Visit Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Coorg (Kodagu) was a state in its own right until 1956. The market town of Madekeri is the capital of the region and is surrounded by picturesque hills filled with spice plantations and coffee estates. The Huthri festival, held on a full moon night during November or December celebrates the season's harvests with ceremony, music and feasting. This is a remote region and an ideal area for trekking through tropical forest and plantations, along riverbanks and beside paddy fields. It is also possible to arrange fishing or a round of golf at the 18 hole par 70 course situated in the heart of the country’s coffee gardens. The course boasts challenging fairways reaching the tops of the hills and lush green lawns. A number of Tibetan villages, initially settled by refugees in the 1960s, are scattered around Bylekuppe and the Buddhist Monastery of Sera Je, 5km off the main highway is worth a visit. Dubbed the Scotland of India, the misty hills, lush forest, tea and coffee plantation, orange groves and breathtaking views make Madikeri an interesting addition for the adventurous traveller.