Kalavantin Durg Trek

Trek: Kalavantin durg / Pinnacle

Base village: Thakurwadi near Panvel

Height: 2,300 feet

Grade: Medium

Trek coordinator: Shikhar Vedh

Trek lead: Jagdish Patil

Trek Dates: 7th June 2014

Base Village Google map coordinates

It was a casual weekend in month of June and as usual i was looking out for a quick one day trek. As rains were delayed, it was kind of hot climate. By then i happened to come across a trekking event organised by Jagdish Patil's trekking group Shikhar Vedh. It was a one day trek to Kalavantin Durg near panvel which i eventually chose to participate in. It is 15 kms south from panvel to be very precise.

Kalavantin is cone shaped pinnacle adjoining Prabalgad. It is just a part of Prabalgad fort, and trekking can be arranged to reach the peaks of both these forts. As given to know that this pinnacle derives it name from a popular dancer who used to reside there during ancient period. It is basicallt not a fort as it 's name suggest, but it was a type of watch tower.

The main features of this pinnacle are its stee rock cut steps.The step are well cut and are still in good shape so that one can reach the top of pinnacle without any artificial rock climbing equipments.

As planned we trekkers were to reach Panvel ST depo by 7 Am. Now this panvel ST depo is at 5 minutes walking distance from panvel railway station towards west. After meeting our trekking group at depo, we moved to a hotel visava nearby for breakfast. There after sumptous breakfast of medu vada dosa, misal and tea we were already to move to base village.

There we boarded the 8 seater tumtum rickshaws to reach shedung; it took us 30 mins flat to reach there. The roads for an exception were kind of in good shape. There Our trek lead Jagdish briefed us about the trek and with our introduction round we begun trek around 8:30 am.

As near to Mumbai this place is good road network. There is tar road till the base of prabalmachi. Now this trek is divided into 2 parts. First is to reach prabalmachi which is a kind of plateau common to both kalavantin pinnacle and Prabalgad. Second is to climb the rock cut steps to reach kalavantin top.

Muddy Trail - Kalavantin durg in backdrop

As the tar road ends start mud trail which is clear and well defined leading to prabalmachi. So after trekking around an hour and half we reached prabalmachi. 

Myself with Base village in background

Prabalmachi entrance

It is a wide plateau area with a small village residing on it. The locals have set up various refreshments shacks where we chose to rest at. It was a good cement concrete plastered floor shack. The sun had just started spewing its heat and left us all sweating. We were in month of June but there was clear hot sun shining as rains were delayed. There we had limbu pani. Also we had some tang to recharge ourselves of the fatique. We waited there till our other trekmates to join us. 

Food shack with mud plastered floors

Tang Break

The village has both mud thatched as well as concrete houses. More important is that they have their own source of water till end summer. Then after another 20 mins of resting, we started again towards the pinnacle.

Green cover at village

Then passing through village towards east, we came across steep climb through bushes. The climb here is strenous and trekking on scree makes it more tough. There we came a cross roads,the straight route goes upto kalavantun pinnacle base and the route towards right goes to prabalgad. 

Way through bushes

At Base of Kalavantin durg

Around 11am we reached base of kalavantin pinnacle.  Initial climbing steps are slightly tricky. Then there are rock cut steps which are well defined. One has to carefully balance their bodies to prevent slipons on the rock cut steps. It takes  30- 45 minutes to reach top. 

Climbing the Rock cut steps

To reach top one has to negotiate a steep 10-15 feet rock patch. It requires rope support. Amateurs trekkers need some support to climb the same.

So we reached the top of kalavantin pinnacle at 12: 30 pm. The view from the top was just awesome. We could also see our trekmates at the base of pinnacle who were late to climb. 

Trekkers in valley below

Prabalmachi along with our route - as seen from top

We can see Chanderi pinnacle, Malang gad near kalyan towards north. It was somewhat foggy so we could not see most of the topography. We can see prabalgad from very close. Towards east we can see most of Matheran from Kalavantin top.  We can see Louisa point and other points of Matheran.

