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Coorg Dubbed as the ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg is a scenic hill station located in Karnataka. Its proximity to Bangalore makes it an ideal tourist’s destination and easily accessible. Located in the Western Ghats, the city highlights various adventure options as its main attraction. Indulge in trekking, angling, golfing and white water rafting. Among the monumental heritage is the Tibetan Settlement Byle Kuppe. Coffee gardens can be visited as well. The best time to visit the city is during October to April, when the popular Festival of Arms - Keilpoldu' and the harvest Festival – ‘Puthar’ is held. The nearest airport is at Bangalore. The city does not have a railway station. The nearest railhead is at Mysore (120 kms). A good network of roads are available to reach Coorg from major cities in South India. When To Go Coorg offers moderate and pleasant climate all through the year. But the best season to visit is from October to April. Winters (December to February) are cool days with minimum temperature above 11°C. This climate with soothing winds & lush greenery is liked by many tourists. Summers (March to May) are moderate and pleasant with maximum temperature not crossing 34°C. The season is liked by all kinds of tourists. Monsoons (June to September) offer medium rainfalls, and Coorg is serene during the rains. October to May is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor visits. June to September is good for short trips and indoor activities. Travel within city Coorg is a hill station located in the State of Karnataka. It is famous for its coffee and tea plantations. The slopes are very steep and many vehicles find it difficult to traverse. Some of the local transport options are buses, local jeeps and tourist taxis. The nearest railway station is at Mangalore and it is around 180 km from the hill station. The best option for travelers is too book cabs through the hotels as they are safe and the prices are affordable. Cabs cost around Rs 2300 for Tata Indica and Rs 3000 for SUV’s. It is advisable to have cabs with experience drivers as the slopes and hair pins are steep and also the local transport may not be reliable. Bus Buses ply in some parts of the town. Due to the steep slopes buses cannot be found in many areas of the town. Taxi Cabs can be hired from either Mangalore or in the town itself. They usually charge around Rs 1500 per day. Local jeeps are the best option to travel around the various plantations. Jeeps are the ideal vehicles for steep slopes and they are relatively cheaper. They usually cost around Rs 500 for day trips to the local sites. Attractions Iruppu Waterfalls popular Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary popular Located on the northern part of Coorg is the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, a thick evergreen forest with a shola grassland habitat. A home for different types of wild species like elephants, deer, leopard etc Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a worth seeing spot while paying visit to Coorg. Kumara Parvat peak lies within the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, also adjoining with the Bisle reserve forest in north as well as Kukke Subramanya forest in west. Those trekkers who like to experience the wilderness of Western Ghats can always visit Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and have a great time. The best time for visiting this spot is during the months of November to March. www.mustseeindia.com

Coorg Travel Guide

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CoorgDubbed as the ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg is a scenic hill station located in Karnataka. Itsproximity to Bangalore makes it an ideal tourist’s destination and easily accessible. Locatedin the Western Ghats, the city highlights various adventure options as its main attraction.Indulge in trekking, angling, golfing and white water rafting. Among the monumentalheritage is the Tibetan Settlement Byle Kuppe.

Coffee gardens can be visited as well. The best time to visit the city is during October toApril, when the popular Festival of Arms - Keilpoldu' and the harvest Festival – ‘Puthar’ is

held.

The nearest airport is at Bangalore. The city does not have a railway station. The nearest railhead is at Mysore (120 kms).A good network of roads are available to reach Coorg from major cities in South India.

When To GoCoorg offers moderate and pleasant climate all through the year. But the best season to visit is from October to April.Winters (December to February) are cool days with minimum temperature above 11°C. This climate with soothing winds& lush greenery is liked by many tourists.Summers (March to May) are moderate and pleasant with maximum temperature not crossing 34°C. The season is likedby all kinds of tourists.Monsoons (June to September) offer medium rainfalls, and Coorg is serene during the rains.

October to May is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor visits. June to September is good for short trips and indoor activities.

