Hyderabad to Gokarna and Jog falls, Karnataka.

[ujwal]

Drive to the beautiful beach town and the 2nd highest plunge waterfall of India

 

Route Taken : Hyderabad - Raichur - Hubbali - Gokarna - Jog falls - Shimoga - Chitradurga - Anantapur - Kurnool - Mahbubnagar - Hyderabad

Total Distance : 1600 kms ~

 

Day 1:

Hyderabad to Gokarna : 650 kms

Stay : Sanskruthi resorts

 

Day 2 :

Exploring Gokarna by foot covering all the beaches starting from Shiva temple.

Stay : Sanskruthi resorts

 

Day 3 :

Gokarna to Jog falls and Jog falls to Shimoga : 230 kms

Stay : Akash Inn

 

Day 4 :

Shimoga to Hyderabad : 600 kms

 

Gokarna and Jog falls was a trip that I could never forget.

Apart from Shiv temple, Gokarna is famous for its beautiful beaches and landscapes.

 

Beaches to visit in Gokarna :

 

Gokarna beach

Kudle Beach

Om Beach

Half-moon Beach

Paradise Beach

 

The Gokarna beach forms the coast of the town while the other four beaches lie to the south of Gokarna.

Kudle and Om are around 6 km from Gokarna town along a muddy hill; they are accessible by rickshaw or foot. Om beach is named so because it is shaped like the auspicious Om symbol.

Half-moon and Paradise are beyond Om beach and are accessible only by foot or boat. They are smaller and remote beaches.

 

Below is a short Photolog of my Day 2 in Gokarna

 

We have covered all the beaches mentioned above in the list this whole day and ended at Om beach by night. It was "ALL BEACH DAY" for us  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ujwal]

On day 3, We started from Gokarna towards Jog falls which was about 3 hours drive from Gokarna. We had reached the Jog falls by 12 PM (approx.)

Four cascades, known as Raja, Rani, Rover and Rocket merge to form the huge waterfall on the Sharavathi River. The falls are locally known as Geruoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi. Jog itself is a Kannada word, which means falls.

 

The best season would be October to January. But, our visit being during monsoon (June), and it was super hot and humid during the day though evenings were pleasant.

 

With adventure mode ON, find the most difficult way(rock) out to reach the place you want to, because I am damn sure you will return by an easy way, without giving a second thought. That’s what travelling is all about.

 

The water flow was comparatively less and we haven't found any security to restrict us from going under the falls.

We came across a big rock, we sat on it with legs hanging and gaze the falls and also dried ourselves after getting all drained on that same rock.

 

You have to be damn careful while climbing some of the slippery rocks. Keep your footsteps properly and hands in synchronization with your steps. You can even slide on rocks, to safely cross them. There is fungus deposited on few, but the falls is a magnet that will attract you to experience its magnetic force.

Open your arms and feel the falls. This is something that is out of this world. Water drops smash on your face and hands. Many Rainbows can be seen in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then drove down to Shimoga the same day and retire for the day. Our day 4 was a drive of 600 kms from Shimoga to Hyderabad. It was a lovely trip.

Any further queries, I would love to help the members

 

[sagar]

Wonderful travel story @ujwal. Thanks for sharing the detailed your detailed log. And how did you guys get under the Jog falls. Wasn't there any security or is it not risky? :O

[ksa171983]

Good travelogue ujwal.looks like a fun trip . From Gokarna to jog how are the roads ? A month ago some of the roads were pretty bad .

[ujwal]

Wonderful travel story [mention=344]ujwal[/mention].
Wasn't there any security or is it not risky?

It in fact was a risky affair where the rocks were too sharp and slippery. We haven’t found any security guards around and have already seen people experiencing the fall on them and enjoying it. Just in excitement, we couldn’t hold our horses and jumped in [emoji16]

[ujwal]

Good travelogue ujwal.looks like a fun trip . From Gokarna to jog how are the roads ? A month ago some of the roads were pretty bad .

It really was a fun ride. The roads between Gokarna and Jog falls were average. Not great or not too worst. It took us approximately 3 hours for about 100 kms.
Just a 2 lane road on the coastal side until we took a diversion from Honnavar towards Gersoppa. We couldn’t go beyond 60 kmph during this drive.