Facing Prabalgad

Myself at the Top

Chanderi and Malang gad from kalavantin top

There we had few photo clicks here and waited for our entire group to reach top with us.

Then after clicks we sat down for lunch and enjoyed variety of dishes. After lunch we rested for 30 minutes more and then started our journey back. Descending is always pleasing and with cheerful trekmates it is a great fun. 

Crazy trek mates

Our trek group

At prabalmachi we clicked our group photo.  It took 1 and half hours to reach the base point. There we waited for our transporter to arrive. Then after half an hour our tumtum to take us to panvel at 5 pm. 

In short it was a memorable one day trip with very friendly group of trekkers.

About Shikhar Vedh:

Shikhar vedh is a trekking and adventure group founded by Mr. Jagdish Patil who is an avid trekker himself.

Mr. Jagadish Patil

Mobile No:  09869369836 / 09702121373

Website:http://shikharvedh.org

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Mahuli Fort Trek

Trek: Mahuli fort trek

Base village: Mahuli village near Asangaon

Height: 2800 feet

Grade: Medium
Trek Duration: 2.5 to 3 hrs one way

Trek coordinator: Vrangers

Trek lead: Mayur Shetye, Dipendra Mhatre

Trek Dates: June 2016

Base village Google Map Coordinates

Mahuli Fort - Route Map

Mahuli is fort near Mumbai. It is easily accessible from Asangaon railway station on central railway line of Mumbai suburban railway network.

We were in month of June and vrangers had planned for one day trek to Mahuli fort. Being saturday, a weekly off i chose to enrol for this monsoon trek.

As planned we all were to board a pre-notified early morning train and reach Asangaon station. There our trekking group was waiting for everyone to arrive. We were a group of 20 trekkers excluding coordinators. It usually takes around 20-30 minutes drive in rickshaw from Asangaon to reach Mahuli base. 

However for us once we reached Asangaon, we had a short walk to highway from where we boarded a ST bus to Mahuli village. Being so near to Mumbai, the roads still are in very bad shape. There at the local shack we had tea and breakfast. From here the fort was very seldomly visible due to cloud cover. Mahuli fort and its other sister forts for an unique distinct mountain structures which can be recognised easily. Mahuli is surrounded by other other small forts namely Bhandargad and Palasgad.

Mahuli - Ecotourism spot

Unlike other forts, Mahuli has been developed by state government as 'Eco- tourism' spot. There at the entrance near the arch, our trek lead Mayur gave us necessary instructions. Here we began our trek at around 8 am.

The Entrance Arch - The trek starting point

Trek Lead Mayur -  Fort Info & Instructions

Being eco tourism spot and rainy season, it was all greenery around. The route track were however muddy. Within few minutes of regular walk, we arrived at a small iron bridge on stream following from the Fort. After crossing the bridge the actual ascend begins. 

Iron bridge over the stream

Being rainy season, here it started raining heavily. To reach fort, one has to pass atop another small hillock. After brisk climb for 20 mins facing west, one has to turn towards right to climb the hillock. Here the route divides into two, one to the right climbs up to Mahuli fort and one to left eventually ends up in valley. Many trekkers happen to miss this turn and lose their track to get lost in jungle. As for me it was a cheerful group to be with. We having fun were making inroads through green cover towards fort.

Additionally on a trek you tend to meet new people from different and varied backgrounds who adds to your acquaintainces. Also we get to meet our old trek buddies here with lot more info on different treks they have been to. But one thing is important to note, that trekkers tend to have a similar spirit and enthusiasm in them which is contagious. They are the most exotovert, adaptable, accommodating and friendly bunch of all human folks on earth.

My Trek Mates

Then after 30 minutes of trekking, we get first glimpse of Mahuli fort. It was still at height which we have cover for. It was covered by thick clouds all the while we were climbing. There we took a break of around 20 mins. 