Travel within cityCoorg is a hill station located in the State of Karnataka. It is famous for its coffee and tea plantations. The slopes are verysteep and many vehicles find it difficult to traverse. Some of the local transport options are buses, local jeeps and touristtaxis. The nearest railway station is at Mangalore and it is around 180 km from the hill station. The best option for travelersis too book cabs through the hotels as they are safe and the prices are affordable. Cabs cost around Rs 2300 for TataIndica and Rs 3000 for SUV’s. It is advisable to have cabs with experience drivers as the slopes and hair pins are steepand also the local transport may not be reliable.

BusBuses ply in some parts of the town. Due to the steep slopes buses cannot be found in many areas of the town.

TaxiCabs can be hired from either Mangalore or in the town itself. They usually charge around Rs 1500 per day. Local jeepsare the best option to travel around the various plantations. Jeeps are the ideal vehicles for steep slopes and they arerelatively cheaper. They usually cost around Rs 500 for day trips to the local sites.

Attractions

Iruppu Waterfalls popular

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary popular

Located on the northern part of Coorg is the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, a thick evergreen forest with a shola grasslandhabitat. A home for different types of wild species like elephants, deer, leopard etc Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a worthseeing spot while paying visit to Coorg.

Kumara Parvat peak lies within the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, also adjoining with the Bisle reserve forest in north aswell as Kukke Subramanya forest in west. Those trekkers who like to experience the wilderness of Western Ghats canalways visit Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and have a great time. The best time for visiting this spot is during the months ofNovember to March.

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Trekking popular

Trekking in Coorg is really a challenging and interesting hobby. Coorg is suitable for all types of trekkers from novices toexperts. The trekking trails in Coorg are mostly unexplored and undiscovered. The undulated hilly ranges with thickwooded trees make the trekking in Coorg highly adventurous and challenging.

Coorg offers challenging opportunity for those seeking explorations in jungle world. The three major mountain peaks inCoorg, Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri and Tadiandamol, offer great trekking opportunities. There are some organizationsarranging trekking expeditions in Coorg. Coorg Adventure Club (CAC) can arrange the necessary facilities for the trekkersin Coorg.

Bird Watching

Coorg, a place full of greenest sceneries with innumerable coffee plantations, religious sites is also an ornithologist’sdelight, hosting different species of birds. Coorg alone has 25% of the all bird species found in India. Among differentvarieties, some of the most commonly sighted birds in Coorg include Yellow Browed Bulbuls, Malabar Trogon, NilgiriLaughing-thrush, Fairy Bluebird, Whistling-thrush, Black Eagle, Pacific Swallows and Ceylong Frogmouth.

Besides, the place also houses different species of Owls which includes Short Earned and Oriental Scops Owls. With somany varieties of birds, the place is a complete haven for bird enthusiasts.

Burude Falls

Located about 21 km from Siddapur, a part of Coorg region is the Burude Falls, a beautiful waterfall that one must see.This waterfall provides beautiful views of the surroundings. To reach the falls in summer one needs to trek through a smallcreek while in winter and monsoon it is quite impossible to access the valley and falls. But one can always see thespectacular view of waterfalls from a stage setting.

One needs to have a serious climbing to reach the other side of the Burude Falls. It is best to visit this waterfall in winterand early summer. There are also some places of interest close to Burude Falls which includes Jog, Unchalli, andHonnemaradu.

Fishing

Fishing can be enjoyed by tourists while in Coorg. The backwater of the Cauvery River at Valnoor close to Kushalnagarhomes various species of fresh water fish. Fishes such as Cat fish and Eel are found in plenty here. The best time forfishing is during the months of October to May.

Honnamana Kere

A must see place in Coorg is Honnamana Kere lake. This lake is considered as the biggest lake in Coorg and has historicaland spiritual significance. It is named after Goddess Honnamma so the lake is considered holy. There is a temple adjacentto the lake, basically constructed for Goddess Honnamma who sacrificed her life for the welfare of the people.

