Gokarna

What to see

Gokarna is two places in one. The old town is a pilgrim centre built around the Mahabaleshwar temple, with narrow streets, chariot sheds and priests' houses. South of it, a line of beaches is strung along cliffs: Kudle, then Om Beach with its two curved bays, then Half Moon and Paradise, which are reached on foot or by boat.

The cliff path between the beaches is the best part. It takes a couple of hours at an easy pace, with the sea below you most of the way.

Getting there from the homestay

About 55 km north on NH-66, roughly an hour and a half each way. It works as a full day trip by car. Start by 7 AM, walk the beach trail before the heat, have lunch at one of the cafes on Kudle or Om Beach, visit the temple in the late afternoon and drive back for dinner at the house.

Staying in Honnavar instead of Gokarna

Many travellers base themselves in Gokarna and visit Honnavar for half a day of boating. It works just as well the other way round. Honnavar is quieter and cheaper, the backwaters are on your doorstep, and Murudeshwar, Apsarakonda and Jog Falls are all closer from here than from Gokarna.

Honnavar as a base near Gokarna Where to stay in Honnavar Jog Falls from Honnavar Honnavar 2 day itinerary Rooms in Honnavar

Good to know

November to March is the comfortable season. Carry water on the trail, as there are long stretches with no shops. The temple has a dress code, and men are usually asked to remove shirts before entering the inner hall.