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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Kodagu (Coorg)


Most precious tourist destinations in Karntaka are either on Cauvery basin or in Western ghats. So what’s special about Coorg, located in western ghats Corrg host Talkaveri, origin of river Cauvery. The mischievous Ganesha drop the Sage Agasthia’s pot (Sanskrit: Kamandalam) that was filled with Shiva’s blessing, river Cauvery at this very place and Cauvery started flow from here on. 'Talcavery’ is located in coorg district. It’s beautiful, it’s holy and It has its luxurious.


Reaching Coorg
How fast you can driver? It would that take about 4 hours to reach ‘Khusal nagar’ from Bangalore and then time depends on where in the Coorg is your resort, home stay or hotel. Did I say hotel? Avoid hotels in Coorg. Typically you would be staying somewhere around ‘Medikeri’ the district headquarters of Kodagu. While reaching Khusal Nagar might be a cake walk due to smooth roads, journey after Khusal Nagar will definitely take you for a ride. SH88 is scenic but really bad, you might take well over an hour to reach Medikeri from KusalNagar. So count 5 to 6 hours road drive from Banalore to Medikeri.

Route: Bangalore – Mysore (SH 17 or NH209), take right on first signal on reaching Mysore ring road to ‘Hunsur’ – Piriyapatna – Khusal Nagar (SH88) and then to Medikeri (SH 88).
Refreshment joints: Prefer not more than two stops, one on Bangalore Mysore Stretch and then on Khusal Nagar just before you hit climb.

Plan your trip
I would suggest 4 day 3 night stay in Coorg. There is lot to see in Coorg, and most of these tourist destinations are at an average distance of about 20 to 25 kms. You surely need more time to travel as roads within coorg aren't that great. More over you won't be able to take off your eyes from scenic nature all through out your stay at coorg.

Opt for home stay, chose a good one, go by recommedation as all are not that great. The other option is club mahindra's resort in kodgu valley, a real good one, full of luxurious amenities.

Day 1: Reach well before lunch, take some rest in resort / home stay. have nice food and may wana take a walk along some coffee plantation. Post lunch try and cover one of the two water falls, enjoy scenic drive and be back by 6 PM.


Day 2: Early morning, start for TalCavery, takes about 40 to 60 mins to reach from Medikeri. Back to stay for lunch and then move out again to see one of the water falls, and some site seeing in and around Medikeri.


Day 3: Early morning, start for Dubare Elephant camp. Great experience seeing elephant playing in river. Comeback to your stay. Dubare is quite far from Mediker, I guess about 1 hour drive. Again post lunch either  do some site seeing or visit Bhagamandala


Day 4: Site seeing, have early lunch and start back towards Mysore / Bengaluru. On way back visit Nisargadham (may even skip this) and Golden Temple (Must See, budhist monastery)


HOT SPOTS

  1. Talcavery: Origin of Cavery river (a MUST see on day one, prefer going here in morning before 9 AM)
  2. Nisargadhama: An man made island and picnic spot (close to Kushalnagar) (Visit this on your way back to Bangalore, 4th day. Plan maximum of about 2 hours here, not great place you may even skip this)
  3. Iruppu Falls: A sacred spot in south Kodagu in the Brahmagiri hill range (visit here, keep about 2 hours)
  4. Abbey Falls: a scenic waterfall 5 km from Madikeri (visit here, keep about 3 hours).
  5. Dubare: Elephant-capturing and training camp at the edge of Dubare forest (keep about 4 to 5 hours, go in morning aroun 8:30 AM)
  6. Bhagamandala: Cavery merging with two of its sub streams (Triveni sangam)
Funtertainment
1. Time spent in Talcauvery and uphill climb
2. Nature

Budget
1. From 500 Rs / head / night to about 7,000 Rs / head / night - you get all kind of choice of luxury in Kodgu valley.

My preferred time to visit is between November and February, nature is at its best (not roads though, as rain break most of badly constructed roads).

Overall experience: 4 on 5