First Glimpse of the fort - wrapped in clouds

Still a closer look of the fortifications

Selfie time with trek mates - Myself and Sagar Rajankar

With cheerful Darsheet Gala

Our entire trek group

The route is straight and well defined from here on. One can see entire route to fort from here. Again we started with route getting more and more steeper, till we reached the fortifications of Mahuli fort.

Fortifications 

It was raining heavily by now and feeling very cold as we were all drenched in it. At this point, iron ladder is fixed to climb the fort walls.  The point at the ladder is steep and one has to be very careful here, and more so in rainy season as route becomes slippery in rainy season.

The Iron Ladder

After climbing the ladder we were to explore to the fort. It was all covered with cloudz and there was hardly anything visible. We all waited at point above ladder for all of our trekkers to reach. The fort just after entrancd has dense trees. We in that dense cloud cover reached for the mahadarwaja. 

Dense cloud and fog in the background

The cloud cover was so dense that the visibility was very low. The weather conditions were at extreme. The mahadarwaja or 'Forts Entrance' has been blowen away by British. It is the dead end here; so much that one could not enter or descend the fort through it. There are cave like structures along the mahadarwaza. They may be possibly the storage rooms. There we had our group selfie.

Group Selfie time at Mahadarwaja of Mahuli Fort

Caves Along Mahadarwaja

Caves 

So after exploring the fort for half an hour more, we sat on a flat table land for lunch. By now rains had stopped, but the cloud cover was still present hindering visibility. Everyone had carried their own lunch. So here we had multi cuisine lunch with few exotic foodstuffs.

Lunch spot 

We wanted to explore the fort more, but extreme climate prevented us from doing so.  Then after resting for half an hour we begun our return journey. But as it was weekend, there were many trekkers on the way to fort crowding the ladder point. So we had to wait to clear the human traffic. Till then had photo session at the mast flag on the entrance.  The fog prevented good clicks though. Moreover it had started drizzling again. Then we started again and as the route was pretty much clear to us by then, we covered much of it within less time.

At flag mast

Actually reason for us to hurry was the stream i mentioned earlier. It is dream of every trekker to end the trek by swimming or at least getting drenched in the streams. So till our other slower trek mates make up to the stream, we had a hearty swim in the stream. There was a small cement water block/ dam being made on the stream just below the iron bridge. This was may be for water harvesting purpose i suppose. But it added to our  joys. It provided us much essential depths to enable us to spread in water to clear our fatigues. It was to me one of the best part of the trek. This as one of the advantage of a rainy trek; it provides for both trek as well as swimming sessions. How thrilling it was. Moments later our other mates when they came to stream, seeing us they also joined us in this aquathrill session- i must say.

Aquathrill

After 20 mins later we regrouped ourselves and changed our drenched clothes. There we had evening tea at the breakfast shack. The bus at 5 pm had already left, so now the next bus was an hour and half later. So here trekkers as usual had their fun games. So after it we boarded the bus to reach Asangaon at 7 pm.

Overall to sum up it was quite a interesting and refreshing monsoon trek with great trekmates making it more enjoyable. Mahuli is one of the easy one day trek in outskirts of Mumbai. 

How to reach Mahuli Fort:
It can be reached by road with own vehicles and railways. 

By own vehicles:

If reaching the fort through own vehicles, follow the google map coordinates above at the beginning of the blog. 

By Railways: 
Asangaon is the nearest railway station on central railways to reach Mahuli fort. One can take a share rickshaw from Station or alternatively ST buses also ply between Asangaon Depo to Mahuli village. However the bus frequency is very low. 

Please note: Rickshaw wallahs accommodate 6 persons in regular bajaj auto and charge Rs. 80-100 per person.

Food Facilities at the Fort:

There are two food shacks at the beginning of the trek. They provide with all your food needs from breakfast to lunch. Here you can have breakfast to begin with and pre order your lunch while returning. They provide for both veg and non veg lunch. 

About Vrangers:

Founded in February 2009, Vrangers is one of the fastest growing trekking community with adventure passionate members. Geared with experienced mentors, they arrange for various forms of adventure sports.

