It was my dream trek, from the event details in facebook page of Trek Mates India booked train tickets and geared up
for the same.
Our train was from
Ernakulam on 14.11.2014 1.15 pm Mangala Express scheduled to reach
Madgaon at 3.00AM but we reached by 4.40 am and waited for the TMI group from
Mumbai / Pune.
15.11.2014
The train with TMI group arrived at
Madgaon and after a small briefing about train to Kulem, dispered for
breakfast, The train stops only for 1 mintue and all the 38 people some how
managed to sneak into the compartments boarded the Vasco – Kulem passenger
scheduled at 8.14 AM. The team leader
was browsing thru all the compartments to make sure all are in.
We reached Kulem station by 9.05 and
after introduction and guidelines for
the trek, tents were given for the trekkers and started trek along the track by
10.30 , the track is very busy with coal wagons 60 in a rake with 2 engines at
front & 3 engines at back with constant honking of horns because this a
track for trekkers. I had a real feel
inside the tunnel the smoke and heat from the engines and ear blasting sound of
the horns and the wheels.
After 2 hrs
track walk we diverted our way along the jeep track which is frequented by Jeep
with tourists with life jackets who are going to the base of the falls. ( Goa
tourism is having a counter at Kulem near Ambika Hotel for life jackets and jeep
tickets @ Rs.450 per person, no on can enter in the water at base of the falls without life jackets )
The deep jungle route was first with
grass with lot of wild Bison hoof marks,
all had leech attacks not a single one was spared, the trek moved along the
streams and we had to cross the stream with the help of the TMI machos and
others who helped hand in hand to cross the stream, and every one cooled off at
this place, one dog was also following our path and she also swimmed and cross
the stream and joined us till the camp site, near the streams two snakes were
spotted one was an Albino Pit Viper by 4pm
we reached the base of the falls and after photo shoots we moved towards the
camp near the track / falls again we have to cross the stream.
At 5pm we reached the track and camp
site near the falls, lunch menu Veg biriyani / Chicken biriyani, salad &
tea, was very hungry so could not describe what it was like, after lunch
pitched our tents. The arch bridge near the falls is about 50 feet fide and its
an engineering marvel.
TMI food & beverage department was busy
preparing the hot Tomato soup, the soup was very nice and all got 2 & 3
portions. Camp fire was lit and gaming
session with Mafia, Antakshiri,Dance, I felt sleepy so moved to the tent and
had a nap couldn’t see the performance at the camp site. Dinner was ready with
Chappathi + baaji, rice, daal , papad, chutney, pickle salad it was a lip
smacking dinner by the stall owner near the camp site .
Morning rituals as informed was near
the tracks all found some places before the day break. Again it was the TMI food & beverage
deparment with the Maggi noodles ( smoked) someone has taken the responsibility
for that.
16.11.2014
The team leader informed that there
was option 1 there is a train from Dudhsagar rly station to Kulem, or trek the
top of the falls and track walk and catch a goods train from Sonalium, so most
of them pulled out and about 10-15
decided to go the top and rest held back decided to catch the train from
Dudhsagar railway station.
At 8.40 am we started our trek to the
top fo the falls on the way we saw the abandoned Dudh Sagur Railway station,
from here we took a turn and trekked towards the top of the falls with steep
ascends and reached the falls at 10 am and at 10.30 we saw a train crawling
thru the tracks like a centipede.
So every one decided to go back to
the camp and catch the train from Dudhsagr, but our team leader decided to stay
back a wise decision because there is no point in going early to the hotel
rooms. So a handful of people enjoyed
the top of the falls and left the falls at 11.15 AM and reached the camp site
at 12.30 and started track walk to Sonalium on the way there is a view point
with full view of the falls ( about 1 hr walk from Dudhsagar falls ) which will
be very nice to see in the monsoon.
At 1.50 pm we say a goods train
screeching to a halt and our canteen guy was also near the tracks, started
pleading to the guard for the free ride on the cabin, first he was hesitant and
after some nice words he allowed us and the bumpy ride started and informed
that we have to get down some where on the way to Kulem railway station after
the half hour ride by 2.25 pm we were dropped on the track and begin our track
walk and reached Kulem at 2.52 pm.
All got freshen up and took some rest
and had lunch at Ambika hotel and by 4.30pm we moved to the Kulem station to
catch the train to Madgaon at 5.15pm we got an entire compartment all the masti
started with song/drama sessions, xtreme photo shoots……….. had a gr8 time….
Nice trek, & trek mates luv to
visit in the monsoon
more pics @
