We promised you with our memorable return trip from Goa. Here we are.
After a lovely get together on the previous day where we met many roadies and their families as part of HVK Forum, we got up early for the Monsoon drive with the group. This route was chosen with great care by HVK himself to take us through some pristine forests of Western ghats. As luck would have it, we were not destined to join them. There was an emergency at home and we had to rush back.
We had an option to go back on the same route we drove to Goa on the previous day. The other option was to drive through Amboli ghat.
It was five years back when we drove back to Bangalore from Panjim in heavy rains. We then drove through Amboli ghat. That drive was memorable. We had actually driven under the canopy of waterfalls. It had rained heavily in Goa for 36 hours forcing us to stay indoors completely. When we left Goa the next day through Amboli ghat - we did not have luxury of different routes then as other routes were bad - we had not bargained for what was in store. We just could not believe our eyes as we drove in fog under canopy of waterfalls. We can never forget that drive.
Refreshing our memories, we did our return drive through Amboli this time. We kept our fingers crossed as we had left early and Amboli is notorious for landslides and roadblocks. Heavy rain on previous day meant that we were in a treat. We left behind Sawantwadi and entered Amboli ghat. We entered Amboli ghat to be treated to lush greenery all around. A quietude broken only by the sound of an automobile now and then.
Rains kept pouring off and on. It was not ferocious like the previous day. It was foggy with sun playing hide and seek. Soon we were to see a spectacle. For next five KMs we were treated by myriad of lovely cascades. Each one different. Each with its own character. We had to stop and frame them in the camera. Every few meters of drive we were awed by a waterfall. The grand finale was reserved for the Amboli falls. The Tallest of all.
Join us for a drive under the waterfalls. Did we say we were awestruck at Amboli? You can see why. We assure you that you will be left spellbound after this journey!
Click on the pictures to see them in original size.
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| We enter Amboli ghat! It is green everywhere with a light drizzle |
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| The complete ghat and valley was foggy. We had to drive real slow. |
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| A trailer of spectacle to unfold - the first of the waterfalls |
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| Twins.......cascading gently over the rocks |
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| A canopy of water falls beckons us...... |
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| This stretch was lovely. A fall at every five meters! |
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| ........and the spectacle continues |
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| ........it gets increasingly beautiful |
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| This was a bigger one. It was glorious! |
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| --------Followed by a smaller cousin |
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| ........and this one seemed to be in a hurry! |
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| This is how it was. We had to wait for fog to clear to get a better view of the cascades |
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| This one was a beauty. Hidden in the woods and coming out roaring! |
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| .......and this one too.... |
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| This was taller and gentle |
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| This was a perfect setting. Canopy of trees, misty on the top, water cascading gently over the rocks. Can it get any better? |
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| The grand finale when the mist lifted! |
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| The tallest and the main falls called simply as Amboli waterfalls |
How did you feel? We felt rejuvenated. We would have loved to take a U Turn and drive back to experience the bliss. But we had to go.
A quick breakfast in the shacks near the main falls, held us in good stead till we reached Bangalore. Thanks to HVK that we were able to make it. We missed lovely drive through Kadra - Dandeli - Joida. But we were adequately compensated by the spectacle in Amboli.
Travel Tips
Route - Panjim - Sawantwadi - Amboli ghat - Belgaum - Bangalore
Road condition - Excellent through out. Stunning landscape through out.
Eateries - There are shacks near Amboli falls who provide basic Breakfast. Hot and nice. There is also a restaurant by Maharashtra tourism if you want more options.
Tips - The ghat gets foggy in the monsoon. Though there is no need for fog lamps, need to drive carefully. The series of water falls can be seen only when it rains heavily in the hills. The main waterfalls will be good till november.
Please check out the first part of the monsoon drive in Western ghats here
For a complete list of experiencing monsoon in India - drives, waterfalls, places to god, treks etc. - please click on this link below.
Celebrating Indian Monsoon - A List!
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