Surrounded with enchanting mountains, cliffs and coffee plantation along with two hills – Gavi Betta and Mori Betta,Honnamana Kere Lake is the perfect spot to view the serene beauty of nature. There is also a man built caves close to thelake and is believed to be built by Pandavas. Honnamana Kere is also a nice place for boating and fishing. Every yearmany newlywed couples also visit this lake during Gowri pooja to give their offerings.

Mallalli Falls

Mallalli Falls lies in the western ghats of Somwarpet taluk in Coorg district, Karnataka. Its height is 1,027 meters above sealevel and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls located in Coorg. Surrounded with beautiful greenery, Mallalli Falls is aworth seeing place in Coorg.

The place is ideal spot for adventurous trip as one can try out trekking at nearby Pushpagiri Peak, well known for trekkersin the Western Ghats region. The best time to visit Mallalli Falls is during the months of July to December, as this is theseason of rain making the falls flow well. Visitors can always trek for a small distance while having the scenic view ofnature.

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Somwarpet

Coorg offers many tourist attractions and Somwarpet is one of them. This town in Coorg district of Karnataka has severalenchanting places where one can always pay a visit. 6 km away from Somwarpet town is the Doddamalthe village wherelies the beautiful lake of Honnamana Kere. Surrounded with beautiful landscape of coffee estates and cliffs, this place isconsidered holy and special pooja is being offered to the Goddess Honnamma every year on Gowri festival.

There is also Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Somwarpet where tourists can always visit and is an ideal spot for trekkerswho like to experience the wilderness of Western Ghats. Another must see place in Somwarpet is Mallalli Falls, which islocated 25 km away from the town. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Coorg with lush green mountains around it.

Tadiandamol Peak

Coorg has many places of tourist attractions. One such place is the Tadiandamol Peak, the highest mountain of Coorgdistrict. This peak is the perfect spot for those adventurous lovers and here they can have a great adventurous trip. Itreaches an elevation of 1,748 m from the sea level.

A trek to Tadiandamol Peal would be a wonderful experience and if you are one of those adventurous trekkers then a visitto this peak is a must. The topmost position of the peak is rather difficult to ascent but if preserves and climbs to the top,then one is sure to have the perfect view of the majestic grandeurs of the slopes.

White River Rafting

Well known for coffee estates and misty mountains, Coorg also offers the exciting sport of white river rafting for adventurelovers. The most popular location of river rafting in Coorg is Barapole River, which has some exciting stretches to raftthrough rapids. August to September months is the best time for river rafting in Coorg.

ExcursionsMadikeri

Madikeri, also known earlier as Mercara, is the picturesque capital of Coorg, where timeseems to have stopped for feasting the eyes of its honorable guests. Dubbed as theScotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres andacres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtakingviews are what make Madikeri an unforgettable holiday destination.

Madikeri is the land of the Kodavas. Kodavas have distinctive dresses, the men wearingwraparound robes called the Kupya and the women with a distinctive style of wearing the sari. They have many distinctivepractices such as carrying ceremonial knives, and martial war dances. The culture also includes communal gatheringswhere drink, dance and special meat dishes seasoned with Garcinia are central attractions.

Dotted with a cluster of red-roofed dwellings and a bustling bazaar, the town situated at an elevation of 1525 m, has acharming old-world feel. Raja's seat perched atop a hill is where the kings of yore spent many pleasant evenings watchingthe golden sunset.

In Madikeri the main festivals celebrated are Kailpodhu, Kaveri Sankramana, Puttari and Dasara. Karaga festival alsostarts during the time of Navarathri. Madikeri Dasara procession is a very beautiful procession of mantapas.

Madikeri welcomes its every visitor with open arms into the land full of fantasies. With undulating topography covered indifferent shades of green, dotted with exquisite coffee plantations, and atmosphere heavy with mist, Madikeri is a picture ofmagnificence. Madikeri town is full of trekking options with some of the most picturesque trek routes in Karnataka a perfectgateway for a leisure holiday.

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Madikeri Fort mustsee

Madikeri Fort was first built as a mud fort by Mudduraja in the last quarter of the 17th century. He alsobuilt a palace inside the fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who named the site asJaffarabad.

