Mak's blog: 2012

Recently we planned a reunion of our degree(BE) project mates in Dandeli.We were meeting after nearly 19 years as a family group. We were six people in the project group and one person could not make it to the reunion due to personal work. We really had a great time visitng this place eventhough we missed the rafting in Kali river.

Planning

One of our friends Nitin Kulkarni came up with an idea of reunion like this and we started to plan for the trip. We started to search for places for such an event. We considered Taarkarli beach, Mahabaleswar, Dandeli etc. Finally we decided to meet in Dandeli as it was convinient for most of the folks. 2 families were travelling from Bangalore,1 family from Belgaum and 2 families from Pune. As we had started planning one months in advance, we were able to book the bus/train tickets to reach to Dandeli. We searched for all the available resorts and different type of accomodation in or near Dandeli.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Dandeli is during winter from November- March.

How to get here

By Road
From Dharwar: You can get to Dandeli through Haliyal. It is nearly 55-60KM drive.
From Belgaum: 1) Through Ramnagar-Ganeshgudi. It is 95 KM. This road is not so good
2) Through Nandgad- Haliyal. It is 106 KM. This road is better than the option above.
By Train
Nearest railway station is Londa. You can reach to Londa and get a taxi to Dandeli or Ganeshgudi.

Where to stay
One can stay in resorts or homestays in Dandeli. Resorts are little expensive and provide good accomodation whereas homestays are less expensive and also provide good accomodation.

Resorts
There are many resorts available in and around Dandeli. some of them are provided below.
Bison River Resort
http://www.indianadventures.com/BisonRiverResort.htm

Hornbill River Resort
http://www.junglelodges.com/index.php/resorts/kali.html

Kulgi Nature Camp
http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g1156191-d2285756-Reviews-Kulgi_Nature_Camp-Dandeli_Karnataka.html

Kali Adventure Camp, Dandeli
http://www.junglelodges.com/index.php/resorts/kali.html

Homestays

There are many homestays available in and around Dandeli. Some good ones are given below.
Dandeli Jungle Inn
Contact Murali / Manju on 09845028667/09900671757
Landline number: 08284 232182
We stayed in this home stay and had real nice time. Very good for family. Murali and Manju takes care of the guest very well. Manju had taken us for bird watching and trekking.

Jungle Inn Dining Area

Jungle Inn Outside view

Play area for kids

Amara Homestay
This is the best home stay but we could not get accommodation here. They provide accommodation in tents as well. Next time plan to stay here.
http://dandeliamara.com/

Stanlay Homestay
http://www.dandelihomestay.com/

Things to do
Jungle Safari
This is nearly 2 hours open jeep safari through Anshi tiger reserve.You can spot different animals like Deer,Elephants,Bison,Tigers,Peacocks, Snakes etc. The jungle is very thick and has 2-3 view points. We were lucky to spot deers,goose and peacocks.

Picture from Moving Jeep

Deer Spotted

View from a view point in Jungle Safari

Syntheri Rocks
This is one of the locations where you can find different rocks. This is very good location and has a small water fall for taking pictures. One needs to climb down nearly 300 steps to reach the base of this location. While climbing up one can take a walkway (not through steps).

Syntheri Rocks

Rocks found around this area

Closer view

Natural Trail/Trekking
One can trek in the jungle to discover more about the jungle.Please make sure you have guide with you for the trek. This again is a cool experience.

Glimpse of flowers

Anthill

Touch me not

White anthill created in 5 days

Black anthill

Bird Watching
One can go to watch birds in forest. Hornbill is one of the major birds which is found around Dandeli.

Hornbill in flight

The great Indian Pride Horn bill. Very rare bird to be spotted. It is like spotting tiger in jungle safari

White breasted see gull and horn bill

Green breasted pigeon

Some bird

Green bird

Kayaking
Kayaking is available at Bison River resort. This is the first time I was doing kayaking and its really nice experience.

Boating

Natural Jackuji
Natura Jackuji is available at Bison river resort. This is great experience.

Rafting

We could not do the white water rafting as there was shutdown.

Camp fire
Jungle Inn and other resorts in the area arrange a camp fire.

Temple at Ulavi
There is a Channa Basav Temple at Ulavi.

Supa Dam
Supa dam is built on Kali river. It is built between two hills and gives a viewer a fantastic view.

Food

One can get good vegetarian and non veg food around Dandeli. Jungle Inn team provided us with very good food (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
If you are near Joida visit Nagaraj Naik's place for lunch or dinner. They serve great food.
Nagaraj Naik: 0948 063 5310. Please give a call at least 1 hour before reaching this place if the group is more than 4 people.

