What does Goa mean to you? Does it make you think of the surf, the sand and the beaches? Or does it spell ancient churches and temples? We have two separate itineraries for both the adventure junkie and the religiously inclined for a trip from Kasaragod to Goa
For the adventure junkie
The first one is for the adventure junkie who wants to see a bit more than just Goa. You can ride to Udupi take a break there and head off to Agumbe, one of those places where it rains most of the time. Stay back to enjoy the beauty of Agumbe and rest overnight.
Also read: A trip to Agumbe
And then, by noon drive off to Jog Falls make sure that you reach before sundown and stay back there. Day three is going to test your endurance. We suggest Yana, which is famous for its rock climbing. Stay back at one of the many hotels at Yana. And if you want a real break before hitting the road to Goa, stay back a day more.
Day five will see you drive off Goa which is about 174kms away so that you give yourself four full days to explore Goa. You could try riding up to Doodhsagar waterfalls if you get tired of Goa in-between. And ideally, on day 9 you get back on the long road back home!
The pilgrims way
If you are religiously inclined - take a break at Uduppi. Visit the famous temple in town and head out to Mookambika which is about 75 kilometers away. There are a lot of small hotels in the area where you can stay and rest. You can spend the morning in the temple and head out to Kodajadri in the afternoon if you are not scared of an off-roading trip through the hills. It is during the night that the chariots are taken out and it is a lovely sight.
You can travel to Murudeshwar and take in the sights and sounds of the beach temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The huge Raja Gopura and the huge statue of Lord Siva that houses a museum are the major attractions here. You can enjoy a ride on a water scooter here too. If you want to take it slow, you can stay on at Murudeshwar and drive out to Gokarna about 78kms away the next morning. Make sure you spare a day for Gokarna. The Siva temple here is very ancient and it is believed to date back to the Treta Yug and the legend of Ramayana. The beaches here are so pristine that you just feel like staying back forever.
And then, there is Goa with its ancient churches, temples and mosques. And the beaches. It has so much to offer and will keep you happy. So what are you waiting for? Here's a guide for how to explore Goa.