Are you planning a trip to Coorg? Read our guide to find out the best things to do in Coorg, India.
Relaxing nature, adoring wildlife, prolific landscapes, and tranquillizing coffee – everything defines the mystical land of Coorg. Coorg boasts a perfect blend of rich history, culture, Indian traditions, adventure, and lip-smacking cuisine, popularly coined as the’ Scotland of India‘. More than everything else, it’s known for its breath-taking scenery and luxury.
Coorg is a perfect destination for you to introduce yourself to the South Indian heritage. The city packs terrific things for you to discover, tons of attractions, experiential activities and historical tours – that one could spend an entire week in Coorg venturing its places. Coorg is a destination for everyone who loves exploring with so much to see and do!
Whether you’re a foodie, an adrenaline enthusiast, an explorer or a hiker – Coorg has everything to offer with its evergreen tourism. There’s a place for everyone to seek comfort and relax in the alluring beauty of its scenic landscapes.
Furthermore, Coorg is a perfect weekend getaway destination for Indians. Many locals in Mumbai, Goa, and Bangalore often plan their long-weekend trips to Coorg in advance. Its adventurers’ activities like camping, quad biking, trekking, and white water rafting make it perfect for tourists to create a memorable experience.
So if you’re planning a trip to Coorg and don’t know where to start? We got you covered!
In this guide, we’ve curated a detailed list of all the things you can do in Coorg! We’ve created a separate list for all adventure enthusiasts to try out thrilling activities along with family-friendly activities.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Best Things to Do in Coorg, India
Visit the Namdroling Monastery
One of the best things to do in Coorg is to visit the iconic spiritual centre of Namdroling Monastery. Based at a short distance of 34km from the city centre of Coorg, Namdroling has played a significant role in enriching the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Moreover, Coorg is the only place in the Southern portion of India to house a Tibetan settlement.
Namdroling Monastery is also known by its other name – the Golden Temple of South. Its grandeur display of architecture is simply spectacular, just like its spiritual vibes inside the institute. During your tour, you’ll marvel at all the intricate designs & finer details sculped within the monastery’s walls. There are even beautiful murals displayed to add to your visiting experience.
Starting your Coorg tour in South India is probably the best way to introduce local customs and traditional practices. Every day, thousands of visitors enter the monastery to meditate & seek their inner peace. They even have annual retreats & religious shows to entice tourists with their overall spiritual experience.
Timings for Namdroling Monastery: 9 am to 6 pm
Cost: Free Entry
Where is it located: Arlikumari, P.O. Bylakuppe
Marvel at the Beauty of Abbey Falls
Coorg is a paradisical site to gaze at stunning waterfalls. During the monsoon season (June to September), the viewing experience of Coorg’s waterfalls backed by gloomy, overcast weather is simply incredible. Its picturesque scenes are one of the things that pull visitors to view Coorg’s mighty waterfalls. But, amongst all, Abbey Falls is one such attraction that will mesmerize you.
Abbey Falls, backed by the serene display of Western Ghats, is surrounded by lush green forests and fantastic scenery. The sheer drop of the water, falling from a height of 70-ft above, creates a visualizing scene for tourists to awe at. Moreover, its hanging bridges, hiking trails, and beautiful paths make an excellent visiting tour for travellers to come by and watch the falls.
Likewise, Abbey Falls is situated amidst a scenic coffee plantation area, and the region’s dense forests make it worthwhile for your Instagram snaps & stories. For all adrenaline junkies, Abbey Falls is even a greater exploration site to hike, trek, and rappel its mountains.
Overall, visiting and experiencing Abbey’s peaceful tranquillity is one of the best things to do in Coorg.
Cost: The entry fee is INR 15, and the Parking Fee is INR 10-15
Where is it located: Madikeri, Karnataka 571201
Indulge the South Indian Cuisine in Coorg
Love Indian cuisine? Coorg is one of the must-visit places in India to try out delicious South Indian food. The culinary flavours of its rich spices & condiments, backed with modern gastronomy foods, make a deadly combo to relish a sinful appetite.
The locals of Coorg, the Kodavas, have greatly influenced the styles & habits of the region’s culinary history. These Kodavas were highly indulged in their primary occupation of agriculture, which has introduced many traditional flavours to the modern world.
So if you’re in Coorg, here’s what you should look to try out –
Pandhi Curry – Kondavas are really proud of their local staple – the Pandhi Curry. It is Coorg’s emblematic dish, boasting rich flavours and highly infused spices. The primary ingredient is pork, which is nicely blended into the sour curry of pandi. The other elements that give an impactful taste include kachampuli, black pepper, and home-grown condiments. It’s usually served with rotis and kadambuttu (rice dumplings).
