Hey guys,
So after a long time, I am writing a blog. Today I'll give a brief description on my trip to one of the peaks located in Maharashtra. This trip was special as it was my first road trip. The base village for the trek is Paachnai.
How to reach?
Since there's minimal or no local transportation facilities available in the area, I would recommend using your own vehicle.
The nearest railway station is Igatpuri, from here it will take around 2 hour and 30 minutes approximately (80 Kms) to reach the base village. You can also choose to come from Nasik. Even though Igatpuri is closer, I would personally prefer to travel from Nasik because of high availability of taxi services and numerous hotels to stay overnight, incase you decide to reach a day before. Not only this, but you can also visit the Sula Winery. The Winery is only 3 hours from the base village. So, between Igatpuri and Nasik, I would recommend Nasik as the starting point for this trip.
All in all, the only way to reach the base village is by road and it is advisable to hire a taxi. The roads however, are a bit bumpy, so buckle up.
Where to stay?
The trek can be completed within a day , this means that you can return home the same day, if you plan properly and stick to a schedule.
But if you are coming from a distant place and want to rest for a night before starting the trek , Akole is a good option to spend a night. It is only an hour and 30 minute drive from the base village. This is a stopover that's usually the last resort as there is not much to do over here. It's best to start the trek the following day if you're tired. The lodge that we stayed in was the Yashraj Lodge.
This was the best among the many options in the area. It was well maintained; was located close to the main street and affordable.
Aside from the advantages mentioned above, staying at this lodge also has its perks. One of them being the breakfast center located right below and a bar just above, so if you want to have a drink, this is your place.
You can also haggle with them and make the stay even cheaper. This is what helped us stay at this lodge for a night and it costed us around Rs. 300 and extra Rs 50 for breakfast. So, if you are looking to stay in Akole, I'd recommend this lodge. This is the Google Maps link for the hotel.
If you choose to rest at night, it would be best if you start your journey early in the morning around 06:00 hours.
Right time for trek?
Before I start, I should give some details about the vehicle and the driver, as well as the entry fee. It is very important that we are aware of this information. There is a nominal entry fee of Rs 100 for the car and the driver and Rs. 30 per person. The base camp is 2 Kms from this entry point.
The best time to visit this area is during the mid-monsoon season. It provides a great view of the mountain and the weather is pleasant owing to the green cover and the natural canopy. This picturesque view is definitely a treat to the eyes.
If you are a morning person and love to stargaze, then I would suggest starting your trek around 6 p.m, and you'll reach the top by 9 p.m. If you are lucky and the sky is clear, you will have an amazing time stargazing.
However, if you start during the day time, take enough breaks and enjoy the scenery along the way. I bet you will be mesmerized at every step of the trek.
How tough is the trek?
One of my friend was asthmatic, but was easily able to complete the trek. This gives you an idea that the trek is fairly simple and can be a great choice for trekking beginners and leisure travelers looking for some adventure. It took us around 4 hours to get to the peak as we took multiple stops along the way to rest and enjoy the view.
Let me tell you an important tip, don't stop once you see the famous Shiv temple there is more to the trek. Around 2 Kms. from that you will find the best view, You should not miss that. It will take another 20 minutes from the temple, but it is totally worth it. So encourage yourself, take blessings of Lord Shiva and proceed further towards Konkankada.
What all to carry?
I would highly suggest to travel light. That being said, everyone should carry the following items.(Please do not throw wrappers and litter)
Water bottle (approx. 2 Lts.)
Cap
Rain Coat
Chocolates/ Energy Bars
Some snacks
Extra pair of clothes
First Aid Kit
a. Pills for Vomiting
b. ORS to prevent dehydration
c. Band-Aid's
d. Pills for Acidity
e. Dettol
f. Cotton
g. Gauze
h. Relispray
Folks interested for the night camp should carry:
Extra Water Bottles
Torch
Spare Batteries
Sleeping Bag
Thermals (if required)
Tent (if required)
Apart from this, you should wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes. Preferably wear waterproof shoes, and save yourself from extra struggle and hypothermia. So choose your apparel wisely for the trek.
What are the expenses for trek?
All the expenses mentioned are approximate and considering Mumbai as the starting point
Sr. No. | Purpose | Expense |
1 | Train to Nasikh/Igatpuri | Rs. 90 - Rs. 1400 |
2 | Stay at Nasikh/Igatpuri | Rs 700 incl. Dinner/Breakfast |
3 | Taxi from Nasikh | |
4 | Train from Igatpuri | |
4 | Entry | Rs. 30 |
5 | Snacks | Rs. 200 |
6 | Train to Mumbai | Rs. 90 - Rs. 1400 |
What will you get to see?
1. According to locals one of the caves has the only idol of Lord Ganesha revealing almighty's gender.
2. Lord Shiva's Temple
3. An amazing scenery.
4. A temple standing on only one pillar (couldn't cover).
Comments