The year has just begun, and if you have already started to create your travel bucket, then one spot that you cannot miss on your list is Coorg. Not only Coorg is famous for its tourists spots, but for the travel costs as well. In this article, we will be helping you decode some of the top tourists spots in Coorg that can help you get a better idea about the places in Coorg. Keep reading till the end to uncover some informative insights.
What is Coorg Famous For?
Before we give you a quick list of the places that you can explore in Coorg, let me give you a short snippet that will help you to understand the locations that are widely associated with Coorg. Coorg is undoubtedly famous for its misty weather and the hills. If you are planning to go to Coorg, then, you can start by visiting Madikere, which is the capital city of Coorg and there, you will be surrounded by the lush green woody slopes, colourful scenery, misty mountains, cascading falls and dense tropical forest area that will not only be helping you to decode the ultimate nature’s paradise but also give you the peace of mind that you crave.
Let’s get started on uncovering the top Coorg places that you can explore.
Top Places in Coorg to Explore
If you are on the line to explore the top places in Coorg, then here’s a comprehensive list of places that you can consider exploring:
Chiklihole Reservoir, Coorg
The Chiklihole Reservoir is one of the most popular places in Coorg that you can visit. However, it’s important to have a little time in hand when you decide to explore the reservoir. The best part of the reservoir is that its away from the usual crowd that can be seen at the tourists spots and also offers serenity and peace to its visitors.
The Chiklihole Reservoir, pronounced as ‘Chikli-holey’, is located between the towns of Madikeri and Kushalnagar of Coorg district. The reservoir is at a distance of approximately 15 km from Kushalnagar and Madikeri and is nearest to the town of Nanjarayapattana. The place has got nothing but amazing scenic beauty, which is nothing short of a paradise, especially for photographers. In addition to this, you will be getting a mesmerizing sunset view where you can grab some good snapshots and have a memory of a lifetime.
Another thing that one can note before visiting this reservoir is that the entry is absolutely free, and hence, you can enjoy nature without giving a penny.
Abbey Falls
This is another one of the best Coorg locations that you can explore. The Abbey falls is just 1km away from the city of Madikeri. You can explore the place, and it’s quite a famous spot known for its natural beauty, and the picnic spot was called the Jesse falls in the olden days.
You will find that during the monsoon season, the waterfall here is quite high, and the contrary happens during the summer season. There is also a hanging bridge here that offers an amazing view of the waterfalls. One of the best things to understand here is that the best time to visit the Abbey Falls is during early winter. Also, the entry fee that is required to visit the place is Rs.10 per person.
Dubare Elephant Camp, Coorg
This is another one of the top places in Coorg that is worth exploring. At the Dubare elephant camp, there are many tourists who get attracted, and this place is especially one of the best places for wildlife enthusiasts to explore.
Elephant Camp at Dubare is a project undertaken by the forest department and Jungle Lodges and Resorts. Not just interaction with elephants, tourists also get mesmerizing natural settings consisting of lush greenery and a refreshing environment to spend some memorable days. In addition to this, the tourists can indulge in activities like 45 minute bath where they can give a bath to elephants in the river Cauvery, feed them ragi, sugarcane, banana, and coconuts. They also take a 45-minute elephant ride to the jungle.
The entry fee to explore the Dubare elephant camp is Rs.600 per person.
Harangi Dam
Another spot that is worth exploring for tourists is the Harangi dam. The Harangi dam is situated in the Hudgur village near Kushalnagar in Coorg District. Built across the tributary of the River Cauvery, Harangi dam is the first dam that has been built across the River Cauvery. It has a height of 47 meters and a length of 846 meters, creating a marvelous view of forceful streams of water.
If you are visiting Coorg with your family, then you can try this spot as it also comes with a friendly picnic spot. You will find that the picnic spot is located at an approximate distance of 36km from Madikere, and you can easily reach the place without any difficulty on the go.
