A Sojourn Close to Nature – Heritage Resort Coorg

• by Piklo D. Sindom
• 24th March 2019
• 35 Comments

There is a saying by Albert Einstein, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”. Coorg is one such destination in South India that takes you deep into Mother Nature’s lap and leaves you bewitched with its unmatched beauty!

Coorg was called “Scotland of India” by the British during their visit in the 19th century to this quaint little town of Karnataka. The highest peak of Coorg is Tadiandamol with Pushpagiri being the second-highest. A stay at Heritage Resort Coorg will let you explore its mesmerising beauty and it will give you an insight into Coorg’s culture and history – because what’s a place without a little legend and local lore that continues to fascinate people till date!

Wake up to the aroma of refreshing coffee and serene beauty of the misty land and streams of Kodagu. Located along the Western Ghats of the Sahyadri Mountains in South Western Karnataka, Coorg’s forest-covered hills, and spice & coffee plantations adds to its enticing landscape. Heritage Resort Coorg is nestled amidst the emerald landscape with a perfect blend of history, luxury, adventure, mouth-watering cuisine, and COFFEE of hill station of Coorg.

Perched on a hill top and wrapped in the cool embrace of the rainforest, the gracious Heritage Resort Coorg blends naturally into this wild outpost. Settled among majestic trees and mist, the cottages offer panoramic views of surrounding hilltops, while the resort overlooks deep valleys and gurgling streams. The smell of coffee-filled fresh mountain air will tantalize you. You’ll feel the communion with rolling hills, bubbling creeks and pristine woods that will make your soul whole again. Be it herbs for the spa or veggies for the restaurant, they’re fruits of the resort’s own making, from its organic garden, grown with love and tenderness. Experience traditional Kodagu hospitality, where the earthy lap of nature blends in seamlessly with modern luxuries.

The Western Ghats were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list for their rich biodiversity. Located on the eastern slopes of these ranges, Heritage Resort Coorg is a perfect spot to experience the biodiversity in Coorg. Coorg is home to a number of animals including the wild elephant, sloth bear leopard, wild boar, jackal, hyena, porcupine, star tortoise, pangolin, mongoose, and monitor lizard. There are around 230 species of birds recorded in the area such as the Malabar Trogon, Flame Throated Bulbul, Plum Headed Parakeet, White Bellied Blue Flycatcher, Crimson Fronted Barbet, Grey Francolin, Barred Buttonquail, Common Kestrel and White-throated Kingfisher. Some of them can be spotted right outside your window at the property!

When in Coorg, you can’t miss the local Kodava cuisine of this alluring hill station. Make sure you don’t miss out on savouring the specialities at Heritage Resort Coorg’s Mask Restaurant. It would be a sin not to try these Kodava dishes!

Kadumbutto: Steam rice dumplings are a staple, eaten with spicy curries. Drop into a local restaurant to try them out!

Pandhi Curry: It’s a heavily spiced pork curry, cooked in coconut and special Coorgi spices such as Malabar tamarind & cardamom, and is eaten with Kadumbutto or Akki roti (rice-based roti). It’s definitely a must-try!

Baimbale: A bamboo shoot curry with tamarind, mustard, red chillies, and coconut. A delicacy for vegetarians!

If there is one thing that defines Coorg the best, then it has to be the infinite regal fields of coffee plantations. Coorg is one of the highest producers of coffee in India. Some of the world’s best coffee is grown in Coorg, and the slopes are evocated with the aroma of fine Arabica and Robusta. The hills of Coorg have also been a supply depot for the famous spices of Malabar. Pepper, cloves, cardamom, kokum, cinchona, and other stars of the fabled spice route are residents of these hills. Pepper of Coorg is easily said to be the best and since ancient times, traders have landed on the neighbouring Malabar Coast of Kerala to take loads of this black treasure to the different parts of the world.

Coorg is filled with a bunch of alluring sightseeing spots which will leave you in wonder!

Set amidst the lush green region, the majestic Abbey Falls look right out of a wonderland, and are a must-visit spot in Coorg. The falls cascade from an elevation of 70 feet, making an incredible scene for photographers and nature lovers.

If you are a coffee lover, Coorg is the place for you! Take a walk through the lush plantations and sample some fresh coffee. Learn about the interesting history of coffee and its making process. If you visit during the berry-picking season, you can help out the locals on the plantation as well.

If the idea of elephants walking around in their natural habitat excites you, Dubare Elephant Camp is where you must head. Renowned for Asiatic Black Elephants, Dubare Elephant Camp in Coorg offers a chance to understand these majestic creatures very closely. Take a plunge in the water for an elephant grooming session and enjoy the sight of their happiness as they are scrubbed and oiled by the caretakers.

Bylakuppe is the only Tibetan settlement in South India and its doors open to an entirely different world. It is home to the magnificent Namdroling Monastery or Golden Temple, which is located at a distance of around 34 km from Madikeri. The beautiful monastery is one of the best examples of Tibetan architecture and artwork, which is noticeable in its ornate outer walls, decorated temple tower and vivid use of colours. The town comes alive and will delight you during the Tibetan New Year Festival (Losar). The Buddhist colony here carries a piece of Tibet in itself, and the ubiquitous maroon and yellow robes will have you double-checking if you're still in South India.

To take in the beauty of sunsets, head to Mandalpatti in Coorg. Admire the views as the sun sinks behind the hills, leaving a splash of orange and pink in the sky. The best way to reach Mandalpatti, to get a thrilling experience, is by taking a jeep or a bike ride through the winding roads.

King Lingarajendra constructed the magnificent Omkareshwara Temple as a tribute to Lord Shiva in the early 1800s. Surrounded by a pristine river, there are aspects reminiscent of both Muslim and Gothic influences in its architecture. One of the oldest and beautiful temples of Coorg, Omkareshwara Temple is a must-visit while in the hill station.

Nisargadhama is an island formed by the pristine Kaveri River in Kodagu district of Karnataka. Without a doubt, it is one of the most popular spots in Coorg and is known for its lush surroundings, bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees. You can always enjoy a boat ride or an elephant ride through the verdant bamboo groves here.

Nagarhole National Park in Coorg is located in in the Western Ghats and is part of Kodagu district. The park is also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park and is one of the best places for a day trip in Coorg to gaze at a variety of flora and fauna. With pristine panoramas of nature and adventures with enchanting species of plants and animals, Nagarhole is an experience in itself.

A gorgeous stream of water gushing from the Brahmagiri Mountain Range, Iruppu Falls are one of the must-visit waterfalls in Coorg district. Also called as Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, they are one of the Coorg’s natural treasures that attract plenty of travellers. The best time to visit this majestic waterfalls is from August to January.

Located in the town of Madikeri, Raja’s Seat is one of the most scenic places to visit in Coorg. A popular sunset point around Coorg, Raja’s Seat offers an alluring view of the lush valley surrounding the verdant hills. The garden was a much-loved spot for the Kings of Kodagu, and they loved watching the breathtaking sunset with their queens.

Take that long-awaited vacation and experience the serenity of Coorg as you unwind at Heritage Resort Coorg!