Coorg Tourism And Travel Guide

Coorg is a little hill station nestled in the state of Karnataka. Originally called Kodagu, this was a separate state which merged with Mysuru later. It is located in the western Ghats of south western Karnataka and has a tropical monsoon climate. Coorg is generally chilly but receives heavy rainfall in monsoon due to its thick green cover. Tourism in Coorg is great all year round but the best in winter. Here's a detailed travel guide which will help you plan a perfect trip to Coorg, so read on.

Air: Both Bangalore and Mangalore Airports receive flights from around the world. Mangalore Airport is the closest, just about 153 km from Coorg. Bangalore Airport is a little further away, about 250 km. Daily flights connect the rest of India to both these airports.

Rail: The nearest railway station to Coorg is in Mysore; about 106 kilometers away. From here you can either rent a taxi or board a bus to Coorg. Won't take more than 3 hours.

Road: It is only a 3-4 hour drive from Mangalore and Hassan. While Bangalore is about a 6-hour drive away from Coorg. One could also board the KSRTC Buses available from around Karnataka to get to Coorg.

Coorg is alluring through the year due to its sheer natural beauty. Even though you could visit anytime as Coorg won't really disappoint you ever, but the best time to visit will surely be from October to March. With the monsoons over and the winters setting in, the days are pleasant and the nights pleasantly chilly. 

Stroll through the Coffee & Spice Plantations: Coorg is one of the largest producers of coffee in India. It also produces a variety of spices. These plantations are open to tourists for visits. One can explore the process and pick up fresh produce here.

Trek, Hike or Rock climb & fishing at Honnamanakere: Honnamanakere is located six kilometers away from Somwarpet town. It is a holy place and a tourist attraction. Many devotees pay their respects here to the Goddess Honnamma. Many tourists come here to cherish the abundant beauty of nature. This spot has come to be a favourite amongst the trekking and hiking enthusiasts. You can hike your way here and then relax at the lake while pursuing some leisure activity like fishing.

Adventure sports: Coorg offers a variety of adventure sports. Besides trekking, you can also choose to do rafting, Micro light flying, and paragliding. White river rafting can be done at Barapole river. Micro light flying can be done from Ponnampet. Zip lining is available from Madikeri to Kushalnagar. In fact, there's no dull moment in Coorg, if you are up for adventures.

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary: Amongst the 21 wildlife sanctuaries in India, this one stands out because it is home to many rare and endangered species of birds. The sanctuary also houses Kadamakkal, one of the highest peaks here and a proposed UNESCO World Heritage site.

When in Coorg, you just can’t afford to miss the local delicacies here, known as Kodava Cuisine.  Make sure you try local preparations like Akki Roti, Pulvas, and Puttu with mouth watering pork, dried fish, and crab meat. Also, don't miss out on the Baimbale Curry made with Bamboo Shoots, Kumm Curry with wild mushrooms and Chekke curry with unripe jackfruit. Lots of unusual flavours to discover here.

You could walk through any local market here and be sure to come across the freshest and most aromatic spices, coffee and handicrafts. It is not known to most, but honey is also one of the most valued products from Coorg. So pack plenty for back home.