Sinhagad Fort Trek Pune

 Sinhagad Fort Trek Pune

Trek: Sinhagad fort Trek

Grade: Easy

Endurance: Beginner

Dates: 12th September 2026 

Trekkers: 8 - (Irish, Stuti, Jochebed, Riann, Salome, Eliana, Joshua, Caleb)

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Prologue:

It was a festive long weekend where we were in Pune at my sister's place. Also being Monday, it was first day of Ganeshotsav (which is usually veg days in Maharashtra). We decided to use it to our benefit to avoid usual weekend rush at Sinhagad fort.

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The fort is located almost 30 km west from Pune City centre.

We started our drive at 10:40 AM in Innova Crysta and preferred the Khed Shivapur route to avoid city traffic from Khadakwasla route. The route was scenic and green being rainy season.

The roads were well maintained all over from Pune to Fort parking.

After drive of about 1 hour, we reached the fort parking at 11:50 am. The parking which is full usually was scarcely occupied being Ganesh festival weekend.

Sinhagad fort parking 

Sinhagad fort map

We started our ascend on rocky steps to explore many historic spots on the spots.

• Tanaji Malusure Samadhi 
• Tanaji kada 
• Nagin Toff (Canon)
• Lokmanya Tilak wada 
• Horse stables

The weather was awesome with alternate sunny and cloudy spells. The cool breeze made the trek very soothing and relaxing.

Tanaji Malusure Samadhi

Salome with Nagin toff

Lokmanya Tilak wada

Jochebed with Tanaji Kada in background 

Kalyan Darwaja 

Horses stables

Sinhagad being located at significant height has Doordarshan towers which can be seen from almost 50 kms distance.

Riann with one of the Doordarshan towers

The views from top were beautiful with all lush greenery which were visual treat to our eyes. We can scarcely see Rajgad fort wrapped in clouds.

Also visible was Khadakwasla reservoir on Mutha river.

Eliana with Pune City in background 

Joshua with Mutha river in background 

After spending an hour or so exploring we were hungry and decided to have quick lunch at local stalls on fort.

We ordered iconic Kanda bhaji famous at Fort. Also veg thalis consisting of Pithla bhakri, Brinjal bharit, Jowari bhakri were gulped down with matka curd famous at the fort.

Tasty lunch with matka dahi

Iconic Kanda bhajji of Sinhagad 

Caleb with famous Mawa kulfi

Some candid clicks 

Then we started our downward trek to the parking. 

Stuti with our car at Parking

We started our return journey at 2:50 pm to reach our stay at 4 pm.

Epilogue:

It was one of the quick, relaxed and refreshing monsoon trek. It was time well spent with nature amidst the iconic historical fort.

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Hotel Shauryawada, Pune

Hotel Shauryawada, Pune 

Gastronomic funda: Non veg food trip to Hotel Shauryawada, Pune  

Date : 14th September 2026

Address:

NH65, Katraj Bypass Rd, opposite Hande Lawns, Handewadi, Pune, Maharashtra 412308

Gastronomers: 11

Damages: INR 4000

Restaurant Ratings 

Food quality: 5 / 5

Ambience: 5 /5

Service: 4 /5

Parking : Available

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Prologue:  It was a festive long weekend where we were in Pune at my sister's place. Also being Monday, it was first day of Ganeshotsav (which is usually veg days in Maharashtra). We decided to use it to our benefit to avoid long waiting at Iconic non- veg restaurant Shauryawada.

We preferred their Handewadi branch as it was near almost 8 km from our place. With quick drive to the place our Innova crysta, the Hotel is well placed and has ample parking space.

Being one of veg days where most Hindus avoid non veg, the restaurant was almost empty as expected. The restaurant had typically village like ambience giving awesome Gavran vibes. Occupying preferred joint tables,we scanned the menu to choose carnivore appetite.

We ordered 2 full Chicken Raan for starters.

Chicken Raan 

The Raan we awesome and true to hype it has online. Marinated and grilled to perfection, the chicken was soft and juicy. It accompanied with Pure Desi ghee and masala seasonings to augment the taste further. It was awesome dish.

