Jog Falls

What to see

At Jog the Sharavathi drops 253 metres in four separate streams named Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket, which makes it one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India. It is the same river that reaches the sea beside our homestay, so a trip to Jog is a trip to the source of the backwaters you boat on.

There are viewing platforms on both sides of the gorge, and a long flight of steps to the base that is open in the drier months.

Getting there from the homestay

About 60 km inland along the Sharavathi valley on NH-69, a little under two hours because of the ghat section. The road itself is part of the day: forest, river viewpoints and the old Jain town of Gerusoppa on the way. A car with a driver who knows the road is the comfortable way to do it, and Pauli can arrange one.

When to go

July to October, without question. The flow depends on the rains and on releases from the Linganamakki dam upstream, so in a good monsoon the whole cliff is white and in summer it can be reduced to thin threads. If you are visiting in the dry season, go for the valley and the drive rather than the waterfall.

Good to know

In the monsoon, mist soaks everything, so keep phones and cameras in a bag and carry a raincoat rather than an umbrella. The steps to the bottom are long and hard on the knees on the way back up. Leave Honnavar early, since cloud often closes in over the gorge by afternoon.