Scotland Of India: 12 Best Places To Visit In Coorg For Your Next Vacation

One of the most wholesme places, Dubare Elephant Camp is an elephant camp where you will find hoards of elephants getting trained under naturalists and an opportunity for you to interact and observe them up close in their natural habitat. It's very popular and an absolute favourite among tourists as it provides elephant rides through the jungle, along with elephant history, ecology, and biology.

Timings: 9 AM - 11 AM, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Entry Fee: Starting at INR 30

Located close to Madikeri, Abbey Falls is the most visited waterfall in Coorg. It's a breathtaking sight, with water falling from 70 feet, all surrounded by lush greenery and lying opposite the hanging bridge. The falls merge into the river Kaveri, and the scenic beauty of Abbey Falls increases manyfold during the monsoons. You will see a lot of newlyweds visiting, and in general, it is a great place to visit with friends and family.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry Fee: INR 20

If you have a casual, low-key picnic in mind, then Harangi Dam is the perfect. It's a slightly unconventional place to go built near Kushalnagar. The height of the dam is observed to be 47 meters, and the length is 846 meters, making it the perfect place to set up for a picnic, with a flourishing natural setting and a calming, relaxing atmosphere. It is best recommended to visit during August and September when the reservoir is completely filled.

Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Entry Fee: Starting at INR 10

For a calming, leisurely walk with your loved ones, Chiklihole Reservoir is the absolute place to visit. It is situated approximately 15 km away from Madikeri and is also one of the contributors to the river Kaveri. The place is less crowded, captures mesmerising beauty, and doesn't forget to catch the captivating sunset, which looks absolutely surreal from there.

Timings: 8 AM - 5 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Also known as the Mercara Fort, Madikeri Fort is a place that shouldn't be missed out on. Built in the 17th century, the fort has been renovated time and again and conveys a rich history of different reigns, battles fought, and history recreated. There was a temple inside, but that changed to an Anglican church during imperialism; the architecture of the fort is super interesting and ingenious, with other buildings such as the Mahatma Gandhi Public Library and Kote Maha Ganpati Temple (which also participates in the Madieri Dasara festival every year). Presently the fort has been used as the office of the deputy commissioner.

Timings: 10 AM - 5:30 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Located in Daddamalthe, Honnamana Kere Lake is the largest lake in Coorg and a perfect place to catch some scenic views. The lake connotes spiritual and historical significance, with a temple on the side dedicated to the goddess Honnamana. The place is a wonderful sight during the Gauri festival, held in September. 

Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Entry Fee: Free

With a very interesting mythological tale associated with the temple, where King Lingarajendra II built it as his act of penance, absolving his sin of killing a Brahmin, Omkareshwara temple is a must-visit, especially to admire its Muhammadan style of architecture. There is a dome in the centre, corners surrounded by turrets, and a water tank in front; you can roam around the temple, seek blessings, and spend a slow day in the vicinity with a local market nearby.

Timings: 6:30 AM – 12 PM, 5 PM – 8 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Another set of mesmerising waterfalls is Mallalli Falls, located at the foot of Pushpagiri Hill Ranges in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat. The sight is surreal, to say the least, and a favourite rite among shutterstocks. At the foot of the falls, there is a gorgeous trekking path that many tourists take all the way to the top of the waterfall. We recommend taking extra precautions, as you might find some leeches on the way.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Built by Haleri Ruler Dodda Virarajendra after he escaped from Tipu Sultan's troops, Nalknad Aramane is a palace to admire for all its multiple escape routes, which were built to ensure protection against enemies. The space also has multiple ancient paintings and carvings on its walls, which connote the history and relay the life of that time. A Kalyana mandapa in the centre holds ceremonies. It's a nice place to visit with family and friends and be fascinated with all the tunnels.

Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Padi Iggutappa Temple was built in 1810 and is one of the most ancient temples in the Kodavas region. It is a perfect destination to visit with family. You will get to see the culture of Kodavas, along with their traditional practices, which are associated with many mythologies of them holding magical abilities that can help the devotees. There is also an annual festival in the month of March, which attracts pilgrims from all over India.

Timings: 5:30 AM– 2 PM, 6 PM – 7 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Visited by the King of Coorg in the golden days, RajaSeat Garden has panoramic views that will truly envelop you in its grandeur. You will undeniably experience the best sunrises and sunsets here. It is the ultimate place, standing as the epitome of Coorg's beauty. A must with family and friends, and all the more so if you are travelling solo.

Timings: 5:30 AM - 8 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Popularly known only as the Golden Temple, Namdroling Monastery is revered as one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India. It houses almost 16,000 refugees and 600 monks, with a wheel at the entrance, a symbol of Buddhism. As a visitor, you will be enamoured by the huge statues of Buddha, Lord Amitayus and Lord Padmasambhava, with a dedicated space to pray, meditate, and chant. It's a wonderful experience and would ultimately leave with a little calm and peace.

Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM

Entry Fee: Free