Got Coorged

Get Coorged. One of the best places to take a road trip to. We started early morning from Bengaluru for our destination Madikeri, the district center of Coorg(Kodagu district). Instead of taking the popular NH 275 via Mysore, we took the NH 48 route, and we were left mesmerized by the landscape through out the journey. Coorg is truly a gift of river Kaveri. The breathtaking river and the fertile landscape it creates is mesmerizing.

On the way we stopped at a highway restaurant called Golden Breeze for refreshing cup of coffee and sumptuous breakfast. This is an apt place for taking a break if you are travelling with kids as it offers a play area for the kids.

The NH 48 highway is delight to drive on. We found several places where the river Kaveri created a surreal landscape. On way we took many stops to enjoy the abundance of nature and magnificent vistas of green all around.

We reached Madikeri in the evening. The Dussehra festival celebration was on and all the temples in the town were decorated beautifully. We planed to spend out time at Raja's seat and enjoy the sunset. However due to cloud we couldn't really see the sun set. The hues of sun setting painted the sky in beautiful colors.

Next day we started out for Dubare Elephant Camp. Once again we didn't take the popular route NH 275, instead we took the Chettalli Rd. This route has the famous Tata Coffee plantation and offers great drive. On way we found waterfalls and plantation with literally zero tourist to bother us.

Dubare elephant camp is a wonderful initiative by the government to allow nature lovers get up close and personal with the Elephants. If you get there in the morning you can give a bath to the gentle giants and enjoy the pristine beauty of the place created by River Kaveri. You can take boat ride to the camp or you can cross the river by Walking across from points where the water level is shallow.

Our next stop was Kaveri Nisargadhama is an island formed by river Kaveri near Kushalnagar. The island is accessible through a hanging rope bridge. There are deer, rabbits, peacocks, and a children's playground as well as an orchidarium.

After spending time at Nisargadhama we went to Bylakuppe. Bylakuppe is one of the largest settlement of Tibetans outside Tibet. Bylakuppe has The Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery (or Thekchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargye Ling) is the largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. The Monastery is a major draw for tourist. There are several Tibetans store that sell a lot of goodies like prayer flags, bell, chimes etc. that you can carry back home for memory. There a Buddha cafe that offer great coffee and baked goodies. Spend time sipping coffee and watching football matches with the monks.

We traveled back to Madikeri for the night stay. Early morning was the perfect time to roam around a capture the sleeping beauty. Prefect blue sky, chirping birds and cool breeze makes you feel fresh and young. We decided to visit Abbey fall. The river is part of the early reaches of the river Kaveri. Flow is much higher during the monsoon season. The waterfall is located between private coffee plantations with stocky coffee bushes and spice estates with trees entwined with pepper vines. A hanging bridge constructed just opposite the falls. There is a Kali Mata temple on one side of the bridge. From Madikeri the falls are accessible by a narrow road to the coffee estate. A path through coffee and cardamom plantations leads to the waterfalls. The roar of the falls can be heard from the road.

The splendor of Coorg and the memories of the place will sure make me travel once again to the magical place. Get Coorged, and don't forget to buy the Coord wildlife stickers for your cars and bikes. Gift the Tibetan prayer flags and inspire others to travel to this magnificent land of Kodavas.