Games

We played following games during campfire.
1) Clap at 7: This game is played with counting numbers 1,2,3.....Each participant has to count a loud a number for his/her turn.When anyone gets a number 7 or multiple of 7 (14,21,28,...) or number with 7 (17,27,..) one has to clap instead of saying it a loud.The target is to reach maximum number as a team.
2) Kachchi Papayee, Pakki Papayee :Participants has to alternatively say a loud KachiPapayee or Pakki Papayee as per their turn.
3) Gobi Pukka, Kagi Pukka: same as above

Travel Tips

Plan to stay in home stays as they are less expensive and provide a similar experience as resorts.
The roads from Belgaum and Dharwar are not so good.
There are lot of agents who help in arranging tours around this area. Please make sure you have done good homework before you finalize on the stay.

Some links which will help

http://dandelimasti.com/

http://www.dandeli.com/

http://www.abhayaranyadandeli.com/acommodation.html

http://www.dandelitravel.com/Dandeli-Jungle-Stay.htm

http://www.dandeli.org/

http://dandeli.blogspot.in/

Adding a picture of the group.

Nitin Kulkarni,Baba Nadgir,Mohan Koti, Nitin Kangutkar,Mahesh Kulkarni,Mrs Kruti Nadgir, Mrs Gauri Koti,Mrs Prachi Kulkarni and Mrs Smitha Kangutkar.
Kids: Abhignya Nadgir,Aniket Nadgir, Sharanya Koti,Shrambhavi Koti,Sanika Kulkarni,Avanti Kanutkar,Natasha Kangutkar,Sharavani Koti

Here's a blog on some of the waterfalls I visited recently near Belgaum...One thing I would admit at the beginning of the blog..that as it is water scarcity this year the water falls are not that attractive but Dudhsagar is Dudhsagar and you can not beat it. I'm not sure how I missed on visiting Dudhsagar when I grew up near Belgaum. All my school and college days have been in Belgaum..but I could not visit Dudhsagar which I think came in as surprise when I visited it this time....Let me start with the journey of the falls now....

Gokak Falls

This water falls is approx. 60KM(NE) from Belgaum. Easily accessible by bus,train, private vehicle etc. This falls is over the river Ghatprabha. There is very nice hanging bridge. As you can see from pictures the water scarcity is visible. When we used to visit this falls during my college days, the water used to be just 1 feet below the bridge...I did not capture pictures at that time :-(...
Food: There are few resorts on the way to Gokak Falls from Gokak. You can get good food.
Best Time to Visit: July- Sept
Gokak Falls in pictures

Gokak Falls

Hanging Bridge

Gokak Falls closer view

Gokak Falls from Hanging Bridge

Do not miss: Gokak is famous for dessert called Kardant.If you have sweet teeth you should try this.

Godchanmalki Falls

This is nearly approx. 15 KM south of Gokak falls. This falls is on river Markendeya.Easily accissible by private vehicles. Vehicle access is not available beyond some specific point. One needs to walk for nearly 2-3 km before reaching the falls.You can find plenty of small falls if you want to get wet near this place.
Best Time to Visit: July- Sept
Godchanmalki Falls in pictures

Godchanmalki Falls I

Godchanmalki Falls II

On our way back we visited back water of Hidkal Dam. It is really cool place.

Backwater of Hidkal Dam

Dudhsagar Falls
This is one of the toughest falls to reach and adventures folks will love to visit this. This falls is on Mandavi river.

Best times to visit: July to Sept.
This water falls is 95KM South West of Belgaum

Reaching to Dudhsagar:
By Railways: Ernakulam Express which runs from Pune to Ernakulam on Saturday stops at Dudhsagar station (reaches Dudhsagar by 11.15 am on Sunday). Goa Express reaches Dudhsagar by 4.00 am.
Travel Tip: If you are travelling from Belgaum...you can get a ticket from TC office instead of standing in queue. The Pune- Ernakulan train leaves Belgaum at 7.50 am. Please reach to station by 6.45 am.
For return journey to Castle Rock or Belgaum: Goa express stops at Dudhsagar @5.15 pm.
Travel Tip: There are lot of goods trains which run during the day to reach CastleRock.
By Road: One can not reach Dudhsagar by any vehicle. Nearest place called Castle Rock is nearly 23KM from Dudhsagar. Once you reach Castlerock you can trek to Dudhsagar falls.
For the trekkers: Reach Castle Rock by train or vehicle. One can trek alongside Railway track. It is nearly 23 KM track and has tunnels (nearly 12-15).
Must have for Trekkers: Torch,Water, Food (you can not get anything to eat in Castle Rock or Dudhsagar except for some snacks.), Stick to walk. Watch out for trains.

We were lucky to have travelled through a goods train while coming back from Dudhsagar to CastleRock. The journey I'll remember forever.

One has to walk 2 km from Dudhsagar station to reach the falls alongside Railway Track..

Dudhsagar Falls in pictures

Where is water... it's Milk all the way.....Dudhsagar is real perfect name for this.