Coorg Tour Packages - Enjoy Them More

By Author: Deepa G
Total Articles: 29
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Coorg, or Kodagu, is a carpet of misty mountains, coffee plantations, cascading waterfalls and snaking brooks stretching through an area of 4,108sq km. Often likened to Scotland, the cool climes of the hills here, is a good place to de-stress and rejuvenate. It is also the largest coffee growing district in India and ranks among the world's 38 richest bio-diversity hotspots.

For the traveller, Coorg holds a cornucopia of surprises and experiences. In fact Coorg caters to all kinds of tourist interests - culture, outdoor adventure, heritage, temples and wildlife. From unique Hindu temples at Bhagamandala to the bastions of the Mercara Fort, and cascades of Abbey and Irpu falls to the towering peaks of Thadiyendamol and Brahmagiri (ideal for hiking and camping).

Top recommended experiences at Coorg

If you want to get up close and personal with pachyderms, you can do so at the Dubare Elephant Camp. Here you can feed, bathe and hitch a ride on their backs, through the elephant interaction programmes organised by Jungle Lodges and Resorts.
Trekking: Best season is from October to March. Some of the ...
... interesting trails are Mukkodlu - Kotebetta - Shirangalli; hill ranges surrounding Pushpagiri or Kumaraparvat peak and an old time favourite among trekkers of Karnataka - the Thadiyendamol peak.
Go on a plantation trail through the many idyllic coffee growing estates. Experience a planter's life, and learn how coffee is made - from bean to brew!
One of the best rapids for white-water rafting in South India is found on River Barpole in Coorg. If adrenaline does not excite you, then there is angling and birding as well.
For the wildlife enthusiast, Nagarhole is a must-visit. Nagarhole houses the Rajiv Gandhi National park, which is the hub for two of India's most reputed wildlife schemes - Project Elephant and Project Tiger.
For the not so outdoorsy, settle into an Ainmane (ancestral homes in Coorg), which are now offered as homestays for a taste of traditional Coorg hospitality or sip a hot cup of the famous Coorg coffee lazing on a planter's chair.
Those looking for a cultural experience must visit one of India's largest Tibetan settlements in Bylakuppe. You can experience everything Tibetan here - spectacular stupas and monasteries, prayer flags and prayer wheels and Tibetan food, including momos and thukpa.

Most leading travel companies like Makemytrip and Yatra offer tour packages to Coorg with such experiences. For a comprehensive list of Coorg Holidays log on to www.polama.com and search for ‘Coorg'. You can easily compare tour packages on offer there.

Travel companies, often combine Coorg with other hill stations in the South like Ooty, Kodaikanal and Munnar. These packages make for an interesting ‘Hill Stations of South India' tour. While most holidays offer the regular sightseeing of Coorg, try to opt for some of the above experiences for an unforgettable holiday at Coorg.

Places to see
Mercara Fort: The fort has a humble façade, and is built on an elevated ground. What makes the fort interesting is the numerous secret passages, the towering bastions at the six angles, the prison and the architecture (a mixed style of Kerala and European style of architecture).

Omkareshwar Temple: A perfect blend of Islamic and Gothic styles, the temple has an impressive dome, turreted minarets at its corners. The temple was built by a Kodava king, Langarajendra Wodeyar in 1820. Legend has it that the linga of the Shiva shrine was brought from Kashi. The annual Teppothsava or Boat Festival takes place in November or December.

Abbey Falls (Jessie Falls)
The Abbey falls is a mighty 70-ft cascade, which roars down with full force especially during the monsoon season. The water from the falls meanders though beautiful coffee and cardamom plantations. There is a hanging bridge which captures the view of the falls and the surrounding landscape.

Tala Kaveri - Talakaveri is the origin of the Kaveri River that flows in full strength during the monsoons. The river is looked up on by the Kodavas as their mother, and hence Talakaveri becomes a venerated site. Talakaveri is situated 12 kms away from Bhagamandala and 47 kms from Madikeri. It’s situated on the hills of Brahmagiri close to Bhagamandala and is considered to be one of the seven holy rivers from the Sapta Sindhus mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. You can know more at www.polama.com

About Author :

During a chance holiday to Kumta, Deepa realised that nothing excited her more than a career in research of unexplored destinations. Her special interest is in leveraging the power of the internet to give greater value to holiday goers, such as the ability to easily compare tour packages. You can know more about tour packages at her site www.polama.com.