Madikeri Fort, built of brick and mortar, had witnessed several fierce battles. In 1790, Doddavira Rajendratook control of the fort. The palace was renovated by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1812-1814.

In the north-east corner at the entrance are two life size masonry elephants and a church is present in the south-eastcorner. The fort offers panoramic views of the city from its walls. This is a fort with archaeological value and a marvel ofarchitecture. The centuries old Madikeri Fort with its stone ramparts houses the prison, a temple, a chapel, a smallmuseum, and assorted government offices.

Timings: 10 am to 5.30 pm (Monday closed) Charges: Entry free

Omkareshwara Temple popular

Omkareshwara temple was built by Lingarajendra in 1820. It is located very near to the heart of theMadikeri. The temple has both Islamic and Gothic style of architecture. There is a tank in front of thetemple and a footpath leading to a small "Mantap".

It is said Lingarajendra killed an honest and pious Brahmin to fulfill his political ambitions. That Brahminbecame a "Brahmarakshasa"and started troubling the king. The king got rid of him only when he brought a Shivalinga fromKashi and installed it after building a temple. The Shivalinga was named as "Omkareshwara" and regular rituals wereperformed.

The bars of the windows of the temple were made of Panchaloha and an alphabet lim has been placed in between thebars.

Timings: 7 am to 6 pm

Gaddige Raja's Tomb popular

A historical structure, Raja’s tomb aka Gaddige in Madikeri is a beautiful structure extremely popular among the historybuffs. The tomb boasts of the indo-sarcenic style of architecture and the most popular attraction here is the mortal remainsof the Kodavad royalty and the court dignitaries. There are many other tombs of famous historical personalities as well.

To the right is the tomb of Lingarajendra, built in A.D.1820 by his son Chikkaveerarajendra. To the left is the tomb of Royalpriest Rudrappa, built in A.D 1834. Nearby are buried two royal officials, Biddanda Bopu who died fighting with Tipu Sultan,and his son Biddanda somaiah. This attraction is located just 1 km from Madikeri.

Abbey Falls popular

Located near to Madikeri, the main attraction of Madikeri, Abbey Falls is a breathtaking waterfall wherethe Kaveri river cascades down a rockface from a height of 70 feet. A hanging bridge has now been builtacross the gorge here offering a good view of the falls.

The falls can be reached by a narrow road from Madikeri. Cars can reach the entrance of these falls from where a downhillwalk of 500 metres (on slightly paved steps) takes one to the waterfalls.

Tucked away between private coffee and spice estates, Abbey Falls offers a splendid backdrop for picnics. As one makesthe way past stocky coffee bushes and tall trees entwined with pepper vines, the falls make a sudden and dramaticappearance as they cascade their way down steps into limpid pools to join the river Kaveri River. These falls are mostimpressive during the monsoons.

However, note that swimming is dangerous here and is not recommended.

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Bhagamandala popular

Bhagamandala, also known as Bhagundeshwara Kshetra, is a temple town. When the river Cauveryflows downhill, two more tributaries namely Kanake and Sujyoti join it. The spot where all three convergeis called Bhagamandala.

The temple in Bhagamandala is a religious attraction to Madikeri. This temple at the confluence of thethree rivers. The temple is built in Kerala style and has smaller shrines dedicated to various gods.

There are three other temples also, which are dedicated to Lord Ganapathy, Subramanya and Vishnu. Anannual festival that falls in October / November invites a substantial number of devotees. Thousands of

oil lamps are lit in the temples during the festival.

Raja's Seat popular

Raja’s Seat, literally meaning Seat of the King, is located at the western end of Madikeri and is a wellmaintained garden with a great views of the hills and the valley below and having a small pavilion inside.

According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent the evenings here and also used this pavilion for relaxingfrom the tiring royal duties. But what's unforgettable about Raja's seat is the spectacular sunset that one

can enjoy from this place. The beautiful sunset and the far stretching Blue Mountains will take ones breath away. Thisbeautiful hilltop offers spectacular view of the Coorg Valley studded with paddy fields and forests.

