5-Day Coastal & Jungle Road Trip: Dandeli → Gokarna → Murudeshwar → Goa (Sept 30–Oct 4, 2025)

Day 1: Dandeli Jungle

Dandeli, India on September 30, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at your jungle lodge / camp

Start with a hearty local breakfast (idli, dosa, filter coffee or local konkani fare) at your riverfront lodge to fuel the day; most lodges open for breakfast from 7:00–9:30am.
INR300, 0h45m

9:00am

Kali River rafting / kayaking

Half-day river rafting/kayaking on the Kali River — exciting rapids interspersed with calm stretches and scenic jungle; operators typically run morning trips from 8:00–11:30am and afternoon trips by prior booking.
INR1200, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at a riverside cafe (local fish and Karnataka thali)

Relax at a riverside eatery and try a local fish curry or Karnataka thali — small cafes stay open through lunchtime, typically 12:00–3:00pm.
INR400, 1h0m

2:00pm

Syntheri Rocks + Dhosi River walk

Visit Syntheri Rocks — a dramatic granite outcrop with a small waterfall and short jungle trails; it's a good afternoon nature walk and is open year-round (no formal hours, daylight visit recommended).
INR0, 1h30m

5:30pm

Sunset at the Kali River banks

Spend a relaxed sunset on the riverbank near your camp — great photo ops and birdwatching as light softens; accessible any time before dusk.
INR0, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner: Campfire BBQ or local restaurant

Enjoy a campfire BBQ at your lodge or head to a nearby local restaurant for grilled fish and local sides; many lodges serve dinner from 7:00–9:30pm (book ahead for BBQ).
INR600, 1h30m

9:30pm

Optional night safari / guided night walk

If available, join a guided night walk or safari to see nocturnal wildlife (tours usually start after sunset; check with lodge for availability and timings).
INR500, 1h30m

Day 2: Gokarna Beaches

Gokarna, India on October 1, 2025

7:00am

Early breakfast + check-out

Have an early breakfast at the lodge (most open from 7:00am) and prepare for the drive to Gokarna; Dandeli → Gokarna drive is ~4–5 hours by road.
INR300, 0h45m

11:30am

Check-in & lunch in Gokarna (beach cafe)

Arrive and check into your hotel or guesthouse, then head to a beach café (Kudle/Om area) for a relaxed lunch — cafes open midday, offering seafood, thalis and continental options.
INR450, 1h0m

1:00pm

Kudle Beach walk and sunbathing

Explore Kudle Beach's sandy stretch and relaxed shacks; perfect for a quiet afternoon swim or sunbathe. Beach access is open all day; avoid strong tides.
INR0, 1h30m

3:00pm

Om Beach — cliff viewpoint & short boat ride

Visit iconic Om-shaped Om Beach; climb to the viewpoint for panoramas or take a short local boat ride (boat operators run midmorning–late afternoon).
INR300, 1h30m

5:00pm

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple (evening darshan)

Visit the ancient Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna town — temple timings roughly 5:30am–12:30pm and 4:30pm–8:30pm; arrive for evening aarti if open.
INR0, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner at a beach shack (try Goan/Konkani seafood)

Dine at a beachfront shack near Om or Kudle Beach for fresh seafood and relaxed vibes; most shacks serve until 10:00–11:00pm.
INR600, 1h15m

Day 3: Murudeshwar + Transit

Murudeshwar, India on October 2, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & check-out in Gokarna

Have breakfast at your guesthouse (many open from 7:00am) before heading north to Murudeshwar; drive time ~1.5–2 hours.
INR300, 0h45m

10:00am

Murudeshwar Temple & giant Shiva statue

Explore the towering Shiva statue and the Murudeshwar Temple complex; the temple grounds are generally open from early morning until late evening (approx 5:00am–9:00pm).
INR0, 1h0m

11:15am

Raja Gopura (viewing tower) & climb

Take the Raja Gopura lift or climb for panoramic views over the statue and Arabian Sea; tower usually operates 8:00am–6:30pm (small entry fee applies).
INR100, 0h45m

12:30pm

Lunch (seafood specialty restaurant on the seafront)

