Gokarna - A paradise for backpackers

My first spontaneous solo travel was a very short 4 days backpacking trip to Gokarna, it’s a small town on the Arabian Sea in the southwestern side of Karnataka. It’s a mesmerizing place with a perfect blend of beaches and hills. Here are some of the must Do, Visit and Eat things which I feel everyone should try.

Beach Trekking

Trekking BELEKAN - PARADISE BEACH - HALF MOOM BEACH - OM BEACH. This trek is so breathtaking that you would not wanna leave gokarna. It’s a relatively moderate level trek (all though I suggest carrying some extra clothes and wearing shoes for the trek), this whole trek takes up almost full day so I would suggest starting off early say 9ish. I suggest hiring a bike and riding to belekan and starting the trek from there.

Vibhooti falls and Yana Caves

Roughly 50 KMs from gokarna, these water falls are “must go to”. As much as these falls are beautiful (even off season) the journey to the falls is equally amazing. Riding through the jungles and crossing a couple of hills. The ride is surely gonna pump your mood up for the falls. Although the water falls are around 1 km trek from the base and the trek is relatively easy and clear path. The falls got 3 natural pool out of which 2 are quite deep. If your adrenaline rush is high you can even cliff dive (not too high).

Yana Caves

These are a very small caves (huge limestone formations)although the Yana rocks, the terrains and the trek to the caves are gonna make your day. There is even a temple at the bottom of the caves. Just the rock formations and the terrains all around is quite mesmerizing. The caves are not very far from Vibhooti falls (I suggest asking the locals for the directions to the cave from Vibhooti falls)

Kudle beach

One of the most popular beach in Gokarna with shacks all around, giving you the perfect beach facing view. A perfect beach to spend an entire day as there are vast options on eatery and of course the Sea to take a dip.

Keep reading to find out the perfect stay and Cafe’s to make the trip magical.

Stay and Cafes

Here is the place I would totally recommend for stay (specially if you are travelling solo)

• Trippr Gokarna - I am not gonna lie the lads at Trippr gokarna are genuinely amazing people who will go an extra mile to make your stay more enjoyable, just the place has such a breathtaking vibe with beach facing (more like personal beach facing) dorms. Located in middle beach which gives you easy access to the town
• Bhagvan Cafe - located just 1 shack away from Trippr Gokarna, this Cafe not only serves the best food in town but also gives a breathtaking view while you enjoy the food, I would strongly suggest this place as you would be surprised seeing the menu. A must try dessert is “Bhagshu Cake”
• La pizzeria - located in Kudle beach this Cafe has a trade mark dessert called “Hello to the Queen” which is again a must try. Over all the food is great here as well

P.S - I am Soo glad that I decided to do this trip solo because solo travelling makes you do stuff out of your comfort zone, forces you to meet and talk to new people and the best part is everything is spontaneous. This trip has made my determination to travel the world even more stronger.

The trip comes to an end but the adventure has just begun