After so many ( may be some ) years of trekking, I finally sat down
to write up
on the trek we did.
Last week ( 16th Nov 2015 ) I initiated email thread on possibility of trek on 21st
Nov 2015. Except for Nikhil others had possible prior commitments and were
not available. However Nikhil insisted to go on Sunday 22nd Nov 2015.
Eventually with some email flows with Nikhil we finalized on trek to Prabalgad
or Manikgad. Both locations fall on either side of Karjat. So Nikhil left to me to
finalize.
After going through some online content on both these options, I preferred
Prabalgad as Abhishek had already done this trek and as he was not coming it
would be good to have him and others on Manikgad.
So on 22nd Nov 2015 Nikhil and I met at Shivajinagar Railway station to
catch 06:10 "Sinhagad express". By 08:10 we were @Karjat and after having
"on the run" breakfast of Wada-Pav we caught Karjat-Panvel S.T @ 08:30 to
get down at "Shedung Phata".
From Shedung Phata we hired a richshaw for Rs 100 to Thakurwadi. The
rickshaw wala added 2 more persons and collected Rs 20 each from them.
Lesson Learnt: Have clear deal with this transport guys.
Anyways, from Thakurwadi we started for the trek and within an hour by 11:00
we were at Prabalmachi. Prabalmachi is base village for "kalavantin" as well as
"Prabalgad" trek. In between we had number of "Nimbu Pani" and quite
spectacular views of lush green surrounding. However the climate was very
humid.
One guy had attempted to get his bike upto Prabalmachi with almost success.
He had to park it @ the final climb though.
At prabalmachi we ordered lunch @"Prabalgad Hotel" and left for Prabalgad by
11:15.
Initial approach to Prabalgad is bit confusing and can be misleading. You need
to go the Prabalmachi village and follow path to right. Further there are few
paths which may take you to other part of Prabalmachi. There are few
directions marked to show you the way. They are not prominent though.
Once on single path the way leading up is straight forward. Within a hour and a
half we were up on the fort.
A rare plant with thorns in leaf too..
We were to only visit the famous "kalavantin point" on Prabalgad and so we
immediately proceeded to the point.
Over the years we had seen photos of these point so many times and everytime
wondered how it would be to actually see it.
I would like to add, this is a "must see" at least once. The view of Kalavantin
from here is absolutely amazing.
Over night stay at this point would be an altogether different experience.
With some clicks we decided to get down and within an hour we were back at
Prabalmachi.
Compared to morning there was quite some rush now @"Prabalgad Hotel". We
ordered our lunch and left prabalmachi immediately after lunch by 15:00 hrs
By 16:00 hrs we were at base ( thakurwadi ). There is State Transport bus
which comes to Thakurwadi at 16:30 hrs.
By this bus we went to Shedung Phata and from Shedung Phata we caught
another S.T to Karjat.
As we neared Karjat, the weather suddenly darkened with clouds gathering and
in no time it started raining.
We reached Karjat @17:45 hrs and booked train ticket to Pune by Pragati
Express which comes to Karjat @18:15 hrs
As we had some time we had some snacks and tea.
By 20:00 hrs we reached Shivajinagar railway station. By now the trek and
travel had been wonderful.
However the finishing was not to be as good as the start. As soon as we took
our bike from the parking and left for home, it started raining heavily. Though I
had carried rain cover for bag, there was no rain jacket.
So the trek day ended on very WET note ... :)
on the trek we did.
Last week ( 16th Nov 2015 ) I initiated email thread on possibility of trek on 21st
Nov 2015. Except for Nikhil others had possible prior commitments and were
not available. However Nikhil insisted to go on Sunday 22nd Nov 2015.
Eventually with some email flows with Nikhil we finalized on trek to Prabalgad
or Manikgad. Both locations fall on either side of Karjat. So Nikhil left to me to
finalize.
After going through some online content on both these options, I preferred
Prabalgad as Abhishek had already done this trek and as he was not coming it
would be good to have him and others on Manikgad.
So on 22nd Nov 2015 Nikhil and I met at Shivajinagar Railway station to
catch 06:10 "Sinhagad express". By 08:10 we were @Karjat and after having
"on the run" breakfast of Wada-Pav we caught Karjat-Panvel S.T @ 08:30 to
get down at "Shedung Phata".
From Shedung Phata we hired a richshaw for Rs 100 to Thakurwadi. The
rickshaw wala added 2 more persons and collected Rs 20 each from them.
Lesson Learnt: Have clear deal with this transport guys.
Anyways, from Thakurwadi we started for the trek and within an hour by 11:00
we were at Prabalmachi. Prabalmachi is base village for "kalavantin" as well as
"Prabalgad" trek. In between we had number of "Nimbu Pani" and quite
spectacular views of lush green surrounding. However the climate was very
humid.
One guy had attempted to get his bike upto Prabalmachi with almost success.
He had to park it @ the final climb though.
At prabalmachi we ordered lunch @"Prabalgad Hotel" and left for Prabalgad by
11:15.
Initial approach to Prabalgad is bit confusing and can be misleading. You need
to go the Prabalmachi village and follow path to right. Further there are few
paths which may take you to other part of Prabalmachi. There are few
directions marked to show you the way. They are not prominent though.
Once on single path the way leading up is straight forward. Within a hour and a
half we were up on the fort.
A rare plant with thorns in leaf too..
We were to only visit the famous "kalavantin point" on Prabalgad and so we
immediately proceeded to the point.
Over the years we had seen photos of these point so many times and everytime
wondered how it would be to actually see it.
I would like to add, this is a "must see" at least once. The view of Kalavantin
from here is absolutely amazing.
Over night stay at this point would be an altogether different experience.
With some clicks we decided to get down and within an hour we were back at
Prabalmachi.
Compared to morning there was quite some rush now @"Prabalgad Hotel". We
ordered our lunch and left prabalmachi immediately after lunch by 15:00 hrs
By 16:00 hrs we were at base ( thakurwadi ). There is State Transport bus
which comes to Thakurwadi at 16:30 hrs.
By this bus we went to Shedung Phata and from Shedung Phata we caught
another S.T to Karjat.
As we neared Karjat, the weather suddenly darkened with clouds gathering and
in no time it started raining.
We reached Karjat @17:45 hrs and booked train ticket to Pune by Pragati
Express which comes to Karjat @18:15 hrs
As we had some time we had some snacks and tea.
By 20:00 hrs we reached Shivajinagar railway station. By now the trek and
travel had been wonderful.
However the finishing was not to be as good as the start. As soon as we took
our bike from the parking and left for home, it started raining heavily. Though I
had carried rain cover for bag, there was no rain jacket.
So the trek day ended on very WET note ... :)
