Top Tourist Places to Visit near Coorg for a Memorable Vacation

Coorg, officially called Kodagu, is a popular travel destination in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. This quaint hill station is famous for its mystical hill, thick vegetation, and great tranquility. Popularly called the ‘Scotland of India’ and the Kashmir of South, Coorg attracts both nature and adventure lovers. Nestled in the majestic mountains of Pushpagiri, Coorg makes an ideal place for travellers to enjoy peace and serenity away from the crowd and noise of cities. From green landscapes to mystical mountain tops, spectacular waterfalls and royal forts and temples, Coorg has everything to soothe your senses. The entire region of Coorg is dotted with many famous tourist spots where you can find a perfect escape.

Best Tourist Places near Coorg

To help you plan an ideal vacation away from your busy city life, here is a list of some of the best places to visit near Coorg.

• Chiklihole Reservoir
• Raja’s Seat
• Iruppu Falls
• Omkareshwar Temple
• Abbey Falls
• Mandalpatti Peak
• Madikeri Fort
• Namdroling Monastery
• Honnamana Kere Lake
• Dubare Elephant Camp

Abbey Falls

Located 1 km from Madikeri town, Abbey or Abbi Falls is the highlight of Coorg. Set amidst the spice estates and aromatic coffee plantations, Abbey Falls is a popular picnic and adventure spot for tourists. Gushing down from the 70 feet high cliff, through the magnificent Western Ghats, with foggy clouds at the backdrop, the Abbey Falls creates a spectacular sight to behold. Also, there is a small temple situated near the bridge. Dedicated to the Goddess Kali, the temple is flocked by many tourists to seek Goddess’s blessings. One of the most beautiful Coorg sightseeing places, Abbey Falls, is a true delight of Coorg.

Omkareshwar Temple

Situated in Madikeri, Omkareshwar temple is a famous ancient shrine, attracting a large number of devotees and tourists regularly. The highlight of this temple is that it has unique architecture, combining both Gothic and Islamic styles, which is worth exploring. Built by King Lingarajendra II in the 18th Century, the Omkareshwar temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. It is said that King Lingarajendra II built this temple as an act of penance for killing a Brahmin. The Shiva lingam placed inside the temple was brought from the holy city of Kashi. The Omkareshwara Temple has a large and unique structure with a serene ambience.

Iruppu Falls

Next on the list of the best tourist places near Coorg, Iruppu Falls is known for its breathtaking beauty and thundering sound. This waterfall is a part of the Lakshmana Tirtha River - a tributary of the river Kaveri. Thus, this waterfall is also named Lakshmana Tirtha Falls. The clean and cold water of this gorgeous waterfall is said to be divine and possesses powers to cleanse the sins of the devotees. Falling from a height of 170 feet, Iruppu Falls is a favourite picnic spot for locals and tourists. For adventure lovers, there is a forest trail leading to Brahmagiri Peak.

Raja’s Seat

One of the most famous places to visit near Coorg, Raja’s Seat, is a culturally significant site for travellers in Coorg. Nestled on a hillock, Raja’s Seat used to be a favourite spot for leisure activities for the kings of this region. It is set in a garden of beautiful flowers, lush greenery, and musical fountain shows. It is a perfect spot to witness majestic sunrise and sunset in Coorg. The surrounding of Raja’s Seat is famous for having a unique charm and extremely beautiful view. One of the most beautiful places to visit near Madikeri, Raja’s Seat is the key sightseeing point for all nature and photography lovers.

Chiklihole Reservoir

Chiklihole or Chikli-holey is another attraction for tourists visiting Coorg. Located between Madikeri and Kushalnagar, the Chiklihole Reservoir is just 15 Km away from Madikeri, with Nanjarayapattana being the nearest town. One of the tributaries of the River Cauvery, Chiklihole Reservoir is a hidden or undiscovered beauty of Coorg. One of the best places to visit near Coorg, within 100 km, Chiklihole offers visitors peace and privacy compared to other tourist spots. The dense forest and the rich flora and fauna of Chiklihole Reservoir make it an ideal picnic spot and a paradise for photographers. The sunset view and majestic sight of surrounding landscaped gardens are really unforgettable from here.

Mandalpatti Peak

Perched at a height of 1,600 feet and 25- 30 km from Madikeri town, Mandalpatti Peak is a major attraction in Coorg. It is a part of the Pushpagiri Reserve forest, offering incredible views at sunrise and sunset. One of the best places to visit near Madikeri, Mandalpatti Peak is a unique attraction here in Coorg, overlooking the green land of forests in the Western Ghats. It is the perfect place to enjoy trekking, but you have to buy entrance tickets from the authorities at the base of Mandalpatti. Also, a great way to explore the striking beauty of this place is the thrilling Jeep drive.

Madikeri Fort

One of the most interesting places around Coorg, Madikeri Fort, is a 17th-century-old building representing a rich historical and cultural background. The fort has seen several battles and has gone through many renovations and changes. The fort was built in the 17th century, but Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, rebuilt it many times and named it Jaffarabad. However, Lingarajendra Wodeyar II, the last king of the Kodagu Realm, rebuilt it again. The next modifications were done by British Empire, which replaced the Virabhadra temple inside the fort with a church. Now, the church has been converted into a museum. A visit to this beautiful fort will take you back to the history.

Namdroling Monastery

One of the largest Tibetan structures in India, Namdroling Monastery, is spread over an area of 80 square feet. The structure of this Monastery was built using Bamboo, donated by the Indian Government to the Tibetan people in exile. Also famous as the Golden Temple, the Namdroling Monastery allows tourists to get a glimpse of Tibetan culture. One of the best places to visit near Coorg, Namdroling Monastery has a hospital and educational institutions to support more than 5000 members of the Sangha community. The highlight of this Monastery is the 40 feet tall golden Buddha statue.

Honnamana Kere Lake

One of the largest lakes in Coorg, Honnamana Kere Lake attracts tourists with stunning natural beauty and a serene environment. Located in Doddamalthe village at a distance of 46 km from Madikeri, Honnamana Kere Lake is surrounded by magnificent mountains, lush coffee plantations, and cliffs. The lake is named after Goddess Honnamana, who sacrificed her life for the safety and well-being of the people in the area. A temple is also located in the vicinity of the lake, where a special pooja is performed during the Gowri festival. It is amongst the most beautiful places near Coorg, where you can enjoy fishing and boating and lose yourself in the scenic beauty of the surreal surroundings.

Dubare Elephant Camp

One of the best places to visit near Coorg, within 100 km, the Dubare Elephant Camp is located at the riverbank of Cauvery. Once a camp of the Karnataka Forest Department, the Dubare camp is now operated by private players. This Elephant Camp allows visitors to know these giant and enthralling creatures better. The lush forest of Dubare is home to many birds and wild animals, including wild dogs, spotted deer, gaur, leopards, sambhar, and tigers. The Dubare Elephant Camp used to be a training site for elephants participating in the renowned Dasara procession in Mysore.

Coorg is home to many destinations you should visit at least once in your lifetime. To make your trip to these destinations simpler, you can pick one of the Coorg holiday packages from Veena World, as per your preference.