It was our very first trek and so we decided to do something that would suit us and let us prepare for next trek. Hence we selected Rajmachi, as it was easy to climb but quite strenuous as we chose route from Lonavala. Start was bad, as we walked about 2km on highway to reach Khopoli bus station and then reached to Lonavala at about 01:00am in the morning. Then slept at Lonavala station and that to along with beggars, that was totally different experience.

We refreshed ourselves at Lonavala bus station and then started early in the morning as we knew that it was the month of May and during day time sun breaths fire mercilessly. The walk from here to Rajmachi village is of about 19km. In between there are many villages but if you see them you would tell that they are not even fit to be called villages. For hours we didn't had any trace of human nearby but still we continued our path. All were exhausted, all our food and water was utilized, but still we were not up to the village. In the end after a tiresome walk of about six and half hours we reached Rajmachi village.

All were tired and our hunger was much greater than the hungriest dinosaur that ever lived on earth. We took shelter under a villagers hut and had staple food of Rajmachi i.e. Nachni Bhakar and some vegetable and than took ample amount of rest. In the evening we saw Srivardhan and Manoranjan forts, they just remains. This was my first fort I had been to throughout my life. The sight of Mumbai-Pune railway passing through different tunnels, from Manoranjan fort will be ever in our memories. Village had no electricity but it doesn't affected our sleep. Next we saw Shrivardhan fort entirely covered by clouds. We climbed down Kondivade and from here reached Karjat. From here two of friends Venkatesh and Vijay returned home for unknown reasons and we reached Pune by passenger train. Here our accommodation was done by Sanyog's relative.

We were at the base of Singhgad, here we had our refreshment and started for Singhgad. From here it was no longer a trek but a picnic as its easy to get to the top by jeep. It was the worst place I ever visited, it was fully crowded by local people and to our surprise there are many hotels at the top. We wrapped this fort as fast as possible and climbed down from some different route. From here we directly went to Pune railway station and then had a deadly experience of traveling from general compartment of Ahinsa express. The travel was so deadly that we got down at Karjat and took a local train to reach Dombivli. This trek gave a lot of traveling experience and we enjoyed the trek except Singhgad as it was a disappointment.

| May 25, 2002 | Photos |

Our exams were over and hence we decided to refresh our last year's sweet memories of our first trek. Monsoon was going on and hence to avoid any type of accidents we decided to go for Lohagad, Visapur and Tikona as they were the safest and most beautiful option. We caught the Pune passenger train from Kalyan at midnight. After entering the train we had a small verbal fight for the place, but after that we had a peaceful travel with people dozing, mumbling in sleep and falling on the fellow passenger besides them. Around 02:00 in the morning we reached Malavli, with sleepy eyes we reached the village grampanchayat office where we spent the remaining night at its doorstep.

I woke up early in the morning because of mosquitoes, which had a great feast that night. But such experiences are unique which can be obtained only during such treks. First place on our list was the Bhaje Cave, which we were supposed to finish as early as possible. Caves are there after a small climb of well built steps. It has some visiting charges but there was no security there, so we jumped over the main door and charged into the cave premises. The caves do have some historical importance but there was no one to explain about that, but according to me it belonged to Buddhist culture with nicely built rooms each having a small window and a stony bed. Once we were done with the cave, we were on our way to Lohagad and Visapur.

The journey is short, peaceful and not atoll strenuous. The entire route was green, had few small streams on the way and there we meet few villagers who were guiding their cattle. Finally we reached the "khind" which is the junction point of Visapur and Lohagad. Few of us arranged stones, stuffed it with dried grass and stems and started preparing maggi. While two of us went to the Lohawadi, which was at a short distance from here and brought some homemade food. After happy munching and rest we started climbing for Visapur. We went by streamway, which had markings at regular interval. It was very easy but only care to be taken was to climb cautiously as a single slip can cause unnecessary injuries. The top of Visapur is just remains, but it was not as impressive as the climbing route. On the way back we had some differences among ourselves, had a small fight but it was quickly settled out. It was evening and night was slowly creeping in. We had already got a shelter place for the night, where we decided to wrap-up Lohagad the following day.

The next morning we started for Lohagad, Kaustubh who was on his first trek had slight fever but still he and every one of us was climbing the well-maintained fort with new enthusiasm. On the way we saw many resus monkeys. Villagers had already warned us about them, as they were notorious for snatching away the handbags. There was no problem in reaching at the top. Here the entire atmosphere was foggy because the clouds were just flowing by top of our head. The darga here fills the nearby area with smell of the scented candles. There is a well-built circular tank, radius of about 40 feet. We also have the famous " Vinchu kata (i.e. scorpion tail)" is really of the shape of the scorpion tail. This was the area, which was once protected with heavy cavalry and cannons, with a triple layer strong wall arrangement. There is gap between each wall to avoid enemy from directly entering into the fort. We explored every possible place here and finally had a bit of adventure by taking a different route and climbing a small rock patch. Lohagad is really magnificent and well maintained. Now it was time to move on for Tikona.

