Dudhsagar Monsoon Trek.....

When I was discussing about the trek with one of my friends, who is an ardent trekker, I was told that there are three essential things that make a trek really memorable. Destination, body and mind in the right frame and company...and after a two day exhilarating trek I can't agree more. 

Misty Tracks

The trek is unmatched in its scenic splendor; the misty railway tracks, the lush green surroundings and the pouring rain takes the experience to a different level. I guess that's why people keep coming back and don't mind walking with luggage and camp all night in a bare minimum facility. 

The trek is approximately 13 kms and takes roughly 6-7 hrs to cover; it’s very difficult to walk on the tracks as your strides are limited by the gap between the sleepers, so apart from ensuring u don't put your feet on a gravel and twist your ankle you have to be conscious about all the shit you will find in between the tracks.

I found out that there are a total of 4 routes and only 2 of them are open in the monsoons for trekking. We took the one that starts from Castle Rock station and ends at the waterfalls. This route takes u to the upper part of the waterfall and you cross 11 tunnels of various lengths. 

Castle Rock Station

For the history junkies like me it is exciting to know that for many years Castle Rock marked the frontier between Portuguese-held Goa and British-held India. For travelers between Goa and British India, and later between Goa and India, all the formalities of international travel were carried out at Castle Rock till Goa finally came under the sovereign of India. 

You start experiencing a place out of the mundane right from here...the platform has a beautiful over shed and its old world charm just transports you into a different world and the heavy downpour makes a crazy sound like a war cry urging you to go out and challenge the world..

1 of the many small tucked in water falls

The first 6 kms came by quite quickly; We had a group of 13 trekkers, all adventure junkies, a few photo enthusiasts (not photographers but posers) and a few like me who were all of it in some quantity. There are a few small waterfalls tucked between the lush foliage for taking a quick plunge coz after the first few yards you cannot remember what being dry means…so while the stops are more the pace is good as you still have all the glucose intact. 

Caranzol Station

Midway comes the station Caranzol where you can board the goods train and complete your journey to the falls or like us, dump your luggage and a fellow trekker on the train and walk light for the rest of the distance.

Camping site next to the falls

By the time we reached the fall it was already dark so while we could feel the presence of the over bearing falls we could see nothing; after an initial struggle in the rain the tents were up, we changed and went in for a good night sleep; Initially the sound of the falls, the rain on the tents and the train passing by at 10 feet sounds intimidating but as sleep over powers your tired senses they become the part of the existence and you just stop noticing them.

We were woken up early morning by a bunch of loud trekkers coming from Kulem and though there was no trace of the sun, light slowly opens the magnificent falls like you are in a theatre and the movie begins. You are awestruck at the water gushing down and it takes some time to get used to the sheer brilliance of what nature can produce.

The return journey is very uneventful except for getting on to the train without a platform and soon you realize that the distance you covered in 6hrs the previous day comes in 10 mins..but your mind is so numbed by the experience that you just don’t care.

So if you are planning for this trek ensure you 'love rains' are ‘not afraid’ of leeches , ‘cove’r your legs well incase u want to avoid the leeches, travel ‘light’ and keep a lot of plastic to cover your bag and carry wet cloths, carry ‘food’ and ‘water’ and a torch. There is no proper toilet and any trace of drinking water or medical help except the nondescript station 500 mtrs away.

Last but not the least ensure you have a good company it makes the journey so much more fun and memorable. I hadn't planned for it but I was lucky to find it among the group an old fellow photographer and an experienced trekker… Thanks Rohit for all the energy bars and snickers J !! And thanks guys for all the 'luv-stories' you cooked up that kept the entire compartment entertained and special mention for our group leader C-H-A-N-D-U and last but not least the hot food @ londa junction, courtesy Kiran....!!

BUT i shall always have one BIG regret ;though I learnt a very important lesson; one should always get smart merchandise else your photographs are going to come out really bad and spoil the fun coz you definitely don't want to see your ugly and funny pics, my pink raincoat was a real faux pas :D :D :D 

TRIVIA ABOUT TRAVEL:-

Best Time for the trek - Monsoons; Though only 2 of the 4 routes are operational; Nov-Dec is also very good, but the waterfall's grandeur comes to life only in the monsoons. 
How to reach:- South Western/Konkan Railways; 
Where to stay:- the Govt has made a platform for camping with bare thread facilities; so camping equipment is must; Have to carry food and water as this place is in the wilderness
Nearby places:- Goa is 3 hrs from here and if you have time there is no reason why you should NOT hop on to the next passing train!!!!