Kavala Caves - Ancient Limestone Caves in Dandeli

Dandeli, KarnatakaCAVE

Explore ancient limestone caves deep in the Dandeli forest, featuring a natural Shivalinga reached by a trek and a 375-step descent.

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Info

CAVE

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Kavala Caves are ancient limestone formations located deep inside the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. Reaching them is an adventure in itself, involving a jeep ride through the forest followed by a trek of a few kilometers and then a descent down approximately 375 steps. The entrance to the caves is a narrow opening that leads into a dark, winding passage. As you venture deeper, you'll need to crawl through a 40-foot tunnel to reach the main chamber.

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Location & Address

Inside Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, near Diggi, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli, Karnataka, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best period to visit is from October to February. During these months, the weather is cool and pleasant, making the trek comfortable. The post-monsoon greenery is also at its peak. Avoid the summer months from March to May when the heat can be intense. The monsoon season, from June to September, is also not ideal as heavy rains make the trail slippery and dangerous, and the caves might be temporarily closed for safety reasons.
Peak Crowd: Mahashivaratri festival (February/March), long weekends, and the period from December to January.
Moderate Crowd: October-November and weekdays during the tourist season.
Low Crowd: March to May due to heat, and the monsoon season from June to September when access is limited.

How to Reach

Air

Hubli Airport (HBX) is the nearest airport, about 75 km away from Dandeli. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to Dandeli, which takes around 2-3 hours.

Train

The nearest major railway stations are Alnavar Junction (LWR), about 35 km away, and Londa Junction (LD), about 50 km away. Taxis and buses are available from these stations to Dandeli.

Road

Dandeli is well-connected by road to major cities in Karnataka. State-run and private buses operate regularly from Hubli, Belgaum, Dharwad, and Goa. You can also drive to Dandeli via state highways.

Local Transport

To reach the Kavala Caves starting point from Dandeli town, you need to hire a private jeep or a taxi. These can be arranged through local tour operators or hotels. No public buses go to the forest gate.