A coastal town in Karnataka with a hill station-type ambiance, Gokarna demands a visit. Gokarna tour packages are vastly browsed on the IHPL website because Gokarna has a strong influence on Hinduism. From the period of Mahabharata and Ramayana, this pristine coast has been one of the best pilgrimage centers of Hinduism. You will find streets laden with temples. Mahabaleshwar Shiva Temple is a famous pilgrimage place to visit in Gokarna with family.
The temple town on the Arabian Sea Coast boasts dramatic peaks of Western Ghats drenched in greenery. Backpackers, couples, leisure travelers in Gokarna will find more secluded beaches than any of its competitive destinations that too with less crowd. Within 3-4 days one can enjoy the splendor of glorious Gokarna.
Gokarna beacons you to delve into beach vibes along with trekking fun. There are even beach treks like Gokarna Beach to Paradise Beach and Kudle Beach to Om Beach. This location in Karnataka has a striking resemblance to Goa’s topography. Gokarna is less commercialized than Goa but pretty expensive for accommodations. Thanks to the affordable Gokarna tour packages offered by IHPL with a commitment to help you manifest everything that you have been looking for. From watersports to trekking, from historical hopping to spiritual hopping!
Don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas for you if Gokarna is itching in your wandering heart.
Best Time to Visit Gokarna
The best time to visit Gokarna is between October to February (winters). It is the time when the humidity is very less. Between these 5 months, the month of December to February is when you will come across several international tourists to this temple town. The average high in winter at Gokarna is 29 degrees Celsius (approx.). The rainy season is also a great time to visit Gokarna for those who want to visit temples. Beach activities are supposed to be affected during monsoon with the risk of high and strong tides. Moreover, discounted deals on accommodations are guaranteed if you can bear the humidity.
Monsoon can bring down the temperature to a little with a maximum of 28 degrees celsius (approx.). If you consider spring (March to April) you can enjoy every kind of activity or sightseeing as the temperature remains salubrious. But do remember to apply sunscreen. Avoid summers in Gokarna as the temperature shoots up to 40 degrees Celsius (approx.) and outdoor sightseeing in a day is a challenging task. If you are still brave enough to deal with the scorching heat, apply sunscreen before going outside.
Tourist Attractions in Gokarna
If you seek interest in traveling to Gokarna, get ready to unlock the best experiences with your near or dear ones. The untouched and extremely idyllic tourist attractions in Gokarna will put your wonder into wanderlust. Imagine yourself snuggling amidst the tall coconut trees and the ocean as the backdrops. You are unwinding on the golden sands after a season of swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. This is just a quick glimpse of what sort of experiences in Gokarna, you can indulge in with your lover, friends, or family! Here is what you can enjoy when you explore the tourist attractions in Gokarna tour packages.
Om Beach: Laze around in this breezy abode for surfers. Relish global cuisines on the beach shacks. Om Beach is one of the best attractions in Gokarna for couples, backpackers, and family travelers.
Lalguli Falls: Embrace the lush greenery encircling the Lalguli Falls. Click Instagram-worthy pictures and allow the gushing waterfalls to be your photo backdrop. If you are looking for an attraction in Gokarna for family holidays, bookmark Lalguli Falls.
Shiva Cave: Caves are always great for mediation and Shiva Cave in Gokarna is no exception. Inside the cave is a statue of Lord Shiva. This place is next to Kudle Beach. Shiva Cave has one Shiva Lingam installed inside the cave. Backpackers who are die-hard admirers of Lord Shiva must visit this place with their friends on a trip to Gokarna.
Gokana Beach: This beach in Gokarna is one of the best attractions in Gokarna to visit for couples. Here the fine sand is golden and the opulence resorts encircle the Gokarna Beach. Pamper yourself with watersports along with building the perfect sandcastle of your dreams.
Mirjan Fort: Depicting the cultural glory of Gokarna, this fort overlooks the lush green hills of Western Ghats. It is a 16th-century fort with high ceilings and bastions. The fort is tucked on the banks of Agnanishi River and encircles Kudle Beach and Paradise Beach along with Mahabaleshwar Temple.
