The majestic Dudhsagar Falls is a breathtaking sight to see and a major highlight of Goa’s landscape. The towering natural cascade gushes down the craggy cliffs and bluffs of the Western Ghats. With its torrential stream, height, and picturesque beauty, Dudhsagar Falls is one of the best waterfalls to visit in India. If you are flying into Goa and looking for an adventurous destination, we recommend booking a cab from Goa Airport and undertaking this gorgeous trek.
Table of Contents
- Things to do in Dudhsagar falls
- How to Plan a trip to Dudhsagar Falls
- About Dudhsagar Falls
- Places to stay in Dudhsagar Falls
Things to Do
Places to visit in Dudhsagar Falls
- Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary: The most significant wildlife sanctuary of Goa, the forests of this sanctuary also include the Mollem National Park, and house endangered tropical species of animals and plants. You can do jungle treks, safaris, camping, or other forest adventures.
- Entry Fees:
- INR 20 for Adults
- INR 10 for Children
- INR 30 for Still Camera
- INR 150 for Video Camera
- Mahadev Temple Tambdisurla: An ancient Hindu temple complex carved in stone. The 12th-century temple is dedicated to Shiva and built in the Kadamba style architecture. An active site of worship, the temple is now protected by the Archeological Society of India.
- Entry Fee– Free
- Dudhsagar Falls Camp Site: A camping ground for trekkers and backpackers, the Dudhsagar campsite serves as the best base for all your outdoor sports and adventures in the area. The campsite also offers tours and activities like rappelling, flying fox, boating, fishing, hiking etc.
- Entry Fee- INR 400 onward
- Kuveshi Canopy Walk: A hanging bridge, about 30 feet above the ground, this canopy walkway connects Karnataka and Goa, from Castle Rock to Dudhsagar Falls and is India’s first Jungle Canopy Walk.
- Entry Fee:
- INR 50 for adults
- INR 30 for children
- Dudhsagar Spice Plantation and Farm: A local farmland with a dense plantation of locally grown spices and herbs like nutmeg, chillies, cardamom, cashew, etc. The plantations also offer farmhouse stays with homestyle food and tours of the lands.
- Entry Fee– INR 2000 onward.
[Also read: #60DaysOfSummer – Spice Farm in Dudhsagar]
Places to visit nearby
- Devil’s Canyon: A serene zone around a natural canyon, formed by the Mandovi River. Perfect for a quiet time, solo hike, or a canoe ride, this eerily scenic spot allows you to enjoy the solitude away from the bustling beaches of Goa.
- Entry Fee– Free
- Castle Rock: A small and quiet village in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. The village sits at the base of the Western Ghats on the border of Goa and Karnataka, with dense forests and hills, perfect for treks and hikes. It is also the closest railway station to Dudhsagar Falls.
- Entry Fee– NA
- Madgaon: The nearest major city from Dudhsagar Falls and also the biggest city in South Goa, with a major railway junction, commercial centres, markets, and more.
- Entry Fee– NA
- Colva: One of the most popular beaches of South Goa, dotted with beach-side shacks, cafes, bars, lounges, and shopping areas. Colva is also popular for beach activities like parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, etc.
- Entry Fee– NA
Places to Eat in Dudhsagar Falls
Try out these eateries around Dudhsagar Falls –
- Suraj Restaurant
- Hidden View Farm
- Rushita Restaurant
- Nagesh Restaurant
- Waterfall Family Restaurant
- Spicy Bite
How to Plan a Trip to Dudhsagar Falls
You can also plan your personalized Dudhsagar Falls trip by selecting the mode of transport, the route, and more.
How to reach
By Train
The nearest railway station is Dudhsagar Falls Railway Station, in Sonaulim about 3KM from the waterfall site. The nearest accessible station by road to the falls is Castle Rock, Uttara Kannada. You can take a train from Castle Rock and disembark at the Dudhsagar. Castle Rock is well-connected to other parts of Karnataka. Within Goa, you can take a train from anywhere to Madgaon, which is well-connected to the rest of Goa and neighbouring states. From there take a local taxi or rent a car.
