Coorg, Kodagu or the Scotland of India – call it by whatever name you want – is a slice of green paradise tucked away in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. Nestled amidst misty mountains, dotted with coffee and spice plantations, and adorned with sparkling streams and gurgling waterfalls, this picturesque hill station is among the top holiday destinations in South India. All these, coupled with pleasant weather, lip-smacking Kodava cuisine, and a wide range of local products like coffee, honey, homemade wine, and chocolates make Coorg a favorite with travelers, foodies, and shopaholics alike.
Want to explore the attractions, culture, and flavors of this hill town on a short trip? Here’s a detailed itinerary for a 2-day trip to Coorg.
DAY 1
9.00 am – 11.00 am: Spend some time bathing and feeding elephants at Dubare Elephant
Dubare Elephant | | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
We suggest you start your first day in Coorg on a relaxed note with a filling breakfast at your hotel and then, set out to Dubare Elephant Camp. Home to several huge Asiatic elephants, this place once served as a training camp for the elephants taking part in the renowned Mysore Dasara procession. In addition to bathing and playing with elephants, you can also feed these majestic creatures and click photos with them.
- Timings: 9.00 am to 11.00 am and 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm; every day
- Entry fee: ₹ 1310 for Indians (day visit); ₹ 2250 for foreigners (day visit); ₹ 670 for Indians (elephant camp activities); ₹ 1447 for foreigners (elephant camp activities)
After spending a couple of hours interacting with elephants, head out to explore the beauty and serenity of Namdroling Monastery located in Bylakuppe.
- By road: 30 minutes’ drive
11.45 am – 2.30 pm: Soak in the spiritual vibes at Namdroling Monastery and shop for some authentic Tibetan goodies, followed by lunch
Namdroling Monastery | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
Namdroling Monastery, also known as the Tibetan Golden Temple, is the largest learning center for the Nyingma Buddhist tradition. Stroll through the monastery, marvel at the exquisite Tibetan architecture and art it features, experience the tranquility enveloping the place, turn the prayer wheels, and witness the resident lamas taking part in daily prayer rituals. Other attractions here include three golden statutes of about 40 feet each and colorful paintings depicting scenes from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. You can also shop for traditional Tibetan souvenirs from the shops within the complex.
- Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; every day
- Entry fee: Free
After exploring the monastery, take a short break and have your lunch at one of the restaurants in the area.
Where to eat
- Rigo Restaurant
- Malaya Pure Veg Restaurant
- Buddha Cafe
- Tashi Delek Restaurant
- Annapurna Restaurant
It’s now time to visit another hidden paradise in Coorg, namely Nisargadhama Island.
- By road: 20 minutes’ drive
3.00 pm – 5.00 pm: Spend some tranquil moments in the lap of nature at Nisargadhama Island
Nisargadhama Island | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
Though called an island, Nisargadhama is a delta formed by the Kaveri. It covers around 64 acres of area and has several attractions and activities for visitors including parks, elephant rides and boating. A visit to Nisargadhama counts among the top things to do in Coorg, so spend a couple of hours exploring the place.
- Timings: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm; every day
- Entry Fee: ₹ 10 for adults and ₹ 5 for kids
- Boat Rides: ₹ 100 per person
- Elephant Rides: ₹ 25 per person
What to do
- Walk across the hanging rope bridge that connects Nisargadhama to the mainland
- Enjoy boat rides and elephant rides
- Visit the deer park and rabbit park
- Eat some snacks at the Snack House managed by the Forest Department
Now that you have seen the scenic and spiritual sides of Coorg, how about going on a shopping spree? Your next stop is the local market in Kushalnagar.
- By road: 20 minutes’ drive
5.30 pm onwards: Head to Kushalnagar Market area for some budget shopping and wrap it up with a filling dinner
Kushalnagar Market | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
The bustling Kushalnagar Market is one of the major places to shop around in Coorg. You can find a wide variety of items here including souvenirs, therapeutic oils, pickles, and other local products.
- Timings: 9.00 am to 8.00 pm; every day
Once done, go for an early dinner at one of the restaurants located in and around the market area.
Where to eat
- Shanti Bites
- Atithi Restaurant
- Udupi Veg by Hoysala
- Top in Town – Nakshatra
- Fish Curry Rice
After dinner, you can explore the market a little more if you want or return to your room and get a good night’s sleep.
DAY 2
9.00 am – 10.30 am: Witness the cascading beauty of Abbey Falls
Abbey falls | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
Day 2 is dedicated to attractions located in and around Madikeri – the district headquarters. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Abbey Falls, one of the top tourist attractions in Coorg. Situated amidst lush green spice and coffee plantations, the milky white waterfall cascades down a height of about 70 feet and offers a spellbinding sight.
