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Have you ever walked on a railway track? We have crossed a ton but were never allowed to walk on one. And all that for good reason! But here we were, trekking for miles along the tracks, surrounded by nature. Enveloped by the smell of wet sand, sounds of crickets, and a distant echo of water streams flowing, we hiked till we caught sight of the Dudhsagar waterfall. A view that we still remember quite vividly and can still feel the goosebumps on our arms. That was the beginning of one of our best weekends and boy, would we love to go back and live it all over again.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the waterfall. Navigate by clicking the below links to explore the different sections of the article.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Goa – All Possible Routes

Measuring a mighty 310 m (1017 feet) from head to foot, this magnificent waterfall on the Goa- Karnataka border is the fifth tallest waterfall in India. The four-tiered waterfall originates from the Mandovi River and splits into three streams (100 feet wide) to cascade down into a deep green pool in the lap of the Western Ghats at Bhagwan Mahavir National Park, South Goa. Dudhsagar means “sea of milk” in the Konkani language, the official language of Goa.

Best Time To Visit

The monsoon season in Goa is between mid-June and August end and the best time to visit Dudhsagar is in July. Jeep Safari is not operated during this time and the only way to reach your destination is by trekking.

• Max Altitude: 1017 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult (Trek) and Easy (Jeep Safari, Ideal for family and kids)
• Duration: One day
• Trek type: Pebbles, gravel, mud, and railway track
• Cost: Cheapest if you trek, Moderate for Jeep Safari

Points To Remember

• Plastic-free zone
• No leeches en-route
• Lockers are not available
• Toilets are available in the sanctuary but not maintained
• Carry food or water if you are interested in trekking as there are limited options available.
• Lifejacket is compulsory
• Mobile signal- very poor/ no signal
• Take good rain gear- a raincoat or poncho. Walking with an umbrella might not work as it might be windy.
• Wear good trekking shoes as the terrain is slippery during monsoon

How To Reach?

By Air

The nearest airport is Goa International Airport (60 Km to Kulem, Airport code: GOI). Hire an airport taxi to reach Kulem and from there you can trek or rent a jeep to the waterfall.

By Train

Located on the Goa- Karnataka border, there are two ways to the falls. 

If you are traveling from Mumbai, Goa, or Pune, step down at Kulhem/Collem/Kulem (Station code: KLM). Kulem is well connected to major Indian cities like New Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Madgaon, and Bhopal directly. The trains available via this route are:

• Amaravathi Express (18047)
• Goa Express (12780)
• Poona Express (11097)

If you are traveling from Bangalore, step down at Castle Rock (Station code: CLR). The direct trains to Castle Rock are:

• Yeshvantpur Vasco da Gama Express (17309)
• Velankanni Vasco da Gama Express (17316) – weekly once either on Tuesday or Thursday
• Chennai Central Vasco da Gama Express (17311) – only on Fridays

There are several trains from Bangalore to Londa Junction. Either take a connecting train from Londa or take a taxi to reach Castle Rock which is about 30 Km.

By Road

Drive your vehicle to the park entrance of Dudhsagar waterfall or up to Kulem which is 60 km from Panjim by road. There is a car parking facility at Kulem. From Kulem, take a jeep safari or trek to the falls. The bike ride will be bumpy and extremely slippery during the monsoon. Vehicle passage to the waterfall is possible only when the Mandovi River is dry or during summer.

No direct buses are available to Kulem from other states. However, you can reach Kulem by public transport from Goa.

By Public Transport From Goa

From Goa, take the Vasco-Kulem daily passenger train (56966/ 56961) or the VSG Howrah Express (18048) to reach Kulem early morning. Kulem is the last station for the passenger train. Don’t confuse Kulem and Kalem, as they are different stations. You can also take a bus to Kulem from Panaji/Madgaon.

Take the Kulem-Londa train to catch a glimpse of the majestic Dudhsagar from an inside train.

Which Train Passes Through Dudhsagar Waterfall?

You can see the waterfall from the Londa – Madgaon railway route. Any train that passes through Madgaon will pass by the waterfall. Here are some of them.

• Delhi – Goa Express (12780)
• Howrah – Vasco Amaravathi Express (18047)
• Pune – Ernakulam Express (11098)
• Amaravathi express/ Kuchhigudda Vasco (18047/17603)
• Chennai Central Vasco da Gama Express (17311) – only on Fridays

Note: Please verify the facts before the journey. The schedules, routes, and prices of the trains mentioned are subject to change. You can check Indian Railways official website.

5 Different Routes To Reach Dudhsagar Waterfall

1. Jeep Safari From Kulem

Best time: Post-monsoon (October to May)

The most ideal way for large groups with family and kids to visit this place is to opt for a Jeep Safari at Kulem, which the Goa Forest Department organizes from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. A maximum of 7 adults is allowed in each jeep which costs you Rs. 2800 for a single journey (which may vary depending on the season). Rs. 30 will be collected for the lifejacket and an entry fee of Rs. 50 for entering Bhagwan Mahavir National Park. Rs. 30 is charged for a still camera and Rs. 250 for a professional camera.