For main course we preferred Shahi Mutton Korma, Mutton Kheema, Rajeshahi Chicken in non veg. In veg we ordered their iconic Shevga handi (moringa sticks) These were coupled with 8 Nans + 2 Jowari bhakri+ Indrayani Rice.

Shahi Mutton kurma, Kheema & Jowari bhakri

Shahi Mutton and Rajeshahi Chicken were tasty and were little spicy.

Shevga Handi

Shevga handi was in black masala and was also dish to reckon. With 7-8 finely cooked Shevga pieces in thick black gravy, had large serving quantity.

The Naan were not softer as expected. However the Jowari bhakri was soft and crispy.

Indrayani Rice servings was generous.

Indryani Rice

All these dishes were washed down our throats with soft drinks and Sol kadhi. Sol kadhi was authentic and chilled.

Village vibes 

Summary 

Overall it was wonderful dining experience with good food, awesome ambience coupled with village vibes. 

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog.

 https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Eating, Keep Exploring!!!!

Dudhsagar Waterfall Trek @ Goa

 Dudhsagar Waterfall Trek @ Goa

Trek: Dudhsagar Waterfall Trek

Base village: Kulem - Goa

Grade: Moderate 

Endurance: Tough

Trek Length - 11 km one way (Total 22 km)

Dates: 22nd August 2026 

Trekkers: 6 - (Irish, Stuti + 4)

Trek Guide - Mr. Krishna (Pushpa)

Prologue:

It was a usual monsoon weekend in August 2026 when we had planned for Dudhsagar waterfall trek. in southern Goa.

At LTT Mumbai 

Our train (TVCN kochevali Expres) from Mumbai LTT was delayed by 3.5 hours to reach Madgaon at 7:30 in morning instead of 4:10 am.

After quick breakfast at Benzoe restaurant at Madgaon station, we boarding Vasco - Kulem passenger from Madgaon at 8:10 Am to reached Kulem by 9:00 am. 

In Vasco Kulem passenger train 

There our guide Krishna was waiting at station. After quick coffee at local hotel, we started our trek with short 10 min Jeep ride till Dudhsagar parking which happens to be the actual trek start point. 

At Dudhsagar parking area 

We started the actual trek at 10:05 Am from parking area. It was regular muddy track which lay parallel to beautiful turquoise stream. 

Besides clear flowing stream

After brief ascent we had to cross railway line to descend on Jeep track to Dudhsagar waterfall. The Jeeps operate in this sanctuary from October to May and drop you at Dudhsagar view point. The track is well defined and require to cross 3 small streams on the way.

By 12:00 PM , we reached point near Sonalium railway station from where we were to take left route. There 2 eateries where one can get tea, maggie and dry snacks.

By 12:40 pm, we reached first cable stayed stream crossing. The waterflow below was heavy. 

Stuti @ Cable stayed bridge 

After few minutes of treking further, we got first glimpse of Mesmerizing Dudhsagar waterfall. It was amazingly beautiful.

First glimpse of Dudhsagar waterfall 

By 13:10 pm, we reached the Dudhsagar view point balcony. It provides closer view of waterfall.

After crossing 2nd iron bridge ( which is partly broken), we reached the base of Waterfall by 1:30 PM. The last part of trek was tiring and never ending as we were eagerly waiting for it.

Second bridge (partly broken)

The view and vibes at waterfall base point were mind-blowing and awesome; worth every effort to reach it. It is multi-tiered waterfall and happens to be 5th Tallest waterfall in India (1017 feet).

Stuti @ Dudhsagar base

After spending some time and few clicks, we started our return trek. Occasional rains made the track slippery. After almost half return trek, our guide suggested for railway track route to reach faster. (As we had 5:20 PM train from Kulem to Madgaon).

While we were almost 1 km away from the parking, our guide took us off the railway tracks fearing the RPF. It was one of the toughest part of the trek where we crossed swallow streams thrice through dense jungle.

After long trek parallel to track and brief route through stream, we finally reached the parking area at 5:05 PM.

We had to literally hop on scooty from parking area to reach railway station with full rain downpour to reach railway station at 5:14 pm. We had just made it to station and our legs refused to carry us any further. The rush was to ensure we boarded the last train from Kulem to Madgaon at 5:20 pm. 