The place is not only one of the best places to explore for nature lovers, but also has multiple religious places to explore. The tourists can explore the Cauvery temple, which is located near the dam, and it’s definitely worth exploring.
Honnamana Kere Lake
This is another one of the tourists places in Coorg that the explorers can go. The Honnamana Kere is one of the largest lakes in India, and every year it attracts a good chunk of tourists from across the globe. The lake doesn’t just house natural beauty around it but also has religious importance and is named after the goddess Honnamana. One can easily explore the temple that is dedicated to the goddess Honnamana, which is situated near the lake.
The temple has a lot of religious significance, with many newlyweds visiting the temple to seek the blessings of the goddess. Additionally, the Lake offers captivating scenic beauty as well. It is a place where one can just relax and enjoy some quality moments with their loved ones. It is surrounded by mountains, cliffs, and a huge expanse of coffee plantations, along with two hills named Gavi Betta and Mori Betta. Along with sightseeing, one can also engage himself/herself in various kinds of outdoor activities such as boating and fishing. The entry fee to the lake is completely free.
Omkareswara Temple
This is another one of the top tourists places to visit in Coorg. The temple is one of the most revered temples in South India, with it being built by the y Linga Rajendra in 1820. The temple located at a distance of 1 km from Madikeri is an architectural beauty. The temple has both Islamic and Gothic styles of architecture.
The Shivalinga that is found here is named the Omkareswara and is definitely one of the most religious places in Coorg that one can explore. The entry fee here is absolutely free, and if you are in Coorg, then visiting the Omkareshwara temple must be on your bucket list.
Kotebetta Trek
Another top tourist place that you can visit in Coorg is the Kotebetta Trek. Kotebetta trek is situated in Madapur, which is located between the Somwarpet and Madikeri towns. It is at the border between the Dakshina Kannada and Coorg districts and can be easily reached without much of a hassle.
In addition to this, the name of Kottebetta was essentially derived from the word Kote Betta, which essentially means the Fort hill. This is essentially because the hill primarily resembles a fort in its appearance, and one can easily find a temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva at the peak of the hill.
Additionally, Kotebetta offers tourists amazing trekking opportunities. It is 10 km away from Hattihole. Tourists start their trek from the Hattihole and end at the peak. Along with lush greenery, and especially the huge expanse of coffee estates, accompany you on your trekking. Overall, the Kottebetta trek is one of the memorable treks that you can explore in Coorg. The place is naturally scenic and also one of the best when it comes to taking great photographs. There is also no entry fee to trek on the Kotenbetta trek.
Madikeri Fort
One of the most popular tourists places that every explorer in Coorg cannot afford to miss is the Madikeri fort. The fort was first built in the 17th century by Mudduraja. The fort was later renovated with stones and bricks by Tipu Sultan, who later named the fort Jaffarabad. The fort houses a huge amount of history and has seen many battles and successions that add to its rich cultural heritage.
It was under the control of Doddavira Rajendra in 1790. Later, it was renovated by King Lingarajendra Wodeyar II. The British also reconstructed the fort twice. In the year 1933, the British added a clock tower and a portico to park the commissioner’s car in the fort’s complex. Now, the fort is being used as the office of the Deputy Commissioner. There are many other buildings within the fort that are definitely worth exploring. Additionally, there is no entry fee to explore the fort.
Conclusion
While many might have the question- Coorg is hill station or not? Well, it certainly is, but there are many other tourist spots that Coorg houses which are worth exploring. That’s all, folks. I hope the article will help you to get all the information you need.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is Coorg Famous for its Hill Station?
Yes, Coorg is famous for its hill station.
Can I Visit Coorg in Winter?
Yes, winter is the best season for visiting Coorg.
Can I Explore the Madikeri Fort for Free?
Yes, there is no entry fee to visit the Madikeri fort.
Is Coorg Safe for Trekking?
Yes, Coorg is safe for trekking but its advisable to not trek during monsoons.
Are there Religious Places to Explore in Coorg?
Yes, there are quite a number of religious places to explore in Coorg.
