Scotland of India! Coorg in Karnataka offers misty hills, coffee and spice plantations, waterfalls, wildlife, Tibetan monasteries, and warm hospitality. Stay in plantation homestays, trek to Tadiandamol peak, visit Abbey Falls, Raja Seat viewpoint, Dubare Elephant Camp, Talacauvery (Cauvery river origin), Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple with giant Buddha statues). Experience coffee estate tours, Coorgi cuisine, and nature walks. Perfect romantic getaway and nature retreat.
Day 1:
Bangalore to Coorg (260km, 6 hours) - Morning drive from Bangalore to Coorg/Kodagu (Scotland of India at 900-1750m altitude in Western Ghats), scenic drive through coffee and spice plantations, reach Madikeri (district headquarters), check-in coffee estate homestay or resort, afternoon relax enjoying plantation views, walk through coffee bushes, evening bonfire and plantation dinner, overnight Coorg|
Day 2:
Coffee Plantation Tour & Abbey Falls - Morning guided coffee plantation walk (learn about Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties, shade-grown cultivation under silver oak trees, cherry to bean process, pulping, fermentation, drying, roasting, interactive tour, coffee tasting session, some estates allow visitors to pluck cherries seasonal Nov-Feb, buy fresh coffee powder directly from estate at reasonable prices), afternoon visit Abbey Falls (8km from Madikeri, scenic 70ft waterfall cascading through coffee plantations and spice estates, bridge viewpoint, steps down to base, beautiful photo spot, best during monsoon and post-monsoon July-January, Ôé╣50 entry), Raja's Seat garden (sunset viewpoint where Kodagu kings watched sunsets, musical fountain, toy train, valley views, maintained garden, Ôé╣10 entry), overnight Coorg|
Day 3:
Dubare & Bylakuppe - Morning visit Dubare Elephant Camp (30km from Madikeri on Kaveri River banks, Forest Department elephant training camp, interact with elephants, feed them sugarcane and bananas, watch elephants bathing in river, help mahouts with scrubbing, optional elephant ride through forest, Ôé╣2000 per person including activities, advance booking recommended, elephant rides subject to availability and ethical concerns, pure interaction recommended), afternoon visit Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement (80km, largest Tibetan settlement in South India with 60000+ Tibetan refugees, visit Golden Temple/Namdroling Monastery with huge golden Buddha statues, Padmasambhava and Amitayus, 40ft tall, serene atmosphere, prayer wheels, monk chanting sessions, shop for Tibetan handicrafts, momos for lunch), return Coorg evening, overnight|
Day 4:
Talacauvery & Departure - Morning drive to Talacauvery (48km, source of River Kaveri/Cauvery at 1276m altitude in Brahmagiri hills, small tank where river originates, Talacauvery temple, climb 407 steps to Brahmagiri Peak for panoramic Western Ghats views, auspicious to take dip in the tank, especially on Tula Sankramana day Oct), visit Bhagamandala (8km from Talacauvery, confluence of three rivers forming Triveni Sangama, Bhagandeshwara Temple beautiful Kerala-style architecture, holy dip considered auspicious), return Madikeri, optional: Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri Fort and Raja's Tombs if time permits, afternoon departure to Bangalore/Mysore (270km/120km), tour ends with coffee-scented memories