Things to do in Coorg with Kids

Stay in a Coorg Homestay

Of all the things to do in Coorg, this one is my personal favorite. Coorg has an assortment of hotels and resorts that are ready to spoil you with all the luxury and amenities they offer, but a homestay only, can give a first hand knowledge of the culture and traditions of the place. Coorg has many homestay options that fit all pockets. The personalized attention with fresh home cooked local delicacies will make sure that you will not regret this decision.

Get USD 43 / INR 3025 off (USD 31 / INR 2200 off on booking a homestay & USD 12 / INR 830 off on booking an experience) when you book a homestay through Airbnb here.

Or get the best deals while booking a hotel in Coorg here.

Click here to read about my earlier post on 5 best homestays in Coorg.

Click here to read about my earlier post on 5 best hotels and resorts in Coorg.

Try the Local Cuisine

Coorg has lots to offer in terms of food and the local spread goes far beyond the humble dosa and vada. One of the must things to do in Coorg is to try out its local Kodava cuisine. Loaded with abundantly grown local spices, it will make sure to tingle your taste buds and make you crave for more.

Enjoy a cozy romantic Sunset and Date Night dinner at Coorg amidst the beautiful mountain ranges.

Experience the Monsoons

There is nothing more divine and fulfilling than to enjoy the rains falling over the vast expanse of wilderness, sipping on a freshly brewed cup of locally grown coffee. Monsoons are also the best time for river rafting and to experience the waterfalls in their full glory. Rains are the best part of the Coorg Weather.

Either a Cycling tour to Iruppu falls and Tea estates, Cycling Tour To The Chelavara Waterfall And Kabbe Hills or a Jeep safari to visit Mallali Waterfalls is a feast for the senses.

Spice Shopping

Fresh, locally grown, unadulterated, reasonably priced variety of spices; need I say more?

You can book a coffee plantation tour of the coffee estates of either the Madenadu Village or Chambebellur Village here. You can also know more about the coffee cultivation and trace the process of the coffee bean from plantation to cup.

Nature Walks

One of the most rejuvenating things to do in Coorg is its Nature Walks. Set out on foot and explore the wilderness of Coorg. The myriad varieties of flora and fauna present here will surely not disappoint you.

You can choose to do either a trek to the highest peak of Coorg – Tadiyandamol or Karkette Peak Trek in Coorg. Minimum age for the first trek is 10 years and for the 2nd trek is 7 years.

See the Coffee Blossoms

Visiting Coorg during March/ April and watching the coffee plantations deck up in a veil of white flowers is a delight as a result of the delicate, white, sweet-smelling blossoms. This flower season is short-lived but definitely brightens up the always pleasant Coorg weather. You can book a coffee plantation tour of the coffee estates of either the Madenadu Village or Chambebellur Village here.

Spend a day doing Fun Adventure activities with kids

This is one activity, in fact 7-in-1 adventure package which kids and adults love to do alike. With a host of thrilling adventure activities and splendid views on offer, the day spent at The Quarry Adventures simply rejuvenates the senses. You could enjoy the rush of zip lining over a cliff, climb up on an uncharted rock face or leave the beaten path and go on a hike into the lush forests.

You can book this thrilling activity here. Minimum age for participation in this activity is age 13.

Visit the famous Coorg Tourist Places

There are plenty of tourist attractions in Coorg. Since its right in the lap of nature there’s nature walk and various treks, cascading waterfalls, jeep safaris, Elephant camps, kid-friendly adventure activities, many temples and a monastery too.

Following is a handpicked list of tourist attractions and places to visit in Coorg:

Abbey Falls

The majestic Abbey Falls!

Abbey falls are about 8 km from Madikeri. The roads leading to Abbey Falls are treacherous and requires extra caution while driving especially during rains. The falls are in a private property in the midst of an enchanting green foliage. There is a short walk of 500 meters through stone paved path from the parking area to the falls. The walk is endearing, however, it is daunting for little kids. The falls are hidden by greenery and seem to suddenly, although the roar of the cascading waters are heard from a distance. There is a hanging bridge that takes you to the other side of the falls. The flow is very high during the monsoons and the sight of the majestic falls from the hanging bridge is breathtaking. It’s better to plan this visit during day time to fully appreciate its beauty.