Timings: 6 am to 7 pm Charges: Entry - Rs 5Toy Train - Rs 10 (2-3 minutes)

Talacauvery popular

Talacauvery, from where the Kaveri River originates in the Brahmagiri hills, is considered among themost sacred places in Karnataka. It is at a height of around 1276 m above sea level. This is a sacredpilgrim center among the Kodavas. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (smallspring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again toemerge a short distance away.

From Talakaveri, steps lead up to the nearby Brahmagri peak, where the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis hadperformed a special yagna. From the peak, as well as on the drive to Talakaveri, tourists can enjoy a good view of themisty blue Brahmagiri hills.

A small water tank has been constructed at the point of origin. There is also a temple build at the spot where regular pujarituals are done. The temple is dedicated to Lord Agastheeswara, who is considered to be the link between great SageAgasthya and river Cauvery.

An important day here at Talacauvery is the first day of Tula month according to Hindu calendar. The day is calledTulasankramana. Thousands of devotees come to Talacauvery on this day to witness the rise of fountainhead sproutingwater at a specific time. It is considered auspicious by devotees to take a dip in the holy waters. The day is celebrated onvarious places along the banks of river Cauvery where devotees take a holy dip in River Cauvery.

Apart from devotees, it is a great place for tourists as well, as the entire area is surrounded with breathtaking sceneries.

Charges: Free Entry & Parking

Trekking popular

Madikeri is probably the best place in Karnataka to indulge in adventurous trekking. There are number of trek routes thatturn out to be a great fun. Some of them are apt for starters, but there are few that are good enough to test even the mostexperienced.

Thandiyandamole and Pushpagiri, rising to a height of 5729 feet and 5626 feet respectively are the highest peaks of all inMadikeri. Though not very high from a good trekkers perspective, it is their steepness that makes them tough to conquer.

These trek routes still do not see a lot a lot of human intervention, due to which they are kept very clean and green. Thepicturesque surroundings only add to the allure of these trek routes.

Kakkabe

A place holding the prestigious honors of being the largest producer of sweetest honey in

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A place holding the prestigious honors of being the largest producer of sweetest honey inSouth-east Asia, Kakkabe is a picturesque little village in Karnataka's Western Ghats. It's abeautiful hill station lying under the silhouette of Thadiyendamol peak, in the midst ofdensely populated rain forest and coffee plantations.

Kakkabe is noted for its natural scenic beauty. On a clear day, one can even view the distant Arabian sea fromThadiyendamol, the tallest peak in the region. An uneven mountain terrain interlinked with thriving coffee and cardamomplantations, sprinkled hamlets and paddy cultivation lands. The place shot to the fame for cool nice weather, undulatedgreen thriving hills and beautiful scenery around.

Kakkabe is a land of harmony where many communities including Brahmins, Christians, Gowdas, and Jains live together inpeace and cooperation. The main ethnic inhabitants are Kodavas, living with unperturbed culture and beliefs.

A popular base for rain forest treks, Kakkabe is home to some uncommon and extraordinary orchids and plants. Theseforests are known for some wildlife species like pangolin, barking deer, various kinds of birds and flying squirrel.

Kakkabe is thriving and has grown to a popular tourist destination. Nalnad palace and Iguthappa temple are mainattractions here and tourists can undertake some adventurous activities like trekking and rock climbing. The Padi IguthappaTemple, the most famous temple of the Kodavas, is situated here. One can visit the world famous honey farms and thepretty beautiful palace, Nalnad Palace, which is also know to fame as hunting lodge.

The landscape of Kakkabe is still mostly unspoiled and unexploited and the treks through the dense forest are highlychallenging and hugely rewarding for an enthusiast traveler. A birdwatchers paradise, Kakkabe is an extraordinarilymarvelous place to visit.

Nalknad Palace mustsee

Nalknad palace, built by Dodda Viraraja in 1792, once belonged to the Hindu king Langaraja, promises the tourists avalued visit and enthralls everybody with its eye-catching paintings and marvelous architecture.

