Tailor-made Coorg Tour Packages

Coorg, in Karnataka, is one of the most popular hill-stations in all of Southern India, and its many charms make it a favorite honeymoon and a family vacation. Coorg Tour Packages are a convenient way to explore the astounding natural beauty of the Scotland of India, and Flying Squirrel Holidays helps one undertake Coorg local travel in the most enjoyable and fulfilling way.

• OVERVIEW
• TOP ATTRACTIONS
• THINGS TO DO
• PLACES TO VISIT
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OVERVIEW

COORG TOUR PACKAGES

Officially known as Kodagu, Coorg is well connected and easily reachable, but it is accessible only by road. The nearest airport is at Mangalore, and the nearest railway station is at Mysore. The road from either of the two lasts around 4 hours. The Karnataka government runs convenient buses to and from the district, and private road trips are growing in popularity, especially from Bangalore.

The foremost attraction of Coorg is its natural beauty. With the number of gurgling waterfalls, dense coffee plantations, hilltops overlooking the Western Ghats, wildlife- the district is a delight for nature lovers.

However, a relatively unexplored aspect of the area is its cultural and historical elements. It is said that Coorg has been in existence since the 2nd Century, and the tribes that make up its population are known for their valor and hospitality. The district has been ruled by the Kadambas of Goa, the Cholas, the Vijaynagar, and the Hoysalas.

Coorg Tour Places allow a peek into its rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, the district is also a paradise for adventure seekers, and trekking, rafting, and angling are well-loved activities here.

Discussed below are the charms of Coorg. Read on!

NATURE

Known as the Kashmir of the South, Coorg is surrounded by verdant, rolling hills, scenic lakes, and roaring waterfalls. The hill station is most famous for its untouched natural beauty, and its biggest tourist attraction is Raja’s Seat, a sunset point offering uninterrupted views of the beautiful valleys, skyscraping hills, and coffee plantations surrounding it.

The viewpoint is a well-developed park with a musical fountain, with an interesting history behind it- it is the palace the Kings of Coorg used to watch the sunset with their consorts. A visit to Raja’s Seat always finds its way into Coorg Family Tour Packages especially, owing to the toy train set up in the park.

Kodagu also has several stunning waterfalls, one of the tallest of which is the Iruppu Falls. Falling from a height of 170 meters, its stream is milky and mesmerizing. Located in the Brahmagiri Hills near Nagarhole also makes it popular, and is frequented by trekkers. Mallalli Fall is also visited by trekkers, and the trail is easier and lighter than the one to Iruppu.

The sparkling Mallalli Fall is surrounded by lush greenery, and the sight is striking. Chelavara Falls is one of the most incredible falls in the area, and the heavy volume of water cascades down to a large tortoise shaped rock. The locals, therefore, call it Embepare, meaning Tortoise Falls.

Honnamana Kere is a large natural lake in Coorg, snuggled between rolling, emerald hills. Man-made caves and coffee plantations surround it, making its serenity remarkable. Moreover, the lake is of religious importance.

Dedicated to Goddess Honnamana, who had saved the village by giving up her life, the celebration of the Gowri festival at a temple nearby is vibrant and grand. Visitors also like boating on its calm, clear waters, surrounded by the utter peace of untouched nature.

Coorg is located near the Western Ghats or the Sahyadris, and the hills and valleys surrounding it are densely filled with lush greenery. Brahmagiri Hill is a particularly pleasing hill, situated in Coorg and Wayanad in Kerala.

The steep hillock is filled with a diverse range of wildlife, and endangered species like the Leopard Cat, Sambar Deer, Nilgiri Langur, Indian Python, Malabar Pit Viper, and Malabar Giant Squirrel can be spotted among its thick forest cover.

Brahmagiri is also a delight for bird watchers, with rare species like Emerald Dove and Malabar Trogon found in good numbers. The peak offers spellbinding panoramic views of Coorg.

Tadiandamol is the highest peak in the Kodagu district and the third highest in the state of Karnataka. Filled with dense shola forests and verdant meadows, trekking to the peak affords a tête-à-tête with coffee and pepper plantations.

