I had read somewhere ?One trip to Coorg (Kodagu) and it?ll haunt you for the rest of your life. You might leave Coorg, but Coorg will never leave you.? It went very true with me. It was my honeymoon time I spent in Coorg and thought of settling down in coorg for the rest of my life.
About Coorg : Coorg seems like it?s a beautiful painting out of a painters brush. The scenic beauty of coorg is mind blowing. Lush green valleys, misty mountains, coffee plantations, rich forests, wild flowers, milky waterfalls take you off your feet. Coorg is situated on the western ghats of Karnataka in southern India. The nature and the people here are a true blend of a brave tradition. The original race of coorgee?s are known as Kodavas. They are known as brave and strong people. They are blessed with a rich tradition. Very peaceful and gentle nature of Kodavas attract more tourists to their land. If you are a kind of nature lover who would talk to those flying clouds, fall in love with mighty mountains, compose a music with chirping birds, feel the kiss of the cold breeze which gushes through your cheeks then it is The destination meant for you.
Getting to Coorg:
By Air: Mangalore Airport (130 kms approx) and Bangalore (265 kms aprox).
By Road: From Bangalore approx 250-260 kms., Nearest places to coorg would be Mysore and Mangalore which is around 3 ? 4 hours journey from both places. From Bangalore, Mangalore or Mysore, one can take a KSRTC - Karnataka Govt operated buses or you can drive down if you have your own transport. If you are crazy for scenic beauty then its better to travel from Mangalore side. Because after you cross South Kanara border, its only the picturesque coorg?.The bus fare may cost approx between Rs. 150 - 250/- each. There are luxury buses also operating. Luxury buses would be pretty good because they maintain cleanliness and the travelling would be very comfy as the road goes wavy in between the Ghats.
Stay in Coorg :The proper hillstation is Mercara (Madikeri in kannada) itself. There is a sub city called `kushalnagar’ which is not worth for honeymooners. Kushalnagar is a plain flat land. There are number of hotels in Mercara to suit any range.
Orange County Resort ( level): Rs. 5000/- (approx.) a day dbl occupancy.
Coorg International : Rs. 3000/- (approx.) a day dbl occupancy.
Hotel Rajdhani : Rs. 600/- ( ’’ ) a day dbl occupancy.
Mayura Valley View (Stat Govt’s) : Rs. 600/- approx. - luxury suite.
And there are lot more in the main city area as well as lot of estate owners provide package stay at a reasonable price for tourists in their estates. Among these (excluding estate provided stays) Orange county and Mayura Valley view are in the best of the best locations. Orange country is in between the coffee plantation hill. Mayura valley view is on the top of the mercara hill. There is a beautiful view from this hotel.
Though this particular hotel’s maintenance is not very good, its manageable. From outside this hotel looks nothing better than a govt. hostel. But the luxury suites are real cool ones. In the restaurant there is a one man show going on all the time. The cook, the cashier, order bearer is all one person. But he cooks real yummy food. If you don’t like to wait for food here you can walk down to hotel rajdhani’s restaurant which is 5 minutes walk away. Or in the main city you get coorg club maintained hotel where they serve typical coorg delicacies. Since coorg is a pretty cold place and keeps raining most of the time the food is hot over here, I meant to say its very spicy which helps you to keep your temperature balanced.
Weather : Pleasant weather throughout the year. Since its located in Western Ghats rains are very often. But it rains heavily only during June, July, August.
Best time for to go there : September ? January.
Lifestyle: Coorg is known for its coffee. The main plantations over here is coffee. Other than this they grow cardamom, arecanut, apiculture (bee-keeping), etc.
Places to See: There are a few noble Kodava?s (coffee planters especially) who are promoting coorg?s tourism in a very effective way. They provide this sight-seeing at a very nominal price. Two days sight-seeing in coorg including all places with a driver cum guide and a private car for two of you would cost the total of Rs. 1500/-. Isn?t it worth?. You get to see number of places in coorg and distance is also too much for this cost. This package includes :
Talakaveri: Is the place where river cauvery takes birth. It?s the most beautiful place among all. Situated in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4, 500 ft above sea level. You hardly feel that you are anymore on this earth. I felt it?s the heaven. There?s no heaven other than this place. You almost walk on the clouds here. Reach the top of the hill and enjoy those gigantic hills spread over the border of Kerala.
Iruppu Falls : Is a very beautiful waterfall located in between the thick jungle. Its so silent except the noise of the waterfall. You would never want to leave this silence of the jungle.
Abbey Falls: Is a big attraction for tourists. Is located in between a private estate where all public have access to enter. It?s a massive water fall. But this beauty is
Only to see from your eyes. Because its dangerous to get into the water and also I heard that this water contents are of drainage too though it looks as pure as milk. But it?s a must go spot in coorg!. I suggest this very strongly.
Dubare : Is mainly a elephant taming camp maintained by forest department.
Kaveri Nisargadhama: Is a beautiful landscape developed and maintained by forest department. One should appreciate their efforts to plan this and maintain this place. There are lot of tourist attractions in this place as well as wild animals you get to see.
Harangi Dam: Is a storage dam of Cauvery water. But the scenic beauty here is absolute fairy tale kind of.
Nagarhole National Park : Is one of the best game sanctuaries in southern India, providing a natural living conditions to several wild animals like elephants, tigers, panthers, rhinos and wild elephants, but one is more likely to see beautiful birds, different kinds of monkeys, gaur, deer, wild dogs and langur and what not?. There are elephant rides and desert safari?s also available which are Managed by the Forest Department. When you see this thick forests of teak wood I bet you will start calculating what worth this forest would be of?.
There are lot more pilgrimage places like bhagamandala, and some temples around madikeri.
Other than this there are places where water sports are also available. The flowers over here are so dominant they completely hide the leaves of a tree or plant?.everything looks so flowery flowery here?the roads look like a bed of roses.
That?s how my ultimate decision to make my own small nest in a place like coorg is growing stronger and stronger?day by day?Go to Coorg and then write your comments on my review!....