Beaches to Beaches – Gokarna to Honnavara Beach Trek

Walking on the endless sand, waives touching the feet, crystal clear beaches untouched by crowd, crossing the many hills, relaxing on the seashore, crossing the Aghanashini river in ferry, camping at beautiful temple, enjoying the Kabaddi play on the beach, ended taking bath in beautiful Apsarakonda falls, highway side campfire whole night due to breakdown of vehicle, its all beautiful memories from two-day beach trek from Gokarna to Honnavara on 17 & 18^th December 2016.

Beach trek was also one of the long time pending to do list in my bucket.  Finally, I and Shanthi Prasad taken a call to do this, we the friends in good number of 12 and hired Tempo Travel [TT].

The itinerary:

Bengaluru – Gokarna by TT

Gokarna – Honnavara Beach Trek [Approximate 40+ KMs]

Honnavara – Bengaluru by TT

Beaches Covered (Chronological Order)

Kudle Beach – Om Beach – Half Moon Beach – Paradise Beach - Belekan Beach –Tadadi Fishing Port - Crossing Agnashini River in ferry – Barka Beach - Sangam Beach - Nirvana Beach – Holanagadde Beach – Manghodlu Beach – Vanamali Beach - Kumuta Beach – Crossing the backwater in small boat - Dhareshwara Beach

16.12.2016

We all gathered near Shanthi Prasad home, few of friends about to board different location on the way. The journey is around 500 KMs from Bengaluru to Gokarna. Prior instruction given to all of them to be ready on time to board the vehicle.  Everything went well, we crossed the namma Bengaluru around 9.30 pm.  The journey was good till 3 am, suddenly driver stopped the vehicle.  After inquiry driver given reason “Fog is more, I can’t drive”.  By the time we were close to Jog Falls, requested him to ride till Mavinagundi then take rest, however he refused.

17.12.2016

The time was almost 5.30 am, the sun is about to rise, we tried to wake up the driver.  By great difficulties he continued the journey.  We already lagging by 2 hours as per schedule, decided to fresh up at Mavinagundi and continue the journey.  

Good Morning @ Mavinagundi

After small break, just passed the Jog falls ghat and Honnavara is around 10 KMs, one more shock of vehicle.  The rear tyre got punctured, the replacement tyre was more worse than the damaged one. Some of friends helped the driver to replace the tyre, which again delayed half an hour.

First Vehicle Breakdown

We all decided to have breakfast somewhere in Honnavara, unfortunately we could not able to trace out any good hotel, the journey was continued till Gokarna, reached at 10 am. Instructed all of them get ready quickly, since we were already late by 3 hours.  Finished the breakfast and ready to start the trek.

Shanthi Prasad & Sandeep K did this trail last year, they suggested to skip the starting point from Gokarna to Kudle beach.  The reason was, we can catch up initial schedule which got delayed.  Thanks to both for valuable suggestions and headed in TT to Kudle beach.  Relieved the TT guy and asked him to reach the night camping place of Holalagadde Sri Ramanjaneya Temple.

Beginning of the Trek

The time was 11.15 am, we had very tough time to reach the camping site by evening before dark.  Taken the group photograph and started the seashore beautiful journey.

We could not able to make out which is the best beach, each has its own unique beauty.

After many beaches we reached the place where we need to cross the Agnashini river in ferry boat.

Waiting Time - Ferry

Crossing the Agnashini river in ferry was great experience, enjoyed the journey.

River Crossing - Agnashini

Badly we were hungry, wanted to cover maximum trail then wanted to have the lunch. After crossing the river had the packed home made food.

Lunch Time after crossing the River

We have covered the below beaches till the camping site Holalagadde Sri Ramanjaneya Temple.  Walking on the beach gives lot of joy, beautiful panorama, cool breeze and untouched crystal beaches.  Most of the beaches were not accessible by common tourist, thank god else they would become the garbage beaches.

We reached the temple around 7.30 pm. Temple authorities are very cooperative and helps lot.  They served the tasty Kashaya & mixture to all of us.  Now the time is for dinner preparation, my dear friend Shanthi Prasad, Sudhakar & Vijay taken charge of preparation.

Bisibele Baath

Very soon yummy Bisibele baath is ready, by the time we all got refreshed with hot water.  You can feel after the tiered day we all felt as a heaven of this temple.  

Yummy Dinner

There are no words for their kind hospitality.  We all had wonderful dinner and went a walk on the beach.  This was a different experience all together on the lonely beach in the night.

Night Camping Place

18.12.2016

We all got up early in the morning and got refreshed. The team was busy in preparation Awalakki for breakfast.  

Breakfast Preparation

Considering the more left out night Bisibelebaath, decided to have the same in breakfast and Awalakki to parcel for Lunch.  Again, it was tasty and filled our boxes for lunch.

Group Pic in Temple premises

After the group photograph continued our journey towards Honnavara.  The morning and evening will be more pleasant to walk on the beach.  

Beach journey continued with fun filled. Second day was also covered many beautiful beaches.

Relax Walk

Dance on Rock

Crossing many beaches we come across one more backwater crossing through small boat.

Crossing Backwater near Kumuta

The journey is continued on sand beach with fun.  We all had very relax journey of two days.

Beach Talk

After long hot weather beach walk reached Dhareshwara Beach.  The actual ending point was Honnavara, considering the hot weather and time constrain, finished our trek at Dhareshwara beach.

We finished our packed lunch near beach, the TT was also arrived to take us to Honnavara beach.  Very soon we reached the sea shore.  Two days we had been trekking on the shore, never dip into the sea.  Everyone were eagerly waiting to enjoy the sea.

Fun in Beach

The real enjoyment begun, we all had fulfilled activities in the sea.  There was no limit of excitement and fun, many of us become Aghori Baba of sand.  

Aghori Sand BABA's

The most memorable moment was playing KABADDI.  

Beach Kabbaddi

The childhood golden days again refreshed to all of us. We spent good amount of time on beach and headed towards Apsarakonda Falls.

Apsarakonda falls is close to the beach, we should do small trekking through steps.  It is ultimate place after the beach bath.  We all got refreshed in falls and headed towards Bengaluru.

Long Walk

The journey to Bengaluru is very far, not wasting time left the Honnavara.  On the way, we had a lunch at Saagara.  The journey was quite well till we cross Arasikere, suddenly we got a sound!! The rear tyre was flat.  The time was around 3 am, we all had hope to reach early to Bengaluru.  The driver careless did not get repaired the previous tyre.  There was no additional good tyre for replacement.

We never seen such ridiculous driver before in all our treks, holding the damaged tyre on the road side to take lift from someone.  Luckily someone was stopped and he left to Tipatur which is just 10 KMs away from the breakdown place.

Sudhakar engaged to arrange the fire camp, one by one we joined with him.  The time was around 5 am, driver keep on telling lie to reach within 15 minutes, that never turned soon.  There was one more negligence by driver, he kept on the parking & headlight on.  Vijay called him asked about to switch off the lights.  Very casually answered “nothing to worry”.  At last he back at 6 am with replacement of some old tyre.  The twist was, battery completely drained and unable to start.  We all pushed around 1KM even though it was completely off mode.

We all must thank Vijay for aggressive and technicality to arrange the villager Tractor with additional battery to get mode on for this TT.  The time was already 8.30 am, we all forgot about reaching office on time.  Frustration level was crossed, highly negligence of the stupid driver.

Reached Bengaluru at 12 Noon, we all had two days good time however the journey experience was worst.  The fun filled event omitted the vehicle breakdown bad experience and all promised to meet again some other trek.

Team