The jeep will drop you close to the foot of the waterfall. It’s just a 1 Km walk from here. You can swim in the water pool for around 60-90 minutes and then return to the jeep.

Note: Jeep safari is not available during the rainy and monsoon seasons, as the route is slippery/muddy. It may resume in October depending on the rains.

2. From Castle Rock Railway Station, Karnataka

Best time: Monsoon (Mid July to October)

The most popular trekking route to the waterfall leads you to the railway track or the middle bridge which is in-between the waterfall. It is a 14 Km trek that takes around 5-6 hours one way. It has the most picturesque views of the Western Ghats and valleys with approximately 11 instagrammable tunnels. Be very careful while walking in those tunnels as trains may pass any time.

After crossing the 13^th tunnel, there is a viewpoint of the Dudhsagar waterfall. We can’t say this enough but the view from here left us mesmerized and we just couldn’t get enough of it.

You will not be able to go to the bottom tier of the waterfall through this route.

Note: The Castle Rock trekking route is permanently closed due to mishaps and tragic incidents in recent years. One will be heavily fined by the railway police and is forced to go back if found trekking on this railway route.

3. From Kulem Railway Station, Goa

Best time: Monsoon (Mid July to October)

The official trekking route is the Kulem- Dudhsagar route which is 11 km one way and takes approximately 3-4 hours. We trekked through this route. You need a compulsory guide to trek through this route.

The Best Local Guides

• Vasu- +91 9823719079 (speaks Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi)
• Lawrence- +91 7798080543 (speaks Hindi, Konkani)

This trek takes you to the bottom tier of the waterfall where you can click pictures of trains passing over the middle bridge from the front of the waterfall. Start as early as possible from the trek starting point, Kulem. Wear life jackets and start trekking to catch the sun’s golden light reflected from the tracks. Halfway along the route, you have to go down from the railroad to the jeep road. This road is closed for Jeeps during monsoon.

Alternatively, you can also walk to Sonaulim station to save 2 km on the mud route and cross the only tunnel in this trek route. Along your way, you’ll encounter the wild beauty of Bhagwan Mahavir National Park as you trek through the woods. You can also refill your water bottles while crossing small streams.

Cross bridges along the way and watch the massive flow of dudh from the viewpoint.

Beware of monkeys as they take away the munchkins or even bags from you. Start your return journey before 3 PM as the sun sets early during the monsoon.

4. From Kuveshi Village, Karnataka

Best time: Post Monsoon (November to February)

This is the most difficult but adventurous route that will lead you to the head and edge of the waterfall from where it plunges down into a pool of water. The trek starts from Kuveshi village which is 10 km from Castle Rock station. Take a cab to the village which has less than 50 families with no electricity and mobile signal. But the locals will guide you. You have to trek through the forest and cross the jungle canopy which is built by the locals about 30 feet high and for a distance of about 240 m. Directions are marked on poles that are quite visible along the route.

Note: You cannot take this route during the monsoon as you will have to cross the Mandovi River which is full and rough in the rains.

5. From Dudhsagar Railway Station, Goa

Best time: Monsoon, Post Monsoon (July- February)

Dudhsagar rail stop is not a station where passengers expect a platform. All trains crossing the waterfall will have a short 1-2-minute unscheduled stop at the Dudhsagar station. Passengers have to get down from the train in that short period. From this rail stop, visitors have to walk a km on the tracks crossing a 200 m dark train tunnel to reach the waterfall. On your way back, either trek or hop on a locomotive train and head off to Kulem or Castle Rock Station, which is not recommended though.

Note: Indian Railways has banned people from getting down the trains at the Dudhsagar station and walking along the rail tracks as it is deemed too risky. During monsoon, railway police stand near the Dudhsagar station to ensure no one gets off the train. So, officially this route is not allowed.

Where To Stay?

There are only limited stay options available. Please check for WiFi and mobile network connections before booking. Some of our recommendations include Nature’s Nest Goa, Dudhsagar Spa Resort, Jungle Book/Jungle Cafe – closest to the waterfall, Dudhsagar plantation, The Farmhouse India, and Shangri La Jungle Resort.

Where To Eat?

Restaurants are very limited. But you can find eateries near Kulem station or the ticket counter. Stock some snacks but make sure to carry back the waste.

One restaurant closest to the Dudhsagar waterfall (8 km away) is the Jungle Book Cafe. The food here is served as a buffet and is decently priced. The cafe also serves juice/beer at an additional cost.

Other Places To Visit Nearby

Another adventurous place to trek is the Tambi Surla waterfall. However, this trek cannot be done on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more queries, comment below or drop a mail! And if you’re a trekker what are you still doing here? Pack your bags and start NOW!

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