Coorg or Kodagu is the District and popular tourist spot in Karnataka state. Coorg is the smallest district in Karnataka, All Districts have railway lines in Karnataka except Coorg. Coorg is also called by many names that are Scotland of india, Kashmir of Karnataka. Coorg is home to 549,451 peoples relating to the recent census and is well known for Coffee plantation, Tea estates, Black peppers, Orange, Ginger, Ext. The Major festivals in coorg is Puttari (puthari), Kaveri Sankramana, Kailpodu(kail mahurtha), Madikeri Dasara, and many local festivals celebrating in this district. Kaveri is the main river in Coorg which starts at Talakaveri (tourist place with God Kaveri’s Background) in end of eastern part of the district and border of kerela.

Coorg is best place to trekking, there are dozens of beautiful places to trek, the main trekking spots are Tadiyandamol (1745m, this is the coorg’s highest peak), Peak of Igguthappa (1590m), Pushpagiri (1712m), Nishani motte, Brahmagiri hill and many trekking places situated in coorg. Madikeri is the head quarters to coorg district. Coorg covers 4,150 sq km in size, less than 15% of Population residing in the district’s urban centers. Kodavas, Arebhase Gowdas, kudiyas, buntas are the common groups living in Coorg, Kodavas and Arebhase Gowdas are the major groups in Coorg. Pandikari (pork), kadabu, Kuglet, Aatti payasa, Akki rotti are the special cuisine that prepares in the special occasion and sometimes in the festivals.

Coorg is main spot to many beautiful water falls, some of the falls are known well, that is Abbey Falls (situated 4 km from madikeri town), Irppu falls (35 km from madikeri), Mallali falls (situated in somwarpet taluk).

Wildlife in Coorg richer than other district in Karnataka, there are three wildlife sanctuaries and One National Park that is Nagarahole National Park and the Sanctuaries are Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Common flora of the jungle includes Toona ciliate, Diospyros, Champaca, Calophyllum, Canarium, Artocarpus, Dipterocarpus, Garcinia, Euonymus, Cinnamomum, Myristica, Vaccinium, Rubus with three kinds of species. The fauna are Tiger, Dhole, Gaur, Boar, Asian Elephants, Leapard, Wild Dogs, and Deer. Common Reptile includes Wolf Snakes, Vine Snakes, Rat Snakes, Bamboo pit viper, Russells Viper, Krait, Python, Monitor Lizard, Toad, Cobra and King Cobras.

Coorg is dotted with several towns like Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Somwarpet, Gonikoppal and Pallibetta, merely Madikeri has well brought-up tourist facilities. Tourism also the main business in the recent days, Most of the Coffee planter and land owners focusing on providing facility such as Resorts, Homestays with good services. Currently thousands of Homestays with touch of visitors. Almost Homestays and resorts stands within the Valleys, Mountains, Forests, Coffee and Cardamom Plantations.

How to reach Coorg
Coorg is accessible by road only. Coorg does not have Air transport and Railway Transport. Nearest airport is in Mysore (Mysore Airport) and Mangalore (Mangalore International Airport). Bangalore International Airport and Kozikkode International Airport is secondary option apart from nearest airport to Coorg. Puttur is the nearest rail station to coorg (train travels through Mangalore to Bangalore), It is just 1 Km away from puttur town. Government and Private buses are available frequently. New Mangalore Port is the nearest seaport to Coorg, situated at Panambur in Mangalore, about 145 km from Madikeri town.
Some of the main cities of Karnataka connected well to this place, they are Mangalore, Hassan, Mysore, Bangalore and Kannur, Thalassery and Wayanad of Kerala.
Distances to coorg from major cities: Bangalore to coorg - 250km (KSRTC government buses available frequently on this route with all ranges of fare), Mangalore to Coorg- 120km, Mysore to Coorg – 120km, Hassan to coorg – 140km.

To Stay in Coorg
There are many home stays, resorts, guest houses, lodges, Hotels. Almost Facilities available in home stays, resorts, guest houses. You can get budget to luxury hotels, such as 3 star, 5 star and Lodges. Some of the Major Hotels are Club Mahindra, Orange County, Coorg International and Heritage Resorts, But currently there are many major and luxury Resorts and Hotels in all part of Coorg. To find Hotels and Homestay see here - Coorg Homestays - Budget Hotels in Coorg

Tourist Places to Visit in Coorg
Major Festivals of Coorg
  • Puttari
  • Kailpodu (Kail Mahurtha)
  • Madikeri Dasara
  • Kaveri Sankramana
Talukas of Coorg (Sub Districts)
See Also