[ksa171983]

It really was a fun ride. The roads between Gokarna and Jog falls were average. Not great or not too worst. It took us approximately 3 hours for about 100 kms.
Just a 2 lane road on the coastal side until we took a diversion from Honnavar towards Gersoppa. We couldn’t go beyond 60 kmph during this drive.

100 in 3 hours on such roads is pretty decent ... what was your car ?

[ujwal]

100 in 3 hours on such roads is pretty decent ... what was your car ?

Yes, actually less than 3 hours. We had started from Gokarna after our breakfast at the hotel around 9 and reached before 12 PM. We did this trip in my friends Suzuki swift [emoji846]

[sagar]

11 minutes ago, ujwal said:

 

 

It really was a fun ride. The roads between Gokarna and Jog falls were average. Not great or not too worst. It took us approximately 3 hours for about 100 kms.
Just a 2 lane road on the coastal side until we took a diversion from Honnavar towards Gersoppa. We couldn’t go beyond 60 kmph during this drive.

 

 

You guys should have gone further straight across Honnavar till Batkal and taken a diversion. This route is a little better than the other route which you have taken. Would take the same travel time for more distance covering Murudeshwar  (if only you guys haven't seen this place earlier)

[Gowtham]

Waterfall pictures are too good.

How much effort does it take climb down to the foot hills of the waterfalls?

[ujwal]

Waterfall pictures are too good.
How much effort does it take climb down to the foot hills of the waterfalls?

Just keep a watch on your grip while you climb the rock. It’s extremely slippery. That’s all you need to be careful about. And there are about 1400 steps to reach the base area of the water pool.

[Sridhar Tandra]

1 hour ago, ujwal said:

1400 steps

? ?

[ksa171983]

5 hours ago, ujwal said:

And there are about 1400 steps to reach the base area of the water pool.

Seriously ???... 

[Gowtham]

19 hours ago, ujwal said:

1400 steps

 

13 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

Seriously ???

 

I think it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country.

But still 1400 steps, going down is easy, but coming up ?

 

 

[Sridhar Tandra]

1 hour ago, Ranger said:

but coming up

true! that too after getting exhausted under the falls!! ?

[ksa171983]

3 hours ago, Ranger said:

But still 1400 steps, going down is easy, but coming up ?

relax over the night and then come back up next day .. then it will be fun spending entire night at the water falls..

[RajG]

2 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

then it will be fun spending entire night at the water falls..

 

Imagine, If there is cloud burst or some dam released water ?

I'm sure you guys can climb all those 1400 steps in 14 minutes ?

 

But it will be a lovely place to camp. 

 

[Sridhar Tandra]

2 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

spending entire night at the water falls

This could be Dangerous! Never do this because you will never realize the increase in water flow, if something goes wrong you will see water everywhere in no time!!

[Pralay]

Hey Ujwal, congratulation for completing such an wonderful trip. I am sure the trip was full of fun. Pictures were really nice. Btw, who took that photo where you guys are sitting on the rock near the falls? Slef-timer? How did you manage climb the rock to go to your place within few seconds??. 

 

Instead of Shimoga, you guys should have covered Murudeshwar if not Maravante. NAy special reason to go to Shimoga apart from temple? All in all enjoyed reading the post, thanks for sharing!

[ujwal]

On ‎7‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 12:53 PM, sagar said:

 

You guys should have gone further straight across Honnavar till Batkal and taken a diversion. This route is a little better than the other route which you have taken. Would take the same travel time for more distance covering Murudeshwar  (if only you guys haven't seen this place earlier)

 

Yeah we could have done that but didn't have an idea on the status of the road condition while our travel. And moreover, we already have our Murudeshwar plan lined up for the scuba diving late this year. So, decided to skip it and save our energy for Jog falls. We had almost spent about 4 to 5 hours at the Jog falls.  

[ujwal]

22 hours ago, Ranger said:

 

 

I think it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country.

But still 1400 steps, going down is easy, but coming up ?