Contact details:

Ananda Govekar: 9892219155

Dipendra Mhatre: 99674 35673

Website: http://www.vrangers.com/

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!

Dhawale to Chandragad to Arthurseat point Mahabaleshwar trek

Dhawale to Chandragad to Arthurseat point Mahabaleshwar

Trek: Chandragad to Arthurseat point

Base village: Dhawale village near poladpur

Height: 4800 feet

Grade: Tough

Endurance: High

Trek coordinator: Ayudh Adventures

Trek lead: Rahul Basankar

Google Map Coordinates for Dhawale Village Poladpur 

Chandragad was headquarters of Chandrarao More (Jagirdar of Jawali) who had once challenged Shivaji to come to Jawali and eventually was defeated by Shivaji.

Chandragad to Arthur Seat point is tough endurance trek.  It is around 9 hours continous jungle trek covering mostly ascent wherein you have to cover a total of 1020 metres (i.e. 3200 feets) height in single day and few descents on scree and karvy jungles.

The trek is can be logically divided into 4 phases:

1. Dhavale village to Chandragad base

2. Chandragad  ascent and exploration

3. Descent through Chandragad valley

4. Ascent to bahirichi ghumati and then eventually move and climb to Arthur seat.

Trek Map

As considered one of the tough endurance treks through dense jungle, chandragad to Arthurseat was on priority in my so called 'Bucket List'. Having read a blog from harcore fellow trekkers from Offbeat Sahyadri (Priti Patel, Jinnat siklikar) i had made up my mind try it once. These guys  are ardent explorers exploring new treks and routes in sahyadri ranges. 

Click to read their Arthurseat trek blog here

Initially i had enrolled with Wild Trek Adventures from pune for this trek; but due to logitics issue could not make it. However there was another such trek planned by Ayudh adventures which i chose to enrol.

We were to gather at Borivali station east at 11:00 pm. Our transporter, a mini bus arrived and we were on our way to the base village via Mumbai - Goa highway.  After passing  poladpur we took left to base village - Dhawale. The road towards base village were as usual in pathetic state. We reached base village by 3 Am and stay put in school in that village. We rested till 6:30 AM and after finishing our morning chores, we had breakfast of pohe at Mr. More's house. His son santosh more is who usually guides such treks on this route. But on that day he was not available; so his elderly father was to be our guide. He was to guide us upto Bahirichi ghumati; so that he would return to village before dark. His elderly wife (म्हातारी) urged us to relieve him early.

Trek started from Dhawale Village with Chandragad to the left

We started from dhavale village at 8 Am. Unfortunately we had 2 first time trekkers in our group of 12 including trek lead Rahul. After a regular trek of around an hour we reached chandragad base.

Board at the Chandragad Base

The ascent towards chandragad is very steep. Most of the trekkers were somewhat drained in this ascent.  The fort has very few remains with 2 water cisterns. From chandragad top, Rahul pointed us towards Arthurseat point. But we could not comprehend it then. He also tentatively pointed us Bahirichi ghumti.  After exploring the fort for around half an hour we descended the Chandragad valley....

Exploring the Chandragad Fort

North end of Chandragad

Myself with Raireshwar mountain in the backdrop

Bloom

From base of chandragad there is a small traverse patch after which begins the valley facing East.

Our team - At base of Chandragad Fort

The descend is tough as the soil & rocks are loose. Also on the route were trees fallen.  Being in month of March, the heat drained  and dehydrated most of us completely. At around 12 pm the end of the descent few trekkers had cramps in their legs and at and could not move further. Heat has taken its toll here. Hence after much deliberations, Rahul our trek lead allowed 5 of trekkers decided to halt till there and anyhow return to dhavale village with alternate route encircling chandragad as guided by our Guide Mr. More. So now here our team reduced to 7 trekkers out of 12.

