October , a month where the receding monsoons make it an ideal time to go check out Goa’s wildlife and scenic routes and waterfalls alike. This time we made it all the way to Netravali . Sunday morning , i get a call from my friends asking me whether we should take the trip or no, academic duties were piling up and this was realistically the last chance we had to set out before our exams began. This was too much of a golden opportunity to pass up on and without any further hesitation i said “yes”.

Next thing we knew , we were on the road , the wide open expanse of a road. After a quick breakfast on a roadside hotel , we quickly set out on our way. It took us almost 2 hours to make the journey to the sanctuary , from where we would take another 25 mins to get to the exact waterfall. A small trek down a winding route on steep mountainside and we had made it. With water this cold , we were sure we wouldn’t even make it 5 mins in the water so we decided against getting into it. After a few quick photos we werw quickly back on the road , as there was another waterfall left to see.

The road to this one was a 5 km trek , and would be the most difficult off road trail we had encountered yet. The road seemed endless , with constant sounds of gushing water and yet, no waterfall in sight. We pushed our bikes to the limit , with some bikes breaking parts and smoking via various parts on the bike. After the long ordeal supposedly came to an end , we were stumped upon finding that the road had yet another trail , that too a dangerous one , which went alongside a steeping mountainside.Here on, No risk no reward was the common mentality among us , as we ventured out into the foliage. 10 mins of more trekking on a slippery mountain trail led us to a scenic opening , this was the most satisfying moment of the trip , and hence we made it to Mainapi waterfall.

Coming back was a fun event as we had to cross many mountain streams in knee deep water and fend off leeches and other critters that so desperately wanted the warmth of our bodies in the soaking wet rain. Mainapi rates a high 9/10 in my book and a definite must visit place for anybody who wants a pristine waterfall all to himself in the height of the monsoons where each waterfall is so systematically crowded.

After a lot of deliberation , a LOT of planning and scouting on satellite imagery , we finally decided to set out. The rain had finally lost force and it was now possible to set out towards tehe countryside.

Come Saturday , we were prepared. 3:30 pm comes , and we set out. After almost an hour of driving through rain and lightning , we were reaching nowhere , just riding around in circles . According to a friend the road to the waterfall was on the right , while heading east , so we took the most promising looking road towards the right .

The road towards the right took us nowhere except towards a dead end , with some shady looking locals . While coming back , we happened to take a different road and found a temple. This temple had a very eerie vibe as we entered the area to find somebody to ask about the waterfall, out efforst went in vain as no one answered our calls .

As we were getting out on the main road , we tried to make a last ditch attempt and ask a passerby about the waterfall, and indeed he repeated what was said to us by our friend . Take the road on the right, and so we did. By now the rain which had let down a bit slowly turned into a drizzle and then quickly into a full on torrential shower . Nevertheless we continued on our way . The road was rocky and winding , after a good 15 mins of off roading we reached a spot which opened up to a small passage and then we saw it , beautiful blue water , lush green on all sides and a picture perfect view.

We had done it, we finally found this place after a whole lot of running around and exploring .Excitement was high , we took some pictures , swore secrecy and left as another bout of rain was fast upon us. This find was by far the most satisfying and this place definitely ranks high up in my top 10 places in Goa !!.

This story tells our struggles to find a secret waterfall. 2018’s monsoons were filled with new roads and new destinations , and among them was a truly beautiful waterfall with blue water and lush greenery surrounding it.

Our first attempt at finding it was an absolute disaster as we were directed towards a spring which was completely crowded. A journey which ends in failure isnt ever a bad thing , it acts only as a lesson ;and today’s lesson was – don’t take directions from random strangers on the road.

A little backstory about the place via our friends provided some valuable information. First off , the place was a religious hub , and secondly it lies in the most desolate of areas, far far off from access. Our second trip came a few days later. We decided one afternoon to just head out in its general direction to try and find it , but instead we ended up at another waterfall . This one was a real danger to get down to as it was right at the base of a small cliff.

