Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
DUDHSAGAR FALLS
On the eastern border with Karnataka, Dudhsagar Falls (603m) are Goa's most impressive waterfalls, and the
second highest in India, best seen as soon as possible after the rains. To get here, take the 8.13am train to Colem
from Margao (there are only three trains daily in each direction), and from there, catch a jeep for the bumpy
40-minute trip to the falls (?4000 for the six-passenger jeep). It's then a short but rocky clamber to the edge of the
falls themselves. A much easier option is to take a full-day GTDC tour from Panaji, Mapusa or Calangute (?750,
Wednesday and Sunday), or arrange an excursion with travel agencies at any of the beach resorts.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Colva & Benaulim
POP 12,000
Colva and Benaulim boast broad, open beaches, but are no longer the first place back-
packers head in south Goa - most tourists here are of the domestic or ageing European
varieties. There's no party scene as in north Goa and they lack the beauty and traveller
vibe of Palolem. Still, these are the closest beaches to the major transport hubs of Margao
and Dabolim airport. Of the two, Benaulim has the greater charm, with only a small strip
of shops and a village vibe, though out of high season it sometimes has the sad feel of a
deserted seaside town. From here you can explore this part of the southern coast (the
beach stretches unbroken as far as Velsao in the north and the mouth of the Sal River at
Mobor in the south), which in many parts is empty and gorgeous. The inland road that
runs this length is perfect for gentle cycling and scootering, with lots of picturesque
Portuguese-era mansions and whitewashed churches along the way.
Sights & Activities
The beach entrances at Colva, and to a lesser extent Benaulim, throng with operators keen
to sell you
parasailing
(per ride ?700),
jet-skiing
(per 15 minutes ?800), and one-hour
dolphin-
watching trips
(per person from ?400).
Goa Chitra
MUSEUM
( 6570877;
www.goachitra.com
; St John the Baptist Rd, Mondo Vaddo, Benaulim; admission ?200; 9am-6pm
Tue-Sun)
Artist and restorer Victor Hugo Gomes first noticed the slow extinction of tradi-
tional objects He created this ethnographic museum from the more than 4000 cast-off ob-
