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. :)
