Trek to Mighty Kamandurg

Kamandurg Trek

Trek Location: Kamandurg

Height: 2100ft

Grade: Medium

Endurance level: Medium

Base village: Devkundi, Poman

Nearest town: Kaman / Vasai

Trekkers: 7 persons (Irish Pereira, Edward Pereira, Garry Lobo, Ronald D’mello, Samson D’mello, Simon D’Souza, Maxson Gonsalves)
Date: 30th Sept 2017

Map route of Kamandurg from Devkhundi Village

We were planning for a trek for long time and finally settled for a short trek to kamandurg, as it can be easily reached from Virar (Where we stay).

Kamandurg is a dome shaped pinnacle near tungareshwar sanctuary. It is the highest point in that mountain range. Our team of 7 persons landed in devkundi village at 7 am in cars which is the nearest base village for the trek. While on the way to the base village, we were welcomed by sunrise top of mountain. It appeared as if volcano erupting through crater.

Sunrise 

Direction towards Devkundi Village

Our group for the trek

Map Coordinates for Devkhundi BaseVillage for Kamandurg  - Click on the link below for Google map coordinates

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Devkhundi Village

Select and set the route from your location.

Devkundi is a small village with small hut type houses. We parked our cars in the village under surveillance of the villager. Then when we enquired the villager of the route to the fort, he gave us some vague directions. There is a small stream flowing next to village. We kept on walking on trail along the stream keeping stream on the left. We were delighted to see ample water flowing in the stream (which would provide us with hearty cooling bath on our return journey). This stream may be dry from November onwards to monsoons. 

The stream 

photomania

We continued on this wet trail for around 15 minutes and decided to have breakfast on banks on stream. It was indeed wonderful experience having full breakfast of sandwiches, bread - omlettes, amul cool, bananas on clear flowing stream.

The trail adjoining the stream

Breakfast time

Afterwards breakfast we continued on the trail for next 5 minutes where we reached a point where we had a two road diverging point with huge mango tree as a landmark (villager had given this landmark) Here we took right towards small hillock and within a few minutes after we had entered into the forest.

The route through dense vegetation cover

Now the trail kept on becoming narrower with thick vegetation. We kept on making inroads within this thick weeds. Also we were gradually gaining height slowly on wet slippery tracts with small boulders. This trail is well defined in summers, but we were probably first to go there after rains, so the this trail was covered with weeds. We had to make way with sticks to make inroads. At some points the vegetation was very dense and few of us experienced scratches while passing through it . There were karvy shrubs, bamboo offshoots making most of the vegetation cover. Occasional teak trees and wild flowers also were found along the way.

Route through grasses

Wild flowers in full bloom

Around an hour or so we took a break under shade and recharged ourselves with additional energy drinks and sandwiches. The green cover is a delight to one’s eyes.

After around 2 hours of walking along the trail through dense vegetation, we came to a point from where kamandurg was visible. 

First glimpse of Kamandurg

We felt motivated seeing our destination and kept moving forward. At some point forward the trial started descending and we felt confused as to whether we are on right track or not. But decide to follow the same as there was no trial other than that to follow due to thick weeds. Fortunately the trail lead us to the base of the kamandurg pinnacle. It was around 11 am (i.e. 3 hrs from base village). We were profusely sweating by now as it had become very hot by now.

Base of  Kamandurg 

Looking at the pinnacle from base, it seemed easy climb of around 45 minutes.But it was not that easy to traverse this steep climb. Moreover this part of trek requires morderate rock climbing along with walking on scree and loose rocks. Few places there are rock cut steps too. Moreover this part of trek trek is exposed to sun as here there are no trees to take cover. There are few cactuses and such thorny plants on the way to pinnacle. Thick weeds were still covering the route. The rock climbing here is not easy for beginners and amateur trekkers. We still kept pressing towards the top. Even after being drained, my trekmates were high in spirit and kept pressing towards the top slowly and steadily.

Spirited trekkers pointing towards top

Cactus in full bloom

Visibly tired trek mates making route through weeds

By now my trek mates were literally drained of their energy as sun had begun to spew his heat to fullest. This period being of october heat is the worst period for trek. After short breaks we kept climbing the pinnacle. One of our trek mates was drained completely here. So we had to wait for him to be recharged. But the as sun's heat kept increasing, the climb became more strenuous. The trek being most of steep climb in humid weather, we were dehydrated as we continued to sweat under full summer like heat. Hence at a point 15 minutes from top my other trek mates stay put leaving me and one mate to continue to top of kamandurg pinnacle. Here the rock climbing was also steep, so we also did not forced them to make it to the top.

So true is the saying 'Coming back safely from trek is job done; summit is a bonus'.

So we both continued the climbing and around 11:45 am we reached the top.

Water tank at the top (Potable water)

The top of the fort has 2 fresh water tanks. Due to the period after rains, the top fort was covered by thick weeds. The water in the tanks is potable water. The water is so clear that one can see base of the tank with small guppies / fishes in it. Here we refreshed ourselves in the water tanks as our faces were nearly burning due to scorching sun. We clicked few clicks here on the top. One can see entire region with Ulhas river to the south, Tungareshwar sanctuary towards North, Vasai city, Naigaon area in the west and Bhiwandi region towards east. From there we resumed our journey back.

Guppies (Fishes) in the tank

Trek mates with Tungareshwar sanctuary in the background

View to the south with Ulhas river in the backdrop

Myself at the top

My partner at the top (Simon Dsouza)

Usually return journey takes half the time spent ascending, and from kamandurg top it would ideally take at the most 2 hrs to reach to the devkhundi village. However in our case it was not the scenario. As mentioned earlier one of our trek mates was beginner and was also drained completely. So we have to maintain his pace to get him down safely.

So the saying goes “The speed of the pack/herd is equal to the speed of the slowest animal”.

So we continued our downward journey with 15-20 minutes breaks couple of times. So our return time was almost equal to ascending time. So after few more halts we finally reached the point where we has our breakfast along the stream at around 3:45 pm. We were just waiting for this point so as to get drenched in water. 

Welcomed cooling break

After such as scorching sun’s heat along the trek, it was just a most welcomed break. Here we had a hearty cooling session for our burning bodies. From there we finally reached the devkhundi village for our return journey back home.

To sum up, it was indeed a wonderful trek offering both trekking as well as basic rock climbing. The trail through nature refreshes one’s mind out of stressful life. This trek is not to be confused with one of the easy grade treks. With hot scorching sun overhead, it can be one of the demanding treks ever.

Few point of advice to trekkers planning for this trek.

• §Please wear full clothes i.e. full sleeved t-shirts, full track pants and cap for this trek.
• §Carry at least 3 litres water each.
• §Start early in a day so as to avoid sun’s heat as much as possible.
• §Carry a rope to assist beginners or amateur trekkers for rock climbing patches of the pinnacle.
• §Hire a guide/local villager (if planning the trek just after rains)

Happy Trekking, Keep Exploring!!!!