Holidays in India - Vacation at Coorg
Travel to India - Holiday in Coorg
Floating among the clouds and atop the mountain ridges is the beautiful land of Coorg in the state of Karnataka. Coorg or Kodagu is known for its beauty and temperate climate. Coorg is the “Coffee Cup of India” the “Honey Pot of the South” and the ‘spice bowl ofIndia’. This emerald valley, surrounded on all sides by densely forested hilly terrain, is almost unspoilt and largely untouched. It is, quite literally, “Heaven on Earth”. It is also called the Scotland of the East. Just driving down the slopes from one place to another is a treat to any nature lover. The winding roads, scooped out of the hills, covered with ferns and flowers of different hues, shapes and sizes are indeed a treat to the senses as you drive along. All you need to do is relax, put on your seat-belts and take a deep drink of the beauty around you.
Where to go in Coorg - A drive through nature's splendor
Bangalore is the biggest international airport closest to Coorg. As you drive from Bangalore to Coorg, you could make Kushalnagar your first stop. Here, there are beautiful resorts, moderately priced cottages and facilities that you can live with. Within 12 kilometres of Kushalnagar, you have beautiful places to trek/hike around and see. The Cauvery Nisgardhama (a beautiful island ) is a scenic spot thickly forested with bamboo, teak and sandal wood trees. If you are a nature lover, this is a place to be, especially in the mornings, when you can hear the birds, the sound of water lapping on the rocks, the trumpeting of elephants and feel the peace and cool of the morning. If you don’t like crowds, then get there as early as you possibly can. You could also stay here in the cottages maintained by the state. You would usually find a spot of the river to yourself, if you manage to walk along the natural rocky path. An elephant ride is another experience to savour and enjoy. Perched atop an elephant, you would feel like a boat being rocked and tossed around by the waves and this is something that you have to experience and enjoy.
Adventure, activities and fun at Coorg
The Dubare forest a 7km drive or trek from the city is well worth visiting. There is a scenic spot of the river that spreads across not too widely allowing you to walk across it on the naturally stony path when the river is not in full spate. Don’t panic if you can’t, you can get yourself a boat ride to the other end where you can watch elephants having a bath and if you want to help scrub him down you are welcome. This is a lovely picnic spot if you care to get yourself a hat and some sun protection cream. Rafting is something you can do here to enjoy your day. Here also you could get an elephant ride but a very short one. This is an elephant training camp and you would see a number of elephants here.
Coorg - Places to see and things to do
There is a little reservoir near the Dubare forest, a quiet place not visited by many and a lovely place to trek and catch up on some well needed exercise during your holiday. Agreat place to watch the sunrise or sunset from if you are in Kushalnagar. The Buddhist monastery is a beautiful and restful place worth visiting. Bylakuppeis a Tibetan refuge camp and you would find monks in red all over the city ofKushalnagar. Don’t be surprised to see them on bikes and wearing stylish Raybann glasses. If you are interested in customs and religious traditions you may enjoy your visit here. The Golden Temple in all it splendour with a sixty foot Buddha statue plated in gold is a great attraction here. The architecture of this place is worth taking a look at. If you have had a fill of this place I would suggest that you drive up to Madikere the second spot on your map.
Coorg the abode of Gods - walk among the clouds at Madikeri
The drive to Madikeri is beautiful, it is 3781 ft. above sea level. Have your cameras ready for you may want to take home some pictures of the lovely drive. As you climb higher up the hills you would find the temperature dropping and becoming very pleasant. The Raja’s seat is a place to watch the sunset from. You would get a lovely view of the valley and the route that you took to come here. You would also walk among the clouds if you wait for a few minutes after sunset. Within minutes you would be covered by the mist and clouds and you would inhale the pure rarefied mountain air.
Drive into nature lap of luxury at Coorg
A drive to Tala Cauvery and Bhagamandala would make a huge difference if you are on a pilgrimage, these are places of worship. If you are a nature lover and don’t mind the drive this is paradise, just for the view that you get from top the hill which is the source of the river Cauvery. It was a moment of awe and wonder to watch the splendour of creation and the peace that comes from it all. As I stood in awe of the creator, I realized this is not just beautiful place but oneness with the creator and this is something that would take another life time to forget. The view of the mountains and the thick vegetation and the gossamer clouds hanging as veils and decoration among them is a sight that makes this trip worth it all.
The Abby Falls at Coorg
The Abby falls the beautiful landmark of Madikeri is a sight to be seen and savoured. Unfortunately for me that when I visited the falls it was so noisy and crowded because there was a Hindi film shooting going on, I am not a great movie buff and was not happy with my surroundings. I would like to go there quiet early in the morning and spend time enrapt in the beauty and splendour of the fall listening to the sights and sounds of the water rushing and falling against the rocks. It would be another memorable experience that I am sure to make it mine in the near future.
A Drive of another 70 km would take you to the Nagarhole wild life sanctuary, a wonderful place for those of us who love nature and relax in her lap of comfort. The jungle resorts and cottages here are could make you stay comfortable. Sighting the animals on treks and rides would be a fantasy come true. I would not miss visiting Nagerhole for anything in the world
Hotels stay at Coorg - my recommendation
Hotels rooms are not too pricey, it is what you would pay at any tourist spot inIndia. The food here is very good, not too spicy neither is it too bland. You could get almost any kind of food here even for those that cannot eat spicy food. It is better to stay in a coffee plantation that offers homestay facilities or at a resort a little away from the hustle and bustle of the town. If you decide to stay in the city you may find that your mornings and nights are not as peaceful as they should be. So now you know my recommendation. The orange county resorts offer excellent facilities that you may want to look at, of course at a price.
On the whole if you are in India as a tourist or an Indian, visiting places, Coorg is the place to be. It is called the abode of God’s and it is indeed worthy of its name. Come to Coorg and I am sure you will carry an experience and memories that you will cherish for a long time to come. I wish you a happy and enjoyable holiday at Coorg. Make time to savour life the Natures way.
