One of the best ways to experience Coorg is through a stay in a coffee plantation. The area around Pollibetta near Virajpet has several heritage Bungalows in Coffee estates which are now converted to Coorg home stays. Cottabetta Bungalow is one of the finest places to stay in Coorg. This 100 year old Bungalow from the days of the Raj provides a charming weekend experience filled with coffee, mountain air and heritage. The nearby Golf course is incredibly beautiful and is always teeming with a variety of bird life. A coffee trails holiday at Coorg is incomplete without a visit to the magnificent Iruppu waterfalls in the Brahmagiri range.
For a guided tour of coffee plantations of Coorg visit 5 Senses Tours.
How to reach Coorg
Bangalore to Coorg is a 5 hour drive via Mysore. Mysore to Coorg is around 100 KMS and takes 2.5 hours by road. The route is via Hunsur on NH 275. There is a bifurcation after Hunsur with one route heading towards Madikeri while the other one goes to Virajpet. Plantation Trails – heritage bungalows on TATA Coffee plantations, is on the route to Virajpet just after Gonikoppa.
We found this strange sight on the Mysore to Coorg route, of a particularly large passenger in a truck heading towards Nagarhole!
Coffee Trails in Coorg
Coorg home stays have become incredibly popular over the years for the impeccable hospitality and rich experience. One of the best ways to experience Coorg is through a stay in a coffee plantation.
TATA Coffee has plantations spread over 20000 acres at Coorg. There are several stunning bungalows from the British era which are now let out to guests. Set amidst coffee plantations, these bungalows provide a fantastic experience of life in a plantation. We had stayed at Cottabetta Bunglow in the Cottabetta estate at Pollibetta. Cottabetta Estate grows some of the world’s finest Robusta Coffee. The Cottabetta Bunglow is a 100 year old colonial bungalow with 5 rooms, a cozy fireplace, wooden flooring and victorian furniture. The bungalow comes with a cook and a butler.
A Jeep Safari is organized for guests at the Bungalows of Plantation Trails. It is usually organized in the evening and is a interesting one as is a guided tour of the Coffee plantation and its workings.
Nature walk
A nature walk through the Golf Course at Pollibetta is highly recommended. The course is made up of large greens, steep slopes, ponds, blind shot and hazard. Although you need to be a member of the club to gain access, guests at Plantation Trails bungalows are allowed. The 9 hole course is teeming with birds and exotic flora. Coorg is home to 500 species of birds and some of birds that can be spotted during a walk through the Pollibetta Golf Course are Malabar Trogons, Nilgiri Laughing Thrushes, Black Woodpeckers and Malabar Whistling Thrushes.
The most striking feature in the Pollibetta Golf Course is a 130 year old Tree. The canopy of the tree is so thick that the temperature under the tree at any time of the day is a few degrees lower than the average outside temperature.
The dragonfly chase!
Connection between Bees & Coffee
Pollination is a critical requirement for growing high quality Robusta Coffee. There are scores of colonies of bees spread across the Cottabetta estate which produce honey from the pollen of the several flower bearing trees surrounding the estate.
Places to see in Coorg
Iruppu Falls & Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Brahmagiri Wildlife sanctuary is located in Coorg bordering the Wyanad district of Kerala. The fauna here consists of Lion-tailed Macaque, Elephant Gaur, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Nilgiri Langur, slender Loris, Bonnet Macaque and Malabar Giant Squirrel. Iruppu falls is the most popular feature of Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
Iruppu Falls is a magnificent sight in the monsoons. The waterfall over river Lakshamana Tirtha, as tributary of River Cauvery, has a height of 170 feet with 2 drops. It is located 45 KM from Virajpet towards Nagarhole. There is a Shiva temple at the base of the falls which is a popular pilgrim spot especially during the festival of Shivaratri.
The best part of a plantation holiday at Coorg is to relax in the heritage bungalow doing nothing in particular, sipping coffee and seeping in the beauty of the place. The cook and butler at the bungalow add to the indulgence! Our Coffee Trails holiday in Coorg came to an end with a spectacular view of the Sunset over the plantations and hills.
For a guided tour of coffee plantations of Coorg visit 5 Senses Tours.
For more weekend getaways from Bangalore please visit Great Holiday Ideas.