Coorg

Coorg. Abhinandan Chaudhry.

Intro. Wake up to the smell of tranquilizing coffee, and enjoy the scenic beauty of this misty land of hills and streams. Popularly known as the Scotland of India, Coorg lives up to its name with luring amalgamation of history, luxury, adventure, mouth-watering cuisine. Located along the western ghats, this famous coffee-producing hill station is well-known for its jaw-dropping ravishing scenery and luxuriousness..

History. History of the destination named Coorg is as majestic as its attractions. Actually, the history chapters of Coorg began from the 9 th and 10 th century and prior to that, there are no reliable records of its history. It was only after 11 th century that the actual records came in front and as per those, the rule of the region was under the control of Hoysalas and then after Cholas ruled over Coorg and it continues till 14 th century. After that, Coorg came under the empire of Vijaynagara. During 15 th century, the Coorg was under the Lingayat Rajas and they used to set their capital at Madikeri, one of the main districts of Coorg region and they constructed their fort named Madikeri Fort with the help of mud only. Later on, during the 17 th century, the Wodeyars became the rulers of Coorg. Mysore's ruler Hyder Ali had tried a lot to captivate Coorg but unfortunately, he never got success during his ruling period. After the demise of Linga Raja, Hyder Ali got an opportunity to capture the Coorg. History of Coorg not ends here as in 1782, the people of Coorg fought against the Muslim empire and fortunately, they got success and declared as an Independent region. But in 1834, the British rule again captured the region and it became the part of Karnataka state, only after Independence of India, in 1956..

How to reach Coorg. By Air: Coorg doesn’t have an airport of its own yet flying down is the most convenient and the fastest way to reach the hill station, if you are coming from far. Depending on which part of the country you are traveling from will decide the most convenient airport for you. The closest international one is Mangalore International Airport, sitting at a distance of just 140 kms from Coorg city centre. For domestic flights, the nearest one is at Mysore, 120 kms from Coorg. The most well-connected airport near Coorg, however, is the Bangalore International Airport, albeit 286 kms away. Mangalore Airport services the Middle East sector and has flights coming in from all major destinations in that region. Bangalore Airport is a hub for most domestic and international airlines. Whichever part of the world that you are flying in from, there’s a flight that will bring you to Bangalore. Whether you alight at Mangalore or Bangalore, once at the airport, you can hire a cab or hop onto any of the state-owned or private luxury buses that ply between these two cities and Coorg. Do note, August-September is the rainy season, and heavy downpour can delay or lead to cancellation of flights, especially at Mangalore Airport..

By Rail Just like the missing airport, Coorg does not have a railway station of its own. However, if you like train journeys and want to take your time getting to Coorg by train, there are a few options. You can take a train till the neighboring cities of Mysore or Bangalore, both of which are well-connected to nearly all corners of India by train. Between the two, Mysore is closer at just 120 kms away from Coorg. Since many tourists wishing to visit Coorg alight at these railway stations, continuing in your onward journey will never be a problem. Hire a private taxi or hop aboard any of the state-run or private buses that connect these cities to Coorg. opt for a registered taxi service and ensure that you are clear about the fare cost to avoid getting duped. If you plan your vacation during the holiday season and wish to take the train to Mysore or Bangalore, do book your tickets well in advance. You can visit the Indian Railway official website or go to any Indian Railway booking counter at a railway station to book your tickets. Remember, you can board the train only with a confirmed reservation..

How to Reach Coorg by Road Whether you come by flight or decide to take the train, the last leg of the journey to Coorg is by road. And what a spectacular journey that is! The 4-5 hours that you will take to reach Coorg promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience. The entire route as you head towards Coorg is replete with stunning landscapes, verdant mountains and unbelievable weather. The road winds its way through the hills and can get steep and bit rough in certain patches. Nothing that a seasoned traveller should be too worried about. If you are traveling from any of the nearby places such as Ooty, Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore or Coimbatore, the road trip is enjoyable as it is short enough to not become too tiring and yet allows you to enjoy the journey without dozing off. Mysore and Coorg : 107 kilometers Ooty and Coorg : 236 kilometers Mangalore and Coorg : 138 kilometers Bangalore and Coorg : 265 kilometers Coonoor to Coorg : 267 kilometers If you’ve travelled by train or flown in to either of the nearby airports, you will need to hire a taxi or book a seat on the state-owned or private luxury buses. Travel only with a registered taxi service and agree on the fare before you leave to avoid getting taken for a ride. The journey will take you 4-5 hours. Bus tickets are not very expensive. In fact, some buses do not need prior booking but some private busses might require it..

