On the list of popular tourist destinations in India, very few are in the south. There are many reasons for this including the northerly location of such famous sites as the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, Kolkata, Jaipur, etc. that seem to overshadow many other destinations.
The fact that India’s biggest film industry is located in Mumbai may also play a factor, but when it comes to south India, very little is explored save Goa, the backwaters of Kerala and Pondicherry.
As a student studying abroad in south India, I can attest to the fact that a trip to north India is not the same experience as a trip to the south. Not only are the languages vastly different; all aspects of the culture vary greatly.
Given limited timeframes to travel the vast country, it is not feasible for me to constantly travel up to the north, and thus I had to find places to visit closer by. After scouring I don’t remember how many lists of places deemed worthwhile to visit, I came across the enchanting place where I just spent my weekend — Coorg.
Nestled in the Western Ghats (mountain passes) of Karnataka, Coorg is the coffee, peppercorn and honey producing region of India. The area was deemed by the British as the “Scotland of India” for its large expanse of rolling greenery, coffee estates and natural springs.
Just like elsewhere in the state, coconut palms grow in abundance and rice paddy fields can be seen in the valleys. By far the best way to see this region is through one of the innumerable estate stays in the area. The homestay I lodged at with two friends was on a small family-owned coffee and peppercorn plantation along the border of Karnataka and Kerala. The family was wonderful to talk to, helpful in arranging transportation and activities nearby and I cannot begin to describe the amazing traditional Coorgi food they prepared for us every day.
While we could easily have stayed inside the plantation relaxing for our entire stay, we opted for zip-lining and a ropes course one day and a trip to the nearby Irpu waterfall and a safari in Nagarhole National Park on another.
An elephant training camp, shopping in a nearby city and a Tibetan monastery are other options in the region, as well as white water rafting and trekking for the adventure seekers out there. Even with all of these options for activities, Coorg has a laid back, agricultural atmosphere and welcoming charm that made it hard to leave.
Whether it is because of the winding roads, brightly-colored houses or small community feel, Coorg reminded me of a lakeside community back home even with the absence of a lake to converge around. There is something about this gorgeous area marked by small villages and spread out estates that makes it the ideal get away from the bustling city and the perfect location to kick back with a good cup of coffee to watch the sunrise through the palm trees.