Dudh Sagar & Thanbi Surla Trek - Paradise of Western Ghats

It been long time dream for me to be part of this Trek – Basc Made my dream come true 29^th Aug 2014

Where is Dudh Sagar?

Dudhsagar is one of the India’s Most Admired falls. It Originates in Karnataka and flows towards West and reaches Goa & Arabian Sea. It lies high up in the Mandovi River's watershed at Karnataka & Goa Border. Dudhsagar Falls is listed as India's fifth tallest waterfall and is 227th in the world at 310 m..

Rafi was organizing the trek, I have done 4 treks in the past with him. Just shared a mail and he add me to the List of People. The tickets were booked for the trip on 29^thAug 2014 - eve of Vinayaka chathurthi, Rani channamma Express. The Group joined together in the station (10 Min before the Departure).

We reached Hubli on 30^th Aug 2014 at 5:30 Am to catch the Next Train to Dudh Sagar. Hot Breakfast was served in the Station and time was 6:30 AM, never had breakfast so early. Vasco – Dama Express took us to the Beautiful Destination. Though we took the unreserved compartment, it was fun watching the places.  Time clocked 9:00 AM and I could see some green pasture already around, my memories went behind thinking of my childhood days. I have just heard how look like in my Books “Castle rock” castle.  The Entry to the station covered in the Mist, I can hardly see any people walking. The wagon slow down & the Station is in the Middle of beautiful Valley and you find everywhere Green even the Station.  Lot of People Get down in that place and start walking for 20 kms on the track to reach Kulem Station. I could not control my anxiety as we need to get down in the next station, heart says why not here and the group says it is next station just wait and watch the tunnel which are yet to come. Vasco reach’s Dudh sagar by 9.45 Am and we all got down.

When my mind said it’s Dudh Sagar and my heart filled with Joy, we have to walk for 1 km on the track to see the actual waterfalls. I could see the white milk of water flowing in the distance as we approached the Main waterfalls.  Woah – So many people came down that day and it was crowded, Happy to see every one with huge family groups. Heavy wind surpass me as I crossed the bridge between the mechanical worlds to the Nature’s Paradise.  I always have habit of documenting such beautiful incidents and did the same with Dudsagar Video. The Dream had come true and I had to wait for 2 years to fulfill the Dream though I was in Bangalore for so long time. Rain in 2012 was good and 2013 did not see much of rainfall and 2014 I’m lucky would say.

There is good place or Space to camp next to waterfalls and I saw many people camped that Day with Tents. The Tea shop is good and you get bread omelet and good Tea which the group will not forget though we carried lunch from Hubli, the group was hungry and we all had Omelet.

“The Sad part, the place is polluted with plastic’s papers and they do not understand the beauty of such place”. Time was 12:30 Rafi shared an information about the rest of the trip, guys we need walk for 3 hrs from here and we reach waterfalls closer to Kulem Station,  We might camp closer to that Station. The Group Started walking again on the tracks crossing various view point of Dudh Sagar. While were crossing 6 tunnel heavy rain started and I can still feel the water drops and just covered myself with rain pouch.

Dudh Sagar - Sonalium: A Jeep Track Cuts Across.

We had to walk till sonalium, it was pouring heavily and lucky no trains on the Track. A Small Nap in the Shed of the Station. I had Dry my few thing which had got wet. Rafi took us through the Deviation Down to the Jeep Track which was flowing with Water everywhere and it slippery, as we walked down the jeep track I could see the mountains covered with Mist all Sides. A Small Settlement with Shops, Byk guys take you from Kulem Station till here for the Shorter Trip.

We came across an Obstacle, running mini stream & the force was good. The group formed a human Chain to cross the Stream. I got Surprised these bikers who come from these shop easily cross the stream. Rafi Stated, we shall join the Track route again. I very well remember the time as the last Passenger train is at 5:00 PM, as we were walking that had crossed. A group of drunken people on the track, I do not understand what is the thrill or comfort do they get post drinking sitting on the Track. Seriously wanted throw Stone at them to chase these dogs.

Ashish in the group had come to Kulem last time and he was guiding us with his Expertise to enter in to the last Waterfalls. We need to get down from the Track and cross the Small Stream to go the waterfalls. Though the falls had normal flow, it had picked up speed while in the flow and it is pulling us while we crossed. Rafi went back and called every one and we had Avenesh taking care of the backpacks. The entire group had good drench before heading to the Kulem Station, Walking on the Track post 6 Pm was full fun.

Kulem Station: Goa State?

Time was clocking 7:30 Pm and we reached Kulem Station. The Actual Idea make dinner and post which camp outside the station. Dinner was getting ready time was 8:30 Pm. Rain started pouring from 10:00 pm nonstop.   Rafi asked the group guys who can speak local language to get station master help to camp inside the station till next day morning 7:00 Am. The Group was Lucky to get help from the Station master to camp inside the station with Tents. The Tents we so warm and as we started sleeping it became hotter like Owen, we could have camped in the rain but group had avoided it.

Trek to Thambi Surla – “Mystic Goa”.

The Group had normal breakfast in Shop closer to station, while Rafi discussed the Rate card with the Jeep Guys. We took 2 jeep and started going toward the Thambi Surla area. On the way Rafi wanted call his friends to book the return ticket for the group.

Thambisurla Trek was one most awaited trek, never seen such massive falls. The Group had to cross 6 mini streams to reach actual waterfalls which is inside Jungle. The Distance to the waterfalls from Thambisurla one way is 7 kms and it took 2 hrs as it thick jungle and no route maps.

The most ancient temple in the whole of Goa is located at this place called Tambi Surla which is approximately 65 kms from the capital city of Panaji and 12 kms from the border crossing post of Mollem. Tambdi Surla itself is in the midst of a forested area accessible via a 22 kms route from the main town of Valpoi in Sattari Taluka.

The temple built in Jain style in the twelfth century. There are some interesting details about the construction which has led to debates about the actual origins of the temple. It is built in a place which is quite inaccessible and away from the main settlements of that time. The size of the temple is quite small as compared to the size of the average Goan temple.

The Actual waterfalls is so beautiful, post reaching the waterfalls we took some good clicks and I have documented the Video of the waterfalls. This is must visit place during Monsoon Time. 

Special thanks to Basc & Team from Bangalore