Experience the Glory of Scotland of India and the British Summer Capital in the heart of Coorg, Karnataka.

Summers in India are excruciatingly hot. With the unbearable heat of Summers, planning an escape to a cool, breezy Hill station seems like the best thing. But while Hill stations like Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Darjeeling, Shimla, and Manali are just too crowded to even think of, it can get difficult to find a calm getaway.

But today we bring you the perfect summer capital located in the heart of Karnataka- Coorg, also known as the Scotland of India. Coorg also known as Kodagu was earlier the summer capital for East India Company officers and hence you can find a lot of British Colonial Era Architecture around the region. With Cottages and Mansions made using Wood that sit beautifully between the Coffee plantations of the region, this beautiful hill station makes you consider having a weekend home that you can call yours here.

Also, the Northern Hill Stations captivate travelers with the snow-clad mountains. And Southern Hill stations like Madikeri and Coorg have the natural charm of dense tall tree forests, waterfalls, and so much more.

Let us have a look at places you must visit on your next expedition to Coorg

Abbey Falls

Abbey Falls is a must-visit destination at a distance of 8kms from Madikeri. This waterfall is tucked away between the dense forests and coffee plantations. Although it is a tourist attraction the falls are inclusive of the surrounding land that is privately owned by Mr. Neravanda B. Nanaiah for spice and coffee plantations which are still very evident here. The falls are a bit difficult to access but are worth the hassle. A hanging bridge right across the falls has been built to experience the beauty of the falls. In fact, during monsoons, the bridge is closed and travelers are not permitted to use it due to the water level.

Bylakuppe Town and Monasteries

This small town in Kodagu district is the second-largest Tibetan settlement in India after Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. With a handful of beautiful serene Buddhist monasteries, Bylakuppe is one of the most tranquil towns in the region. In addition, the Government of India had allotted 3000 acres of land to Tibetan refugees. Provided facilities like free education, health care, and opportunities to study abroad. This land today is Bylakuppe- the Buddhist Tibetan townhome to Tibetan refugees.

Raja’s Seat and Garden, Madikeri

If you are looking for a bird’s eye view of Coorg, a seat fit for the Kings is all that you need. And in true blue royalty, the King of Coorg decided to have a garden made with the beautiful backdrop of Coorg city. Back then the King would often come here and enjoy the sunset with the scenic beauty of the mountains. Moreover, the Garden is open for locals and tourists to visit from Monday to Sunday. The entry fee is merely Rs 5 for the gardens and kids can also enjoy the train at Rs 20.

Mallalli Falls

Mallalli Falls is located in the Northern part of the Kodagu District of Karnataka. The Kumaradhara River is the main source of this waterfall and these falls are the hidden gem of Coorg.

How to reach Coorg?

• By Air: The closest international and Domestic Airports are the Mangalore and Mysore Airports respectively. But the journey there takes a while and takes about 140 and 120 km respectively.
• By Rail: you can take a train to Mysore or Bangalore with Mysore being the closest at a distance of 120 km. Further, you would have to take the road.
• By Road: Coorg is well connected by road and by taking a flight or train to the above-mentioned routes, you can take up a 4-5 hour journey to reach Coorg.

Best time to visit Coorg: October to March to enjoy the pleasant cool climate in winters.

Hence, to wake up to the beautiful coffee plantations of Coorg, and to go pluck some coffee beans in the backyard of wooden cabins and cottages is an experience that you can only witness and feel by being present in the valleys and mountains of Coorg.

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