Coorg and Mysore at a glance
Coorg (Kodagu) is Karnataka's coffee country — misty estates, waterfalls and viewpoints — and Mysore is its royal city, famous for its palace and the Dasara festival. Both are a day's drive from Kozhikode and combine well in three or four days.
Best time to visit
- Coorg: October to March, according to Karnataka Tourism.
- Mysore: October to February. Mysore Dasara runs from 11 to 21 October 2026, with the main procession on 21 October — expect crowds.
- In the monsoon, Kodagu bars entry into rivers and waterfalls.
Rules to know
- Dubare elephant camp reopened on 20 September 2026 for viewing only: visitors stay about 10 m behind barricades, with no touching, feeding or bathing elephants, from 9:30 to 11:30 am.
- Mandalpatti viewpoint is reached only by local yellow-board jeeps.
- Mysore Palace is open 10:00–17:30, with no photography inside, and is lit up on Sundays and holidays. Mysore Zoo is closed on Tuesdays.
- The NH766 road through Bandipur is closed from 9 pm to 6 am, so we plan daylight drives.
Getting there from Kozhikode
- Madikeri (Coorg): about 180 km, typically 4.5–5 hours via Mananthavady and Kutta.
- Mysore: about 210 km, typically 5–6 hours.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How far is Coorg from Kozhikode?
About 180 km to Madikeri, typically 4.5–5 hours by road.
When is Mysore Dasara in 2026?
From 11 to 21 October 2026, with the main procession on 21 October.
Can we bathe elephants at Dubare?
No. Since it reopened on 20 September 2026, Dubare is viewing only, from behind barricades.