing
Raja’s Seat (1 Km): We used to go there everyday as it was near our hotel. You can spent 1/2 to 1 Hour either in morning or evening. Has garden and provides good scenic view.
Gaddige (1.5 Km): Three tombs (middle one is main) with temple inside. Worth watching. If the priest is there you can go to tomb roof also.
Omkareshwar temple (1 Km): Good to see.
Abbey Falls(9 Km): Good fall. Watch it.
The Fort and Gandhi Mantap. We couldn’t manage to go there.
Now you can start for Bhagmandala and Thala Cauvery
Bhagamandala(40 Km): We didnt find anything here :-(. After next 8 Km......
ThalaCauvery(48 Km): After visiting temple and Pond go to Brahmgiri hills (better in the evening during sunset as ppl say). You’ll get really an amazing 360 view of Coorg. Its awsome. On a clear day you can get the glimse of Arabian sea as ppl say.
Finish the day and take rest.
Day 2:
Start early by 9:00. All the places given below are nearby. I have given the preferred order as I think. You can change it but try to reach to Dubare either in 11-1 pm slot or 4-5 pm slot to get an elephant ride. Near dushera you’ll not get elephant ride as almost all the elephant will be in mysore. we missed it :-(.
Tibetan Golden Temple(40 Km): Phew!! I can go to coorg for this only. You can spent around an hour and a half. ... Harangi Dam 10 Km....
Harangi Dam(38 Km): You have to see this thats what I can say.... 10 Km next spot...
Cauvery Nisargdhama(32 Km): Picnic spot. Plastic is prohibited. enjoy the Cauvery river and Jungle. ..... 12 Km next spot...
Dubare Forest(40 Km): Try to get elephant safari... :-). And see coffee plantation on the way.
Its time to take rest....
Day3:
We didnt go to the following places but you can go in the order given
Igguthapa temple(40 Km), Kakkabe (Natural Coorg honey production), Nalknad Palace (45 Km, you can start the trek for the coorg’s highest peak thadiyandamol if you wish).
Day 4: (If you are interested, really good places to see as I heard)
Iruppu Falls(85 Km) and Nagarhole National Park(98 Km).
Near Raja’s seat there is shop Coorg Trails (coorgtrails.com) Tourist Hotshop. We got the bike from there. And near this there is Atithi restaurant ok kind of.
Imp Note: And if you are planning to roam around in bike .... you have to be ready for rain .... means plastic bag for your mobile and watch and rubber shoes or floaters and then you can enjoy the rain also.