 

 

 

Very True, While going down to the foot hills, we had a race who would reach first from the top. and we saved our energy well since it was the first event and place of that day after we woke up. And while coming back.. we motivated ourselves to put up a race to climb the stairs up hill, but the motivation was not sufficient enough for us and we gave up and took our own sweet time by the time we reached the start point.

[ujwal]

19 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

relax over the night and then come back up next day .. then it will be fun spending entire night at the water falls..

 

haha.. That is not possible sir, no one are allowed to camp there as it's a commercial tourist site. But, I really wish we had an option on something like that  

[ujwal]

10 hours ago, Pralay said:

Hey Ujwal, congratulation for completing such an wonderful trip. I am sure the trip was full of fun. Pictures were really nice. Btw, who took that photo where you guys are sitting on the rock near the falls? Slef-timer? How did you manage climb the rock to go to your place within few seconds??. 

 

Instead of Shimoga, you guys should have covered Murudeshwar if not Maravante. NAy special reason to go to Shimoga apart from temple? All in all enjoyed reading the post, thanks for sharing!

 

Hi @Pralay, It's always fun to share my trip experience with fellow members. Thank you.  Two of my friends have not joined us to reach the rock under the falls as it was a risky affair. So, they have handled the camera while we had gone there  It was great fun, We almost felt that our heads are gonna fall in to our hands while the water falls was hitting hard on us that moment. After all, they are falling from a great height.  

[sagar]

48 minutes ago, ujwal said:

 And moreover, we already have our Murudeshwar plan lined up for the scuba diving late this year.

 

There's Scuba diving in Murudeshwar ? Could you throw some more light on this ? Can help the interested members  

[Pralay]

1 hour ago, ujwal said:

And moreover, we already have our Murudeshwar plan lined up for the scuba diving late this year.

I guess, for scuba its better to consider Andamans or Lakshadweep. The experience will be far better than Murudeshwar. we did scuba in Andamans, it was out of the world experience. Forget scuba, simple snorkeling will leave you speechless in Neil island. Do visit that part of the country before some dangerous creatures like Humans destroy it.  

[ujwal]

2 hours ago, sagar said:

 

There's Scuba diving in Murudeshwar ? Could you throw some more light on this ? Can help the interested members  

 

Yes, there is scuba which starts from Murudeshwar and you will be taken to an island called Nethrani island by boat which is 2 hours away from Murudeshwar.

 

[ujwal]

2 hours ago, Pralay said:

I guess, for scuba its better to consider Andamans or Lakshadweep. The experience will be far better than Murudeshwar. we did scuba in Andamans, it was out of the world experience. Forget scuba, simple snorkeling will leave you speechless in Neil island. Do visit that part of the country before some dangerous creatures like Humans destroy it.  

 

Undoubtedly Andaman part of our country inherits the best scuba diving course over there. I wanted to do my PADI course over there for a week. Before doing that, I would like to experience this considering the budget and time taken for this.  

The package that we booked over there will include the list below for just 5000 INR.

• Murudeshwar to Netrani (Boat) SCUBA Diving (one Tank - Lasts 30 minutes)
• Snorkeling (2- 3 hrs)
• Boat ride from Murudeshwar to Netrani Island (75 - 90 minutes boat ride)
• Equipment rental, Boat charges, Netrani Dive Permit, Instructions and guided dives with a dive professional
• Complimentary 5 photos (If more than 5 photos and videos to be included, Rs.300 pp extra)

Btw, Could you please share your Andaman expenses @Pralay orels, a travel story on Andaman would help me even more. TIA  

[sagar]

32 minutes ago, ujwal said:

Btw, Could you please share your Andaman expenses @Pralay orels, a travel story on Andaman would help me even more. TIA  

 

Yes @Pralay, Would love to see your Andaman's story here like your Leh's log. Absolutely brilliant work on that.  

[Pralay]

6 minutes ago, ujwal said:

The package that we booked over there will include the list below for just 5000 INR.

That's nice & really pocket friendly. Nice information, thanks for sharing.

6 minutes ago, ujwal said:

Could you please share your Andaman expenses

We visited during 2014 February, IIRC the rate was 5K for two of us. 

[Pralay]

7 hours ago, sagar said:

Yes @Pralay, Would love to see your Andaman's story here like your Leh's log. Absolutely brilliant work on that.