Mallali Waterfall

About 62 km from Madikeri, lies the tallest and most impressive waterfall in Coorg. If you have some time at hand in the evenings, you should go on a 6-hour jeep safari to visit Mallali Waterfalls. The Kumaradhara river gushing down from a height of 200 feet and creating the loudest roar is a great sight to witness. Even the drive through the beautiful countryside has spectacular views and stunning landscapes. When driving past the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, it is not uncommon to see the rare wildlife species.

You can book the Jeep safari to visit Mallali Waterfalls here.

Mallali Waterfall

Chelavara Waterfall and Kabbe Hills

44 km from Madikeri, another picturesque cycling adventure awaits you through magnificent countryside roads while you explore the remote villages of Coorg. Along the way one witnesses the lush green paddy fields and a variety of landscapes. Cycling all the way uphill to reach the stunning lush green Chelavara waterfalls can be challenging but surrounded by breathtaking views with numerous photo opportunities is a refreshing fun-filled family experience. A short but challenging 20-minute climb to the Kabbe hill peak is worth it with breathtaking sunset views.

If travelling with kids above age 15 years, book the Cycling Tour To The Chelavara Waterfall And Kabbe Hills.

Raja’s Seat

Enjoy the Awesome Coorg Weather at Raja’s Seat

Raja’s Seat is one of the most popular places to visit in Coorg to enjoy the lovely Coorg weather. It lies in the heart of Madikeri. You can get an amazing view of the clouds caressing the curling mountains from here. The best time to visit this place is in the evening to experience a breathtaking sunset and as the sun sets, the few thin strips of clouds on the horizon turn shimmering gold. This place is known for its seasonal gardens and artificial waterfalls. It’s called Raja’s Seat because according to legends, the Kings of Coorg spent their evenings here, taking in the beauty of the place. A toy train ride is an added attraction for kids.

Raja’s seat

Nisargadhama

Another fun place to visit in Coorg is the Nisargdhama Forest. This small island is on the Madikeri Kushalnagar road, roughly 3 km from Kushalnagar and 19 km from Madikeri. It is formed by the River Cauveri. There is a parking area with entry charges. The island is accessible through a hanging rope bridge. The Cauveri flowing through a woody heaven of bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees make the island visit worthwhile. The attractions for children here are boating; children’s park, elephant rides and a deer park where you can also feed them, all for nominal charges.

Deer park at Nisargdhama

Talakaveri

The source of the sacred Cauveri River is Talakaveri, on the Brahmagiri Range by a small temple dedicated to Goddess Kaveriamma, worshiped by the Kodavas. A small ascend gives a picturesque view of clouds, mist and fog floating over the hills and dense green forests. River Cauveri originates as a spring supplying water to a tank before flowing underground to form a river. It’s situated at a height of 1276 m above sea level and can get quite chilly due to the strong winds especially during rains.

Tip: Avoid visiting this place with kids during the monsoon season. That said, we still cherish the memories of this place since we visited this place just as a couple during monsoons and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Dubare Elephant Camp

Dubare Elephant camp is a project undertaken by forest department and Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. Here you can get up, close and personal with the pachyderms. You can not only learn about them but bathe them, play with them and feed them too. You need to take a speed boat or coracle ride to reach this camp. It’s advisable to reach early as the elephant grooming session is a must see. Elephant rides are also popular. The coracle ride, a traditional round boat made of bamboo and hide is a major tourist attraction. This is one of the must things to do in Coorg for families visiting here with kids. The time spent with the elephants will surely be etched in the kids minds for years.

Bakkare Elephant Grasslands

Off the beaten path lie well hidden natural treasures in the vast elephant grasslands of Bhramagiri Reserve, where one may even find an elephant and other majestic animals grazing. This is another fun-filled on-road adventure especially for families with kids. Book a Jeep safari to Bakkare Elephant Grasslands, and on the way stop and explore wonderful scenery and beautiful landscapes of the Malnad forest with its lush greenscapes.

Bakkare Elephant Grasslands

Iruppu Falls

These falls are in the Brahmagiri range, around 80 km from Madikeri and 48 km from Virajpet. Monsoons are the best time to visit as the falls are in their full glory. A Shiva temple on the way to these falls is a popular pilgrimage spot. The nature trail leading to these falls is long with many steps but also exhilarating. The falls are simply beautiful and a must see during rains but can be avoided during off-season.

