It was quite long time since my last trek. The plans were on my mind and I saw one event on FB about Sandhan Valley trek from 14-16 March. I called the organizer around 2PM on 14th Mar, fortunately it was not full and he asked me to transfer INR 2000 to his account to confirm my seat.2000??? It's double than my expectations however I agreed and started packing for the trek.
By 12.30AM all boarded the bus and we left from Nashik Phata towards Samrad a small village in Bhandardara region. It was five and half hours of journey and we reached Samrad village by 6AM. Samrad is a small, clean and beautiful village surrounded by Alang, Malang, Kulang, Ratangad and Aajoba mountains.
After morning routine in open air (Only option) we had our breakfast and started towards valley with a villager who was a guide, food supplier and technical supporter for rappelling.
We reached starting point of Sandhan Valley at 9AM and the view of valley left me mesmerized and the excitement to trek through rocky route was at its peak. Normally the basics of trekking is to climb up and then descend down however this was my first trek where there was only descending till end.
Even though our group was of 33 guys, I was not knowing anyone and as there was no intro session yet so I didn't know the names of all guys. I met Vikram before I start the trek who was travelling with the same group as I.
We entered the valley and after 10 minutes walk we had to cross the water pool, the water level was below waist height we crossed the pool in few mins and walked ahead. As I was descending down I realized why Sandhan valley is well known as Valley of Shadow. Even on sunny day its difficult for sunrays to reach to the bottom of valley. Its a very huge and deep valley spread around 1.5 Kms and 500 feet deep. The rocks of all sizes laid in the valley made it very difficult to travel. By now we were used to walk on rocks and there was significant increase in speed and confidence. Let the pics speak more on the route.
Rappelling Point 1: After a long trek for 3 Hrs we reached first Rappelling point at noon. Everyone was trekking in small groups and helping, guiding each other to follow the rocks and where to put next step which clearly shows the bonding between unknown people. I believe trekking is the best team building activity. During last 3 Hrs Me, Vikram (An entrepreneur and avid traveler) and Suchita (A College pass out girl who dared to trek alone and will be called Hirkani for this article as it best suits for her) were comfortable with each other and helping and moving together.
The first patch for rappelling was 45-50 feet deep. As this was the first attempt of rappelling for me so was very excited and decided to get down ASAP. Instructor asked to get equipped with safety harnesses and informed not to bend knees. I would like to mention here that Sandhan Valley is best place for photography and if its your first rappelling then its well justified if you spend some time in
photography but again its very tough job to carry your bag, and DSLR while descending rocky Sandhan Valley.
Rappelling Point 2: In less than 5 minutes we completed our first rappelling and moved ahead; we descended for just 15 minutes and came up to another 25 feet deep section and were out of choice. After some time our instructor came and showed us the way to conquer. There is a way below the biggest rock; a gap between two rocks where a single person needs to crawl for 10 feet and surprisingly we were descended down by another 15 feet and now the rappelling of just 10 feet will do our job. Instructor had tightened the rope to a medium sized rock and asked us to rappel down. Our confidence level was at peek that we didn't asked for safety harness too. It was a count of 1...2...3... and I had completed it successfully.
Rappelling Point 3: After another walk for 30 mins we reached last patch of 15 feet rappelling where another group from Mumbai was in action. We looked back for our group but no one was in eye sight so we requested to Mumbai Group to allow us to descend down and they helped us to rappel down. It was very difficult patch and 2 volunteers were standing in between to help others to descend down. These guys were really very helpful and were instructing us everything in detail...I was surprised when he asked me to step my legs on his palms.
Me, Vikram and Hirkani were the only guys out of 33 from our group to finish the Sandhan Valley trek by 5.30PM. It was time for relax as we were suppose to halt overnight in valley under open sky but suddenly it started raining heavily. As per instructions I brought only bed sheet and shawl which were of no use in such heavy rain and also was aware that there was no arrangement of tents by organizer so 3 of us had decided not to suffer in valley.
We enquired the villager at the base for our next destination Dehane where we were supposed to walk next day. He informed that it is a 2 Hrs of walk. Vikram offered us a ride to Pune in Brand new Honda City from Dehane. We had discussed the situation and decided that its good to start walking and reach Dehane ASAP and off for Pune.
Night Trek: Vikram asked villager to accompany us till Dehane but he refused and gave us two clues to reach the destination.