Actually sending them back was going to create us a big problem for our reverse  logistics later. As per the original plan the bus driver was going to drop us to base village (i.e. dhavale) and from there leave for Arthurseat point in mahabaleshwar and wait for us there. Also to reduce our baggage weight, most of us had dropped their sleeping bags and other accesories in bus. But these trekkers were so drained and had cramps in legs due to dehydration; so rahul have to allow them to return even if our reverse translortation plan would go haywire. So by the time these guys reached base village, the driver had left for arthurseat and could not be contacted as there was no network in jungle. But fortunately dhavale village was there on state transport network (i.e आमची एसटी) although with very less frequency. So rahul instructed them to rest for some time and board ST bus and wait at poladpur bus depo. Here we all were rendered helpless without mobile network which has become basic necessity along with food, clothing and shelter.

So we 7 trekkers along with guide started quickly the ascent towards Bahirchi ghumati. Now the patch between chandragad to Bahirichi ghumti is key patch as it is dense jungle consisting of karvy trees and thorny bushes. Additionally it has steep climbs. We had decided to cover this patch as fast as we could before it gets dark. We being in dense Javli jungles, wild beasts were expected in this patch. So climb towards ghumati is very critical as it is considered the safe point. From ghumti the Arthurseat is around 1.5 hours far.

But our shock, after half an hour of trek, another 3 trekkers who earlier were determined to finish the trek till end stay put. Nature was throwing challenges every now and then.  But it is these testing times you learn lessons of life which cannot be learned in any top management institutions in country. Here we were again in a very tricky situation, as to what can be done with them. We still had most part of trek left ahead, which they could not make for. Also if they make for they will so slow they will drag the entire group's speed. And we could not afford to be slow in this part of trek, as if gets dark before we reach Arthurseat, we will end up in dense jungle inhabited with wild beasts in groping in dark. So it was time for fast decision. Here after seeing our most of our trek mates give up, for a second we also doubted as to whether we could make it to end point. But giving up was not the option atleast me and rahul.  Here we decided that they return back to base village as they were really strainful and drained to core. But another major problem we faced was we were by now in dense jungle and cannot let these returning trekkers to find way on their own. So we had to send our guide to accompany them back safely to base village. But sending guide with them will render us directionless in dense jungle to find our route ahead. Even small mistake in route will cost us more time and put us in deep trouble. But  nevertheless we decided to go ahead with it.

Place in dense jungle where we bid adieu to our guide Mr. More 

Rahul instructed them to make for last bus at 5 pm from dhavale village to poladpur bus depo.  Rahul was however somewhat confident of finding route through directionless paths in dense jungle as he had done this trek earlier.  We had no chioce than to rest on his discretion to find the way through the jungle. So here our team was just left with just 4 trekkers out of 12.

We four Rahul, myself, Shailendra Nalawade and Harshada desai were all determined to complete the trek,come what may. A true trekker will never give up. I was even determined to go ahead if we were only 2 of us.

Each step was tough from there as we were dehydrated and gaining steep height is more difficult than gradual climb. But we decide to continue the trail fast. After an hour of trek, we breaked for lunch and gulped our lunch in 10 mins as we have make towards end at Arthurseat before dark....We set bold target to reach  Arthur seat by 5:30 pm. I had a peculiar deal with Rahul to make for at 5:30, as only that would enable us to reach Mumbai by 12 without traffic so that i get the last train to Virar. Do we think too much ....Yes.... So trekkers are most sophisticated travellers who have precise time management and logistics planning.

Just before bahirchi ghumti there are two traverse point (highly exposed ) which are somewhat tricky to cover. After consistent and determined trek of around 3 hours,we reached Bahirchi Ghumati at around 4 pm. It is actually a small place of worship with few idols. 

Bahirichi Ghumati

Here on rockbed we rested there for about 15 mins. Again resting more will lock our muscles as there were early signs of cramps in our legs. By now all our water supply has exhausted and throats were dry. Here rahul recalled some small watering hole in rocks. But when went for watering hole, we found it was messy with moss in it. Also it could be also polluted as wild beast drink from same hole. So we dropped idea to drink from the hole. From here the Arthurseat was around 1.5 hours of continous trek. We could feel our deep itching dry throats but could not help but to cover the distance as soon as possible.

