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Coorg or Kodagu is a region where one can spend
days, months or years and still never tire of its startling beauty. I tend to
be partial, because my roots lie here. Though a week or fortnight would be the
ideal holiday duration to unravel Coorg’s mysteries at a comfortable pace, city-dwellers and office-goers opt for Coorg as a weekend getaway.
Personally, I would push for an extended weekend. While my
personal favourite spots tend to involve remote corners in
four-wheel drive terrains, the weekend traveler can capture
a taste of Coorg’s magic in a few easily accessible
must-dos.
Suggested itinerary for an Extended Weekend Holiday for a family:
Friday
– Have a quick breakfast/pack a hamper and set out from
Bangalore at dawn. Alternatively, have a bite at any of the
highway restaurants on SH-17 (Kamat Lokaruchi and Maddur
Tiffany’s are good stops). Reach Bylakuppe (230km) around
9:30 am and explore Karnataka’s Little Tibet. Don’t miss
Sera Je and the fabulous Golden Temple at Namdroling with
three gilded colossal statues. If you are lucky, you might
witness monks performing sacred rituals. Pick up colorful
Tibetan knick-knacks or bite into juicy momos at any
of the restaurants clustered near the Golden Temple and set
off again by 11 am towards Madikeri (Mercara). Try and stop
at Cauvery Nisargadhama, the charming eco-island near
Kushalnagar, for a dash of wildlife, birdwatching and a
glimpse of exotica at the Orchid Park. Head for Madikeri
(32 km) by noon and cool off at the beautiful Abbey Falls
before driving into Madikeri town. Enjoy a sumptuous fare
at East End Hotel and explore the Fort and Museum nearby or
drive out to the quiet site of Gaddige, the Royal Tombs
near Mahadevpet. If you feel like shopping in the afternoon
for spices, coffee and honey, the bazaar near the private
bus-stand is where you’ll find the best wholesale shops.
Make sure you leave the evening free to catch the sunset at
Raja’s Seat and visit the Omkareshwara temple (open after 5
pm). A Coorg homestay experience would be the ideal balm
for weary bones, but book in advance to enjoy the warm
hospitality with traditional cuisine or check into a
convenient hotel in Madikeri for an overnight halt.
Saturday
– Early birds can try to catch the spectacular sunrise at
Raja’s Seat. After breakfast and a sip of Coorg’s famous
coffee, head for Dubare (25 km) to meet the elephants. The
Elephant Interaction Program starts around 8.30 am and goes
on till noon. This is a great chance to get to know an
elephant better and romp in his giant bathtub – the Cauvery.
Return to Madikeri for lunch at your homestay or try a
hotel or multi-cuisine restaurant in town. In the
post-lunch session (around 1.30 pm) drive towards
Bhagamandala (36km) to see the Sangam or confluence of
rivers and marvelous architecture of the unique shrines of
Bhagandeshwara, Brahma and Vishnu. Make sure you leave soon
enough for the 8 km drive to Talacauvery, the source of the
holiest river in South India. Don’t forget to stop at the
3,700 ft-high viewpoint overlooking the lush valley and
Bhagamandala town, before going further up. Remember
Talacauvery closes by 6 pm and overnight stay is not
allowed. Ideally, leave Talacauvery by 4 pm so that you
reach Kakkabe (39 km) by early evening for a quick visit to
the Padi Igguthappa shrine, another renowned temple of the
Kodavas. Halt at a homestay in Kakkabe, preferably Palace
Estate or King’s Cottage, close to Nalaknad Palace.
Sunday
– Get up early for a peek into the historic Nalaknad
Palace, which is flanked by a Government primary school!
The more adventurous ones could do the two-to-three-hour
trek to Thadiyandamol (6 km), Coorg’s highest peak. It is
tiring but nothing compares to the feeling of being on top
of the world. If you are not up to it, visit the ancient
Nadikeriyanda ainmane at Karada (12 km) and the splendid
Chelavara Falls (10 km) in Cheyendane village. Return for
lunch at your homestay or alternately, set off to Virajpet
(24km) or enjoy the lunch option of a mouthwatering fare at
Chili’s Restaurant in town. A quick dekkho at the
old St Anne’s Cathedral and spin around the Clock Tower in
the heart of town will take you to the Virajpet-Gonikoppal
Road.
If you are in a hurry to return to
Bangalore, you can take the Gonikoppal Road from Virajpet.
If you have time (at least three to four hours), you could
check out the scenic Irupu Falls (48 km) and take the bumpy
14 km further into the Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole
Sanctuary) for some great wildlife viewing (Gates close by
5.30 pm and the 45-minute rough drive joins Hunsur-Bangalore
Road). Or, return to Gonikoppal from Nagarahole and take
the Tithimathi Road from where it’s a smooth ride back to
good ol’ Bengaluru.
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