Dudhsagar Waterfall

This is certainly amongst the must visit places if you are touring Goa. Located on river Mandovi, same river which flows through Panjim, the waterfall is at a distance of around 60 kms from Panjim city. The view of the waterfall is extremely beautiful during monsoon and post monsoon season, when the flow of water is at its fullest. During summers, the water is scanty making waterfall less attractive. The point where the water falls, has become a spot for tourists to take a dip in water or swim.

Distant view of Dudhsagar

There are several ways to experience Dudhsagar waterfall. Easiest is to view the fall from inside of a train that passes through it.  Goa Express, Poorna Express, Chennai Express are few train that passes through the fall and you can have a real close look at it. But as you are in train you can only view it and that also only for brief time. To have a real feel of the fall, you should travel there and spend some time. Contrast to this, the adventurous way of reaching the base of waterfall is through trekking. There are different trekking routes that combines part of the journey by train and part by walking. This route are for adventurelovers but for many it may not be suitable as it requires heavy physical exertionand lots of time. Click here to read more about trekking to Dudhsagar waterfall. 

Train passing through Dudhsagar fall

Most popular and convenient way of reaching the fall is by road. You can drive till a place call Mollem (about 6 kms from Collem, a town like place). The route from Panjim to Mollem is about 55 kms and roads are very good. Most part of the route is empty, so take your stuffs like water, eatables along with you. You can find some shops in Collem and then only at Mollem. In Mollem, you will have to leave your car/bike and hire a Jeep (Bolero type), which is the only way to reach till Dudhsagar waterfall from Mollem. Don’t worry about your vehicle. There are plenty of paid parking places available nearby, where you can park your car for 4 hours at a price of Rs. 100/- (although no one monitors the time). These paid parking plots starts as soon as you enter Mollem, but I suggest to drive ahead and park it near to the place from where you have to hire the Jeep, otherwise you will have to walk till that point.

There is an office like building from where the Jeeps are hired. For the first time visitor it may be a little confusing, so let me explain the process here. Charge of the Jeep is Rs. 2800/- and it can carry upto 7 people (rates are fixed). Even if you are less than 7 you have to pay entire amount. Tourists can also talk to each other and share the Jeep if they are less than 7. But, don’t expect Jeep drivers to work for this sharing. Once you have fixed your Jeep, you will have to stand in a queue over there for paying money at the counter (yes the money has to be paid before hand at the office window and not to the driver). When you reach the counter, your driver will also be there whose name and vehicle number will be recorded. They also ask you your own vehicle number, if you have driven till there, so remember it before joining the queue. After paying you will have to go to the other side from where you can collect the life Jacket by paying Rs. 30 per jacket. This is compulsory for each member and everybody has to wear it till the time they are there at Dudhsagar fall. This is also important because the water in there can get deep at any point and these Jackets are real life savers. My advice is to wear them up properly before you enter the water fall. You will be also charged for camera (about Rs. 300/-), but mobile photography is free.

After this you will board the Jeep and the driver will take you through the 9 kms Jungle route which is bumpy, rocky, narrow and passes through water bodies. At many points the Jeeps will cross over each other through very narrow lanes. Most tourists enjoy this 20 minutes ride but elderlies and people with back-ache problem may find this a little difficult. The Jeep will take you to a point near base of waterfall and will wait there for 2 hours (15 minutes here and there is fine). Every Jeep has a 3 digit number (other than registration number) which you may remember for easy identification. From the point of drop, you will have to walk on rocks and small narrow bridges inside Jungle for about half a kilometre to reach the final point.

Jeep passing through water

Route to Dudhsagar

The water from fall collects over a large area and people enjoy taking a dip in it. The water is cold and the bottom is very rocky. You will need to be very careful while walking inside water as you may hit rocks or can find yourself suddenly in deep water. Children should better be avoided to go inside water. If nobody amongst your group knows swimming better avoid going in. There are lifeguards also over there, although they do not have any different dress and hence difficult to identify them. In case you find yourself in deep water and unable to swim back, don’t panic. You can just raise one of your hand and ask for help. The life jacket you wear will keep you afloat. Those who are afraid of getting into water, can savour the majestic view of the fall and feel the natural and fresh forest environment there.

The final point at Dudhsagar waterfall base

Fun inside water

Swimming in collected water

Make sure you keep a track of time as 2 hours gets over quickly. As no mobile network works over there, you won’t be able to inform your driver, if you are getting late. So reach back on time and the Jeep will take you back to Mollem. At Mollem there are various restaurants and a spice plantation also, which you can visit if you want to add more to this tour.

Trip to Dudhsagar water fall will require over half day time. It is open from morning 11:00 am to evening 6:30 pm (The entry is stopped at around 4:00 pm). Best time to visit the fall is June to September but you can also enjoy it till January. In peak monsoon, the route is closed due to bad road making it very risky for Jeeps to drive. Don’t go in summers as the waterfall will be mostly dry.

Tips:

1. The trip is physically demanding. Check if members of your group can sustain 9 kms of bumpy rides and half a kms of walking on stones

2. You don’t get any thing near waterfall (not even tea). So take your eating and drinking stuffs along-with you

3. Don’t forget to carry a spare cloth for changing, towel, moisturizer, sun-glasses and a plastic carry bag to keep your wet clothes

4. Mobile network doesn’t work over there. So avoid getting separated and remember the number of your Jeep

5. Know about the safety rules and instructions beforehand. They are displayed at the ticket window at Mollem from where you take the Jeep. Wear your life-jacket firmly.

Quick points:

1.  Season to visit – June to February (best is in June –September). Peak Monsoon it remains closed

2. Timings – 11:00 am to 6:30 pm. (Entry stops at 4:00 pm)

3. Charges – Entry fee Rs. 20/- per person, Jeep Charge – Rs. 2800/- for seven passengers, Life Jacket – Rs. 30 per jacket, Camera – Rs. 300/- (mobile camera free)