Yash Savla on unsplash

Namaskara Coorg: Where the Hills Are Alive (with Coffee)

You know how some places instantly feel like a warm hug? That was Coorg for me. Tucked away in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, Coorg is also called Kodagu, but for me, it was more like Kod-awesome. Rolling hills? Check. Cloud-hugged roads? Check. Coffee so strong it could wake your ancestors? Double check.

As someone who often overpacks sweaters and underestimates their caffeine tolerance, I was both wildly underprepared and overly excited.

First Impressions: Mist, Monkeys & Mad Views

The drive up to Coorg was all twists, turns, and me yelling “Stop! I need to click this!” every 10 minutes. Picture lush green hills, mist curling over plantations, and the occasional monkey giving you judgmental stares.

Our first stop? A tiny roadside stall serving hot akki rotti (rice flatbread) and filter coffee strong enough to punch through time. If you’ve never had Coorgi coffee before, be warned: it doesn’t play.

Hotel Woes? Not This Time, Thanks to cheQin.ai

Okay, confession time. I’m not great at booking hotels. I either spend hours comparing 43 tabs or panic-book something 20km from civilization.

But this time, I used cheQin.ai — a hotel booking platform that lets you post your travel needs and receive live offers from hotels. It’s like speed dating, but for accommodation.

Instead of browsing through sketchy listings with blurry photos, I simply posted: “Coorg stay, clean room, good view, no haunted vibes,” and within minutes, hotels sent me real offers.

I landed a cozy cottage surrounded by coffee estates. Birds in the morning, frogs at night. Zero scrolling stress.

Coffee Plantations: Heaven for Caffeine Addicts

You can’t visit Coorg and not do a coffee plantation tour. It’s practically illegal.

I joined a walking tour led by a local grower named Prithvi, who knows more about Arabica beans than I know about my tax returns. We walked through rows of coffee plants, pepper vines, and learned how coffee is handpicked, sun-dried, and roasted.

Also:

Coffee berries are surprisingly sweet.

Leeches love tourist ankles.

Never wear sandals on plantation tours.

The tour ended with fresh-brewed coffee and a slice of warm banana cake. My soul left my body.

Culture & Coorgi Hospitality

One thing you’ll notice? People in Coorg are genuinely lovely. Hospitable, humble, and full of stories.

I met a retired army officer running a homestay who told us tales about Coorg’s martial traditions, weddings that last 3 days, and the origin of their unique cuisine. Also, he gave me homemade wine. For research purposes.

I learned about:

Coorgi language (Kodava takk) — sadly, I only picked up “Namaskara” and “more coffee please.”

Traditional jewelry (so pretty)
The deep-rooted warrior culture

Food in Coorg: Spice, Pork & Happiness

If you like your food bold, Coorg is going to treat you well.

🌶️ Pandi Curry

Pork. Spices. Vinegar. Heaven. I had it with kadambuttu (rice balls), and I’m still dreaming about it.

🍛 Bamboo Shoot Curry

Earthy, spicy, and full of flavor. Also a favorite among locals.

🍗 Coorg Chicken Fry

Imagine all the good things in life, now fry them in ghee. Boom.

Also, their chutneys deserve a fan club.

Scenic Spots & Some Unexpected Hikes

🏞️ Abbey Falls

Water crashing down through green forest. Beautiful, loud, and slightly slippery. Wear good shoes and bring your inner photographer.

🌄 Raja’s Seat

Popular for sunsets. And couples. Lots of couples. I went solo and made eye contact with a peacock. It was meaningful.

🚶Tadiandamol Trek

If you’re up for a challenge, this one’s for you. The view at the top is unreal, and the journey includes waterfalls, coffee fields, and your legs questioning your decisions.

Shopping in Coorg: Not Just Coffee

Sure, I brought home 3kg of coffee beans. But Coorg also has:

Homemade chocolates
Spices (black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon!)
Coorg honey (so good it should come with a warning)
Essential oils & handmade soaps

If you like supporting local artisans, stock up. And leave space in your bag.

Why Coorg Needs to Be on Your Bucket List

It’s chill without being boring. Spiritual without being preachy. Tourist-friendly without being commercial.

Whether you’re a nature nerd, a foodie, a caffeine-dependent adult (hi, me), or just someone who needs to breathe fresh air and reboot, Coorg is perfect.

And thanks to modern tools like cheQin.ai, even planning the trip is stress-free. No more budget panic, surprise taxes, or clicking “filter by price” 12 times.

Complete Coorg Travel Guide: Coffee, Culture & Must-Visit Spots