A one-day trek in the Summer season is a sure shot recipe to get singed by the scorching sun. But then for people like us with a single day weekend there is no alternative. So we did plan to take the risk. Was it worth it ? Totally!! Lohagad is a pretty simple trek. There are stairs right upto the top. So its more like a trip rather than a trek. The base village is Malavli. We went via Karjat on the central line.
You need to start early so that you can evade the harsh afternoon sun.
If you get down at Karjat, you MUST have the Vada-Pav at the station. Pro-Tip Avoid the ones selling on such portable stalls, instead get it from the stalls on the station.
First stop: Lonavla. Tip: If you are travelling from Karjat to Lonavala , you better get into the reservation compartment. You would not be able to get into the general one, especially on Sundays.
15min from Lonavla by local.
You need to reach Lonavala and catch a local Lonavala - Pune train. Malavli is the station after Lonavala and it hardly takes 15min from there. From Malavli you need to hire a private vehicle to reach the base
The fort awaits!
The gang and its means of transportation!!
The roads were decent but the mode of transportation wasn't!
Once you start private practice, the words 'holidays' , 'extended weekends' are wiped from your dictionary. Hence to compensate for the 'not so happening week' , I tend to latch onto any opportunity of a fun weekend (God must be a government employee for sure.) And yes " Eklaute Sunday ke keemat tum kya jano, do din wala weekend enjoy karne walo" is an apt dialogue that describes our plight! This was an overnight camping plan in Bhandardara organising by one of our friends from YHAI Mumbai. Instead of writing so much content which anyways no one is going to read , I decided to attempt a photoblog!
The base camp was at Samrad Village, accessible by private jeeps from Kasara . Thanks to DJ wale babu and his JBL speakers we had an fun time during the journey.
An attempted time lapse video during the journey.
Let the fun begin!!
Samrad is a small hamlet with around 40-50 families. The arrangements for our overnight stay and food were made by the village Sarpanch (who owned a Renault Duster!!)
Simple Maharashtrian Food
Royal Midnight Buffet
Royal Midnight Buffet
Royal Midnight Buffet
Humar tentwa!!
And the night begins
The villagers were kind enough to organise a camp fire for us. Camp fire + DJ wale babu + cold night= awesomeness!
Campfire captured in slow motion!
An attempt at time-lapse!
Selfie to banta hai..
The temperatures were really cold and there was no way we were going to get out of those tents before the sun got out of his! The fort Ratangad was one side and the mighty Alang- Madan range and Kalsubai peak on the opposite side of our tent. Picturesque!!
Ratangad Panorama
Alang- Madan range!
Ratangad!
Humar tentwa
Selfie!
The historic race!!
Finish line drama! Watch till the very end!
We then headed to Sandhan Valley. This is also known as the Valley of Shadows. You can read about the trek here and here.
THE jump in SlowMo!
Selfie time
Our very own SRK!
Boria Bistar!
Alang-Madan Range
Living life on the edge....
Groupie!
DJ wale babu!
This was followed by a visit the Wilson dam, the Arthur lake on the river Pravara and Randha falls nearby.
This hotel guy claimed that he was on 'google' for his misal pav and Tea. And this was definitely one of the tastiest one I have tried!
Baba Amit in Randha falls!
Boating in Arthur lake
Boating in Arthur lake
Picture Perfect!
This was an awesome trip indeed! Many more such trips to come!! Hopefully I get the time to pen all these down !