1. Don't take right turn
2. After 1 Hrs of walk you will find Bullock cart road which will lead to Dehane
We were 3 musketeers who started at 6:15PM towards Dehane. Now our adventure trip turns into Break Free Adventures as we refused to take a break in the valley and started. There was good light till 7 PM and we covered significant distance. Now it was the time for challenges to face. The road was of full of rocks which are slippery due to rain and the jungle by sides which makes very difficult to move. After a walk for 1.5 Hrs me and Vikram were in a position to give up and halt in the jungle but there was a strong girl with us who was still very enthusiast and confident to walk and reach the destination.
We checked for mobile signals, any signs of human beings and lights in any direction to lead but no luck, then the motto of 'Keep Moving' helped us to boost the energy and restart ourselves. We decided to follow paths instead of searching bullock cart road. Sometimes we were fooling ourselves by saying this is footway even though we were very clear that it was not. The thrilling walk for another an hour lead us to bullock cart road, we followed the same and reached near a village after 3 Hrs and 15 Mins of walk through Jungle in night, in rain and without any knowledge of area. We found few villagers near a small bridge on river and we asked them what is the name of this village and felt proud that we accomplished our mission and reached Dehane. We were the happy souls in the world by that time.
Return Journey: At 10PM we started our journey towards Pune. Thanks to villagers who helped us with the directions to touch Malshej Ghat road. We were in Malshej Ghat around midnight and were very hungry as we had only single Bhakri inspite of 12 Hrs of walk. Almost all Dhaba's were closed enroute till Ale Phata. We got Farsan at Ale phata and started moving towards Pune. I was searching for restaurants and called Hotel Sarja Hotel which is near Manchar who agreed to serve us food at 1.20AM even though the hotel was closed at 12.30 itself. We had Bhakri and Shev Bhaji and left for Pune.
This was second sleepless night for us and after tiring Sandhan Valley trek and full stomach its very difficult to control your sleep. We again took a coffee break at another Dhaba. Here comes the another happy moment for me. I found myself driving Honda City first time in my life, thanks to Vikram :). I can spend couple of hrs talking about my Honda City driving experience which is in fact less than an hour driving :D.
We reached Null stop around 6AM and had Poha and off to home. It was one of the memorable trek in my life just one bad thing about this trek was that I got too many scratches on by body and full body is still paining even after 3 doses of pain killer.
By 12.30AM all boarded the bus and we left from Nashik Phata towards Samrad a small village in Bhandardara region. It was five and half hours of journey and we reached Samrad village by 6AM. Samrad is a small, clean and beautiful village surrounded by Alang, Malang, Kulang, Ratangad and Aajoba mountains.
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| Guys taking rest after overnight travelling |
After morning routine in open air (Only option) we had our breakfast and started towards valley with a villager who was a guide, food supplier and technical supporter for rappelling.
We reached starting point of Sandhan Valley at 9AM and the view of valley left me mesmerized and the excitement to trek through rocky route was at its peak. Normally the basics of trekking is to climb up and then descend down however this was my first trek where there was only descending till end.
Even though our group was of 33 guys, I was not knowing anyone and as there was no intro session yet so I didn't know the names of all guys. I met Vikram before I start the trek who was travelling with the same group as I.
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| Entry to Sandhan Valley |
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| View from Entry point |
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| View of valley from bottom |
.JPG) |
| Rocky way in Valley |
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| Man on Mission-My Inspiration |
.JPG) |
| Smile please Bacchu's |
.JPG) |
| Are you able to locate destination? We are suppose to get down there |
.JPG) |
| Fast descend |
.JPG) |
| Guys getting ready for Rappelling. Wait I'm coming. |
.JPG) |
| Where are we heading? |
Rappelling Point 1: After a long trek for 3 Hrs we reached first Rappelling point at noon. Everyone was trekking in small groups and helping, guiding each other to follow the rocks and where to put next step which clearly shows the bonding between unknown people. I believe trekking is the best team building activity. During last 3 Hrs Me, Vikram (An entrepreneur and avid traveler) and Suchita (A College pass out girl who dared to trek alone and will be called Hirkani for this article as it best suits for her) were comfortable with each other and helping and moving together.
The first patch for rappelling was 45-50 feet deep. As this was the first attempt of rappelling for me so was very excited and decided to get down ASAP. Instructor asked to get equipped with safety harnesses and informed not to bend knees. I would like to mention here that Sandhan Valley is best place for photography and if its your first rappelling then its well justified if you spend some time in
photography but again its very tough job to carry your bag, and DSLR while descending rocky Sandhan Valley.
