"SANDHAN VALLEY A EXPERIENCE"

VALLEY OF SHADOW : "SADHAN VALLEY"

I had never done valley trekking before and come to know about Sandhan Valley trek organized by FONA (friends of Nature Association) group. Immediately checked with couple of friends and without any second thought booked the seat.

It was two day programme due to activity involved in trekking and traveling time from Pune. It takes around 5-6 hours to reach the destination. Half of the journey is by national highway and remaining by state highway which is narrow road and many ghat sections in between.

How to reach:

From pune by private bus your can follow below route mentioned in map. There Is another alternate route which is Approx 40 km more than this route but most of the journey Is by highway. 

My experience:

We have started at 11.30 from Nigdi. Private bus which was coming from Talegaon picked many of us from Nigdi, Akurdi, moshi etc. We had planned not to stop inbetween since the travelling time was more. We left the nashik highway at Bota village and took state highway. Post reaching near Bealapur driver wanted to have lunch so we all stopped there and had some snacks.

Just after 15 min of break we have started the journey again and reached at Ratanwadi (Bhandardara) at about 6.15 pm. This village is at the bottom of Ratangad. One of the fort of Shivaji Maharaja’s empire. This village had Amruteshwar temple of Shiva. We have been told that its 800^th Century Hemadpanthi temple. Construction of the temple was unique. Villagers told us that between July to December of every year you can’t see the Shivling since its fully under the water. The reason being, Pravara river starts from Ratangad and it flow full during rainy season. The path of the river is just beside the temple. Till December boating options are available for transportation from one village to another since river flows full. Another unique thing noticed here that in front of temple entrance, a stone of pyramid shape to be lifted with the help of your elbow with a wish in your mind. It is believed that if you can do that your wish could be fulfilled. Interesting!

We took some group snaps and individual snaps there had a cup of tea. Some of the members played cricked with village kids. Post that we had started journey towards out destination Samrad village which is the base village to access the Sandhan Valley. Its 8 km from Ratanwadi.

In another 10 minutes we have reached the destination. Guide hired by FONA members meted and greeted us on our arrival and assisted us for camping. Since it was already dark, we immediately started putting our tents. Since it was almost full moon we did not face much difficulty though it was dark by the time we settled there.

FONA leaders instructed briefly about second day activity followed by Dinner prepared by local village people. All went fine and we had slipped in to our tents by 10. 30 pm. One thing forgot to mention that Tribal dance was organized by villagers which was entertaining. Some of our members enjoyed dancing with them.

Alarm rang at 4.30 am and all were ready by 6.00 am. We had cup of tea and biscuit and were ready for the thrilling and exciting trek.

We had started the walk from Samrad village at 6.30 village. In front of us Ratangad was clearly visible and view was amazing. Datta our guide was also ready with his team to help in technical activities which involved 70 ft rappelling in between the route.

 

 

Few of us took the lead while descending through valley. We have been told that its Asia’s second number valley in terms of its uniqueness. Remember you have to manage with very big stone and find your own way to descend. You have to be careful while taking picture since multitasking (Walking and taking pictures) not possible here.

After walking for some time we have come across water pond which you have to cross. No other option than to enter in water and get wet. Water level varies based on the time of your visit in a year. When we visited water level was till waist of average height person. Unfortunately I did not notice that my mobile is in my pocket and it was wet when we come out of the water. So take care.

We had again started the journey. Believe me the each time you move forward and stop to take a look at the valley you get yet another view than the previous one.

Further moving forward we stopped at one point from where entire valley was visible. Everybody then took photo’s as they liked since most of the members were behind us and we had enough time for photography. From there we have again started the trekking and reached at the interesting rock patch. From here you can’t proceed further without rappelling.

By that time many of other members has arrived at this point and guide Datta prepared all technical support so that we can rappel down quickly. Since we were arrived this point first all of us have started to rappel down one by one. Believe me this was first rappelling experience for me in actual trekking conditions. I did artificial rappelling in Adventure Park but this experience was amazing. One thing I noticed your gloves should be proper leather type. I had cut by figure a bit due to harsh rope and soft gloves. Take care.

From there we have again started descend without waiting for fellow members. Then we reached at small 15 ft rock path. 5 of ius successfully passed this rock path without any rope support. To be honest rope support is required here but since we were unaware of the same we managed to descend properly.

Then comes the next rock path. This one was tricky since you have to crawl and pass between two big rock. Again rope support was required here but since we did not have it we again somehow managed this with some difficulty. Team work helped here. This was the second best patch I noticed in entire journey. One thing to mention here that, whatever and however I mentioned about these patches, everything can’t be mentioned in words. You have to visit this places to feel the difference than regular trekking sites. Amazing.

From there without stopping we continued our journey, and reached at one point, yet another rock patch of 20 ft atleast where we got stuck and could not pass this without rope.  We had to wait here for rope to arrive. Meantime villager had carried breakfast for us at this point. We were hungry too so we had enough breakfast here. It was again great feeling having b fast middle of the valley.  Everybody along with Guide arrived at this place. He did not carry the rope and asked us where your rope is. We said we did had rope to which he surprised and said how you did then crossed intermediate rock patches. He quickly revered and got the rope and immediately tied it to the big rock. We again quickly descended and started the journey ahead.

Then we arrived at the point where we had to leave the valley and take another way to start climbing towards our original destination. Samrad Village.

Here with Group Leaders instruction, allowed everybody to come and gather at one point. By this time it was already 12.30 pm in clock. We have started climbing at around 12.45. Let me be very frank, descending this valley and immediately climbing is not that simple. It’s hectic and if climb is in the afternoon when sun is at its peak, it adds more difficulty. When we have started the climb all have been instructed to carry the enough water along with them. Fortunately we have carried 2/3 lit of water along with us but that was also not enough. Fortunately, a person who carried breakfast for us accompanied 5 of us and he was carrying 2-3 lit of water with him. He was making sure we are hydrated enough which made our return Journey little easy. While climbing you have to deal with two rock patches. Since it was afternoon time, rocks were very hot and it was adding difficulty to hold it climb on it. Villager told us that you can do the camping in the valley and can start climbing early morning when you are fresh.

 

At around 3 pm we reached at the top. It was accomplishment for me and everyone who has completed this trek. Everybody was exhausted. Since the lunch was ready we immediately freshen up and finished the lunch.

One thing I noticed that, this trek is not about your stamina to walk but rather endurance test. Endurance test of your muscle, ability to sustain strain and yet enjoying the beauty of rocks. Its complete different experience and you must visit to feel it.

Finally at around 6 we thanked our guide, took the group photograph and started return journey. To my surprise everyone on the bus was charged as if we are ready for the next trek now. No-body was in mood to relax, everyone was cheering and singing songs. This was the magic of Sanhan Valley J.  We have reached at around 11.30 pm to home with ligelong memories. Thanks to FONA group for organizing this.

Few Facts:

I found People in Samrad Village are friendly and supportive. People count is approx 700 as informed by villagers.

You don’t get the mobile network here easily. I tried searching but could not connect to any network. You get network at certain places only.

Enough flat land is available in this village for camping. No issues for larger groups.

Villagers have created small houses (Dormitories) for stay. So if you are coming with Family then book it in-advance.

Nearby places to visit:

Ratangad, Kalsubai, Alang, Malang Kulang are few forts which can are situated near to this places. Guide over here also arranges trek to these places and can assist you to reach at these forts.

Bhandardara is off course a main attraction during Monsoon. It’s fully surrounded by huge Sahyadri Mountains.