Eat at a seafront restaurant and sample local Konkan seafood and rice-based dishes; most lunch services run 12:00–3:00pm.
INR500, 1h0m

2:00pm

Murudeshwar Beach & light fort walk

Relax on Murudeshwar Beach and take a short walk toward the small fort area for coastal views; beach is open all day, good for an afternoon swim.
INR0, 1h30m

4:00pm

Drive south to Goa (Calangute/Candolim area)

Depart Murudeshwar for Goa — expect ~3.5–4 hours of driving depending on traffic; plan arrival in Goa by evening and check into your hotel.
INR0, 4h0m

8:30pm

Dinner in North Goa (beach shack or restaurant)

Arrive and enjoy a relaxed dinner near your hotel; popular spots in North Goa serve until around 10:30–11:00pm.
INR700, 1h15m

Day 4: North Goa Beaches

North Goa, India on October 3, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel / beachside cafe

Have breakfast at your hotel or a café on Candolim/Calangute strip — cafés typically open from 7:30–8:00am with continental and Goan options.
INR350, 0h45m

9:30am

Fort Aguada & Aguada Lighthouse

Visit 17th-century Fort Aguada and lighthouse for ocean views and history; Fort generally open 9:00am–5:30pm (verify local hours).
INR20, 1h0m

11:30am

Relax at Calangute / Baga beach

Head to Calangute or Baga for beach time, water sports, and energy; water-sport operators run from midmorning to late afternoon (book in advance).
INR800, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at a popular Goa restaurant (Brittos or similar)

Enjoy a beachfront lunch — order Goan fish curry, prawn dishes or vegetarian fare; lunch service usually 12:00–3:00pm.
INR700, 1h15m

3:00pm

Explore Anjuna flea market / Vagator cliffs

Visit Anjuna (if market day) and Vagator cliffs for scenic views and shopping — Anjuna market typically runs mid-late afternoon (days vary by season).
INR0, 1h30m

5:30pm

Sunset at Chapora Fort (Ingo’s old viewpoint)

Walk up to Chapora Fort for a classic sunset view over Vagator; fort area accessible any time before dusk.
INR0, 0h45m

7:30pm

Dinner and sunset vibes at Thalassa or a seaside taverna

Dine at a lively cliff-top or seaside restaurant (Thalassa opens typically 11:00am–11:00pm) for Mediterranean/Greek or Goan cuisine and sunset ambience.
INR900, 1h30m

Day 5: Panaji & Old Goa

Panaji / Old Goa, India on October 4, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast in Panaji (Latin Quarter cafe)

Head to Panaji’s Fontainhas neighborhood for a relaxed breakfast and a short walk through the Portuguese-style lanes; cafés open from about 8:00am.
INR350, 0h45m

9:30am

Basilica of Bom Jesus & Se Cathedral (Old Goa)

Visit Old Goa’s UNESCO-era churches — Basilica of Bom Jesus (9:00am–6:30pm) houses St. Francis Xavier relics; Se Cathedral nearby is also open to visitors (check seasonal timings).
INR0, 1h30m

11:30am

Visit the Archaeological Museum / Church of St. Francis of Assisi

Drop by the Archaeological Museum and the ornate Church of St. Francis of Assisi for history and architecture; museums typically open by 10:00am and close mid-afternoon.
INR50, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Mum’s Kitchen (Goan speciality)

Enjoy authentic Goan home-style dishes at a reputable Panaji restaurant (Mum’s Kitchen style) — popular for its regional flavors; lunch noon–3:00pm.
INR800, 1h15m

3:30pm

Fontainhas walk & local coffee

Stroll Fontainhas (Portuguese quarter), photograph colorful houses, and stop for coffee or dessert; shops and cafes generally open through the afternoon.
INR200, 0h45m

5:30pm

Evening Mandovi River cruise (optional)

Take a 60–90 minute Mandovi river cruise with live music and sunset views (cruises usually run late afternoon to evening; book in advance for a spot).
INR600, 1h30m

8:00pm

Farewell dinner in Panaji (seafood or fusion)

Finish with a relaxed dinner in Panaji—choose a riverside or heritage-area restaurant for a memorable final meal; most restaurants open until 10:30–11:00pm.
INR900, 1h30m
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