Madikeri—capital of Kodagu (Coorg)—is a mist-capped hill station in Karnataka famed for arabica coffee, cardamom-scented forests, royal tombs, and terraced sunsets. Once ruled by the Haleri dynasty, the town still orbits its fort and the atmospheric Omkareshwara Temple, with trails that unfurl to peaks and coffee estates.

Coorg is a culinary treasure chest: think Kodava pork (pandi curry), akki rotti, bamboo shoot curries, and hyperlocal coffee roasts. Photographers flock here for dawn views at Mandalpatti, long-exposure shots at Abbey Falls, and layered hills that glow at golden hour.

Practical note: there’s no airport or railhead in Madikeri; most travelers arrive by road from Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, or Kannur. Monsoon (June–September) brings emerald scenery but slippery trails and occasional closures. Dress in layers, carry rain protection, and book jeeps for Mandalpatti only with licensed drivers.

Madikeri (Coorg)

Madikeri is your springboard to Coorg’s best: coffee plantation walks, waterfall rambles, and peaceful temples. The town center is compact—perfect for café-hopping and dusk strolls to Raja’s Seat. Beyond lie Dubare’s Kaveri riverbanks, Bylakuppe’s Tibetan enclave, and ridgeline treks where clouds graze the shola forests.

• Top sights: Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat, Madikeri Fort, Omkareshwara Temple, Gaddige (Raja’s Tombs), Mandalpatti viewpoint, Talakaveri & Brahmagiri.
• For food lovers: Sample Kodava specialties at Raintree and Coorg Cuisine; chase it with pour-overs at Big Cup Café and local snacks at Ainmane Café & Specialty.
• Local gems: Early morning at the produce-and-spice market for pepper, honey, and coffee; riverside loafing at Dubare; sunset picnics above terraced hills.

Where to stay (budget ~80/100, upper mid-range to upscale): Search centrally located boutique stays, plantation homestays, and resorts via: Hotels.com – Madikeri stays and VRBO – Madikeri vacation rentals.

Consider a design-forward resort (e.g., Coorg Wilderness Resort & Spa, The Ibnii, Taj Madikeri) for forest views and stellar dining; or opt for a plantation homestay for fireside dinners and birdsong mornings. Expect ~$90–180 per night mid-range, $220–400+ for premium.

How to get there: Fly into Bengaluru (BLR), Mangaluru (IXE), or Kannur (CNN), then drive to Madikeri. Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

• Bengaluru to Madikeri: 5.5–6.5 hours by car (approx ₹4,500–7,000 one-way for a private cab). Overnight buses run ~6–7 hours. Train option: BLR → Mysuru by rail (~2.5–3 hrs) then taxi (~3–3.5 hrs); check schedules on Trip.com Trains.
• Mangaluru to Madikeri: ~3.5–4 hours by road via Sampaje Ghat; scenic but winding.
• Kannur to Madikeri: ~2.5–3 hours; often the quickest flight connection in good weather.

Day 1: Arrive, Coffee Estate Immersion, and Sunset Over the Western Ghats

Morning: Travel to Madikeri. On arrival, check in and freshen up. For a light bite, swing by Big Cup Café (estate-run spot with pour-overs, estate blends, and balcony views; try the affogato or cold brew) or Ainmane Café & Specialty (snacks, filter coffee, and shelves of Coorg honey, spices, and homemade wines).

Afternoon: Dive straight into Coorg’s coffee culture with the Mercara Gold Coorg Coffee and Spice Estate Tour. Learn cultivation basics, see shade-grown arabica, and walk past pepper vines and cardamom. End with a tasting that will recalibrate your idea of “fresh.”

Evening: Catch the golden hour at Raja’s Seat where rulers once watched the sun melt into paddy terraces. After, book a table at Raintree (set in a heritage bungalow; order pandi curry, nuputtu string hoppers, and koli barthad) or Coorg Cuisine (homestyle Kodava classics; the bamboo shoot curry and kadambuttu rice dumplings are standouts). For a post-dinner stroll, loop the fort ramparts for silhouettes of St. Mark’s Church and town lights.