Transportation In Coorg. Coorg is a hill station with limited means of travel than most tourist destinations. Having said that, it is not difficult to move about the place and there are several local transport options for you to choose from depending on your budget and needs. From buses, auto rickshaws and shared taxis, to a private cab or even a bike, you will have many avenues of commute within Coorg. Bus : A bus is perhaps the most convenient and cheapest way to move about Coorg, especially if you are traveling long distances. You can choose between state-run government buses or book a seat in a private bus. The state-run buses have fixed routes and mainly operate between main towns or villages, while private buses can take you to literally any corner of Coorg. Taxi/Cab : If you are traveling as a family or with friends, you can hire a taxi to take you around Coorg. It is a convenient way that gives you complete control over your itinerary. Since Coorg is a tourist destination, you will find a taxi stand easily around your hotel. Alternatively, you can ask your hotel to book you one as well. Discuss your complete schedule and arrive at a good deal before booking the taxi. You are allowed to bargain, and in fact, the taxi driver will expect you to haggle a bit. Auto Rickshaw : You can hire an auto rickshaw to cover shorter distances within Coorg. This is the cheapest means of transport in Coorg and you will find one readily available almost everywhere. Bus stands, main junctions, popular eateries and shopping districts will always have several auto rickshaws milling about. Check the price and haggle before you hop into one..

Bikes : If you are confident about your bike-riding skills, this is a fantastic way to explore all the districts of Coorg. Coorg has several bike rental services that will be more than happy to give you a bike on hire. Scooters go for Rs 500-600 a day, while bikes will cost you 1000-1200 for a day. You need to have a valid licensee although some rental guys will give them to you if you are confident about riding a bike. Remember, a holiday in a new destination, especially one with a hilly terrain like Coorg is not the place for you to start getting bike riding lessons. Walking : Coorg has a lovely, quaint, small-town feel to it. And the best way to really enjoy the beautiful hill station is to see it on foot. Pack along a pair of sturdy walking shoes and you are set to go. Arm yourself with a map or just let your feet decide where you wish to go next. Mobile connectivity can be a little spotty and not all parts of Coorg are populated with people. Choose your walking track carefully and also do not venture outside city limits after dark..

Activities for Adventure Enthusiasts. Assorted items on a floor.

Trekking – On The Gorgeous Routes. The verdant Western Ghats dot Coorg offering ample opportunities for hiking and trekking. Some of these treks include Tadiandamol , Kodachadri , Kumara Parvatha, Mullayanagiri , and Brahmagiri . Trekking is ideal during winters when the forests are dry but green, which is why it features among the best activities in December. Location: Western Ghats Average cost: Varies for different treks Famous For: Stargazing.

Camping – Riverside And Jungles. Camping in Coorg has become popular over the past few years with several campsites to choose from. In fact, with a camping trip, you don’t have to worry about what to do in Coorg. You can simply pick, book, and relax in your tent with a cup of coffee during the day and count the stars at night! Stargazing is one of the best things to do in Coorg at night. Location : Coorg Average cost : INR 2000 onwards Famous For : Stargazing.

Kaveri River – Go Fishing. Coorg has many lakes and rivers. In fact, the river Kaveri originates at Talacauvery near Madikeri and is rich in aquatic life and ideal for fishing. Angling and fishing are some of the most popular things to do in Coorg. The rivers abundant with food for these fish during monsoons turn fishing into one of the best June activities in Coorg. It is also one of the best places to visit in the month of May. Location : Kaveri Average cost : INR 1500 onwards Famous For : Fishing tours.

Barapole – Enjoy River Rafting. One of the most underrated activities to do in Coorg is river rafting. Coorg is in fact a great place for whitewater rafting, especially during the monsoons. The Barapole river has grades ranging from I to V offering the ultimate adventure experience to travelers. River rafting in Coorg is one activitiy that you must add to your list of things to do in Coorg in August. Location : Virajpet Taluk Average cost : INR 1200 per person Famous For : White-water rafting.

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