By Road
Dudhsagar Falls is connected to the rest of Goa and neighbouring states via NH66, NH 748, and MDR52. There are also state-run and private buses to Margaon and Sonaulim. From either of these junctions, you have to take the local taxi or rent a car to reach Dudhsagar Falls. The best way to travel to Dudhsagar Falls is to book an outstation car from anywhere in Goa and drive.
By Flight
The nearest airport to Dudhsagar Falls is Goa International Airport, at Dabolim, about 71KM away. Dabolim is well-connected to all major cities and towns across India. From Dabolim, you can book a cab or rent a car to Dudhsagar Falls.
Best time to Visit Dudhsagar Falls
Like most waterfalls, the Dudhsagar Falls is in full glory during the monsoon. The heavy tropical rains hit the Western Ghats and accumulate in the Mandovi River, which then plummets down the falls. So, the best season to visit Dudhsagar falls is during or right after the rainy season, which is between June and August. But it is advisable to avoid peak monsoon if you want to trek in the area since the hilly slopes and the walking trails can get flooded and become risky to tread. Alternatively, you can also visit during winter when the area is dry but pleasant to explore the wilderness.
About
Translated as “Sea of Milk”, the four-tiered, white waterfall is truly a treat for the eyes. With a height of 320 meters and a width of 30 meters, it is on the list of tallest falls in the country.
With this travel guide, you can plan an exciting trip through Goa’s wilderness.
Location of Dudhsagar Falls
Dudhsagar Falls is situated inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Mollem district. The site is located 60KM from Panjim, 46KM east of Madgaon, 80KM south of Belgaum, and on the Belgaum-Vasco Da Gama railway route.
Weather of Dudhsagar Falls
Being a part of Goa, Dudhsagar Falls experiences a tropical climate. Summers are hot and humid with very little water flow. The winters also see less water volume in the falls but the weather in the region is cool and pleasant. The monsoon period, however, is the most glorious in this place, when the rain showers flood the Mandovi River and doubles up the waterfall volume.
Dudhsagar Falls History
The legend behind the origin of the Dudhsagar Falls is more folklore than a historical one. It is believed that a princess of the region’s king used to bathe in the lake, which was somewhere on the same site as the present-day falls. One day, a prince was passing and caught her in the middle of her bathing ritual. Embarrassed by her half-clad self, her handmaidens poured a jug of milk she had for drinking and tried to cover her half-naked body. It is said that the frothy cascade of milk that saved the princess’s modesty and flowed down the hills, became the Dudhsagar Falls.
Geography
The Mandovi River of Goa originates in the Deccan Plateau. Along its course through the rugged landscape of the Western Ghats, the river plunges down the hills of Mollem and becomes the Dudhsagar Falls. The waterbody forms a border between Karnataka and Goa. The base of the falls has a green, freshwater pool, rich in algae. From here onward, the water flows westwards to join the Arabian Sea. The deciduous forests surrounding the Falls are replete with flora and fauna and have created a pocket of rich biodiversity.
Interesting Facts about Dudhsagar Falls
In 2021, a 135-year-old building has been discovered in the area of Dudhsagar Falls, which is said to be constructed by the West of India Portuguese Guaranteed Railway (WIPGR) company in 1885. The building is a part of the historical WIPGR project and is now a heritage site.
Hotels and Resorts
Check out these best-rated places to stay around Dudhsagar Falls –
- Dudhsagar Spa Resort
- Jungle Joy Homestay
- Dudhsagar Plantation
- Shangri-La Jungle Resort
- Dudhsagar Jungle Resort
- Dandeli Dreams Jungle Resort
Witness the beauty of Dudhsagar Falls by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.
Last Updated on January 31, 2024 by
