Karnataka · India
Coorg (Madikeri)
The 'Scotland of India' — a misty highland of coffee estates, spice plantations, waterfalls and the proud Kodava culture, centred on the town of Madikeri.
Coorg (Kodagu) is coffee country and the homeland of the martial Kodava people, with their distinctive kupya-chele robes, pandi curry and monsoon-green hills.
Plan your trip
Coorg (Madikeri) Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Coorg (Madikeri) Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Abbey Falls
- Best timeMorning, before the crowds arrive and while the light on the spray is soft; September to November for the fullest flow.
- ColorsWhiteRustEmerald
Medium crowdEntry Nominal + activities
Dubare Elephant Camp
- Best timeMorning, when the elephants are out by the river and the light on the water is soft.
- ColorsKhakiWhiteForest green
Low crowdEntry Free
Madikeri Fort
- Best timeLate afternoon, when warm light falls on the stone elephants and the palace walls.
- ColorsCreamMaroonIndigo
Medium crowdEntry Free
Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple)
- Best timeMorning, when the courtyard is quiet and soft light falls on the gold roof of the temple.
- ColorsMaroonGoldWhite
High crowdEntry Nominal
Raja's Seat
- Best timeSunset, when the sun drops behind the western hills; early morning in winter, when mist fills the valleys below.
- ColorsCoralWhiteTeal
For the feed
Trending Wear in Coorg (Madikeri)
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Coorg (Madikeri) Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Before you go
Temples in Coorg (Madikeri)
Darshan hours, dress codes and what gets refused at the gate
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Coorg (Madikeri)
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Coorg (Madikeri)
About Coorg
Coorg is the old English name for Kodagu, a hilly district in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, and Madikeri is its main town. Madikeri sits at about 1,150 m, and the land around it is covered in coffee estates, pepper vines, cardamom and thick forest. Kodagu is also the home of the Kodava people, with their own language, dress, festivals and food, which is why Coorg feels quite different from the rest of Karnataka.
Madikeri itself is small and easy to cover in a day: the fort and its museum, the Omkareshwara Temple and sunset at Raja's Seat. Abbey Falls is a short drive out of town, while Dubare Elephant Camp and the Tibetan Golden Temple at Bylakuppe lie to the east, near Kushalnagar. Leave time for a coffee estate walk, a plate of pandi curry with kadumbuttu, and a cup of Coorg coffee close to where it was grown.
Questions
Coorg (Madikeri) — FAQ
What is Coorg famous for?
Coorg is famous for its coffee estates, misty hills, Abbey Falls, Raja's Seat and the Kodava culture of Kodagu. It is also known for pandi curry, Coorg coffee and spices such as pepper and cardamom, and for Talakaveri, where the River Kaveri begins.
How many days are enough for Coorg?
2–3 days is a good length. Spend one day in and around Madikeri, one day on the Kushalnagar side for Dubare and the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe, and add a third for Talakaveri, a trek or a slow day on a coffee estate.
What is the best time to visit Coorg?
October to March is the best time, with cool, dry days and clear views. April and May are warmer, and June to September brings very heavy rain and a risk of landslides. See the best time to visit Coorg for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Coorg?
Kodagu has no railway station or airport. Madikeri is about 120 km by road from Mysuru, the nearest big railway station, and about 250–270 km from Bengaluru. The nearest airports are Kannur (about 90 km) and Mangaluru (about 135 km). Buses and taxis run to Madikeri from all of these.
Is Coorg the same as Madikeri?
Not quite. Coorg is the whole district of Kodagu, while Madikeri (also called Mercara) is its main town. Many places people call Coorg, such as Dubare, Bylakuppe and Talakaveri, are 30–45 km away from Madikeri, so plan your base around what you want to see.