An Itinerary to Coorg: A trip that never happened

This is an itinerary I had prepared with my own efforts for our biking trip to Coorg in September 2009. The erratic weather played spoilsport to this otherwise well planned trip that did not materialise. Anybody wanting to go to this peacefully beautiful hill station can refer to this document if they're too lazy to do some research.

Itinerary
KODAGU- September 2009 (Read this Carefully)

Gentlemen and ruffians, friends and familiarities, it is with great elation that I announce to you the Itinerary for our trip to Kodagu- nicknamed the 'Scotland of India'. This document will contain all the necessary information you’d need to know.
This tiny district in Karnataka hosts a wide array of splendid flora and fauna for visitors; not to forget the weather, with temperatures as low as 14 degrees centigrade when we get there this Friday. So don’t forget to get your jackets, sweaters, or whatever makes you warm from within (You know what I mean):)


Timings
The lethargic among us are warned (Mr. X & Mr. Y to be precise): We need to get our asses out of this place by 6:30 am, no matter what. So don’t come out with excuses like “I didn’t go to the bathroom” or “I didn’t even inform my parents about the trip” and such lameness. Remember one thing- It just causes inconveniences to all the others. We need to get there before lunch time.

Duration
The trips will last two days and two nights. (We're leaving on Friday morning and getting back on Sunday evening). Anything over this will demand a higher budget (from our limit of Rs.1500 per person).

The Route Map


The Distance from Bangalore to Madikeri, the district headquarters is exactly 250 km. The route we'll be taking for the onward journey will itself have a variety of offerings to travellers, but we need not get too excited about that as we have quite a bit to ride. At the most, we may visit Balmuri falls, which comes en route, take a few snaps from there (No playing in the water), and scoot from there ASAP. We can consider going to Mysore on our way back to B'lore.

Places of Interest

MADIKERI- Day 1 (Friday)
• Abbey falls- 9kms from Madikeri
• Madikeri Palace
• Omkareshwara Temple: In the heart of Madikeri, built in a Mohammedan style.
• Madikeri fort- 1km from Madikeri
• Raja's Seat - 1km from the bus stand- best time to visit is after 5 PM.

Overnight halt in Madikeri

KUSHALNAGAR- Day 2 (Saturday)
• Tibetan monastery- Bylakupee
• Dubbare Elephant camp: boat ride, rafting and playing endlessly in the Kaveri
• Nisargadhama: 3 km from Kushalnagar
• Harangi Dam- 7 km from Kushalnagar

A visit to ‘Thadiyandamole’ is also being looked into. This is the highest point in Coorg from where we can get breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and the Kerala coastline.

Overnight halt in Kushalnagar

Coorg Map


Warnings & Precautions:
• Rash and reckless riding is a big NO-NO. Lives of people are at stake.
• Carry befitting clothes with respect to the climate
• Carry mosquito repellents.
• Good shoes suitable for mountainous terrain to be worn.
• Stick to the group. No drifting away allowed.
• Juvenile behavior and hooliganism of any degree shouldn’t be displayed.

Anyone trying to act funny will be ostracised. ;-)

Thanks and Cheers: ARJUN RAMESH

PS: Every year, thousands of tourists lose their lives while holidaying or travelling for leisure due to lack of seriousness. It is very important to give high priority to your own safety and the safety of others around you. Don't indulge in activities that can be detrimental to you or your loved ones in the name of 'just having fun'.