10 Best Places to Visit in Coorg

Coorg is officially called Kodagu and it is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. It is a land of dense tropical forests, green valleys, and majestic mountains. With its old-world charm, scenic attractions, cool climate, and laidback ambience, Coorg makes a great destination for nature and adventure lovers. This quaint hill station offers a serene and unspoiled environment that is suitable for river rafting, trekking, and bird-watching. Be it a fun-filled long vacation or a quick weekend getaway, Coorg presents the most captivating surrounding as a hill station. From spectacular sightseeing spots to gushing waterfalls and gorgeous river islands, there are many places to visit in Coorg.

Top Places to Visit in Coorg

Here are the 10 best places that you can include in your Coorg packages.

• Abbey Falls
• Brahmagiri Peak
• Raja’s Seat
• Madikeri Fort
• Dubare Elephant Camp
• Namdroling Monastery
• Iruppu Falls
• Omkareswara Temple
• Mandalpatti View Point
• Honnamana Kere Lake

Abbey Falls

Located around 10 kilometres away from Madikeri, Abbey Falls is one of the most popular tourist places in Coorg. A visit to this gorgeous waterfall is the best thing to do in Coorg, especially if you are a nature or photography lover. Snuggled amidst coffee and spice plantations, the Abbey Waterfall gushes down from a height of 70 feet, creating an outstanding scene to behold. This magnificent waterfall is a combination of various streams that collect together and fall into a pond that merges into River Kaveri. The picturesque beauty and magnificence of Abbey Waterfall double during monsoon season when the water streams become thicker. The serene setting and lush green surrounding make Abbey Falls a must-visit place in Coorg.

Brahmagiri Peak

The next tourist place in Coorg is Brahmagiri Peak, a 1608 meters-high hill nestled atop Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Those who love to explore beautiful and natural trails would find peace while visiting Brahamagiri Peak. It is a popular trekking spot to reach the top of Brahamagiri. A trek through Brahmagiri will take you to dense forests with unique plantations and flowers. You can also visit the wildlife sanctuary here, which is home to a variety of exotic species of animals such as Jungle Cats, Giant Flying Squirrel, Spotted Deer, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, and more. It is a great place to enjoy stunning sights and indulge in some thrilling adventure while creating unforgettable lifetime experiences.

Raja’s Seat

One of the most famous places in Coorg, Raja’s Seat, is known for offering an uninterrupted and striking view of the Western Ghats. This place used to be a favourite place of recreation and leisure for the kings of this region. It is situated in the mid of Gandhi Mantap, built on high-level ground, offering outstanding views of the hills and valleys. Lush greenery, a huge variety of flowers, and artificial fountains make Raja’s Seat must visit place in Coorg. Here, you can find the most beautiful sunset view.

Madikeri Fort

One of the most popular places to see in Coorg, Madikeri Fort is a place to get insights into Coorg's history. This majestic fort was constructed with mud but was rebuilt using stones by Tipu Sultan in 1781 AD. Located in the centre of Madikeri town, the fort is a prime attraction for those who love history and architecture. The fort is a unique architecture comprising many structures, including a temple, a museum, and a church. However, the temple was removed by the British in order to construct an Anglican Church. Situated amidst lush greenery and mountains, Madikeri Fort is a place where you can spend hours admiring the architecture and digging deeper into the relevant history.

Dubare Elephant Camp

Located on the banks of the Cauvery River, Dubare Elephant Camp is one of the best places to visit in Coorg in 2 days. The camp has plenty of elephants, allowing tourists to be close to them and spend some unforgettable moments with them. Earlier, elephants used to be trained for Mysore Dussehra at this place. However, now elephants are used for jungle safari. Tourists can give baths to elephants in the River Cauvery, feed sugarcane, coconuts, banana, ragi, and jaggery, and enjoy a 45 minutes elephant ride into the jungle.

Namdroling Monastery

Famous as the Golden Temple, the Namdroling Monastery is located at a distance of 34 km from the Coorg. Built by Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinpoche in 1963, the monastery has become the largest teaching centre in Mysore, where you can learn or understand every aspect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Monastery was built using Bamboo, provided by the Indian Government to the Tibetans. At present, the building has many auxiliary structures, including a hospital and educational institutions. The walls of the Monastery are adorned with striking paintings, illustrating the characters from Tibetan Buddhism. It is a calm place with the majestic sight of surrounding landscaped gardens.

Iruppu Falls

Also called Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, Iruppu Falls is a popular trekking site and a major sightseeing place in Coorg. It is a freshwater fall, gushing down the hills, attracting all nature and photography lovers. Located amidst the lush green forests of the Western Ghats, the Iruppu Falls represents an unmatched scenic beauty, enhancing the charm of Coorg. There is also a temple near the fall, visited by hundreds of devotees every day. With scenic surroundings and exotic wildlife in the vicinity, the Iruppu Falls makes a perfect retreat for nature lovers.

Omkareswara Temple

A famous Shiva temple, Omkareswara Temple, is amongst the most popular places to visit in Coorg. Built by Linga Rajendra in 1820, Omkareswara Temple has become one of the most important religious pilgrimages for Hindus. It is believed that the temple was constructed by King Lingarajendra to apologise for his violent deeds. The Shiva lingam placed here was brought from the holy town of Kashi and was named Omkareshwara. This beautiful temple was constructed in both Gothic and Islamic architecture, having a unique look and style. The walls of the Omkareswara temple are decorated with interesting paintings, and the window bars are made of Panchaloha. The history of the temple is engraved on a copper plate fixed at the entrance.

Mandalpatti View Point

Next on the list of the best places to visit in Coorg, Mandalpatti View Point offers a striking panoramic view of the surrounding city. Nestled at a height of 1,600 feet, Mandalpatti View Point is a part of the Pushpagiri reserve forest. This beautiful place is away from the hustle and bustle of the city and offers solitude and serenity. The best way to explore Mandalpatti is by having a jeep drive. You can also enjoy trekking to View Point, but you will need entrance tickets from the Mandalpatti authorities. With lush green surroundings and an abundance of natural beauty, Mandalpatti makes an ideal place to live for a variety of birds and animals. Visiting Mandalpatti's viewpoint is the best experience you will have in Coorg.

Honnamana Kere Lake

Located in Doddamalthe village, Honnamana Kere Lake is the biggest lake and among the must-visit places in Coorg. The lake provides tourists with great opportunities to enjoy breathtaking scenery and capture amazing photographs. The environment near Honnamana Kere Lake is serene and relaxing. There is a temple adjacent to the lake, dedicated to the Goddess Honnamma, who is believed to have sacrificed her life for the well-being of villagers. The lake is surrounded by lush coffee plantations and artificial caves. When visiting Coorg, this lake should be in your tour package.

While you can plan to experience the magical sights here in any season, the best time to visit Coorg is between February and June. To make your trip smooth and memorable, book a tour package that can help you explore the best of it.