TOP SITES IN GOA

 

Dudhsagar; is undoubtedly one of the most famous nature sites in Goa. I have visited Dudhsagar a number of times and each time in a different season. And excepting for once I have always camped overnight in the lush forest below it. Each time also I approached the falls by a different route.

The waterfall which seems to originate up in the mountains crashes down a height of a few hundred meters before it collects into the first large pool on the way down. The pool however is still halfway down the mountain only. So the water sweeps under a railway bridge and continues crashing down producing a few smaller falls along the way before it finally ends up in another large pool.

The first time I went there it was by bikes. Bikes and Jeeps are the only vehicles that will take you through the uneven gravel roads and two shallow streams that you will have to cross once you’ve made it to Mollem. The distance to the falls from where the road ends in Mollem is almost fifteen kilometers. Tourist Trax vehicles will take you to the falls from Mollem if you don’t have your own transport. But then they charge a bomb, they only allow you to stay for an hour at the falls, and they may not ply in the monsoons.

The other alternative is to get there by a local train. I did that once, getting off at the railway bridge when the train stopped at the falls (Sometime the train may not stop though!). Getting off the train is the last of your worries however. For you would have to trek back along the train tracks through one tunnel- at the exit of the tunnel is located a small path on the right side going down the hill into the forest. Follow the path till you reach a nice spot to camp. Don’t worry about any animals. A friend and I slept the night sleeping on the bare floor of the forest once.

Dudhsagar will take you quite a few hours just to get there alone and therefore it is only fair that you camp the night there. If you can’t, make sure you have your own vehicle.

The water and the greenery are wonderful. I have swum in both the pools. Be warned the pools are very deep.

If you do go to Dudhsagar please be careful not to litter the place. During season sumos and traxes will drive by in hordes throwing rubbish all over the trail. If your contribution to Dudhsagar is going to be plastic bottles, food wrappers, and dead snakes glued under your tire wheels then do nature a favor and stay away from there.

 

 

Tambdi Surla; this is another beautiful site located in Mollem. Tambdi Surla is actually a rock temple carved out of a single stone. The temple is located in a lush green area fed by a small stream.

To get there you would again need to get to Mollem first. From Mollem it is still about fifteen kilometers odd and there is practically no transport that will get you across to the temple. Unlike Dudhsagar however there is a good road right till the temple, and should you have your own vehicle it is easy getting there.

I have camped there on a number of occasions next to the stream. The stream provided us with water for drinking, bathing, washing and cooking. Remember to gather a lot of firewood if you plan to stay the night though!

For an interesting nature trail follow the stream back to its source. You will find some lovely birds and butterflies. Be careful not to step on any snakes.

 

Karambolim Lake; This lake is one of Goa’s best sites for bird watching. In season hundreds of ducks and many other species of water birds gather here. Whistling teals, storks, herons, plovers, cormorants, lapwings, spotbilled ducks, snake birds and geese are some of the many birds you will find here.

Most of the birds however migrate back to their countries in the monsoons. So at this time of the year there may be little left to really see. There will still be a few birds left there though. Be sure to carry your binoculars and a bird book.

The lake has been facing immense problems with Salvinia (a small water rose like plant) for the past few years. No one knows how Salvinia arrived but it has been found to multiply very fast. Salvinia has spread over the whole lake now choking it and interfering with the proper oxygenation of the water killing fish and consequently affecting the feeding of the birds.

The lake is easily accessible as it is very close to the Old Goa churches. I have always traveled there by bike however.

 

Galgibag Beach; this beach is located way down in the south and is about nine or ten kilometers from Palolem. It is a secluded beach with lovely coconut plantations. The best place for turtle nesting in Goa, it will however have no turtles visiting in the monsoons. The beach is an excellent place to spend time watching and enjoying nature.

 

Shorao island; this island is located at a distance of only a few kilometers from Panjim city on the road to Old Goa. A ferry ride will take you across to it. Once you have crossed the river (Mandovi) and are on the Shorao Island, follow a small stony path right at the entrance that cuts through the mangrove vegetation located on the river banks.

The mangroves may obstruct clear viewing of birds but you will still see quite a few of them. The trail has some lovely insect life also. Crabs and little fish scurry every time you pass by a small water body. The trail leads to a big broad wooded tower from where you will get a clear view of some of the birds there.

I have seen curlews, grey herons, king fishers, ducks, and a few raptors as well over here.  I did that trail along with a friend of mine about a year ago. To get to the tower must have taken us forty minutes of slow walking and by the time we were at the tower we were famished. We ate our sandwiches in the tower. It was a beautiful place. Broad and spacious the tower is big enough to spend the night over if you’d like to. I plan on doing that someday. The tower only has a roof. It is open from all around the sides like a shack which keeps it cool and breezy.

If you’d like to do some more bird watching then the rest of the Shorao Island is also open for exploring. Just drive around and you are sure to find some good spots.