Day 2: Waterfalls, Forts, Temples, and Valley Vistas (Guided Day by Car)

Today is a full-day, guide-driven sweep of Coorg’s highlights—perfect if you want efficient sightseeing with local context. Book the Touristic Highlights of Coorg (Guided Full-Day Sightseeing Tour by Car).

Morning: Start at Abbey Falls (best post-monsoon; wear grippy shoes), then walk the ramparts of Madikeri Fort for colonial-era architecture and valley views. Pause at Omkareshwara Temple, a 19th-century blend of Islamic arches and Hindu sanctity.

Afternoon: Head to Gaddige (Raja’s Tombs) for Indo-Islamic domes and open lawns—great for wide-angle shots. If time and road conditions permit, add Bylakuppe’s Namdroling Monastery (the Golden Temple) or Dubare on the Kaveri for riverside lazing. Lunch ideas: classic thalis at Atithi Pure Veg (fast, affordable, South Indian staples) or a spice-forward meal back in town at Coorg Cuisine.

Evening: Picnic at the Raja’s Seat gardens one more time or detour to a nearby viewpoint for blue-hour shots. For dinner, go old-school at East End Hotel—a decades-old favorite known for meat curries and parottas—or return to Raintree for seafood specials and tandoor bites. If you fancy a drink, ask your hotel about on-site lounges; many resorts pour estate-infused cocktails.

Day 3: Guided Trek, Riverside Chill, and Pro Photos at Golden Hour

Morning: Lace up for a moderate forest-and-grassland hike with the Half Day Guided Trek. Typical routes include shola-fringed spurs with sweeping valley views—great for bird calls and mist ribbons. Carry water, a light shell, and a hat; trails can be slick after rains.

Afternoon: Refuel with filter coffee and quick bites at Big Cup Café or a leisurely lunch at Raintree. Craving a “beach” moment? Coorg is inland, but you can lounge by the sandy Kaveri riverbanks at Dubare, dip your feet, and watch rafts drift by (rafting is seasonal, usually post-monsoon to early winter). It’s a calm, camera-friendly interlude before evening plans.

Evening: Book a golden-hour session—memories guaranteed—with the Photoshoot in Coorg By Professional Photographer. Pick a coffee estate lane, hilltop, or around Raja’s Seat for soft light and layered horizons.

Celebrate your last night with a Kodava feast: at Coorg Cuisine, ask for pandi curry with kadambuttu and a side of seasonal wild-mushroom fry; vegetarians can lean into koli palya substitutes and coconutty vegetable stews. For a nightcap, many resorts serve estate coffees done right—end the trip with one last pour-over.

Optional Experiences That Fit Your Interests

• More coffee: The Classic Coorg Coffee Plantation experience offers another take on bean-to-cup with trails through shade-grown plots.
• 4x4 to Mandalpatti: Hire a licensed jeep from the Mandalpatti base (commonly ₹1,500–2,000 per vehicle) for sunrise clouds and ridgeline photography—roads are rough and best done with local drivers.
• If you truly need a beach: Add a night in Mangaluru after Madikeri (3.5–4 hours by road) for Tannirbhavi or Panambur beaches; search flights on Trip.com Flights.

Booking Pointers and Seasonal Tips

• Monsoon safety: Trails can be leechy and slick; check if Abbey Falls walkways are open. Carry rain gear and quick-dry layers.
• Ethical wildlife: If visiting elephant centers, prioritize observation over interactions; policies change seasonally.
• Cash & connectivity: UPI is widely accepted, but carry some cash for rural stalls. Signal drops in forested pockets.

Handy links to plan: Stays on Hotels.com and VRBO; flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; regional train segments on Trip.com Trains.

Included Viator activities in this itinerary:

• Mercara Gold Coorg Coffee and Spice Estate Tour (Day 1)
• Touristic Highlights of Coorg – Guided Full-Day by Car (Day 2)
• Half Day Guided Trek (Day 3, morning)
• Photoshoot in Coorg by Professional Photographer (Day 3, evening)

In three days, you’ll taste Coorg’s coffee at its source, stand in spray at Abbey Falls, trace royal and colonial stories in stone, and hike above a sea of green. With space for café lingering and golden-hour photos, this Madikeri itinerary balances adventure and ease—exactly how a hill-station escape should feel.