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.