It takes 3.5 hour to cover almost 11 km one-way to waterfall and total 22 km and 7 hours to complete the trek for regular trekker.

From parking area with short bike ride to Kulem station we reached Madgaon at 6:15 pm.

Epilogue

Our return train - Matsyagandha was also delayed from its regular time of 19:40 to reach Madgaon at 9:00 PM. After quick dinner at railway station we boarded the train.  After hearty sleep in train, we reached 8 am next day at Thane in morning to reach home at 10 am.

To sum it was wonderful monsoon trek to amazingly beautiful waterfall. It is a complete package of Jungle trek, scenic waterfall coupled with stream crossing thrill. We thank the God Almighty for availing this opportunity and his grace to complete the same.

Few points of advice to trekkers planning for this trek:

1) It is moderate grade high endurance trek (7 hours - 22 kms trek)

2) It is advisable to carry at least 3 liters of water. 

3) It is a jungle trek and has wild beast around; hence please stay in groups and avoid deviating into jungle.

For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Manali Diaries - Atal Tunnel

 Manali Diaries - Atal Tunnel 

Dates: 10th April 2026

Adventurers : Irish & Stuti Pereira

Driver : Mr. Kamlesh Verma (Mob : 98058 37732)

Prologue:
It was quick trip to Manali from 08th April to 10th April 2026. Being onset of summers in Manali, we never expected any snowfall activity. However when we reached Manali on 08th April, the weather forecast had changed by Grace of Almighty. 

On day 1, we actually had plans to explore Sissu through ATAL TUNNEL. However due to rainfall, there was heavy snowfall expected on higher regions of Manali. Due to which we postponed Atal Tunnel route for last day in Manali.

After spending 2 wonderful days exploring Gulaba and Sethan and enjoying live snowfalls, we decided to visit Sissu and Koksar past Atal Tunnel.

On day 3 the weather was clear with bright sunlight and it was perfect time to visit Atal Tunnel.  It is an 45 mins to hour journey from Manali Mall Road to Atal Tunnel.  If there happens heavy snowfall, the Manali Traffic police will allow only 4x4 Vehicle past Solang Valley in between Manali and tunnel. Hence in that case Atal Tunnel cannot be visited.

We had planned to visit Koksar and Sissu past Atal Tunnel in North side and had decided to return early to mitigate with any weather change. The weather on both sides of Atal tunnle varies significatly and one cannot predict weather on either side.

The 9.02 km long, strategically significant, Atal Tunnel, that runs under the ‘Rohtang Pass’ was constructed on the Manali - Leh Highway under the challenging conditions of freezing temperatures in extremely difficult terrain. Prior to the construction of the tunnel, the highway remained closed during winter season for six months, isolating Lahaul & Spiti from the mainland. Construction of this tunnel has reduced the distance on Manali - Sarchu road by 46 km and travel time by four to five hours, providing all-weather connectivity on the Manali - Leh axis.

The construction of this tunnel, nestled in Pir Panjal Ranges of the Himalayas, has been as much a test of technical & engineering skills, as of human endurance and machine efficacy

Atal Tunnel has officially been certified by World Book of Records, as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’, during a landmark ceremony on 09 February 2022, in New Delhi. Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, Director General of Border Roads Organisation (DGBR) received the award for the stupendous achievement of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in constructing this engineering marvel connecting Manali to the Lahaul - Spiti Valley.

 

On the North portal there is a iron bridge on the Chandra River. Just past the bridge, the road diverts on left to Sissu and extends upto Leh. While Right side road diverts upto Rohtang Pass via Koksar.

We first visited Koksar to enjoy snow activities and later we visited Sissu.  We entered back from North Portal at 4:45 to reach Manali at 5:40 PM.

Summary : It was a dream come true to visit worlds highest tunnel - an engineering marvel.  All Thanks to Almighty God who made it possible. 

Atal Tunnel - South Portal Entry

Snow white valley besides Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel - North Portal Entry

Bridge on the Chandra River

Atal Tunnel - North Portal

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For more of my treks and traveloques you can check my blog. https://irishpereiraonthego.blogspot.in/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!