coorg

Madikeri is the place from where the Kaveri River originates. Located on top of a lush green hill, Madikeri in the Coorg district is complete with cascading waterfalls, lush tea and coffee plantations, and total peace and tranquility amidst nature at its best. Named after its ruler, Mudduraja, Madikeri, or Mercara as it is also known, offers a whole gamut of experiences for the visitor. Trek around town and in the neighboring hills for that refreshing atmosphere that can rejuvenate the senses in a jiffy. 

Madikeri Fort is a mud fort built by Mudduraja in the last quarter of the 17th Century & fort was rebuilt with stone by Tipu Sultan with secret underground passages. Today it is a museum under the Archaeological Department of India. It has become the home to some of the historical artifacts & a section dedicated to Field Martial Cariappa.

The dense forests of Dubare in Karnataka are famous for their elephant camps, where visitors can have an experience with the gentle giants. The Dubare forest reserve area is in Coorg, on the banks of the river Kaveri. This place has traditionally been an elephant training ground. The hilly terrain of this forest is ideal for trekking & rafting is also a popular option here. There are many beautiful trekking trails, and one of the most popular trails is the one that leads to Iruppa Falls.

Bylakuppe is the second biggest Tibetan settlement in India, after Dharamshala. It is just a 6kms distance from Kushalnagara. There are two Tibetan settlements, Lugsum Samdupling & Dickyi Larsoe, in which thousands of Tibetan refugees live in exile. Tibetan monasteries, tourist-oriented Tibetan eateries, and handicraft shops are all over this place. The main attraction in Bylakuppe is the Golden Temple or Namdroling Monastery, which adheres to the typical Tibetan style of architecture and appears as a pleasant surprise in South India. The golden color 40 ft tall idols of Padmasambhava, Buddha, and Amitayus are heavily decorated and awe-inspiring.

Tourists visit the Harangi Dam Site during their journey to Dubare. Constructed across the Dubare Forest over a small rivulet of the Kaveri River near Kushalnagar, this dam is around 846 meters in length with 47 meters in height. 

Nisargadhama Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit attraction of Coorg. It is an island located amid the Cauvery River and linked to the mainland by a bridge made of ropes. Elephants, deer, rabbits, and peacocks & along with these bamboo groves, sandalwood trees, and teak trees, are also found at this sanctuary. Tourists can also enjoy several activities, such as boating and elephant rides at this sanctuary. For travelers, there are some residential cottages where they can lodge on their trip.