Madikeri, India: travel guide
Coffee hills, waterfalls and misty ridges in Coorg
Heart of Coorg — India's 'Scotland' — a mist-laden coffee and spice country of rolling plantations, waterfalls, and the ancient Raja's Seat.
About Madikeri
Madikeri is the main town of Kodagu, or Coorg, in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Around it lie coffee and spice plantations, forested ridges and waterfalls, and mist often rolls in across the hills.
Things to do in Madikeri include watching the sunset from Raja's Seat, visiting Abbey Falls through the coffee estates, and exploring Madikeri Fort. Further afield you can reach Talacauvery, the source of the Kaveri river, the Dubare elephant camp and the Tibetan settlement at Namdroling Monastery. Coorg cuisine, with its pork curries and rice dishes, is distinct from the rest of Karnataka.
Madikeri suits families, couples and anyone wanting plantation stays and slow days. The best time to visit Madikeri is from October to March, as the monsoon brings heavy rain.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Madikeri
Abbey Falls
Waterfall · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹30
A pretty waterfall tumbling through coffee and spice plantations, reached by a short walk to a hanging bridge viewpoint, full and roaring in the monsoon.
Raja's Seat
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A garden viewpoint where the Kodava kings once watched the sunset, offering a sweeping panorama over mist-filled valleys and layered hills.
Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple)
monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
A magnificent Tibetan Buddhist monastery at Bylakuppe with towering gilded Buddha statues and vivid murals, the largest teaching centre of its tradition in India.
Dubare Elephant Camp
Wildlife · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹30
A riverside forest camp on the Cauvery where you can watch, feed and bathe elephants, run by the forest department near Kushalnagar.
Nisargadhama
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A lush river island of bamboo groves and sandalwood reached by a hanging bridge, with deer, boating and treetop cottages near Kushalnagar.
Talacauvery
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The sacred source of the River Cauvery on Brahmagiri Hill, with a temple tank, hill shrine and steps to a panoramic ridge viewpoint.
Mandalpatti Viewpoint
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry ₹30
A high ridge viewpoint inside the Pushpagiri reserve, reached by a bumpy jeep ride, rewarding visitors with a sea of clouds rolling over the Western Ghats.
Madikeri Fort & Omkareshwara Temple
temple · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The 17th-century hilltop fort with a palace, museum and clock tower, near the Islamic-Gothic-style Omkareshwara Shiva temple in the town centre.
Raja's Tomb (Gaddige)
Heritage · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The domed Indo-Saracenic mausoleums of the Kodava kings, set on a quiet hillock with views over Madikeri town.
Bhagamandala (Triveni Sangama)
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A sacred confluence of three rivers with the Bhagandeshwara temple complex in Kerala-Kodava style, a pilgrim stop en route to Talacauvery.
Iruppu Falls
waterfall · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Sacred 170-ft cascade in the Brahmagiri range, near a Rama temple.
Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement
village · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Large Tibetan refugee settlement, home of the Golden Temple and monasteries.
Things to do
- Mandalpatti Jeep Sunrise Trip Activity · 3 h · from INR 2,500 per person
- Dubare Elephant Interaction Wildlife · 2 h · from INR 800 per person
- Golden Temple & Nisargadhama Tour Cultural · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Coffee Plantation Walk & Tasting Activity · 2 h · from INR 700 per person
- Barapole River Rafting Adventure · 3 h · from INR 1,800 per person
- Tadiandamol Peak Trek Adventure · 6 h · from INR 1,500 per person
- Bylakuppe Monastery Visit Cultural · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Abbey Falls & Raja's Seat Tour Sightseeing · 4 h · from INR 1,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Coorg Sightseeing Tour 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Dubare, Golden Temple & Nisargadhama 8 h · from INR 1,800
- Talacauvery & Bhagamandala Pilgrim Trip 5 h · from INR 1,200
Where to stay in Madikeri
- Town Center about INR 2,000 per night
Coffee plantation area with budget accommodation
Hotels
- Evolve Back Coorg 5-star · INR 25,000 to INR 55,000 per night
- The Tamara Coorg 5-star · INR 18,000 to INR 32,000 per night
- Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa 5-star · INR 16,000 to INR 28,000 per night
- Coorg Wilderness Resort & Spa 5-star · INR 15,000 to INR 32,000 per night
- Coorg Homestay (Plantation Stay) 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
- Mojo Plantation 3-star · INR 5,000 to INR 11,000 per night
Where to eat
- Coorg Cuisinette Kodava, South Indian · about INR 400 per person
- East End Hotel Kodava, South Indian · about INR 300 per person
- Raja Seat Restaurant Kodava, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 350 per person
- Coorg Food Court Kodava, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 300 per person
- Cafe Coorg Cafe, Continental · about INR 300 per person
- Hotel Capitol South Indian, North Indian · about INR 180 per person
- Kushalnagar Dhaba North Indian, Chinese · about INR 280 per person
- Tiamo Italian, Continental, Cafe · about INR 400 per person
Getting to Madikeri
Nearest airport: Kannur (CNN), about 60 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Madikeri
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Madikeri?
- The highest-rated places in our Madikeri guide are Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple), Mandalpatti Viewpoint, Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement, Dubare Elephant Camp, Talacauvery.
- Where should I stay in Madikeri?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Madikeri: Town Center.
- How do I get around Madikeri?
- Ways to get around Madikeri covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.