Used as a hunting lodge, it is not a palace in the usual meaning. It is a double storied structure used by the Kodava kings.The palace has intricate wood carvings all around the structure. Nalnad Palace is situated at the bottom of the highest peakThadiyandamol. Decorated with ancient paintings and historical architecture, Nalnad Palace attracts many to its fold.

Rock Climbing popular

A fast growing adventurous sport, Rock climbing, is packed with excitement and if one wants to experience this thrillingsport, Thadiyendamol in Kakkabe invites with its full vibrancy. This sport is a real challenging one, straining and pushingout all your energies out of you. This hill provides easy and convenient access to climbers.

In Kakkabe, Rock climbing will feel almost like mountaineering except that instead of snow there are rocks involved in thisadventure sport. If you are good at climbing, then you can definitely try out this sport in Thadiyendamol, but certain climbscan often prove grueling, merciless and tough, but the fancy and magic of the surrounding mountains in Kakkabe will keepspirits high up to sky.

Recommended time to Rock climbing is September to May.

Igguthappa Temple popular

The Padi Igguthappa temple, one of most important temple of Kodavas - the tribal inhabitants in Kakkabe, is dedicated toIgguthappa, another name for Lord Subramanya. The devotees believe in the miracles by Igguthappa, where any one canask for anything from this super power God.

Farmers in and around this area usually offer prayers and offerings for rains during the famous Annual festival in thetemple conducted during the month of March. Tulabhara, weighing oneself against fruits, sugar, coconuts, rice etc, is animportant offering here. This temple governs significant role in the cultural and traditional life of the place.

Timings: 5.30 am - 2 pm, 6 - 7 pm

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Karada popular

Karada has one of the finest ancestral homes in the Kakkabe region and is not so far from Kakkabe center. From thisplace, the far-off horizon is spotted with a large number of peaks. Karada offers exciting adventure, mix of scenic beautyand maximum fun for those seeking the nature’s beauty and long terrain hills.

Ancestral Home known as Iyne Mane provides the required stay in an exquisite 250 years old architectural ancientbuilding. One can relish the taste of traditional Kodava cuisine and the most exciting hospitality. A morning dip in themountain stream or a trek along the beautiful scenic trails or a hand on experience with the environments in the coffee andspices plantations, the promises of the Karada hang about is a memorable treat for tourists.

Tadiyendamol popular

Tadiyendamol, nearly 1746 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in Kodagu district of Karnataka.Tadiyandamol has the distinction of being the second highest mountain in Karnataka, the first being theMullayanagiri in Chickamaglur district.

Situated near to Kakkabe town, Thadiyendamol is a trekkers’ paradise. The views from the hill top areawesome and breathtaking. This peak serves as a land mark to sea travelers, towering majestically over lesser peaks. It isone of the most picturesque and enchanting spot in south India with unspoiled original forest and natural tiny recurrentsprings all around. This is an ideal base camp for trekkers and the palace estate located at the foot of the peak offers theperfect stay.

Trekking popular

Kakkabe is a trekker’s pleasure to those people seeking for serenity, as there a number of treks smalland medium and of varying grades that is apt for most visitors. Though most trails are parasite infectedduring the monsoon.

The most admired trek is the one to the undulated Thadiyendamol peak - it has the prestige of being thesecond highest peak in Karnataka. It is a long trek and the view from the hill top is imposing and breathtaking. Trek to thewaterfalls nearby through the coffee plantations. The well laid trekking trails in Thadiandamol is challenging and enjoyable.

Another fascinating trekking trail starts from Chelavara village and leads through the various waterfalls including Baliatrafalls, Emmepare Falls, Thadiandamol peak and the ruined structures of Nalakkanad palace and ends at the Iguthappapeak. It is really a thrilling experience to trek through these stunning and appealing forests of Kakkabe.

Recommended time for Trekking is September to May.

Dubare

Dubare is a forest area, amidst the thriving greenery of Coorg on the banks of river Kaveri,in between Kushalnagar and Siddapur, wherein an elephant training camp of the ForestDepartment of Coorg is present. This area is populated by the Kurbas, the local tribals.During the period of Maharaja of Mysore, the Dubare reserve forest was used to train theelephants for the impressive Mysore Dussehra festival.

