Let us explore the famous Dudhsagar waterfall which is one of the most popular sites of interest in Goa especially after the Movie 'Chennai Express' was shot on the bridge.
Dudhsagar Falls (which means 'Sea of Milk') is a cool four-tiered waterfall on the Mahadayi River in Goa, India. It's about a 60 km drive from Panaji and sits on the Belagavi–Vasco Da Gama rail line, roughly 46 km east of Madgaon and 80 km south of Belagavi. Dee in the jungles of Mollem, Dudhsagar Falls is one of India's tallest waterfalls, reaching 310 m (1,017 feet) high and about 30 metres (100 feet) wide.
There is a lot of misinformation online with how you can actually explore the waterfall and visit it. The images you see online are mostly drone shots from a distance. The only way you can see the same view is if you could fly or you catch a small glimpse when you travel by train from Goa towards the east or vice versa. The best time to visit the waterfall is in the monsoons when it is in full flow and by trekking. The jeep safaris don't operate in the rains. However, October will be the best time to visit by Jeep. It is good upto February end after which the flow reduces and the view isn't as impressive.
How to get to the Waterfall Location?
Take the best Dudhsagar waterfall train which is the Vasco da Gama passenger train to Kulem at 8:10 am from Madgao (56962) and return by the same train at 5:20 pm
Hire a Taxi or self drive vehicle and get to the location of the Dudhsagar Jeep Booking counter
Once you are at the location you have 2 main options to choose from.
Option 1: Dudhsagar Jeep safari.
The easiest and most comfortable option is by going to the waterfall with the Jeeps that are managed by the Forest department. These are official vehicles and no personal vehicle is permitted into the sanctuary for visitors. This is how the itinerary looks like
Buy the ticket at the counter
Pay the Jeep Safari Driver
Collect Life Jackets
Board the jeep and move towards the Waterfall
Pay the entry fees at the forest gate
Jeep Safari upto the waterfall 22km which takes about 40 -50 minutes
Hike for 15 minutes through steps, rocks, and bridges to the waterfall base
Enjoy the waterfall for 1.5 Hours
Jeep safari back to the counter.
If you plan to visit on your own, this is what you need to be aware of
Book your ticket online at https://dudhsagarjeeps.com/ one day prior. Rs 189 per person.
Show the sms or pdf at the counter when you reach. Counter closes at 1:00 PM for prebooking
Pay Rs 560 per person in cash to the driver. (7 people per jeep) or Rs 3920 for a private jeep upto 7px
Rs 100 has to be paid at the forest gate as entry fees.
Timing: 6:00 AM- 3:30 PM
In total it is about Rs 900 per person on the higher side which will cover all the fees towards this trip.
There are multiple private areas to park your two wheelers, cars or buses which charge 100 to 400 Rs per vehicle.
All payments at the forest gate have to be made in cash because there is no proper network nor wifi at the location. Carry change and enough cash because even the ATMs are usually not in order.
If you want to avoid all this and have the whole day at your disposal then you can opt for the Dudhsagar bus tour which takes care of all the payments and organizing. The only downside is that it is a package without any customization and it includes lunch, spice farm visit and the waterfall jeep safari. It costs about Rs 2,000 per person.
Option 2: Dudhsagar Trek
If you would like to spend more time at the waterfall and have a good level of endurance for hiking then this is an option that you can choose. The guides are trained and deployed by the forest department. The timing is flexible and you can come back before dark. The route is dusty and warm. If you are willing to go through the jungle then you can avoid the dust but this route is a little more challenging and longer.
If you plan to visit on your own, this is what you need to be aware of
Book your ticket online at https://dudhsagartrekking.com/ one day prior. Rs 854 per person.
Show the sms or pdf at the counter when you reach. Counter closes at 1:00 PM for prebooking
Rs 100 has to be paid at the forest gate as entry fees.
Timing: 6:00 AM- 1:00 PM for entry.
Carry your own water bottles, snacks and good shoes if you choose to do the trek. It is available all year round.
Food at Dudhsagar Waterfalls:
Once you are inside the forest gate there are no options for food, drinks or restaurants that are decent. The only option available is where the jeeps stop near the waterfall where there is a little canteen with 3-4 items, tea and water.
Other options are around the Dudhsagar Jeep booking counter where they serve snacks, thalis, Chinese food etc.
What to do nearby?
Visit Tambdi Surla Temple
Hike to Tambdi Surla Waterfall (september to January)
River Adventure activity in Mollem (Full year) Contact +916361480461
Salaulim Dam (Monsoon season is the best)
is Dudhsagar worth the hype? Yes it is. This waterfall is one of the tallest in the country and if you haven't experienced being at a waterfall before you will have an amazing time. The water is chilled and refreshing. There are big freshwater fish you see swimming along the rocks. The lifejackets enable you to swim right upto the waterfall base which is fun. In case you have travelled the world and visited many waterfalls you will realise that this one is super crowded and people tend to be annoying.
Insider Tips:-
Keep enough cash on you. The online payment systems around are very poor. ATMs do not work most of the time
Carry change of clothes and a towel. Change at the waterfall after you have taken a dip.
Keep a reusable water bottle with you. There is a filling station at the waterfall.
If you are going on your own then reach before 8am or after 11am. You will avoid the bus tour guests and the waterfall will not be as crowded
Do not plan to reach in the afternoon, you might not get a jeep as there are only 270 jeep trips permitted per day.
Avoid taking infants and senior citizens to the location as it isn't very friendly with the terrain close to the waterfalls.
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