Sunday burst to Malshej

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We shall return home as better friends than we started our tour...........Stein Morten


Another Sunday hinting on a boring day that would pass away faster than I could think. To put the time to best use is of course riding in my lawbook- so here I go on a short bust with Alkesh and Sarang, and colleagues Swapnil and Nilesh.

We meet up at Thane and after having a small breakfast at Murbad proceed to our nearby destination in the hills called Malshej.


A few clicks for poses.


A few for the straights


...and a few for the curves


Some serene moments absorbing the warm sunlight in the cool mountain breeze.


To some off the road places leaning over the edges.


A refreshing dip for our bikes


To a refreshing lunch for ourselves at MTDC.


Great climate, lovely roads, beautiful scenery and the best part- great company of friends...made it worth a day's outing


A short collection of memories HERE

Sunny trek to Kalavantindurg

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Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.....Dr. Seuss


This one's was a casual trip and nothing much to write about. We started the trip from Panvel- the gang took the 10-seater rickshaw and I followed them on my bike. Reached the base, parked the bike at my colleague's house and we started our walk (calling it a trek would be an exaggeration). The walk was easy frequented by tree shades for short naps- specially for the rest of the gang who were not used to walk under the hot sun.

Lord Ganesh and Hanumaji carved on the rocks blessing us on the way.


Though the scenery was not breath-taking specially this time of the year where greenery is not much- found a cool place to hang my legs and look back at the path we waded ourselves till the point.
Fathoming the range of the mighty hills through our eyes.
We reached Bhau's (my colleague) place and tp'd around till sunset.



 Had typical delicious village food for dinner. Chit chat or a couple of hours, then crawled under the blanket playing hide and seek with the shivering climate. We all slept out in the open with each and every star so clear to the eyes. Had never seen so many shooting stars in my life as I saw that night. The barking dogs were too irritating, but sleep finally managed to get the better of us.

Its day 2 and we skipped Prabalgad which is supposed to be an easy trek and chose to climb up Kalavantin Durg which comparatively was more thrilling.

Initial walk through the jungle is not all that cozy with loose stones and soil, but on the good side its blanketed by trees and you dont feel the heat.
Reached the Khind (pass) where Prabalgad and Kalavantin Durg meet and started the climb. Peeked into a small cave on the way.





It was early afternoon and holding onto the rocks was quite uncomfortable as they had turned hot under the sun- but the drops and being so close to the edge was thrilling. 

Finally made it to the top and sat like a monkey doing nothing for hours together grasping views of the beauty mother nature has to offer. (was right there on top- this pic was clicked on my next trip when I was atop Prabalgad)
Few moments later, started the descend, reached the base...its delicious food again for lunch and we left this place for our homes.

I guess Prabalgad would be much more scenic in rains- though in the dry season it might not look that great, but its fun to be there, specially if you are staying overnight. Watching the sun go down sitting on the edges of the hills is a relaxation. On the other hand, Kalvantindurg would be a scare to trek when the heavens start pouring.

Anyways- too much said for such a small trip.  HERE's the complete set of pics.

A day's trek to Rajgad- the KING of forts!

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Journeys, like artists, are born and not made. A thousand differing circumstances contribute to them, few of them willed or determined by the will --whatever we may think......Lawrence Durrell

Come Sunday and I was out on a one day trek to Rajgad Fort situated approx 45 kms from Pune. Saving on the efforts to type an epic on this mighty fort in my own words, wikipedia makes the job easier and you can read about Rajgad HERE.

Getting back to the trip, I was supposed to leave at 5 in the morning, got up late and finally rolled out at 9.30.

Reached the base village and started the trek at 1 in the noon and the sun was sapping every bit of energy. Was carrying Glucon-D and Electral dissolved solution to counter the fatigue. The way I was getting tired taking halts every 10 mins

The view getting better with altitude.

Once I got to the rocky sections- it was easier and with the shade of the mountain- it was a lot less tiring. I thought it would take me 4 hours to get on top- but in the the end I was there in 2 hours 15 mins.

Localites on their return.

Entrance to the Chor Darwaza was fun- though it was surprising.


An absolute cracker of a Fort and stands true to its name RAJGAD- the spread of the this mighty structure is simply mind-boggling.
So here started my site seeing starting off with the Padmavati Talao.

The Samadhi of Sayeebai- the first wife of Shri Shivaji Maharaj.

The Padmavati temple- its more of a place for an overnight halt.

The Sadar (meeting hall) and the Talghar (underground room).


One of the best and thrilling experiences was making my way down to the Gunjanwan Darwaza. The path was covered with tall grass and shrubs giving me a scare of a snake-bite, plus the stunning silence was too much for my liking- was thrilled to the core.


And here comes the best sight of the trek...the view from Chilkhati Buruj...felt like I was on the Great Wall of China.

The Mahadarwaza, Balle Killa and the view from the top were icing on the cake.


Rajgad Deepotsav organised by a trekker group from Pune.
As it usually happens I got late on departure- the Pune trekker group mentioned they too would be trekking down. Assured by their words I waited back to click their pics and that was the biggest mistake. Their descend was only till Padmavati Machi and not to the base village. Feeling disgusted I started hurrying and by the time I even reached the exit, the sun had gone down.


Got through the difficult sections as fast I could, but after that it was a nightmare- I could see nothing, absolutely nothing. Was walking purely on judgment- stones and pebbles under my feet meant I was on the right track- a grassy section and I knew I went off the way- had numerous falls and crashes on the way- my every 3rd or 4th step was a fall, never crashed so much on my bike in 6 years. Reached a small hut kind of a hotel on the way and asked a localite to help me reach the village- he was not at all ready to do so. Got frustrated and just carried on walking as I had till there, but this time I got tensed- I knew I had landed in trouble and stopped walking. The hotel was at least a saving grace- didnt want to land up where I could neither reach the village and nor the hotel. Returned back and luckily there was a group returning and best part equipped with a torch. Joined them and in 15 mins I was at the base village. Resolved never to trek without a torch.

My watch had stopped working in the crashing process so didnt have an idea as to what time I started riding back- reached home at 1.30 in the night- but not before coming across a couple of terrible accidents on the way.

My route and distance: Mira Road-Thane-Panvel-Khopoli-Lonavla-Pune-Nasrapur-Gunjavne and back: 486 kms.

Minus the injuries- it was one of the best treks I had. Memorable enough to go back to the mighty Rajgad, and this time I'll be basking in the warmth of the sunrise next morning.

HERE is the complete set of pics clicked through my mobile phone.