Nishan Motte is another peak that is a delight for nature enthusiasts to the trail, set amidst cardamom and coffee forests. The scenic views of the lush valleys from the top of both the peaks are rewarding and memorable.

Coorg is also home to a range of wildlife sanctuaries and the chance of spotting rare animals, including the tiger, attracts several visitors. The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, on the Brahmagiri Trek, is a favorite of hikers. Lion-tailed macaques, sloth bears, gaurs, and sambals are easy to spot here.

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is frequented by bird watchers, and rare species like Nilgiri Flycatchers and Grey-breasted Laughing Trush are found here. The best place to spot the Tiger in Coorg is Nagarhole National Park. It is also home to deers, gaurs, leopards, and wild dogs. The Kabini reservoir in the park is a great place to spot the creatures, especially in the hot summer months.

The district of Coorg also has good adventure sports opportunities, and rafting in its turbulent waters is considered to be the most challenging in the country. Barapole is the go-to for water-based sports, with currents ranging between grade I and IV.

The Barapole River flows through the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and rafters get to face the turbulent waters amidst the stunning setting of lush trees. Dubare is another option to enjoy the sport, and the currents here are calmer and more beginner-friendly. Rafting in Coorg is best done between June and September, as the rivers are replenished by the monsoons, making it even more thrilling.

Quad biking is growing in popularity, and several enthusiasts head to Chelavara to enjoy the ride through dense forests. Chelavara is also popular for Microlight Flight, which allows one panoramic, expansive view of the district. Honnamana Kere and Gavi Betta are great for rock climbing.

Coorg is called the Scotland of the East, and its abounding natural beauty justifies the name. Rolling, fresh hills, blossoming plantations, gurgling rivers, and clean air make the district a haven for nature lovers.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Coorg is a unique district, said to have been in existence since the 2nd Century. The few historical monuments in the area are a delight for history lovers.

Madikeri Fort was initially built in the 17th Century by Muddaraja but was rebuilt by Tipu Sultan in brick and stone. Further, in the 19th Century, Ligarajendra Wodeyar II rebuilt the fort in mortar.

Under colonial rule, a Clock Tower and an Anglican Church were added to its premises. The additions and refurbishings of the Fort under the different dynasties and rulers are interesting to notice, and it draws several history enthusiasts every year.

Omkareshwara Temple is another interesting place to visit in Coorg. Built-in the 19th Century and dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is fascinating to notice the obvious Islamic elements in its architecture- it has four minars in its four corners and a dome in the center.

Dargah Sharif of Yemmemadu is an important point for believers of Islam, built-in memory of the Sufi Saints HAzrath Sufi Shaheed and Sayyed Hassan Sakaf Halramir. An annual 8-day festival called Urs attracts tens of thousands of devotees every year to the Dargah.

Housing the mortal remains of the Kodava Kings, Gaddige, or Raja’s Tombs, are another place of interest in the Coorg district. The tombs are built in the Indo-Saracenic style, with the remains of the Kings surrounded by four minars.

Coorg has the second largest Tibetan population in the country, and the settlement is called Bylakuppe. The Namdroling Monastery and the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery are great places to soak in the vibrancy of the Tibetan culture in Coorg.

The former is also called the Golden Temple and features three massive gold plated idols- of Lord Buddha, and his followers Guru Padmasambhava and Amitayush. The colorful murals surrounding the idols depict Buddhist mythology.

Coorg is populated by the Kodava clan, a clan known for its valor and martial finesse. Marriages, childbirth, and even harvest of new crops are marked with a loud gunshot. The Coorg cuisine is predominantly non-vegetarian, and its most famous dish is Pandi, a pork curry served with rice dumplings. Bamboo shoot curry is another specialty.

COFFEE AND SPICES

Coorg is the Coffee Cup of India, and its plantations produce some of the finest Arabica and Robusta beans in the world. No Coorg Local Travel is complete without visiting a coffee farm, and learning and witnessing the production of the deeply loved beverage.

The coffee plantations also provide a home to rare bird species like the Great Indian Pied Hornbill and animals like the Great Malabar Squirrel. The district also grows pepper, cloves, cinchona, and cardamom. The famous Coorg Pepper is considered to be one of the finest in the world. Be sure to pick some of the local favorites for back home!