Dudhsagar Falls
I don’t intend to dwell into the legend or history behind these falls.
But, geography, YES!
Lat Long- 15.314468 N, 74.314082 E
Lat Long of Kulem (point till where vehicle goes)- 15.335527 N, 74.24354 E
Best time of visit- June (after onset of monsoons)- End September. Preferably in forenoon hours.
Distance from Panjim- 62.5 Kms
Distance from Airport- 63.3 Kms
Places which you can club along with Dudhsagar-
- Tambdi Surla temple- 20.9 Kms http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post3537635
- Salaulim Dam- 26.7 Kms
Prologue
I visited Dudhsagar falls on 05 Oct 14, towards the fag end of the monsoons, with obviously the falls not being in its full glory.
And quite understandably, for me the impression of the falls was “OK. Good enough”, but not “outstanding”.
However, my journey to reach there and the whirlwind ride back was “Out of the world”.
It was truly worth for its uniqueness and for the experience it rendered.
How to reach Dudhsagar falls- Six options as per me.
Option 1 -
Drive to Caste Rock. (It seems to be a fantastic drive).
Hitch a ride in one of the goods train to the falls.
Visit falls and then hitch a ride in another goods train to Kulem.
Take any regular train back to Castle Rock.
Fellow bhpian laluks has written a fantastic report on this option.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...bangalore.html Option 2 -
1) Drive to Kulem.
2) There are two trains daily which stops at Dudhsagar on the way up. At 0830 in the morning and at 1630 in the evening. The train stops in the station for hardly a minute.
3) On Thursdays and Sundays, there’s a train at 1100 hrs which can take you back also if you get dropped by the 0830 train.
4) The train journey is around 30 minutes.
5) You have to purchase a ticket to Castle rock station (which is the next authorised station).
However, you need to get down at Dudhsagar waterfalls station (14 Kms).
6) The train has a very brief halt and you should jump out of the train during that halt.
There is no platform and you would be getting down onto the mettle on the tracks. If travelling with kids and elders, cater for that in your disembarkation plans.
You could probably request fellow passengers to help you get down.
7) The return regular train which stops at Dudhsagar is only in the evening.
However, you can request the guard/ engine driver of the goods trains which plies in the route for a drop to Kulem.
They generally oblige happily. Some allows free of cost and some would be happy to get some tips.
8) All goods trains which comes down the slope from Castle Rock station towards Kulem stops at Dudhsagar for brake testing.
But trains which go up the hill doesn’t stop anywhere except their final destination.
So getting a drop at Dudhsagar on the up train is not a possibility, but getting a hitch on the goods train from the falls to Kulem is a sure bet.
However, the frequency of these trains is questionable. I was told that goods trains come down every half an hour. But, during my visit which spanned close to two hours, I saw only one.
Goods train entering tunnel
Option 3-
Drive to Kulem. Take jeep to the foot of the falls.
There is a small view point at that landing point which is their parking area.
The four wheel drive part has large rocks jutting out on the road, slippery steep inclines and slushy muddy parts which can get your tyres lodged in for good.
I would never even think of taking my own ride to these roads. From the landing point, take a trek up the hill through the jungle to reach the view point and then the falls.
Option 4-
Drive to Kulem. Take a bike ride to the foot of the falls.
The road travels alongside railway tracks and in the second half treads the same path as the four wheel drive jeep does.
In the thick of monsoons, the rivers will be so swelled to be upto the waist level of an average person.
The bikers keep their bikes revving and cross these with water level submerging the bike till half fuel tank level!!!
You, definitely have to cross the river in full flow on foot.
It sure is an experience to cherish.
Option 5-
1) Drive to Kulem.
2) Trek 14 kms along the track to the falls.
3) There are four tunnels which you will cross in the route IIRC.
4) If a train comes through while you are transitting, there is enough space to move aside and be safe. However, you sure are gonna get a pounding on your ears.
5) Carry enough water and snacks if desired.
6) Wear a good pair of shoes. Trekking shoes if possible or atleast running shoes. Sandals will not be forgiving to you on the long walk through the rocks on the track. And ofcourse, when it is railway track, you can also expect all the ingredients it brings along with it. Regretfully, our nation has bio toilets in only a handful of trains and these don’t ply in this route.
7) After the 14 Km trek one way, I would recommend taking a hitch back on one of the goods trains or if lucky, take a ride back on a bike (if you can find one). The return trip would be cheaper and would ensure that you get a taste of everything.