Pachmarhi

We planned a bike trip to Pachmarhi For Thursday to Sunday.

If you are planning from Bhopal, you can reach here in ~4 hours  less or more depending upon number of stops you take. We took a break at MP tourism restaurant at Pipariya. There's one more available after Pipariya which also looked good.

The roads are good in between, and jungle is on both side, loved the  roads amid nature.

We have already booked a hotel online for 1 day it through GoIbibo costed around 800. For weekdays charges are low but for weekend charges are very high.

We checked in and explored around the market a little. As it was a working day we did our office work in hotel, had lunch.

In evening we went to Rajgiri for seeing sunset.

It's a garden on a good height from where we can see the range of mountains. Some points like Handi khoh, Chuaragarh fort and other are visible from there.

It was not much crowdy due to weekday, so we explored freely, captured photos and came back.

Then we enquired around 10-12 for hotel for next day, the cost is now higher as its for Friday. We finalized a hotel for 1500, had dinner and came back.

Day 2 - Friday

As it was weekday we had to start working around 11.  We woke up had breakfast, joined a meeting and went out.

We visited Handi Khoh, Priyadarshini and Mahadev Mandir(plus Gupt Mahadev)

Handi khoh have Average view

Then Priyadarshini also is good and Chauragarh temple is visible from there as well.

Then we went to Mahadev Mandir which is inside a cave. Cave is not long or risky temple is good and peaceful.

This is the place where Vishnu ji made Bhasmasur to put his hand on his own head which caused  the end of Bhasmasur.

The place itself is peaceful, and pretty.

Some 200 m from there on the lower side, Gupt Mahadev temple is there.

There is very narrow path of few 20 steps inside and not much space is there m we need to go one sided 6-8 peoples are allowed to enter at a time as entry exit is from same narrow path.

After that we came back for workin.

Hinjewadi Trek - Phase 2 to Phase 3

This post is about our Trek done on 16th July 22 from Hinjewadi Phase 2 to Hinjewadi Phase 3 mountains.

The trek is not much tough and can be considered as easy.  

Trek starts from the trail near  Quadron Business Park till point Behind Sangria society. There are few variations you can take in between. Most usual one is from Quadron Business Park to Marunji Hill Top and then from there to Phase 3.

Starting point near
Quadron Embassy Park

We started around 11 AM, took local bus from Hinjewadi Phase 3 to Quadron. By 11.30 We started ascending which is somewhat easy initially, though due to rain there was a lot of mud.

This trail goes up and connect with the main trail(which goes from Marunji Hill Top to Phase 3). Once you find the trail just turn to right for Marunji Hill top to enjoy the view. You can see Kasarisai Dam in the West Side and  Hinjewadi Phase to East side. 

After some time, we left for the main trail to Hinjwadi Phase 3. Took a halt at a view point where we could see Kasarsai Dam.

On trekking more we got to see fog, clicked few pictures and left as we still have to trek around the Phase 3 part. 

Around 4.30PM we reached on the hill behind Sangria. There are 2 options from there, either climb another hill and descend to "Sri Bapuji Bua Mandir Maan Mandir" or simply descend and walk till main road. We decided to descend and walk.

After reaching to the Hinjewadi Pirangute Road we walked back to our locations.

Plus Valley

Plus Valley Trek

Plus Valley is situated in Tamhini ghat and is around 60-65 km from Pune.
Its named as Plus valley as from the top view we can see the valley has a kind of plus. Its a descending first and then ascending trek with hard endurance.

 

We started early from Pune so that we could  start ascending before the sun reaches us as it make harder to ascend. Around 4AM we left from Hinjewadi and by 6AM we reached the starting point however, it was still dark so we waited there only. Small Sitting area is available there.

If you are travelling from Pune and plan to have meal in middle, you can visit the restaurant Hotel river place. Breakfast and lunch  is available there, it can accommodate around 80+ persons in once. Another option is Sai resorts which is little better in terms of ambience and service

Around 7AM it was clear visibility and we started to descend. Its basically Scree part in begining then there comes rocky part and in then mix of rocks and jungle area. Around 8AM we reached the main point also know as infinity point . We had some breakfast there which we did take with us and captured pics. Once our photography sessions ended around 9 AM we started to ascend.