Then we encountered steep scree patch which is called 'Gadhvacha maal'. There almost everyone of us slipped on the scree.

Gadhvacha Maal

Just few metres from here we got first glimpse of our target - Arthurseat point high above. We were so excited to see it as for it we had endured quite a lot.

After short recce break there we started again quickly to reach our target at around 5:45 pm. Here through dense karvy bushes we were inching closer to our target. 

First Glimpse of Arthurseat Point

Still closer look at Arthurseat Point

Here we had a magnificent sight of rocky cliff of arthurseat point. We could also see Echo point from here. Also savitri river valle was just on the sideways. We also could see Pratapgad fort through savitri valley. Our Words fell short as to what a sight it was. All our fatique ran away with it.

Cliff below Arthurseat Point

Pratapgad seen across savitri valley

Chandragad -  As seen from base of Arthurseat

After few rock patches we climbed Arthurseat which had tourist passing looking at us jokingly; few advising us (arey yaha se aa...waha se aa.....arey girega....pagal log he ye)

Finally we at around 5:45 pm we made up for our target. Our faces glowed in glory. We had conquered our fears and endured to make for it.

At Arthurseat Point Mahabaleshwar

...and we had that Last Laugh!!!

Only 4 trekkers out of 12 managed to complete the trek to Arthurseat. Here ran towards local shacks for water. We literally emptied that guy's entire pot of buttermilk (chaas) to cool our burning throats. Here our mobile were again in the network. Rahul called our fellow trekkers back at dhavale and instructed them to anyhow reach poladpur bus depo, so that we can pick them up from there on the way.

There after rehydrating ourselves we called our bus driver and while waiting for him at that point we were privelaged to encounter a flock of Bison (गवा) coming towards Arthurseat. Oh my God, what a creation of God it was .Bison's are huge. One could only imagine the limits of its monstrous strength. Nature has clothed it with armoured coat of mail.

Bison with its terror mates

Then our driver arrived and we begun our return journey passing through Mahabaleshwar hill station. There we had strawberrys on the way. Going to mahabaleshwar and not having strawberry's would be considered foul , isn't it ?

Our driver was one of its kind professional. I have done many treks and seen many driver, but have never witnessed one like him. His manevoring through ghats is just superb. After descending through Ambenali ghat  Mumbai Goa highway , we picked our 8 fellow trekkers(who had left the trek half way) from poladpur ST depo to return back to Mumbai Bandra at around 12:15 Am. Our driver, we thought should have been a pilot, given his driving skills. He reached us to Mumbai in approx 7 hours from Arthurseat point of Mahabaleshwar. Reaching mumbai i got down at bandra kalanagar sky walk after saluting the driver. He was the real man of the match then. Forgot his name though.

Some additional info on this trek.

This trek is almost impossible in rainy season ...ideal time is December to february due to cool climate....after that it is difficult due to heat and dehydration resulting in cramps....

Dont attempt this trek without proper guide. 

With experienced trekkers, proper planning, and time management ....one hour of entire trek can be reduced...

About Trek leader: Rahul Basankar of Ayudh Adventures is avid trek leader, who is well acquainted, well researched and networked to conduct any spectrum of treks from easy to difficult, low to high endurance treks. High empathy along with patience with trekkers is what sets him apart from other trek leaders. He has eye for smallest details and is caring for each trekker in his team.

Along with hard-core trekking activites, he also arranges for corporate treks and leisure trips. 

Rahul Basankar mobile : 93 20 309636

Website : ayudhadventures.com

Trek guide: Mr. Santosh More has quite good experience guiding treks around this area and was well acquainted with the topography of the area.

Santosh More : 02191 60090620

Food facilities in the Dhavale Village: Mr. More also provides for all food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) needs for the trek. 

Cost: Rs 1350 as trek fees including travel charges, food (breakfast, lunch) and trek expertise. 

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!