Introduction
Due to the sun’s inability to shine on the ravines, Sandhan Valley is sometimes referred to as the Valley of Shadows. In the Sahyadri highlands, there lies a breathtaking canyon. One of the hardest and most enjoyable journeys in the Sahyadri is this one.
Sandhan Valley, near Bhandardara and Igatpuri, offers an adventurous experience unlike any other. You don’t only walk; you also rappel, rock climb, partake in bonfires, and sleep under the stars. The designation AMK refers to the natural gorge of Sandhan that lies between the forts of Alang, Madan, and Kulang. This hike is well-known for its remote location, fantastic photo opportunities, and off-the-beaten-path terrain.
Period Of The Year To Trek In Sandhan Valley
You can trek to Sandhan Valley at any time of year, with the exception of summer. The walk becomes less fun as the weather turns hot and muggy and you lose all your energy from braving the heat. Treks to Sandhan Valley are incredibly pleasurable and memorable in the winter, autumn, and even during the monsoon season.
You must first travel to Kasara or Igatpuri in order to get to Samrad village.
Road:
Reserve a self-drive vehicle and travel to Samrad village. Around 200 kilometres separate Mumbai from Sandhan Valley, and it takes 4 to 5 hours to travel that distance. Alternately, you can take a public transportation bus from Mumbai or Pune to Igatpuri-Ghoti, from whence buses are available to Bhandardara, and then take a shared jeep to Samrad village.
Rail:
From Mumbai, take the train to Kasara. Leaving CST, take a Kasara Fast train. Take a shared vehicle to Samrad after getting off at Kasara. There are numerous options for shared jeep rides. Additionally, a long-distance train stops at Igatpuri where you can board it.
Route for Trekking
Within the first few hours of your trek, you will be wading through shallow water bodies that are 2 to 4 feet high. Your trek should begin at Samrad. When you reach Tarzan Swing Point on the descent, you will rappel and use a rope ladder before engaging in some cave crawling.
Following that, you’ll descend and walk through rock outcroppings. You must wade through deep pools of water before coming to the camping location, which is then surrounded by broad rocks. Bann Pinnacle and Ajoba Hill will be seen from your vantage point.
Average expenses
A self-drive automobile would run you between Rs 5000 and Rs 8000 for a roundtrip from Mumbai to Bhandardara. Between Rs. 1000 and Rs. 1200 will be the price of one train ticket (return fare).
Per person, shared jeeps cost Rs 50. In the range of Rs. 600 to Rs. 800, bus tickets from Mumbai to Bhandardara are priced.
The gorge campsite is a great place to spend the night in your own tent. From Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 per night, homestays in Samrad village are available. Budget accommodations for the Bhandardara festival start at Rs. 1000.
Food prices during the travel will range from Rs. 200 to Rs. 600.
Trek operators would charge between Rs. 1600 and Rs. 2000 for the Sandhan Valley Trek Package.
Hotel Facilities
For the best camping trip ever, you can set up tent overnight at the Gorge. Although there are no lodging options close by, Samrad offers homestays with locals. These offer a fair amount of comfort. Go to a more luxurious hotel in Bhandardara if you’d like not to camp there overnight.
Try MTDC Resort; it’s quite well-liked. After a day of scrounging around, you may also check out some opulent lodging alternatives in Bhandardara, such as the Anandvan resort.
Food There won’t be any along the way because the walk takes place through a ravine that is completely uninhabited. However, Samrad village residents offer a variety of home-cooked meals, including bhakhri, poha, upma, bhaji, dal, and rice.
These meals are all made with fresh and hot Marathi cuisine. Before you begin the walk, eat a hearty and filling breakfast, bring food with you for the night, and then enjoy a satisfying lunch in Dehne or Samrad before returning to civilization. If you trek in a group, the trek operators will supply food.
Travel and Security Advice
This is not a trek that novice hikers should try without a guide or a trekking company. Your stamina will be put to a lot of strain during the walk. A weak heart, high blood pressure, or any other medical issue should be avoided. Bring along energy bars, insect repellents, and a windbreaker. Bring a comfortable backpack and minimal clothing. Take a DSLR camera with you and a power bank if you can. Bring enough water from Sandhan village with you. Drinkable water from the stream along the trail might not be pure.
Unless the trek organiser has a porta potty set up, there are no facilities on the trail.
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