Three days lets you see Coorg without rushing: a half day in Madikeri with Abbey Falls, a morning at Talacauvery and Bhagamandala, and a day east at Dubare Elephant Camp, Nisargadhama and the Golden Temple. The free afternoons suit Mandalpatti by jeep or the sunset at Raja's Seat.
A half day in and around town: Abbey Falls at opening time, the Raja's tombs at Gaddige, Omkareshwara Temple and Madikeri Fort. About 13 km, back by about 12:00. The afternoon is free for a jeep trip to Mandalpatti, or the sunset at Raja's Seat, a few minutes from the town centre. Not on a Monday, when the fort museum is shut.
A waterfall on the edge of a coffee estate about 6 km from Madikeri. A paved path and steps lead down through coffee and pepper to a hanging bridge right in front of the falls.
Tip: It is about 200 steps down to the bridge and back up. Swimming is not allowed. The falls are biggest from July to October, when the path is slippery.
The domed tombs of the Kodagu kings Dodda Vira Rajendra and Lingarajendra II, and of a royal priest, on a small rise at the north end of Madikeri. Built in the early 1800s, they mix Indian and Islamic styles, with domes and corner towers.
Tip: It is about 2 km from the town centre and rarely busy. Go in daylight; the hours are not well published.
A Shiva temple built in 1820 by Lingarajendra II, a few minutes from the fort. It looks unlike most temples, with a dome and four corner towers, and stands beside a tank full of fish.
Tip: It is shut from 12:00 to 17:00. Dress modestly and leave your shoes at the gate.
A hilltop fort in the middle of Madikeri, first built in mud in the 1600s and rebuilt in stone by Tipu Sultan. Inside are the old palace, two stone elephants and an old church that is now a small museum.
Tip: The museum is closed on Mondays and its ticket is cash only. Parts of the old palace can be shut for repairs.
A morning in the west: Talacauvery, the source of the Kaveri, then Bhagamandala, where three rivers meet. About 87 km of hill roads, back in Madikeri by about 13:00 for lunch.
The source of the Kaveri river, high on the Brahmagiri hills about 44 km west of Madikeri. A small tank marks where the river rises, and steps climb the hill behind it to a view over the hills towards Kerala.
Tip: It is cold and windy at the top, and the road up is hard going in heavy monsoon rain. Mid-October brings huge crowds for the Tula Sankramana festival.
A temple town where the Kaveri meets two smaller rivers, the Triveni Sangama. The Bhagandeshwara temple, with its tiled Kerala-style roofs, stands just above the meeting point.
Tip: The temple shuts from 13:30 to 15:00. The meeting of the rivers is a few minutes on foot from the temple.
Dubare Elephant Camp when it opens at 09:30, Kaveri Nisargadhama, lunch, then the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe. Back in Madikeri for Raja's Seat in the late afternoon. About 84 km, back by about 16:05.
A forest department elephant camp on the far bank of the Kaveri, about 28 km east of Madikeri. You cross the river by boat and watch the camp's elephants with a guide, in small groups.
Tip: Since it reopened in September 2026 you watch from about 10 m away: no touching, feeding or bathing the elephants. Batches are capped, so weekends fill up. It shuts when the river is high in the monsoon.
A forested island in the Kaveri near Kushalnagar, reached by a hanging bridge. Paths run through tall bamboo to the river bank and a small deer park, and boats go out on the river.
Tip: Paths are flat and shaded, easy for children and older visitors. Boating stops when the river is high.
A large Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Bylakuppe settlement, just past Kushalnagar and about 34 km east of Madikeri by road. Its Golden Temple holds three gilded statues, each about 18 m tall, of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Amitayus.
Tip: Take off your shoes in the temple and keep your voice down during prayers. The Tibetan cafes outside are good for lunch.
A garden on the edge of Madikeri where the kings of Kodagu are said to have sat to watch the sunset. The view runs west over layer after layer of green hills and valleys.
Tip: It is busiest at sunset. Mist can hide the view in the monsoon, so check the sky before you go.
Drive times come from road routing without traffic. Coorg's roads are narrow and winding, so allow more time, above all on the Talacauvery road. In heavy monsoon rain the district closes tourist spots by order, and Dubare shuts when the river is high, so check the morning you go. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.
Call or message a local Coorg operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.
Pickup from Coorg · based in Madikeri
The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.
| Place | Open | Best time | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Falls | 09:00 to 17:00 every day; small ticket. The path can close on heavy-rain days | At opening time, before the tour buses. | 1 h |
| Gaddige (Raja's Tombs) | About 09:30 to 17:30; small ticket? | Any time in daylight; it is quiet and close to town. | 30 min |
| Omkareshwara Temple | 06:30 to 12:00 and 17:00 to 20:00; free | Morning, before it closes for the afternoon. | 30 min |
| Madikeri Fort | 10:00 to 17:30; the museum is closed on Mondays | Late morning, with the museum inside open. | 45 min |
| Talacauvery | About 06:00 to 18:00 every day; free | Morning, before the mist and the crowds. | 1 h 15 min |
| Bhagamandala and Triveni Sangama | 06:30 to 13:30 and 15:00 to 20:30; free | On the way back from Talacauvery. | 45 min |
| Dubare Elephant Camp | Viewing only, 09:30 to 11:30, in batches of about 45 minutes (since 20 September 2026). The boat across stops when the river is high | Be at the river by 09:30. The camp is open to visitors only in the morning. | 1 h 30 min |
| Kaveri Nisargadhama | About 09:00 to 17:00 (one listing says 06:00 to 18:00); small ticket. Boating stops in high water? | Midday or afternoon; the bamboo keeps it shady. | 1 h 15 min |
| Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple) | The monastery's site says 07:00 to 19:00; Karnataka Tourism says 09:00 to 18:00. Free? | Afternoon, when the monks gather for prayers. | 1 h |
| Raja's Seat | About 05:30 to 20:00 every day; small ticket. A musical fountain runs in the evening when it is working | Late afternoon. Stay on, or come back from town, for the sunset over the hills to the west. | 45 min |
Abbey Falls, the Golden Temple and Madikeri
See the 1-day plan →Dubare, the Golden Temple and Abbey Falls · Talacauvery, Bhagamandala and Raja's Seat
See the 2-day plan →Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.
See all places →Day one in Madikeri with Abbey Falls, day two at Talacauvery and Bhagamandala, and day three at Dubare, Nisargadhama and the Golden Temple. Mandalpatti fits a free afternoon by jeep.
Day one, because the museum inside Madikeri Fort is closed on Mondays. The other two days work on any day.