The Concrete Jungle was as usual dry and humid, despite of the fact that monsoon season was going on. So we decided to get ourselves some fresh air and decided to setup a rendezvous with Sahyadris again. This time monsoon trails beckoned us to Dhakoba.
Dhakoba is one of the finest treks of the Sahyadris. Dhakoba (Chota and Motha) has all the aspects of making it the most difficult (almost impossible during Rains), lengthy and technical trek of Sahyadris.
We were four of us on this trek. We had started at around 10 am from kalyan. Reached Pallu village, from where the trek actually starts.
Pallu village is 35-40 Kms ahead of Murbad. After Murbad (on the highway towards Malshej Ghat), there is a right turn for Dhasai Village. There is small sign board on the left hand side, directing you towards Dhasai Village. There is a Nice Ganapati Temple on route to Dhasai.
Which also has a nice large lake adjacent to it. From Dhasai, just ask for Pallu village, its some 7-8 kms from there.
After reaching Pallu, we had to convince the villagers to send someone with us till Dhakoba.
An old kaka(guy) from the village agreed to guide us to Dhakoba.
We started at around 1:00 pm in the afternoon. After taking into account our walking speed, Mr Mahadev Koli (our guide for this trek) had estimated that it would take around 4-5 hrs, for us to reach the top. Which the villagers usually cover in around 2 hrs time. :D
Initially we were just crossing the fields to reach the base of this trek. After reaching the base, we started off and then came the actual feel of a complete monsoon trek in the sahyadris.
Tropical forest kind of feeling with rain pouring down heavily and we were making our way through the trees and mosquitoes enjoying fresh blood.
Would suggest to come here in track pants and extra pair of clothes, as this trek has lots of poison ivy trees and mosquitoes during monsoon.
We were making our way up the slippery, muddy trail. The trail also involved going through the nali, from where the water was coming downhill. Water gushing downstreams, had the rocks covered with Moss. This made the climb more difficult and treacherous.
After crossing the nalli, we reached a plateau region. Crossed the whole plateau region to reach the base of Dhakoba. After another one and half hour's trek, we reached Dhakoba.
There is a small temple uphill of Dhakoba, which perfectly compliments the spirituality of the Sahyadris. :) We settled ourselves and after sometime planned for the tasks ahead. With the head torches on, we started brewing Hot tea for ourselves.
After the hot tea, we managed to set up a bonfire with the dry woods kept inside the cavern.
This bonfire provided a perfect relief from the chilly winds and rains, that had take our toll sometime back.
Finally the sleeping bags were out and the melancholic memoirs of misty mountains, we drifted into a nice relaxed soothing sleep.
The next morning was pretty good as the rains had subsided and a bright sunny morning had dawned upon the dew drops on the mountains. Had our morning tea, packed everything and started on our way back to Pallu village. It took 3 hrs for us to reach Pallu village. Also expressed out gratitude towards our guide for this trek by giving him lots of chocolates and biscuits for his children.
On our way back, we had taken a break at the Temple and did spent some nice time at the lake adjacent to it.
It was a mesmerizing experience of a good monsoon trek in awesome Sahyadris. :)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Kelva Beach
Kelva Beach is the most beautiful location for vacations near Palghar.
It has the largest stretch of beautiful cost line of Arabian Sea in Thane District.
The unique feature of the beach is the abundance of the Suru trees and it is the most sought
weekend destination sought by local populace, domestic visitors from Mumbai and also from
other parts of state.
Kelva fort and Sheetala Devi temple located at the lakeside add the attraction of the Kelva beach.
There are many resorts and luxurious hotels for the comfortable stay of tourists.
How to reach there:
1. Take the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway No. 8 to Manor via Borivali - Dahisar.
2. From the Highway, take the left turn for the Manor -Palghar Road.
3. Bypass Palghar on the road and head directly to Kelva.
Distances: Palghar - 8 kms,
Mumbai - 140 kms,
Vapi - 100 kms,
Valsad - 120 kms,
Surat - 190 kms,
Daman - 120 kms,
Jawahar - 65 kms,
Nashik - 175 kms
It has the largest stretch of beautiful cost line of Arabian Sea in Thane District.
The unique feature of the beach is the abundance of the Suru trees and it is the most sought
weekend destination sought by local populace, domestic visitors from Mumbai and also from
other parts of state.
Kelva fort and Sheetala Devi temple located at the lakeside add the attraction of the Kelva beach.
There are many resorts and luxurious hotels for the comfortable stay of tourists.
How to reach there:
1. Take the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway No. 8 to Manor via Borivali - Dahisar.
2. From the Highway, take the left turn for the Manor -Palghar Road.
3. Bypass Palghar on the road and head directly to Kelva.
Distances: Palghar - 8 kms,
Mumbai - 140 kms,
Vapi - 100 kms,
Valsad - 120 kms,
Surat - 190 kms,
Daman - 120 kms,
Jawahar - 65 kms,
Nashik - 175 kms
Murud Janjira
Murud is popular for its beach, whispering casuarinas, coconut and betel palms, and an ancient fort.
On a hillock to the north is the shrine of Lord Dattatraya, the three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The 300-years old fort of Janjira is an architectural marvel- once upon a time considered to be impregnable.
The palace of the Nawab and the Janjira caves are also a must for the tourist.
Murud doesn't just have a Beach & the fort. It also has a Temple over the hill next to the New
Bus Depot (known as Datta cha Dongar) Hill of Lord Dattatray.
