Fireflies mantled Nights and Misty Mornings – A Different Coorg

 

This world is full of wonders, the kind of wonder that takes your breath away and makes you feel humbled.  And we were lucky to have one such magical experience on our last trip to Coorg. Standing under a lush canopy on a faint moonlit night, I felt goosebumps rise all over my body, looking at the extraordinary scene unravel in front of us. Thousands of fireflies twinkling among the trees like a sky full of stars. It seemed almost unreal, for it was a dream come true, a moment I will cherish forever.

Where and When can you experience this

This firefly gathering is a very unique phenomenon and can only be witnessed at specific places in India (mainly the Western Ghats). And this happens during a certain period of time. Coorg in Karnataka is one of those places. In order to experience this, plan your visit during March last week – April 3rd week. The best period is Mid April.

We stayed at Rainforest Retreat, Madikeri to witness this. This is the only accommodation in Coorg which offers this experience as per our knowledge.

What to expect from the Accommodation

The accommodation at Rainforest Retreat is pretty basic though comfortable. The whole place is set up inside a plantation under a thick canopy of trees. So expect being greeted by colourful Butterflies, spotting different kinds of birds and even some crawlies going about their lives leisurely.

The Fireflies Experience

Now coming to the main experience of watching the fireflies. Once dinner is over, at around 9:30-10pm, the fireflies guided tour begins. The caretakers at the accommodation take the guests into the plantation area where the fireflies gather in large numbers. Once we entered the plantation, we could see the twinkling lights everywhere. But there are certain areas where the fireflies gather in more numbers and the guides help you into those areas.

It feels surreal when the torch lights are turned off and all you can see are are the tiny lights of the fireflies flickering amidst the trees. Since we were there mid of April which is the peak season, we could see thousands of fireflies. We just found a spot to set our tripod and camera and took a few pictures. But standing there and watching those fireflies for hours was an experience I cannot express in words. It is something to be seen with your naked eyes to be believed.

Additional Places to Visit in Coorg

If this is your first visit to Coorg, then add a day or two more to this trip and you can also cover the other attractions.

Namdroling Monastery or Golden Temple: You can visit this on your way back since it actually comes under Mysore district. The monastery is very beautiful and is one of its kind in South India.

Dubare Elephant Camp: If you want to see the elephants and even get involved in feeding or bathing them. [I don’t encourage the rides though.] This is a good place if you are traveling with kids.

Chiklihole Reservoir: More of an offbeat destination in Coorg. But has a very lush surrounding and offers gorgeous sunset views.

Mandalpatti View Point: Good for a sunset visit. Take a jeep ride to the top to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding.

Abbi/Abbey Falls: The most popular falls in Coorg. Looks gorgeous during monsoons or just after.

Tala Cauvery / Tala Kaveri: This is considered the source of river Cauvery. And is considered a sacred place with a small temple present there. Since the place is on a hill top, it provides great views of the surrounding, especially early mornings feel enchanting surrounded by fog.

So go ahead and plan your trip to Coorg this Fireflies season. Read the full post here.