.JPG) |
| My first experience of Rappelling |
Rappelling Point 2: In less than 5 minutes we completed our first rappelling and moved ahead; we descended for just 15 minutes and came up to another 25 feet deep section and were out of choice. After some time our instructor came and showed us the way to conquer. There is a way below the biggest rock; a gap between two rocks where a single person needs to crawl for 10 feet and surprisingly we were descended down by another 15 feet and now the rappelling of just 10 feet will do our job. Instructor had tightened the rope to a medium sized rock and asked us to rappel down. Our confidence level was at peek that we didn't asked for safety harness too. It was a count of 1...2...3... and I had completed it successfully.
.JPG) |
| Relax time till Instructor will setup the ropes for next Rappelling |
Rappelling Point 3: After another walk for 30 mins we reached last patch of 15 feet rappelling where another group from Mumbai was in action. We looked back for our group but no one was in eye sight so we requested to Mumbai Group to allow us to descend down and they helped us to rappel down. It was very difficult patch and 2 volunteers were standing in between to help others to descend down. These guys were really very helpful and were instructing us everything in detail...I was surprised when he asked me to step my legs on his palms.
Me, Vikram and Hirkani were the only guys out of 33 from our group to finish the Sandhan Valley trek by 5.30PM. It was time for relax as we were suppose to halt overnight in valley under open sky but suddenly it started raining heavily. As per instructions I brought only bed sheet and shawl which were of no use in such heavy rain and also was aware that there was no arrangement of tents by organizer so 3 of us had decided not to suffer in valley.
We enquired the villager at the base for our next destination Dehane where we were supposed to walk next day. He informed that it is a 2 Hrs of walk. Vikram offered us a ride to Pune in Brand new Honda City from Dehane. We had discussed the situation and decided that its good to start walking and reach Dehane ASAP and off for Pune.
Night Trek: Vikram asked villager to accompany us till Dehane but he refused and gave us two clues to reach the destination.
1. Don't take right turn
2. After 1 Hrs of walk you will find Bullock cart road which will lead to Dehane
We were 3 musketeers who started at 6:15PM towards Dehane. Now our adventure trip turns into Break Free Adventures as we refused to take a break in the valley and started. There was good light till 7 PM and we covered significant distance. Now it was the time for challenges to face. The road was of full of rocks which are slippery due to rain and the jungle by sides which makes very difficult to move. After a walk for 1.5 Hrs me and Vikram were in a position to give up and halt in the jungle but there was a strong girl with us who was still very enthusiast and confident to walk and reach the destination.
We checked for mobile signals, any signs of human beings and lights in any direction to lead but no luck, then the motto of 'Keep Moving' helped us to boost the energy and restart ourselves. We decided to follow paths instead of searching bullock cart road. Sometimes we were fooling ourselves by saying this is footway even though we were very clear that it was not. The thrilling walk for another an hour lead us to bullock cart road, we followed the same and reached near a village after 3 Hrs and 15 Mins of walk through Jungle in night, in rain and without any knowledge of area. We found few villagers near a small bridge on river and we asked them what is the name of this village and felt proud that we accomplished our mission and reached Dehane. We were the happy souls in the world by that time.
Return Journey: At 10PM we started our journey towards Pune. Thanks to villagers who helped us with the directions to touch Malshej Ghat road. We were in Malshej Ghat around midnight and were very hungry as we had only single Bhakri inspite of 12 Hrs of walk. Almost all Dhaba's were closed enroute till Ale Phata. We got Farsan at Ale phata and started moving towards Pune. I was searching for restaurants and called Hotel Sarja Hotel which is near Manchar who agreed to serve us food at 1.20AM even though the hotel was closed at 12.30 itself. We had Bhakri and Shev Bhaji and left for Pune.
This was second sleepless night for us and after tiring Sandhan Valley trek and full stomach its very difficult to control your sleep. We again took a coffee break at another Dhaba. Here comes the another happy moment for me. I found myself driving Honda City first time in my life, thanks to Vikram :). I can spend couple of hrs talking about my Honda City driving experience which is in fact less than an hour driving :D.
We reached Null stop around 6AM and had Poha and off to home. It was one of the memorable trek in my life just one bad thing about this trek was that I got too many scratches on by body and full body is still paining even after 3 doses of pain killer.
