Dudhsagar Falls

Travelled from Pune by Goa Express de boarded at Dudhsagar (early morning 0400 hrs.) a 20 sec time measured technical halt not a designated station. (All four doors of the railway compartment to be utilized to ensure you land safely when in a group). This gives an advantage of you being at the water fall in just fifteen minutes hardly one and half km trek along the rail track. The entire trek becomes downhill towards Kulem. The waterfall site is just next to the railway bridge. As of now is a single track and every half an hour or 45 mins one or the other train passes by. Be careful to clear the tracks – move to the side whenever you hear a train approaching at the first instance.

The trek was organized by Explorer a Pune agency. Starts from Pune station to Pune station. There were two physically fit coordinators.The instructions given by them were crystal clear. The care and the vigilance by them was excellent. One acted as the engine always at the front and the second on the guard always at the end to ensure the trailers are accompanied and guided to the designated spots.

Stages of trek:

Drop at Dudhsagar technical halt at 0400 hrs. . (The train was delayed by an hour)

Trek one and half kms to the water fall by 0445hrs.

Take rest at the old structure near the fall till the dawn sets in.

Spend time at the water fall enjoy the view as the sky becomes clearer.

Trek to Sonalium (a 3kms walk on rail track) for breakfast arranged at a local residence.

Start the jungle trek – 4kms to the rail track.

Another 4 kms trek to Kullem Station.

Lunch and board the train to Pune.

Important Tips:

Light clothing (Full sleeves and track pant) and Monsoon protection

Torch light of good quality to ensure you light the walk ways form 0400hrs to 0530 hrs. It is PITCH DARK and you are on the tracks in the middle of the mountains/ Forest.

Good trekking shoes – you have to walk on the rail tracks with Pebbles between and on the rail way track sleepers.

Some snacks in case you feel hungry early morning because there are no food stalls at the water fall location.

Carry water with you.

There are leeches along the jungle track – you may not notice till the time they swell. Do not pull them off, instead apply salt (you need to carry) so that they leave your body.

There are some creepers with inverted thorns if stuck with be careful to remove them in the down ward direction. Do not try to pull away from the body.

You have to cross small streams in the jungle trek.. those who do not like the socks wet may have to remove shoes often.

If you are tired you may call for a motor cycle lift for 300 to 500 INR depending on the location form where you need the lift.

Those who cannot risk the quick de-boarding at the Dudhsagar halt may get dropped at Sonalium and trek upwards three kilometers to the water fall.

Walking stick would be helpful for elderly person during the trek.

Date of experience: September 2017

Ask Prakash D about Dudhsagar Falls

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Indian_Samurai

Mumbai, India

1113

Reviewed 12 September 2017

Majestic waterfall .. Adventurous trip !!!

Majestic four-tiered waterfall on the border of Goa and Karnataka states. This is the third largest waterfall in India. The name has been given as the water falls from hill top and the froth resembles milk from a distance. And right in the middle of the fall is the railway bridge...what a sight to adore!

Best time to visit is definitely during monsoon. However unfortunately now a days it is closed during July to September months and there are no legit means to reach on the top except if you are ready to trek for around 10 KMs (one way) through the dense forest and streams surrounding this area. Be sure to wear shoes that can handle knee deep water. There is not much on the way in terms of food or water so be sure to carry your own.

For those who are not into trekking or traveling with family, there is one un-official route also. Reach to the Kulem town by road located at the base of the mountain. Find a safe place and park your vehicle in the town. Next step is to hire a guide (basically local boys from the town) who will take you to the fall. Getting a good guide is purely on your luck. They generally provide 2 options - (1) Bike taxis that will ferry you (only 1 person) to the watch tower and back for 1000 bucks (try at your own risk) and (2) Train journey till top and back for 600 buck per person. Though option 2 is surely less risky it is certainly not less adventurous and thrilling. While going on top these guys put you in a luggage compartment of passenger train (there are only 2 trains which halts at Dudhsagar station - one at 8:30 am in the morning and other in the evening around 4:30 pm). No tickets. Just get in and don’t make any noise. Train will take you to the top in 20-30 mins. The entire train journey is super scenic. Make sure you capture one of the only 2 small windows available in luggage compartment to catch the beauty of this route. Train stops at Dudhsagar station briefly for few minutes. Make sure you jump off the train on the tracks within this time frame. Walk to the fall and spend around 30-45 mins around the fall area before heading back for the return journey. Now this journey is for sure one the most memorable, thrilling and ones in a lifetime kind of an experience for most of us. These local folks basically stops a freight (cargo) train going towards Goa and get you on one of the cargo decks in the dark of the night. Again of course no tickets, no formalities and everything is "Managed" as per these folks. These cargo decks are completely open from top and sideways and you suppose to hold on to any object found on the deck. Just imagine you are travelling on such a deck of train which is speeding at a reasonably high pace on a rainy day in pitch dark condition on a single track which is surrounded by dense jungle. The only sound you can hear during this journey is that of wild animals present in this jungle and the screams of your fellow passengers when train suddenly breaks or changes tracks. I definitely won’t able to capture that moment here and you have to experience it to feel thrill and excitement. All in all a must watch destination if you are in Goa. Highly recommended.

Date of experience: August 2017

Ask Indian_Samurai about Dudhsagar Falls

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Annsley F

North Goa District, India

17860

Reviewed 9 September 2017

Dangerous - Adventurous Beauty

Little History behind the name Doodh (milk) Sagar (Sea) and it because it will appear that way to you. The Site is very tempting, the cold and clear water will tempt you further... BUT, do not fall for it. Enjoy every other location of your view except the main place flooded with the falls. Many have drowned and died there. No matter how good you think you are, you will have absolutely no clue what struck you. There several other safe Locations where you can safely bath/swim. Also Be aware of the monkeys. They steal food and anything along with the Bags.

To visit the Dudhsagar Falls You need to reach Collem/mollem check post after 8 AM to you got to exist by 5 PM. There is a fee for all vehicles, Bikes. Do not take your moped or regular 4 wheeler. You need an SUV for this Trip or you can hire one.