Hey @sagar, thanks a ton for your appreciation. Andaman I have visited long, long back near about 5 years ago. Will try to pen down our faded golden memories?

Problem is I have six days week!!?

 

Hey @ujwal, can you please share some good places in Shimoga except Jog? 

[ujwal]

On ‎7‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 8:02 PM, Pralay said:

Hey @ujwal, can you please share some good places in Shimoga except Jog? 

 

Hey @Pralay, I haven't explored much in shimoga but I can sugest you a few places around Shimoga like Agumbe and Kodachari are 2 beautiful places in it's surroundings. Also, I guess Lingana dam.

[ullas]

Hi @ujwal, Lovely thread.. I am planning to this place for the August 15th long weekend. Would it be the right time and any idea about how the flow would be at Jog falls..? 

Any other inputs are welcome  

 

Thanks in advance.

[sagar]

Hi @ullas, as per the recent update from a friend of mine who recently did his trip to jog falls last week, this is the flow of water. It is pretty much more due to the rains.. and I hope, During your visit in August, the flow will increase even more due post monsoon..

 

[ksa171983]

6 hours ago, sagar said:

this is the flow of water.

beautiful!!!

[Revhead]

On 7/6/2018 at 8:25 AM, ujwal said:

 

Yeah we could have done that but didn't have an idea on the status of the road condition while our travel. And moreover, we already have our Murudeshwar plan lined up for the scuba diving late this year. So, decided to skip it and save our energy for Jog falls. We had almost spent about 4 to 5 hours at the Jog falls.  

How were the road conditions on the Shimoga - Chitradurga - Anantapur stretch. Planning a trip to Chikmagalur next week, and was planning Anantpur-Challakere-Chikmagalur route.

[Gowtham]

47 minutes ago, Revhead said:

How were the road conditions on the Shimoga - Chitradurga - Anantapur stretch. Planning a trip to Chikmagalur next week, and was planning Anantpur-Challakere-Chikmagalur route.

 

Via Ananthapur road is very bad.
We did this route last month.

You can go through this post. 
https://www.india-drive.com/index.php?/topic/505-hyderabad-to-chikamagalur-road-trip/

 

[RajG]

Yes,

Don't take Challakere route.
No proper food options and route travels through very interior villages.

 

If you are travelling family stick to NH.

You can see the link posted by Ranger.

 

We faced lot of issues on Challakere road, too many diversion.

 

On our return drive we took NH and overall drive time is almost similar.

Drive is more stress free.

 

If you have any quires related to Chikmagalur let me know.

 

Thank you

[vivek]

Hi team, 

Just wanted to share the current flow at jog falls as I was here yesterday ?

 

 

[sagar]

Hi @vivek, Thanks a lot for sharing the recent update of the water flow at the Jog falls  Appreciate it.

The flow looks quite good and I am very sure that, the path to reach the foot hills of the falls must have been closed  

How is the weather over there.. ? Is the place still carrying the hang of the monsoon ?

[ullas]

Hi members, I’ve been to jog falls today. 

It’s so beautiful and mesmerising.

[sagar]

10 hours ago, ullas said:

Hi members, I’ve been to jog falls today. 

It’s so beautiful and mesmerising.

 

Jog falls sure looks very beautiful during this season  Thanks for sharing the recent picture @ullas

[sharma]

I am planning to go to Jog falls after in the 1st week of September. Hope the flow remains the same  Thanks @ullas for sharing the latest update.

[sahil]

Yes,
Don't take Challakere route.
No proper food options and route travels through very interior villages.
 
If you are travelling family stick to NH.
You can see the link posted by Ranger.
 
We faced lot of issues on Challakere road, too many diversion.
 
On our return drive we took NH and overall drive time is almost similar.
Drive is more stress free.
 
If you have any quires related to Chikmagalur let me know.
 
Thank you

Don't take chalkare.
If you want to try different route then...try this one ----

Hyd - Kurnool - Aleru - Bellary - Shimoga...this route is good...
From Shimoga, you can visit many places including chikmagluru. It's the junction.

[sagar]

Hi guys, Sharing the latest update of the water flow at Jog falls..

PC: Shared by Vamshi..