After a whole lot of effort , we made it to the base , but we soon discovered that we would have to take another route as the one leading to this waterfall was blocked off by a fallen tree. Trekking through dense foliage through a small yet super cold stream made for a very refreshing experience. Finally we reached an opening , a sort of cave face which housed this small waterfall . Cool water rushing down the cracks in the hill . Raincoat on, Cameras out it was a fun experience , BUT what we were searching for was still out there hidden from sight, which was, until next time .

Butterfly beach , in the past few years has become ‘the’ premiere beach. Tourists from all over the place flock to this spot to experience the hills,the greenery, the wildlife and the sea in all its secluded glory.As the tourism industry expands , accessibility to this beach becomes easier and easier with boats readily available for hire. At GoXplore we do things a bit differently and today we’re going to look at the way to the beach through the foliage.

We first found butterfly via Satellite imagery back in 2014,(though locals have known it for 100’s of years) and ever since we have been making the yearly pilgrimage , predominantly during the monsoons. The road to the beach is an off-road trail at which you will have to abandon your ride to trek the last stretch out.

After taking the 1st right into leopard valley , you must continue straight for a good 15 minutes , taking a right at the only crossroad ahead . There is no accommodation except for the leopard valley resort nearby.

Upon making the journey, you will be greeted to a scenic beach with cliffs on either side spanning several feet up in the air. The water is an emerald green on sunny days and a mesmerizing blue on the clearest of mornings . You can camp out on the beach under the starry sky , provided you have appropriate self defense against the wildlife that may wander around at night. The beach rates a solid 8/10 in my book , only because of patches of garbage strewn at the entrance of the beach , we try our level best to clean up as much as we can before we leave.

If you’re ever in Goa during the monsoons its definitely worth a visit !!. The rains enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings with greenery everywhere the eye sees. The trek rates a 6/10 on my difficulty scale and is very very fun with the right company .

When you do make it to butterfly beach do remember to clean up , not just yours but whatever plastic is laying around !! Cheers ,

-Russ.

Cola beach might be unheard of to the vast majority of tourists and Goans alike,but for the ones who have come to hear of it, this place is an absolute paradise. Surrounded by mountains on both sides and a kilometer of beach in the middle with small scattered here and there , it is an truly a hidden paradise.

Getting to the beach is an absolute hassle on two wheeler. The winding road and a rocky mountain trail makes it very difficult to get to it.The road is long and there is always a danger of neighbouring leopards which call this lush mountain beach their home.Hence it is not too smart to be wandering around this trail at dusk and dawn . Once you do get to the end of the trail , it opens up onto a mountain top overlooking the shore.Steps are built in to walk down the beach.

As i always say, and has been proven consistently-every beach on the west coast is 100 x more beautiful after the monsoons have passed over the state. During my last visit, in the month of September, the sunset was divine , as it is in most parts of Goa, with lush greeenery encrusting the cliffs nearby , making for a breathtaking view.

The beach has a small lagoon which is fed by a stream. The lagoon is a beautiful emerald green, housing crabs, fish and the like.The only resort on the beach provides fun Kayaking activities in the lagoon, as well as many other water sports. The restaurants nearby provide fresh catch of the day inspired dishes which are heavenly.

The best part about this beach is the vast range of area that you have to yourself and if you’re keen on it , you can do a bit of exploring and find a piece of heaven for yourself.

Just a few minutes down the beach , if you keep negotiating the rocky terrain and keep trekking , you will eventually come up to a small hill, after which you can find a small totally isolated beach, locked away from the rest of the area. This beach is best visited during low tide wherein the water level is low enough for you to make your way back if you’re not too keen on trekking through foliage.

Rest assured , this area has friendly locals who are always willing to help out visitors . Accommodation is cheap and the food is good. Totally must visit beach if you’re ever in Goa.