Bamboo Shoot Curry – Apart from the Pandhir Curry, you should also try out the famous Bamboo (Baimbale) Shoot Curry in Coorg. Recognized during the monsoons, the curry is a speciality dish of Coorg consisting of red chillies, coconut extracts, mustard, and garlic. The hot tangy taste of the curry clubbed with akki otti is simply flavoursome.
Kadumbuttu – This is a famous local dish in Coorg. Also known as the steam rice dumpling – Kadumbuttu is prepared for all celebrated occasions & festivals in South India. It’s a homely dish that can be tried and eaten anytime. It’s mostly served with the Bamboo Shoot Curry and Pandhi Curry in Coorg.
Recommended: Get to know the South Indian food closely! Read this guide to understand Coorg’s food history, local staples, and modern culinary tales.
Take a Coffee Plantation Tour
The coffee plantation tour is one of the best things to do in Coorg. The majority of the Coorg’s area is occupied by coffee plantations, featuring dense forests, sparkling rivers, mountain streams, and impressive waterfalls. A visit to these plantations will enrich your soul and soothe it with delicious coffee!
In Coorg, many of the private estate owners and plantation houses offer guided tours for you to explore the region. Most of these excursions are in-depth, making you learn the entire coffee cycle production. On your visit, know how the coffee beans are extracted, how it is further filtered, and then put into the final stage – and then try out amazing coffees right in the lush green farm fields.
Moreover, this coffee plantation tour also offers walking experiences on spice trails.
Explore the Dubare Elephant Camp
Nestled across the banks of Cauvery, the Dubare Elephant Camp in Coorg houses several elephants, giving you the perfect opportunity to get up close and spend some time. It’s definitely one of the fun activities in Coorg – where you can feed, bathe, play and ride elephants.
The Dubare Elephant Camp offers both – day trips & overnight stays. There are beautiful cottages inside the camp to relax and spend time amongst these giant creatures. Moreover, you can enjoy jeep safaris, campfires, walking trails, and more with overnight stay packages.
For detailed cottage pricing, check this guide.
Cost: For Indians, the entry fee is INR 800, and for foreigners, it is INR 1437. The package includes a full-day trip, fun activities with elephants, welcome drinks, and a lunch.
Where is it located: Kushalanagar, Nanjarayapatna.
Recommended: Planning to stay in Coorg? Check these categories to find out the best accommodation deals in Coorg.
Half-Day Excursion to Virajpet
Coorg is a gorgeous incomparable town to unwind and explore many attractions. However, if you love venturing offbeat, Virajpet is your destination. The city is best known for its day trips, boasting amazing road trip scenes and the natural environment.
Virajpet is a 22km drive away from Coorg, and the best way to visit this town is to take a half-day trip early in the morning. Its main highlight is its scenic nature trails, best fitted for all adventure lovers and easy-goers. You can even bike around the area to explore Virajpet’s surroundings, including the Siddapura area and the beautiful Permabady lake.
If you’re travelling to Coorg in monsoon, especially in August – taking a short drive to Virajpet will be an unforgettable memory! The zig-zag roads make your exploration worthwhile, backed with stunning waterfalls streaming down the mountains. Its natural settings and stunning backdrops will remind you why Coorg is one of the best vacation spots in India.
Visit Madikeri Fort
Madikeri Fort is one of the primary attractions of Coorg. Its evergreen history, eventful timelines, and glorious past rulers make it enjoyable for all history buffs to come and experience the fort’s stunning setting. Mudduraja constructed it in the late 17th-century era, and it was later re-innovated and designed by Tipu Sultan and the Britishers.
Madikeri Fort comprises a church and a museum within its premises, and it also has a museum and a library used by avid readers during the sultanate era. You’ll also find many exhibits within the fort featuring weaponry and artefacts built and operated by Tipu Sultan.
We highly recommend taking a tour of the Madikeri Fort, as it’s one of the best things to do in Coorg with family.
Witness Sunsets at Raja’s Seat
Love admiring sunsets? Head to Raja’s Seat – a beautiful outdoor garden located amidst dense forests to watch spectacular sunsets. It’s one of the top things to do in Coorg, especially for families travelling with children.
Raja’s Seat offers commanding views of the surrounding mountains. Usually, people hike the place and then traverse across the area to venture to nearby attractions. Overall, it’s a great destination to relax and soak in the tranquil aura of Coorg.
Timings for Raja’s Seat: 5.30 am to 8 pm
Cost: INR 5 for entry, INR 20 for Toy Train Ride, and INR 40 for parking.
Where is it located: Stuart Hill, Madikeri, 571201
Spend Time at Cauvery Nisargadhama
Escaping the city’s bustle always seems like an exciting thing to do. One place that wins everyone’s attention – is the Nisargadhama Ecological Park. Nestled between rolling landscapes and a peaceful Kaveri River – the place is filled with bamboo groves, sandalwood trees, and abundant flora & fauna.
