The rainy season is upon us and it’s time for the seasonal waterfalls and forests to come to life. Goa is waiting to get drenched and only those who anxiously wait for the monsoon know the rapture it brings.
For those who abhor the rains, it is best to stay indoors sipping hot coffee and watching TV, but for the wanderlust, it’s that time of the year to explore. And for the vivid explorers, one of the most biologically diverse places in Goa to visit in the rains would be Tambdi Surla, known for its significant waterfalls and the historic Mahadev temple.
Tambdi Surla in Dharbandora taluka has all the trappings of a perfect monsoon destination. Lying at the foot of the Western Ghats, it is easily accessible by road from Panaji and lies at a distance of about 60 kms off the Goa-Belgaum highway.
So if you are headed to Tambdi Surla, at Dharbandora panchayat veer to the left and head straight to Nature’s Nest at Sancordem few kilometers away -- a perfect weekend getaway. Once inside the main gate, you will be pleasantly surprised to find yourself in the midst of lush greenery and rustic settings.
The cottages are simple and very clean, yet rustic. These are spaced at a good distance with enough foliage around. The rooms have adequate creature comforts barring a refrigerator and a television. No TV means nature is the entertaining factor here. Please bear in mind that this is a property designed to put you in the middle of nature and all its accompanying thrills and vagaries.
What will amaze one the most is the warmth and friendliness of the staff. The guided tours here are well-planned. The birding, waterfall, trekking and nature packages, which include all meals and priced between Rs 1,800 and Rs 6,500, are worth the money.
Nature’s Nest, which lies close to the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, is the base point for many bird-watching enthusiasts who are well aware of the place. “This place is the hub for all birders. Apart from enthusiasts from Goa, we have birders who come from as far as UK and Germany to watch one single species. The area is home to 17 to 19 endemic species,” informs Sangam Patil, one of the three partners of the venture that took off some six years back.
Ramesh Zarmekar and Pankaj Lad are the two other partners at Nature’s Nest. While Zarmekar is an expert on amphibians and reptiles found in the area, Lad has all the knowledge of birds having the expertise of recognizing an avian from its chirping. Patil takes care of all the adventure activities.
Adds Zarmekar, “Monsoon is round the corner, and it is the best time to enjoy the panoramic Tambdi Surla waterfall, which is popular with many trekkers. Apart from this, there are other small waterfalls around Nature's Nest. One can also see few species of frogs and toads during our trekking expeditions.”
At Nature’s Nest one can’t sit idle as there is lot to do and at the same time nothing to do “ it depends on one's choice. If you are hard pressed for killing time, head to the natural pond at the end of the property for a swim or go to the reception area which has a shelf with several books on wildlife. For nature enthusiasts, there is a collection of documentaries on wildlife which are screened on a TV kept at the reception area.
The place around Nature’s Nest has some of the best traffic-free roads having lush greenery on both sides, which means these remain hidden from the sun in some stretches. “Cycling is one of the activities we highly recommend here,” says Patil, who is also an avid endurance cyclist having taken part in many long-distance cycling events in the state.
He adds, “One can bring their own cycles. What we have are B-Twin Sports cycles which are good for short rides. In future cycling is one of the activities we are seriously looking at.”
At Tambdi Surla nature unfolds before you in many ways with its rich bio-diversity of animal and plant life. So if you are in need of an adventure break, Nature's Nest is the place you should head to.