Tourists are thronging to Dubare to enjoy its wild beauty. Visitors can spend hours watchingelephants and learning a great deal about them. A trained environmentalist can provide

hands on explanations of various aspects of elephant history and ecology. Visitors are welcome to take part in wide varietyof activities with elephants. One can get the rarest chance of rubbing on the surprisingly soft tongue of a tusker!

Dubare is the destination for the tourists to enjoy some nerve racking adventure. Dubare offers to its visitor’s fun fishing,rafting and trekking in the wild hilly terrains. Pretty backwaters with some small islands here and there and thick forest onthe banks offers Dubare the well deserved spot as a tourist paradise. One can do boating or go for elephant rides toexperience the marvelous offers made by Dubare.

Nature has copiously provided Dubare its galore and splendor. Many places near Dubare attract the tourists. Mainattractions in this forest area are Harangi dam site, Nisargadhama, Veerabhoomi and the celebrated Elephant TrainingCamp. The Nagarhole National Park, country's first bio-sphere reserve, is close to to Dubare. One can go for toursconducted by the Forest Department, along the well-defined routes for tourists, in the early mornings and evenings.

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Elephant Training Camp mustsee

The Elephant Training Camp, which trains the wild elephants with the help of local tribes Kurabas, isunder the Forest department. It is a scenic beauty to watch the tamed elephant bath in the river and to bescrubbed fresh by their mahouts. The mahouts will then exhibit the various commands the elephants cancomply with. This can be vividly portrayed by making elephants execute some mock logging operations.

Enthusiastic tourists can opt here for free elephant rides within the camp. One can enjoy the rarestfriendship of tamed elephants in this camp, where in one can get a lucky chance scrubbing the elephantsand feeding them.

Contact: For Bookings: Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd. Phone: 080-25597021,25597024,25597025 http://junglelodges.com Timings: Elephant ride: 8.30 am to 12 pm Charges: Entry fee (camp): Rs 20, Elephant Bathing: Rs 100

Nisargadhama mustsee

Nisargadhama, a wildlife sanctuary on its own, is a tourist spot visited by number of tourists and ideal for picnics andhoneymoon tours as the calm and serene beauty of this place surely rejuvenate and provide an unforgettable experience. Itis an island in the hub of the river Kaveri connected by a rope bridge.

One word to explain Nisargadhama is nothing but "Awesome". This picturesque and adventurous place offers thewonderful scene of deer, elephants, peacocks and many others. One can experience a ride on the elephant and movearound this place for an unforgettable ride.

The forest department owns some pretty good residential cottages for tourists to hang about here.

Timings: 9 am to 5.30 pm Charges: Rs 10

Fishing popular

The river flowing through offers the tourists the golden chance of fishing. Two more branches, Kanake and Sujyothi, arejoining the Kaveri river when it flows down at this place.

Valanoor is the backwater, with plenty of fish fauna including Golden Masheer, Maral and Mapp. It draws fishing loversfrom all over India and abroad and it is one of the most beautiful angling sites in Karnataka. One can try and catch thefamous Mahseer or Tiger of the Indian rivers, one of the prime freshwater game fish and one of the most willful fighting fishin the world.

Contact: Fishing permits can be obtained from the Coorg Wildlife Society Office in Madikeri (Tel: 08272-223505) Charges: Rs 200/- Get along your own fishing rods.

Rafting popular

The rafting in river Kaveri is another major attraction in Dubare. There are few good camps around Dubare that offer raftingdown the Kaveri river. Coorg Adventure Sports Club has started river rafting near Dubare Elephant Camp in Kushalnagar.

Adventure Club makes use of three river rafts. The rafting will commence near Dubare and will conclude at KushalnagarPolytechnic College, Madapattana. It covers a total of 11 km. One rafting can accommodate seven persons. Theadventurers will be equipped with life jackets along with head gear.