Mahabaleshwar Temple: Get bestowed with immense blessings of Lord Shiva at Mahabaleshwar Temple. It is one of the best places in Gokarna for family tourists and even couples. The carved stone of Lord Shiva is the deity dating back to 1500 years (approx.). The temple architecture is inspired by Dravidian work and thus, makes it one of the best places in Gokarna for spiritual souls.
Adventure Activities in Gokarna
Adventure travel is good for you because it increases self-awareness. Moreover, it inspires your sense of adventure. You get an opportunity to create and get closer to your real self. If you also want to raise your self-awareness, you must try the best adventurous activities in Gokarna that are mostly associated with beaches. Here we give you a quick glimpse of the best adventure activities in Gokarna for adrenaline pumping souls:
Parasailing in Gokarna: When you are suspended in the high skies it gives you a sense of utmost freedom. Attain this feeling and try parasailing in Gokarna in search of the top adventure activities in Gokarna.
Scuba Diving: Scratch the surface of the ocean by allowing yourself to go underwater up to 15 feet to a maximum of 30 feet. Discover the beautiful corals and colorful fishes. Scuba diving in Gokarna is amongst the top adventure activities in Gokarna for adults less than 45+ years.
Banana Boat Ride: Relive the child in you as you try the Banana Boat Ride in the cold waters of Gokarna. Sit in the unpowered, inflatable recreational boat with your friends to enjoy the best adventure sports in Gokarna with your pals.
Jet Skiing: Feel the challenging waves of the ocean splashing across your face with this adventure activity to do in Gokarna. Jet Skiing is also considered a great workout for the cardiovascular system.
Spa and Ayurveda in Gokarna
Gokarna is a coastal town brimming with lush greenery, has a thoroughly decadent spa and Ayurveda centers. Revitalize your mind and body with authentic Ayurveda bliss. The view of the cedar and deodar forests, waves of ocean or waterfalls gushing alongside personifies the complete relaxation. There is a range of Ayurvedic treatments one can pick depending on their body type and medical history. Here are a few of the best places for spa and Ayurveda in Gokarna for everyone with supreme gracious staff:
- Arthigamya Resort & Spa
- Stonewood Nature Resort
- Namaste Sanjeevini
How to Reach Gokarna
Reaching Gokarna from Mangalore, Goa, Coorg, and Bangalore is pretty much convenient and pocket-friendly. From these destinations, Gokarna is well connected with flights, trains, or roads. If you are coming from long distance locations like Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur, here is how to reach Gokarna:
By Air: There are two airports to reach Gokarna. One is Dabolim Airport in Goa and the other one is Mangalore Airport. The former one is around 146 kilometers (approx.) while the latter one is around 235 kilometers (approx.) Both opiates to and fro for international and domestic flights.
By Train: Ankola Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Gokarna. It is well connected with the towns of South India and Maharashtra as well. The railway station is situated around 23 kilometers (approx.) from the Gokarna City Center. However, those who wish to come from long-distance locations like North India must arrive at Bangalore Railway Station and then board an overnight bus to reach Gokarna.
By Road: Road connectivity to Gokarna from South Indian destinations and even a few long-distance locations is good! If you are coming from short-distance locations within 500 kilometers like Bangalore, Coorg, Goa, and Mangalore, consider opting for a road journey via state-run buses or hiring a private taxi or even a shared taxi.
Ideal Duration Required to Visit Gokarna
Well, the ideal duration required to visit Gokarna is 3-5 days! This is just a suggested duration which is evaluated after discussing with our travel experts who have been to Gokarna for fair days of calculation. But it very much depends on the idea of your holiday. If you are coming to Gokarna for your honeymoon, chances are high you would want to recharge your romance for a week or maybe two weeks!
Essential Gokarna Travel Tips
- Beach camping is safe and suitable for all people but books it with a reliable tour operator.
- Consumption of alcohol is completely banned as it is a religious town. However, a few back shacks provide fruit beer.
- November to February is crowded due to international tourists’ influx to bask in the cool climate.
- Apply a heavy dose of sunscreen and keep yourself hydrated in Gokarna from April to June.
- Monsoon from July to September is supposed to hinder your beach plans.
- Attend Ganesh Chaturthi and Shivratri in Gokarna if you are visiting at that particular time.