If you are with kids above 15 years of age, you all could engage in a fun-filled family activity doing a cycling tour to Iruppu falls and tea estates of Coorg. You can book the Cycling tour to Iruppu falls and Tea estates here.

Irrupu Falls

Namdroling Tibetan Monastery

18 meters high gold-plated statues at Namdroling Tibetan Monastery

This Monastery is in Bylakuppe, around 35 km from Madikeri. It amazed me when I found out that this small district in Karnataka houses the largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. It’s also known as the Golden Temple due to the jaw dropping 18 meters high gold-plated Buddha statue it houses. The statues along with the beautiful paintings of Tibetan mythology and the decorated altar make the monastery a must visit. It hosts over 5000 monks; still one can feel the peace and tranquility of the Sanctum Sanatorium. It not only attracts many young Tibetans seeking enlightenment but also huge number of tourists.

Here there are shops selling authentic Tibetan food as well as many souvenirs and curios.

Tip: Make sure to negotiate the prices before buying them.

Monks’ Quarters at Namdroling Tibetan Monastery

Shopping in Coorg / Things to buy in Coorg

Spices and Dry Fruits

Fresh, locally grown, unadulterated, reasonably priced variety of spices; need I say more?

If you also love spices like me, this is definitely one of the things to do in Coorg which you should not miss. I found the spices available here are of great quality. It lasted me for a little more than a year.

With abundance of spice gardens in Coorg just name the spice and you will find it here. Spices like pepper, cardamom, cumin, oregano, sage, basil, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary as well as dry fruits like figs and raisins are available for buying here.

Tip: Do not overdo as I did. Buy only in limited amount as some of the stuff I bought got spoiled after a year of storage.

Coorg Coffee

Coorg being the largest producer of coffee in India, coffee was the main item on my shopping list. The coffee available here is Arabica and Robusta. It’s strong as well as aromatic and a must buy for all coffee aficionados.

Coorg Honey

Coorg is also famous for its honey which is rich in taste as well as in medicinal properties.

Tip: Be cautious while buying this as you could be easily tricked into buying adulterated stuff. Unfortunately, it happened to us. However, don’t let our bad experience de-motivate you from buying this awesome product there.

Coorg Chocolates and Oranges

Homemade Chocolates are a specialty here. You get them in different varieties. The oranges you get here may not look very appealing but taste delicious.

All the above items are available during a coffee plantation tour of the coffee estates of either the Madenadu Village or Chambebellur Village.

Coorg Weather

Coorg weather is pleasant all year round this makes it an evergreen and all time favorite destination in summers, winters and in rains also. There are a lot of fun things to do in Coorg for families with kids. In spite of being a small hill station tucked away in the western ghats of Karnataka, it still has a few popular places to visit in Coorg.

The beauty of Coorg is that its attraction is different in different seasons. The monsoon months are special too, as the beauty and greenery comes alive in the rains but it may get inconvenient when travelling with kids and most of the sightseeing options are inaccessible and may dampen your plans but the thriving river rafting makes it an adventurer’s delight. In September, the waterfalls are in their full glory and easily accessible as the rain Gods start receding. The period from September to March is just perfect to enjoy the tourist attractions so it’s the best time to visit Coorg. But it’s the peak season so you might find many tourists and inflated rates everywhere. March and April are the months when the coffee plantations are in full bloom with pretty white flowers and the view is a treat for sore eyes.

Check out the latest weather report for Madikeri, Coorg here

Book Your Stay

Hope you find this Coorg Family Guide of use to you. Do let us know about your stay in Coorg or if I am missing something, please contact us or comment below and I will update this blog soon so that it may help other travellers. Your comments and/or feedback are most welcome.

In case you found the above read interesting, you might also like the following: 

5 Best Coorg Homestay – Best Homestays in Coorg for Families with kids

5 Best Coorg Resorts and Hotels – Best Hotels and Resorts in Coorg for Families with kids

Complete Travel Guide for Coorg Family Holidays

Ooty – A Guide to the Queen of Hill-Stations