Gokarna Beach Trek & Camping

When we hear about treks, we imagine lofty mountains or lush green hills. Well, if you want to try something entirely different, then here’s a chance to join us for the Gokarna Beach Trek.

Gokarna is a small beach town on the coast of the Arabian sea, home to a must-visit Hindu Pilgrimage site – the Mahabaleshwar temple. This quaint little town gets equal attention for its many calm and clean beaches; tourists from across the country, as well as foreigners, are drawn to the beauty of the town. To really experience the sanctity and sightliness of Gokarna, we recommend trekking along the coastline and exploring one striking beach after another. You are bound to be a victim of love at first (beach) sight!

DETAILED ITINERARY

• Day 0 – Depart for Gokarna

We begin our journey from Bangalore in the late evening after picking up trek participants from various pick-up locations. We will be covering a distance of 500 km to reach Gokarna overnight and the aim is to reach on time hence, all travellers are expected to have a light dinner before boarding. As we hit the road, the trek leads will give you a brief summary about the trek and then get you acquainted with your fellow travellers through the signature PlanTheUnplanned intro session. By the time dawn arrives, you’ll feel right at home with all of your fellow travellers!

• Day 1 – The Gokarna Beach Trek

If you look outside your window, you will spot salt farms in the near distance. This means that we are now just minutes away from our destination.  Carry your belongings into the cottage, freshen up, have a bite to eat and get ready to start the trek to the base point.

Belekan Beach: Our first day of trekking will start from Belekan beach (Look towards the rocky edges of the beach and if you are lucky, you just might spot dolphins!)  Enjoy the panoramic view and set off on an exciting day of trekking.

Paradise Beach: A pristine beach which is a combination of rocky terrain and clean white sand. Paradise beach is exactly what it sounds like – it is considered one of the cleanest beaches with the collective effort of tourists and the abstract paintings on the rocks add to the character of the place.

Half Moon beach: This beach gains its name due to its resemblance to the shape of a half moon. Here’s when you get to relax and enjoy your peaceful surroundings. Make sure you have some snacks and water because we reach this beach around lunchtime. Ahead of the Half Moon Beach, you will find a huge rock called the Rock of Peace – it is the throne to witness one of the best sunsets, you will know why it’s named Rock of Peace only after you have experienced it. The whole world looks artistic from here, music starts playing on your mind, the colour of the sky changes every minute and if it’s your lucky day you get to spot dolphins on the Arabian coastline!

Om Beach: We then trek ahead to a beach shaped in the form of the Hindu “Om symbol” and hence its called Om Beach. It is around 2.5-3 kms from Half Moon Beach and the trail is a moderate one. Shop atrangi hippie accessories, buy souvenirs, ride a jet ski, pass around the frisbee or play beach volleyball on this beach which is undoubtedly a hub for hippies!

Kudle Beach: Our last (and best) beach destination is Kudle Beach which is a popular tourist spot, well-known for authentic seafood, woodfired pizzas and good music in the evenings. Every dish in every restaurant here is served with a view. The cool breeze, slow sound of the waves and the growing tides are a perfect finish for the day.

We now head back to Gokarna beach. Sit around a campfire to warm yourself up, share your thoughts about the first day and fall asleep while you stargaze.

• Day 2 – The Journey Back

Be the first to catch the mesmerising sunrise. Go for a walk along the shoreline while the waves play hide and seek with your feet, take in the morning hues as you wait for breakfast to be served.

Mirjan Fort

Around 23 kms from our cottage is Mirjan Fort. We start the day by taking a bus ride to the fort. (proper clothes and sunscreen are recommended.) Known for its architectural elegance, Mirjan Fort was the location of several battles in the past. The port at Mirjan was used for shipping pepper, saltpetre and betel nut to Surat. The Portuguese gave the epithet “Rani, the Pepper queen” (“Rainha de Pimenta” in Portuguese) to the Queen. This place is great for portrait pictures and wide panoramic shots.

Vibhooti falls

We then head straight to Vibhooti Falls, a small waterfall near Yana, about 50 kms from Sirsi North Kanara, Western Ghats. The falls gets its name from the Limestone rock nearby. The picturesque drop of water amidst the lush forest leaves one in awe of the wonders of nature.

Rejuvenated by the beautiful sights you witness at each unique beach, it will be hard to believe that you ticked off 5 beaches just one day! The rustic beauty of the Mirjan Fort and the poster-like Vibhooti Waterfall adds to the essence of a wonderful 2-day trek journey in Gokarna. A journey filled with the sound of the waves, the smell of fresh seafood and the historic spectacle of a fort as you trek your way from one wonderful spot to another is an experience you have to try at least once in your lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Sign up to have your mind-blown by PlanTheUnplanned’s outstanding two-day trek to Gokarna.