As easy as the descend part was as hard it is to ascend. It took me 6 breaks in between to finish it
Around 10.15 we reached the top though and left for Pune.

Though the trell is clear still if you feel to confirm you can refer to these orange ribbons which fellow trekkers have tied there. The water of plus valley is then falls to Devkund waterfall.
  

On the other side of plus valley you can see the top where Andharban Trek's trail passes. The kundalika valley and plus valley can also be seen from this location, however the best view of Kundalika Valley you can see when Doing Andharban Trek.

Kundalika Valley Andharban Trek

Reaching To Base and Parking:

We planned to leave around 7AM from Pune but due to some work, we left at 9.30 AM. Its a route of around 56 km from our location but the road is not good so it took around 2 hours to reach there.

Route Hinjewadi to Independence point: (Route)

First we visited Independence point, stopped for few minutes which is near to beginning of the trek. (Location).

Pimpri (Location) village is nearby. We went till there and parked our Bike with locals. Alternatively there is private waterbody nearby(Location) where you can park your bike safe.(Might need to pay Parking charge)


Trek Route :

We did not plan to go to the very end and planned to return from some distance as I was not well.

However we went till the base village.

We started our trek around 12. The path starts from the village. There were few locals which charged us around 50 Rs per head(kind of donation for Temple Building) we paid and proceed. Next thing we saw the Forest rangers waiting there, they asked if we have registered online or not. As we were not aware we paid the charge on the spot and proceeded.

150 Rs. per head, you might want to register before leaving as there is no or least signal there.(Link). Not sure if we can pay there itself in cash or not all the time.

We then started and clicked few photos at the point where we can see valley kind of starting(location).

Then as we proceed, we found one person was trekking alone so he joined us.

On proceeding we kind of take a wrong route at a point, even if some person build a Right sign Mark for the correct route, however we missed that and it added 20-25 minutes to get back on the correct route.

One thing you must follow is that there are arrow marks, marked on the stones leading you to the correct path. Also in case you take a wrong route try to find orange ribbons tied to the small trees, if you see them means you might be on right path.

Whoever did that, did a great job. Following these ribbons you can join back the main trail.

After some more distance we found one of the waterfall, multiple group were there enjoying and resting for a while, however we kept walking and took a short break after covering some more distance.

By 2.45 PM we were in base village. We had tea and Maggie there made by locals.

And then we started back for Pimpri. It was kind of raining a little however it started more with time.

We were on bikes so we had to come back to the same route, however some groups came by bus and trekked till other side(they asked driver to bring the buses other side).

when we started to return, the weather started to be prettier.

When we returned to the point where  valley kind of starting the weather was at the best and the view was heavenly at the point.

Clicking picture for around 15-20 minutes, we left for the village.

Here are few things To Remember before visiting:

1. Register online prior to Trek.
2. Be ready with rain coat if its a rainy season.
3. Carry at least 2 litre water.
4. Carry some cash, in case you need to eat something in village(they accept online payment however signals are very weak).

Kolad river rafting

Our group planned a trip to Kolad for river rafting. It was group of around 25 peoples or more.  We reached the base  by 9:30 AM.

We have already booked a group package which included rafting, lunch and some activities in a resort.

The water in the river is released from a nearby dam which makes it possible to raft(else the water level is too low and not feasible to raft).

Post sirens the dam started to release water started around 11 maybe till them we enjoyed in the shallow water. Water level started to rise and we all got prepared for rafting. Instructors provided us the rafting kit including life jackets, Paddles, helmet. they  

Then we were divided in groups of 10 and each group assigned a bot and a guide. 

We then boarded the boats and guides instructed us the security options and some commands which we need to follow from guides like Forward row, Backward row stop and get in.

