[ploma]

Hello IndiaTree!

Next august I'll be landing in Mumbai and I was thinking visiting Gokarna before going to Hampi. I've been in Goa in January some years ago and I know I souldn't expect the same weather while in monsoon. But what about the life there, what should expect to find on early august in Gokarna? Will be a deserted town, with the hotels and restaurants closed or still I'll find nice hotels/restaurants/cafes going on? any recomendations?

And what about the weather, do I have any chance to do some swimming and sunbathing?

I don't know if it's worth going there on that month or if I should go directly to Hampi… what's your opinion? I've read that Jog Falls will be terrific on that season so maybe even if the beaches are undoable there's a lot of others things to do…

Oh! and at the end, it's common to have any problems due to heavy rains on the road from Gokarna to Hampi?…

I know that's a lot of questions… but let me empty my thoughts

Thanks for your replies,

uribaba

[ploma]

Nobody knows about Gokarna in August?

What about the bus from Gokarna to Hampi:
- Have somebody done it?
- Do you think it will be running now in August?

let's hope for some reply :mrgreen:

uribaba

[YETI]

I'd be interested to know about Gokarna during the monsoon too - anyone been?

I might be there in the middle of August, too.

[AvidTrekker]

I have not been to Gokarna... am giving my answer by general knowledge.

Monsoon in the west coast means a lot of clouds. The sun may be out a few hours now and then in August, but it is generally cloudy. Sea swimming is generally not safe in the monsoon. but local intel on this will serve you better.

Road: The National Highway is just some 14 km from Gokarna. So the road will be very much with "access".

I dont know about bus routes, but the KSRTC [state transport] should have a normal schedule.

I wouldn't know about direct buses, but lotsa buses to Hubli. Hubli to Hospet again direct bus.... even a train from Hubli to Hospet is there...

[Poiple Shadow]

It will be pretty much the same as Goa (It's not so far south), not been in August, I think I went at the end of September and it had tourists... I'm sure the guest houses will be open. I'm guessing the restuarant choice will be limited...

No swimming in the sea, it's bound to be very rough, rain can be heavy, or there can be breaks for a few days, it all depends.... the later you leave it the better it will be and the greater the ratio of dry days to wet ones... Gokarna is a gorgeous place as the western ghatts are so beautiful!

Enjoy

[ploma]

thanks to all for your replies now I have some things more clear!

Hopefully I'll be there soon and I'll try to post how is the situation on early august in Gokarna.

Its a pity it seems I won't meet Dr. as he's arriving after me (I'll be there from 1st to 5th August) ... I would like to hear his ironic ideas about gokarna…

uribaba

[YETI]

Will you let us know how you get on, ploma?

"What's Kerala / Karnataka / Goa like during the monsoon?" was a regular question back over on IndiaMike. It'd be helpful to get a first-hand account.

[ploma]

August In Gokarna was great!

I was there on the begining of August and the weather was pretty fine. It rained about 1-2 hours during the day and the rest of the time was partly cloudy and temperatures where not too hot. We went to the beaches but the sea was very strong so we just went few meters inside and play with the big waves (always doing foot).

Gokarna town was very quite and we hardly spot during the first days. At the end we meet a group of four and it seemed like suddenly the town was full . Most restaurants and Guest Houses were open. The shacks on the diferent beaches till Om beach were almost closed, but I think you can sleep on them if you want, just it wasn't my mood to be alone in a beach with lot of litter around.

The deluxe bus from Gokarna to Hampi was not running as there were not so much tourist so we had to take an ordinary bus from Gokarna to Hubli (4 hours) and from there we jumped in a passenger train to Hospet (3 hours?). You can go straight to Hospet by Ordinay bus if you want and it takes similar time.

uribaba

Sorry to write back so late but while in India I forgot my login and password so I couldn't reply on time...

[YETI]

Very useful, ploma, thanks.

I should be in Gokarna in a couple of weeks or so.

Weather in Kerala's very nice right now, too - a bit of rain but nothing drastic. This is a great time of year to be here, imo.

Edited by Dr Funkenstein, 30 August 2006 - 06:39 PM.

[YETI]

It's very rainy here right now. There's been so much bad weather that I've yet to see anywhere other than Om Beach. And you can't even see that sometimes!

Even a walk to Kootlee's out of the question for the time being.