- Timings: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm; every day
- Entry fee: ₹ 15 per person
Your next destination is the Omkareshwara Temple, one of the famous temples in the Kodava region.
- By road: 20 minutes’ drive
11.00 am – 12.00 pm: Explore the architectural brilliance of Omkareshwara Temple
Omkareshwara Temple | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
The famous Omkareshwara Temple traces its origins back to the 1820s and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It features the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture complete with turrets installed in four corners and a central home. There is a large water tank in the temple complex, which adds to the beauty of the structure.
- Timings: 6.30 am to 12.00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8.00 pm
Located at a short distance from the temple is the historic Madikeri Fort, which is the next stop in your itinerary.
- By road: 5 minutes’ drive
- By walk: 10 minutes
12.10 pm – 2.30 pm: Get a glimpse into the history of the region at Madikeri Fort followed by an authentic Kodava lunch
Madikeri Fort | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
Perhaps the most famous man-made structure in Coorg, Madikeri Fort is an imposing edifice on the top of Stuart Hill. It was built as a mud structure in 1681 by Mudduraja and later restructured in granite by Tipu Sultan. The fort houses a church, a museum, and a temple within its compound.
- Timings: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm; closed on Mondays
- Entry fee: Free
What to do
- Visit St. Mark’s Church inside the fort complex and the museum housed within it
- Take a look at the weaponry used during the reign of Tipu Sultan
- Watch the tortoise sculpture that has the initials of King Vijayarajendra carved on it
- Visit Kote Maha Ganapathi Temple located within the complex
What’s a trip to Coorg without enjoying some authentic Kodava dishes? After exploring the fort in detail, step into a restaurant in Madikeri town for lunch to relish the flavors of the region.
Where to eat
- The Fort Mercara
- Coorg Cuisine
- Hotel Neel Sagar
- Hotel Udupi Garden
- Taste of Coorg
Are you filled? Now, how about filling your shopping bags with some souvenirs and products Coorg is known for?
Also Read: Places to Visit in Karnataka
2.30 pm to 4.00 pm: Shop for some quintessential Coorg goodies at the local stores in Madikeri town
Coorg goodies | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
If you are looking to take a piece of Coorg back with you, you will find it in the local stores dotting Madikeri town. So spend some time pampering the shopaholic in you.
What to buy
- Honey
- Coffee
- Spices
- Homemade wine
- Homemade chocolates
- Pickles
Where to buy
- Kodava Samaj Complex
- Al Wesal Tower
- Choci Coorg
- Coorg Spices Inn
- Coorg Greens
Happy with your shopping spree? Now, make your way to another man-made attraction in Coorg, namely Raja’s Tomb.
- By road: 10 minutes’ drive
4.00 pm – 5.00 pm: Visit Raja’s Tomb
Raja’s Tomb | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
As the name indicates, Raja’s Tomb is the place where the mortal remains of the Kodagu kings remain. The place has two identical tombs, both designed in the Islamic architectural style. An interesting feature of these tombs is that they depict motifs related to Lord Shiva and his bull, Nandi.
- Timings: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm; every day
The last stop in this itinerary is Raja’s Seat, a place that was once frequented by the kings of the land.
- By road: 10 minutes’ drive
5.15 pm – 7.00 pm: Enjoy a relaxed evening at Raja’s Seat and call it a day with a sumptuous dinner
Raja’s Seat | 2 Days Itinerary Coorg
Raja’s Seat is a seasonal garden located atop a hill. It is one of the best spots in Coorg to watch sunrises and sunsets. History has it that Kodava kings used to spend their evenings here in the company of their queens.
- Timings: 5.30 am to 8.00 pm; every day
- Entry fee: ₹ 5 for garden entry; ₹ 20 for toy train rides
What to do
- Watch a beautiful sunset
- Enjoy mesmerizing views of the valleys and cliffs
- Hop on the toy train for a ride around the place
- Admire the greenery of the garden interspersed with colorful flowers
- Watch the musical fountains in action
Many top restaurants in Stuart Hill are within walking distance of Raja’s Seat. What better way to wrap up your trip than with a relaxed dinner?
Where to eat
- Tiger Tiger
- Raintree Restaurants
- Rajdarshan Hotel
- Mayura Valley View Restaurant
Your 2-day trip to Coorg ends here, but don’t feel sad about it. You can come back to this scenic hill station any time of the year for a holiday. So let’s start planning your next trip, shall we?
