If you’re a local, then you know that the monsoons are when Goa is in its most beautiful
form. If you’re a tourist who thinks that the rains make Goa dull, then you
couldn’t be farther away from the truth. Every year, as the humid heat of
March-April makes way for the monsoons during May-June, a cool wave of
freshness livens up the entire state. The lush forests in the remote interiors,
especially, opt for fresher hues of green and the various migratory birds, some
of which are extremely rare, make their way back to ‘home’. The monsoons open
up a plethora of options of adventure activities across the state to make sure
there’s never a dull moment. No, the mainstream watersport activities like the
jet-ski and the banana boat ride won’t be there (because you wouldn’t want to
mess with the rough waters in the sea) but one can go white water rafting,
kayaking in the calm waters of Goan rivers, trek to the many waterfalls that
are in their full glory around this time of the year, or just hop into your
4X4, switch the ignition on and go off-roading! Café brings to you a list of
monsoon adventure activities that are engaging, exciting and adrenaline
pumping, to say the least.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
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Goa Rafting, headed by the experienced John Pollard has been
giving the locals and tourists a taste of white water rafting in the Mhadei
rivers in Valpoi for the last 5 years. White water rafting launched by Goa
Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in association with Southern River
Adventures and Water Sports Pvt Ltd in Mhadei is ideal for beginners with even
children over the age of 12. Even if you don’t know how to swim, you need not
worry, as this is not a necessity; the protection gear will keep you safe. The
excursions are carried out in accordance with the internationally accepted
norms. The instructors are highly trained and operations run with a ‘safety
first’ policy. The trip starts at the rafters meeting point from where a
vehicle transports the rafters through the jungle on a 25 minute drive,
followed by a 10 minute walk into the Mhadei river valley before reaching the
river side. A raft, the rapids and the stunning forested wilderness of the
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is all you need for a perfect monsoon getaway.
RIVER KAYAKING
Adventure Breaks – an adventure company is one of the prominent
players in this sector and offers activities like kayaking, rock climbing,
trekking, biking and sailing in Goa. While it is no longer possible to kayak in
the sea, thanks to the huge breakers and swells because of the monsoons, the
kayak lover is restricted to the backwaters — the Chorao Wetlands and the
Aguada River along Nerul.
For the Chorao trail, one starts from near a traditional sluice
gate in the village of Penha de Franca and enters the Chorao Bird Sanctuary, a
wetland with water birds and mangroves. Paddling along narrow channels, one
makes their way through the sanctuary, taking in the different mangrove
species, watching birds and crabs, or just chilling. Then back to the starting
point. For the Aguada trail, starting from under the Nerul Bridge, on the road
to Candolim, one paddles down the Aguada River (next to the fort of the same
name) into a mangrove forest which one can explore, before returning. The more
energetic can continue past the Nerul Bridge to the surreal concrete sculptures
in a waterfront night club, and back.
TREKKING
A
number of local adventure companies have started organising trekking
expeditions across the lush interiors of the state. GTDC too have started their
monsoon trekking expeditions from mid June this year and till now have
successfully conducted treks to Darachi Khadi also known as Rivem Caves in
Sattari taluka, Collem and Nagzar plateau. Today, on July 9, the team will be
organising a trek to Dongurli. The folks at GTDC say that the trekking season
will consist of a series of newly discovered and lesser known destinations
located in the state of Goa. Walk through the dense forests and rocky terrain
and let the chilly waters crashing down the waterfall from a high altitude wash
away your exhaustion. Witness nature in its most beautiful form these monsoons.