Upon your arrival in Nisargadhama, you’ll see a hanging rope bridge – which acts as the main gateway to enter the ecological park. As you tour around, expect to see many wildlife species such as peacocks, deers, rabbits, and elephants. Even an orchidarium displays a wide range of blooming orchid species.
The Kaveri River surrounding the Nisargadhama Ecological Park offers boating trip adventures. Along with a boat ride, expect to enjoy other sight-seeing activities, including bird watching, elephant riding, and walking trails.
Best Adventure Activities in Coorg
While Coorg promotes itself as a family-friendly location for tourists, there’s no shortage of exploring adrenaline activities. Apart from the ones listed above, here’s a list of all adventure activities in Coorg –
Go Trekking in Coorg
Coorg is endowed with jarring backdrops and exceptional views of the Western Ghats. The landscape’s vastness and natural reserves make it perfect for all hikers & trekkers to explore its unspoiled paths. Moreover, this is an ideal chance for you to get away from the crowd and witness Coorg’s startling viewpoints uniquely.
From coffee and tea plantations to rolling hills and national parks – the trekking paths in Coorg have been beautifully carved to make you experience its glorious gems. Most of the tracks are curated to lead you to Coorg’s famous attractions, including Nagarhole National Park, Kumara Parvatha, Iruppu Falls, and Abbey Falls.
Most of the trails in Coorg are flat-surfaced, making them accessible for beginners to walk upon. Some paths may require certain fitness levels, but that’s pretty normal and can be quickly done with regular breaks.
Here’s a list of a few trekking places in Coorg –
Pushpagiri Trek – Best known for fabulous views of the Ghats
Brahmagiri Hills Trek – Best visited during the monsoon season in India
Chomakund Trek – A trek amidst the natural reserves
Iruppu Falls Trek – Known for the gorgeous Iruppu waterfalls
Experience River Rafting in Barapole
Exploration in Coorg is not only limited to its mountain ranges and valleys, but also its rivers where you can enjoy endless water sports. One of the must-do activities in Coorg is whitewater rafting in the Barapole River, and it’s the most under-rated activity and the most enjoyable to try in Coorg.
All age groups can do rafting at Barapole. The grades range from I to V offering easy options to beginners and adventure enthusiasts. Moreover, the best time to enjoy river rafting in Coorg is between July and September. The gushing waters during the monsoon period can offer you the ultimate experience of rafting.
Travel Tip: The average cost of whitewater rafting in Coorg ranges between INR 1000 – INR 2000. Some private tour operators might charge more depending on the seasons & its availability. The standard package offered by the Karnataka State is approx INR 1200.
Go Camping in the Wild
Camping under the star-studded sky is one of the unique things to do in Coorg at night. It’s an incredible experience for travellers who want to enjoy a calmer environment amidst the natural forests of the city. Furthermore, the vastness of the Western Ghats makes Coorg a particular spot to hike and camp.
Over the past few years, Coorg has gained immense popularity for its campsites. Many local operators promote their campsite area to entice tourists. Plus, we would highly recommend taking an entire day off to enjoy the camping experience in the city. Madikeri and Kushalnagar are the two most popular camping sites in Coorg.
Cost: On average, the price for camping in Coorg is INR 1800 onwards.
Go Fishing at the Kaveri River
Home to plenty of fresh lakes and rivers, Coorg is an excellent place for fishing. Many enthusiasts come down to the Kaveri River to try their luck catching local fish. The rivers streaming down from the mountain ranges also offers abundant food for the fishes to strive in the local lakes. Moreover, the rainy season turns fishing into one of the best monsoon activities in Coorg.
Take a Jeep Safari in Coorg
Hiking through the valleys of Coorg is one of the best experiences, but taking a jeep safari to explore its landscapes is something offbeat. The 4WD safari can take you to unimaginable places that will only elevate your viewing experience.
Furthermore, jeep safaris are probably the best transport mode to enter the deep jungles of the Western Ghats. With the help of an expert guide, you’ll even learn more about forest conservation, its importance, and its challenges.
Top Jeep Safaris in Coorg –
Kabbe Hills – Known for gorgeous hill views
Nishani Hills, Madhanad – Famous for off-beaten roads
Mallali – Scenic route offering views of the famous Mallali Waterfalls
Go Quad-Biking in Coorg
Quad biking is one of the adventurous things to do in Coorg. The trails are pretty rugged and natural, offering the best tour experience in Coorg. Also, the steep slopes of the terrain make it more thrilling for quad bikes.
If you haven’t done this activity before, do not fret! You don’t require any special off-roading experience to quad bike on the rugged terrain. The bikes provided by the tour operator are fully automatic, thus making it easy for beginner-level skills.
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