One can have a paranormic view of Murud & both the islands together from the hill.
Further ahead of the hill is an idga, the walk though the dense jungle is a experience in itself.
How to Reach:
Murud is 170 km away from Mumbai, on the Konkan Coast.
To reach Murud one has to travel by road, via Alibaug or Roha or take a ferry from Gateway to Mandwa, near Alibaug and travel about 50 kms by road.
To reach the Janjira Fort, sailboats are available from Murud Port (which is behind Ekdara Village) and Rajpuri port.
Kashid and Nandgaon beaches, fall on the way to Murud Janjira.
For history of the fort, kindly refer the link given below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murud-Janjira
On a hillock to the north is the shrine of Lord Dattatraya, the three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The 300-years old fort of Janjira is an architectural marvel- once upon a time considered to be impregnable.
The palace of the Nawab and the Janjira caves are also a must for the tourist.
Murud doesn't just have a Beach & the fort. It also has a Temple over the hill next to the New
Bus Depot (known as Datta cha Dongar) Hill of Lord Dattatray.
One can have a paranormic view of Murud & both the islands together from the hill.
Further ahead of the hill is an idga, the walk though the dense jungle is a experience in itself.
How to Reach:
Murud is 170 km away from Mumbai, on the Konkan Coast.
To reach Murud one has to travel by road, via Alibaug or Roha or take a ferry from Gateway to Mandwa, near Alibaug and travel about 50 kms by road.
To reach the Janjira Fort, sailboats are available from Murud Port (which is behind Ekdara Village) and Rajpuri port.
Kashid and Nandgaon beaches, fall on the way to Murud Janjira.
For history of the fort, kindly refer the link given below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murud-Janjira
Alibaug
The town and its bordering villages are the historic back-country of Bene Israeli Jews.
Israel Ali is a Jewish synagogue of the town. Shivaji's naval chief Kanhoji Angre developed Alibag
in the 17th century. It is not only a sun city but also an amazing weekend location.
The city shot into prominence after Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built the fort of Kulaba.
Fixed in the lap of nature, Alibag is a maritime town of India. The town is renowned for its clean
waters, sand like beaches and fresh air. Alibag is an astonishingly beautiful place and nature
appears to be at its best. Alibag is placed on the southern tip of Mumbai, on the constrict strip of
Arabian Sea.
Alibag Beach is the main beach of the town.
The beach has the blackest sand of the region.
The beach is very lively with bathers in the morning and many food stalls in the evening.
Alibag Beach is tardily but certainly growing into a tourist attractor.
Ali Shah Bawa’s mazhar is right in the center of the town and the beach is also named after him.
The government have built a good platform for the tourist to enjoy the sea and to take bath
with safety.
The Alibag Beach is the main beach of the town and the Kolaba fort can be seen from here.
How to reach there:
Distance from Mumbai is 108 Km, Kalyan is 108 Km.
For details about reaching Alibag, refer the link given below:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Alibag
Israel Ali is a Jewish synagogue of the town. Shivaji's naval chief Kanhoji Angre developed Alibag
in the 17th century. It is not only a sun city but also an amazing weekend location.
The city shot into prominence after Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built the fort of Kulaba.
Fixed in the lap of nature, Alibag is a maritime town of India. The town is renowned for its clean
waters, sand like beaches and fresh air. Alibag is an astonishingly beautiful place and nature
appears to be at its best. Alibag is placed on the southern tip of Mumbai, on the constrict strip of
Arabian Sea.
Alibag Beach is the main beach of the town.
The beach has the blackest sand of the region.
The beach is very lively with bathers in the morning and many food stalls in the evening.
Alibag Beach is tardily but certainly growing into a tourist attractor.
Ali Shah Bawa’s mazhar is right in the center of the town and the beach is also named after him.
The government have built a good platform for the tourist to enjoy the sea and to take bath
with safety.
The Alibag Beach is the main beach of the town and the Kolaba fort can be seen from here.
How to reach there:
Distance from Mumbai is 108 Km, Kalyan is 108 Km.
For details about reaching Alibag, refer the link given below:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Alibag
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Weekend Getaways in and around Mumbai
Information about Weekend Getaways, in and around Mumbai.
These are the weekend getaways, that I have experienced.
Kashid
Kolad
Murud janjira
Alibag
Revadanda
Bhandardhara
Panvel/Pen
Kelva beach
Shelu Resort
Karjat
Malshej Ghat (MTDC)
Information about each of these destinations will be added very soon... Its worth a wait.. :)
These are the weekend getaways, that I have experienced.
Kashid
Kolad
Murud janjira
Alibag
Revadanda
Bhandardhara
Panvel/Pen
Kelva beach
Shelu Resort
Karjat
Malshej Ghat (MTDC)
Information about each of these destinations will be added very soon... Its worth a wait.. :)
Kayaking Course in Ganges
4 -Day Kayaking Course in Ganges.
Instructor: Bhuvan Adhikari
Co-ordinator: Ramesh Rawat
Instructor: Bhuvan Adhikari
Co-ordinator: Ramesh Rawat
Upper Alakhnanda White Water Rafting Expedition
White Water Rafting Expedition on the mighty Ganges.
Chamoli down till Rudraprayag.
First proper descent of Hillary Fall.
For more details on the experience, refer the link given below:
http://chamolidown.blogspot.com/
Chamoli down till Rudraprayag.
First proper descent of Hillary Fall.
For more details on the experience, refer the link given below:
http://chamolidown.blogspot.com/
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