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).

Raigad Trek And Murud Beach day 1

Raigad is famous for being capital of Maratha empire. We planned to visit and stay there for the night, explore it on next day and then to come back.

Altogether we were a group of 32 people from Pune so we had booked a private bus for convenience. 

We planned to reach the base by 4 so we can climb to the top and witness the sunset.

 However it was a big group so took some more time than expected to reach the top.

The path was not very difficult. Most of the part have stairs. And some places are simple but full of clay.

At the time of ascend we could see school students are coming bacm from the fort. So we were kind of shock to see their enthusiast.

At the base  we clicked some pictures and then we proceeded to the way. As I shared the path is not very difficult but stairs take our test.

We managed to reach the "Maha Darwaja " before sunset and waited for the rest of us. Once they arrived we walked towards the top.

Then we left for the top where the statue of Shivaji Lies.It was dark so we moved Forward towards the local shelter hall where we were supposed to stay.

We reached there and fresehen up. We just sat there and introduced to each other along with lot of fun and performed some other group interaction activities.

Around 930 our dinner was ready which was prepared by the locals. It was bhakhari (chapati made of rice floor) daal sbji and rice. It was goood.

We had that and then we went up to the statue. There is a big ground there where we stood in a circle and listened to the story of greatness of Shivaji who is Considered and worshipped as a god. We switched off all of our torches and felt the peace.

Around 11 we came back to the shelter. Burn some fire and celebrated our own Lohdi.

The locals managed bedsheets for us so we did not need to take all of these things ourselves.

It was a cheerful evening we made some jokes on each other then dont know when we slept.

Continue to day 2....