Gonikoppal

around 45 km from Pollibetta.

The river descends perpendicularly into a great cataract known as the Iruppu Falls. There is a temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields, from where it is a climb up to the falls through natural forest. Can be visited from Gonikopal on the way to Nagerhole National Park by taking a detour after Srimangala, situated in the Kutta Road.

Government vehicles can take you inside the reserve forest for a small fee, although a long wait may be necessary.

The Tata coffee estate at Pollibetta village has a fine golf course. The village also has photogenic valleys and a little yellow temple popular with the locals.

Take the road to Ponnampett. Have a cup of coffee at Yes-Yes restaurant in the diamond shaped town of Ponnampet. Move forward via Begur and Hudkeri villages and scenic paddy fields on the way. Have some food at Foodys Restaurant, Sir Mangala town. Drive past Cafe Robusta, Poojakkal and reach Kutta checkpost. From here, you can turn right and reach Tholpetty Wildlife Reserve in Kerala.

Take the main road to Virajpet and divert to Madikeri road. When you reach Kakotuparamba village, you can see a very beautiful hill called 'Oormandhu' which can be identified with a branch of Vijaya Bank just opposite to the hill. After having a picnic at the photogenic hillock, you can proceed to Murnad town, Kakkathoor village and finally reach the undulating town of Madikeri.