The best time for rafting is from mid-June to mid-September.

Contact: For Bookings: Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd. Phone: 080-25597021,25597024,25597025 http://junglelodges.com Charges: Rs 800/-

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Trekking popular

Dubare is a place where adventurous tourists can demonstrate their capabilities and get thrilled. Trekkingalong the wild forests, hillocks and river banks brings lot of cheers to those who love this sport.

There are great trekking opportunities for the enthusiasts in Dubare. This place has many luxurianttrekking ways in the middle of forests and hills. Some of the well known trekking trails are in the hills of Brahmagiri, whereone could trek their way to the Irrupa Falls.

Contact: For Bookings: Geoffrey Muthanna (Coorg Dale) Phone: 08276-297496 For Bookings: Orange Country ResortPhone: 08274-258481 Timings: 10 am to 2 pm Charges: Guide Fee: Rs 210/- (Per Family), Guide Fee: Rs 750/- (15persons), Forest Entry: Rs 25/- (Per Head)

Tadiandamol

Tadiandamol is a mountain range that is located in the Kodagu District in the State ofKarnataka. It is the highest mountain range in the area as well as in the State of Karnataka.Tadiandamol is known for its lush green and pristine forests. The beauty of the hills isuntouched and is yet to be invaded by tourists. There are many trekking spots andmountain climbing destinations that are located in the hills. Tadiandamol is a haven for

nature walkers and trekkers. There are many places where travelers can experiences nature in its rawest form. TheTadiandamol mountain range is also known for the many patches of Shola forest that can be seen.

Among the famous tourist attractions are the four villages called the Nalanad that is located in the base of the mountainrange. The villages are known for their beauty and they have a historical significance. The villages have been around formany years and are known for their simple beauty.

The hills and forests are also an ideal place for nature photography and those whore interested in this can visit the place.Tadiandamol is on the border of the State of Kerala and can be easily reached from there as well.

Tadiandamol Peak

Tadiandamol is the highest mountain in the Kodagu district and third highest peak in Karnataka. Derived from a Malayalamword, the name means ‘largest base’ and is ideal for trekking. The peak of the mountains offer panoramic views of thesurrounding.

Kushalnagar

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Tibetan Settlement of Bylakuppe popular

A Tibetan refugee settlement, Bylakuppe is a major tourist spot on the way to Coorg. The main attractions here are variousmonasteries. This place is home to thousands of Tibetans living in exile, making it a huge center for Buddhism in SouthIndia.

Some of the most popular monastic institutions here are Sera Ja Monastery, Sakya Monastery and Tashi LunphoMonastery. There is a Golden Temple which is the most revered of all. This temple houses the 2 statures of Buddha, both40 Feet tall and are called - Padmasambhava, Buddha and Amitayus. The interiors of the temple are worth looking at.

Though Bylakuppe can be visited all through the year, the best time is during the September to May, when the famousfestivals are held. Located peacefully in serene ambiance, the settlement was establishes in the year 1961 and is around50 km from Mysore near Kushalnagar.

Foreign visitors are required an entry permit letter for visiting Bylakuppe. There are certain options for applying entry permitletter. Foreigners can apply the entry permit through the Indian Missions in their respective countries simultaneously whileapplying entry visa for India.

They can also apply the entry permit letter directly to the Rehabilitation Section, Ministry of Home Affairs at Delhi. The otheroption for acquiring entry permit letter for Bylakuppe is through Bureau Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at New Delhi.And most importantly, they should apply it 3 months before their visit.

Itineraries

Distances

Nagarhole 57 km 1h, 10mKabini 110 km 1h, 50mMysore 121 km 2h, 10mBandipur National Park 154 km 2h, 40mMangalore 160 km 2h, 50mChikmagalur 179 km 3hBangalore 258 km 5h, 20mCoimbatore 310 km 5hJog Falls 361 km 5h, 50mKochi 373 km 5h, 30mChennai 594 km 10h, 10m

Madikeri 17 kmKakkabe 28 km 40mDubare 34 km 40mKushalnagar 46 km

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