7 Reasons why Coorg is called the Scotland of India?

What is your first impression of South India? Women with flowers in their long black hair and men in white mundus around their waists. It was my dream place because, deep down, I felt a sense of belonging. The first place I always wanted to visit was Coorg. So, Coorg is where we started. Long drives are dreary, but the atmosphere lures you. Hills and green trees make you dance with joy. The first place we landed to start our road journey was Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru. Yes, Bangalore and Bengaluru refer to the same city. “Bangalore” is the former English name, while “Bengaluru” is the official name adopted on November 1, 2014, to reflect its original Kannada name. A place where the king was offered boiled beans by an old lady, and thus the name Bengaluru came to be. Well, I will tell you this story sometime, if you are interested, obviously. But for now, let’s head to Coorg.

We landed and were as hungry as bears. We asked our chauffeur to take us to a local place where we could get authentic local food. So, we stopped at The Srisailam restaurant. The driver was good at finding vegetarian restaurants all the way. This restaurant is highly recommended. Don’t miss it when you visit Bengaluru. The food was finger-licking, especially the Missi Belle Baht. So, give it a try. The distance from Bengaluru to Coorg is about 264 km, so it is quite a long drive.

How did Coorg get its name?

Kodagu district, also known as Coorg, is an administrative district in the state of Karnataka, India. Before 1956, it was an administratively separate Coorg State, which was merged into an enlarged Mysore State. Derived from Koda, which means western, and gi, which means place.

Madikeri (Kodava), earlier called Mercara, is a city and the headquarters of Kodagu district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is recognised as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is ranked 1st in India for clean and fresh air in 2024. Formerly called Mercara, it was later renamed to Madikeri by the Government of Mysore.

Now, what are seven reasons you should visit Coorg?

1. Cool and pleasant climate

The climate in Coorg is on cloud nine. Amazing clouds, early-morning mist, mountains, cool trees, and the heavenly sunrise will make you fall in love with this place over and over again. The forest of Coorg is very beautiful, and the chirping of birds will take all your worries away.

2. Coffee plantations everywhere

Have you seen a coffee plantation? I would not have believed it until I came across the slopes covered with white flowers. Amazed, I asked, “What plantation was it?” Yes, we visited Coorg when the coffee plantations were in bloom. White flowers covered the entire green slopes, and the site was truly amazing. We visited in March to better understand the months and the coffee bloom stage.

3. Waterfalls

We were amazed to see waterfalls in Coorg. Name it, there are plenty of hidden waterfalls too. Prepare yourself to expect the unexpected, though in a good way. We visited Abbey waterfalls. Tucked in dense forest, it provides amazing trekking opportunities. Coorg is home to amazing waterfalls. Around 7-10 km from Madikeri, Abbey Falls cascade down a coffee plantation amid lush greenery. Prepare for good photography and mind your step if you are visiting during the monsoon, as the place can get too slippery, inviting accidents.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Mist-covered mornings

Mornings in Coorg are stunning, when every tree, every hill, every nook and corner is shrouded in mist and an amazing, heavenly atmosphere.

4. Rich flora and fauna

You name it, and you find it. So is the Flora and Fauna. The season we visited was the blooming season for the coffee plantation. So, Coorg was all in whites. The resort we stayed in itself had all sorts of trees. Even the cocoa tree, which I saw for the very first time, with cocoa fruit hanging on it. Elephants where they can roam freely without any fear. This was the place where I saw elephants and humans co -existed. Elephants right beside the human habitat. Those were wild elephants, not tamed ones. What a sight!

5. Scenic trekking trails

Want to go trekking, go to Coorg. Select the right season, and you will land on one of the amazing trails, which will take you to cloud nine. We did one of the short ones, which was worth a million. The atmosphere and the wind kept us there for hours, even though we were supposed to come down as soon as possible.

6.  Timeless peace and tranquillity

Coorg is a peaceful place, and since it is surrounded by nature, you stay grounded. You stay amidst nature, and nature charges you up again. Coorg turned out to be even more beautiful than I imagined.

7. Unforgetable memories

If you plan to visit Coorg, the rainy season and the end of the rainy season are the best times, as they bring mist-covered mornings and a tranquil atmosphere. Don’t forget to visit the coffee plantation if you are a coffee freak. I never knew coffee plants are costly, and it takes kilos of coffee beans to produce grams of coffee powder!

Coorg is definitely amazing and worth a visit! Go for it! We planned our trip through MakeMyTrip, a trustworthy site that helps you plan your trip according to your preferences, days, and hotels, and designs it accordingly. The hotel we stayed in Coorg was The Silent Brook Resort, which is at the most silent place of Coorg and is really worth staying if you love nature! It is built in the forest itself.

 

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