The total route was for around 12 km . It has 3 rapids(I think of level 2) where water is most aggressive  and most enjoyable. 

In rafting they call it rapid. Usually rapids are classified in levels(refer this link for more information - https://www.westernriver.com/whitewater-rafting/levels)

For Kolad, they have named them as Morning Headache, Jon carry and Rajdhani. Jon carry is the bigger among the 3.

Soon after the instructions we practiced a little in the still water and then started  in mainstream. In beginning the water flow was  simple and steady we enjoyed and rowed.  Then after one by one we passed all the 3 rapids. 

The only camera we had was on the helmet of the guide(costed us 2000 for the videos and photos). You should prefer your own camera (waterproof and attachable to helmet) which can be rented for 1 day in same cost. Pictures were not worth the price we paid.

After the 3 rapids there was steady water where we jumped off the boat and swam for some time. Not everyone knew swimming in our group so life jackets made it possible for us. In the last we hopped back on boat and proceed for destination.

We went to Rock hill resort for lunch and activities. After lunch we tried Archery and ATV which were were included in our package.  

After lunch we headed back to to Pune.

Pondicherry Trip

We had a trip when we were in Chennai!

SO I was in my training time and my ILP was being done in Chennai.

As it was about to end we all were planning to visit Pondicherry as It is a must for us.

Though everyone else has already planned and booked buses and vehicles, we were still on the planning phase.

In short our whole trip was unplanned.

We left Chennai at 12.

We haven't boked any hotel already so we enquired many places and in last the local auto driver suggested that he will show us some hotels.

We looked some hotels and finally we booked 3 rooms at a hotel.


Then we visited a church, as some prayer was going on there, and someone shared "once you go inside when its prayer time, you can not come outside till the prayer is over. And it might take too log" so we simply visited from outside and returned to rooms.

Then we went to Rock beach which was too beautiful. We stayed there till the sundown, took picturse. Its not too easy to find veg food there so I decided go with Pizza Hut which seemed me the only veg option which I would like.

We enjoyed for a lot played volleyball and took many pictures.
IT WAS REALLY THE LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR US!! - atleast for 5-6 peoples of our group.

It was so sunny there that I could not even see the screen of my phone and I though my phone is damaged. After enjoying we left the beach and had some eat.

While returning from Pondicherry, again we had a long queue for the bus tickets. we returned at Sunday night.

Key points:
Always book travel tickets and hotels in advance.

Maadhe Ghaat Trek

Madhe ghaat is situated at around 60 km from Pune.

Its a trek in which we have to first Descend and then ascend.

It was my very first Trek and was very excited about it.  We left from Pune early and reached Velhe.
At the base we reached at a hotel and had breakfast there.

We had a "brief history" and "warm up" session and it started raining, and at the same time it started to rain, which was expected.

We then start walking towards the fall and reached at the top of waterfall. it was so foggy there that we were not even able to see the waterfal. The weather was too awesome, raining all the time.
and there was greenery all over the place.

We then started to descend to the base of the water fall.

The path was rocky and slippery but not risky or hard at all, it was time taking though. We were able to see the waterfall though from all over the way.

However after walking down for around 2 hrs we found water there with smooth flow.  Then played in the water and have lunch there.

For lunch we had taken packed food "Thecha Paratha" which is quite popular here. and it should be as we can get it packed from anywhere these place and its tasty.

Once we were done we walked for around 1-2 km to the other end from where we were supposed to ascend.

Now comes the best part of trekking.

Since we were strictly not allowed to take any photos when ascending as it was not considered safe for this big group as its sometime hard to manage the pace. so I do not have the same.

We had to ascend from the path which was too narrow. On one side the mountain with long grass was there and other side there was nothing but edge, Although both sides there was tall grass so we have the way for walking one person at a time  We all were behind each other. The view was too astonishing and then fog started to come follow us.

We reached at the Top and then we walked for another 1 km to parking area where we parked our vehicles . We had tea there with localities and cool down session after which we travelled back to our places.

It was my very first trek so worth remembering!