Coorg

Coorg, or Kodagu, is the easiest hill escape from Bengaluru — about six hours by road through coffee country. Mist over the plantations, waterfalls that run hard after the rains, and homestays that cook for the whole group make it a comfortable long weekend rather than an expedition.

What to do

Abbey Falls and Iruppu Falls are the two big ones; Iruppu is quieter and worth the extra drive. Raja Seat catches the sunset over the valley, and the Namdroling Monastery at Bylakuppe — the Golden Temple — is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in the country and deserves a proper couple of hours, not a photo stop.

Estate stays

Plantation homestays are the reason to come. Most take a whole group, include meals, and will walk you through the estate and the coffee-drying yards. Booking directly by phone usually gets a better rate than the aggregator sites for four rooms or more.

When to go

October to March is dry and clear. The monsoon, June to September, is when Coorg looks its best, but trails turn slippery and leeches are a genuine nuisance on estate walks. Dubare elephant camp and river rafting on the Barapole both run seasonally, so check before promising them to the group.