Lohagad to Tikona is a cart road, which one can easily cover on foot. The villagers of Lohawadi guided us as well as we sought information from the fellow passer by so as to confirm that we were going in right direction. The entire route gives you a glimpse of Indian countryside. The smell of soil and the cattle, fresh clean air, paddies dancing with the wind and farmer toiling in the farm. It was getting dark, rain drops falling making a gentle sound and we were desperate to build a tent with just tarpolin. We were unable to build a tent but a farmer nearby was impressed by our efforts. He offered us a shelter in his house veranda, not only that he gave us hot jaggery tea and nice food. Stomachful of food, weariness of the day, jingling of the cattle bell, singing wind and drip drip sound of water; sleep overtook us quickly.

The next day we were on the way to Tikona. We were just following the farmer's instruction but we mistook that somewhere and found ourselves stuck inside a dense forest. The forest was filled with creepy sounds and every now and then the nearby bush used to move as if someone is going to jump on us all of a sudden. We didn't like that feeling and traced our way back. Luckily by help of a villager we got the right path. The path was slippery and covered with vegetation mostly the banana tree. Clouds were slowly gathering on the top but we were still climbing higher and higher. At one point we were above the clouds and we could not see the route below. The steps here are steep and most of the area was occupied by bunch of small red centipedes (the harmless one's). The clouds reduced our vision and hence after seeing the entire fort we started our descend as soon as possible. After returning we thanked the farmer, gave few eatables we carried along with us as well as some paper reward.

Now the trek was over and we were now all eager to reach back home. We were not able to finish the Tung fort, as it is difficult in rainy season. By the help of local transport we reached Kamshet with some in foldable positions while others in hanging position. Return journeys are always interesting. Being a trek we try to minimize the expenditure. So we took a lift in a truck, which took us unto the Karjat highway. From here we caught a tumtum rickshaw to Karjat and then a local straight to home sweet home. The local transport and the truck journey are one of my memorable return journeys.

The memories of our finest trek was still fresh in our mind. Our enthu for a trek was at highest peak in the mind. So we i.e. myself, Sachin and Sagar decided to go to Malanggad which is about 15km from Dombivli. Now this was the first time that I was going to a place where my Big B has already visited, so I asked him about the path and the reply was partly expected ....' find your own way ', but still he told how to start.

Due to some work we were unable to start early, so we start just after noon. The sky was cloudy and it was expected to rain at any time. We packed some food and enough water, though the journey is small but its the first rule that one must have the basic needs at hand. The start of my journey was not so good, I just started pedaling that my right brake which was the only working break, came out in my hand. I repaired it and told the repairer to check everything.

We were supposed to reach first the primere factory and we were on the right way but Sagar was struck with a thought that he knows a shorter way so we followed him and that way was more than twice the distance we would have taken. After a tiring hour we reached Kalyan-Ambarnath road which is 4km from Dombivli and from here our destiny was 11km away. We were bit tired due to wrong ways taken by us again and again so what was supposed to be 4km became 8km. We had some refreshments and after confirming the way we started again.

Cycling on a highway was a different experience and it became a far different experience when rain started coming down as hell. Rain coats became useless because inspited of wearing them we were completely soaked in rain. Pedaling was difficult as we were completely wet and the rain too was affecting our sight. But still we enjoyed the ride, the ups and down in the road, the potholes at regular intervals and then all of a sudden a car coming with a dramatic speed leaving the trail of crystal white rain water. The trail appeared like the trail of jet smoke. It was just beautiful.....

It took about two and half hour to reach the base of Malanggad. We were angry to see people over there but later our anger vanished when we knew that Malanggad is famous for its Darga. We had some vadapav and started climbing Malanggad. Light was fading quickly, we realised that it would be difficult to ride in much fainter light and it was risky as it was raining badly. So we returned from the half way aand climbed down. We had some hot tea and some snacks and started our back journey. Now we knew the path, we rode now faster than previous but others had to slow down as my leg was paining badly due to cramps but still we reached Dombivli in just One hour ......... and now all have learnt a lot about a cycle treak and all are eager to have another such treak.............

| July, 2003 | Photos |

Now from the past treks we have became nocturnal, so we started our trek by same our favourite Pune-Mumbai passenger.We reached pune early in the morning 04:30 hours and by by rick we reached swargate where we waited for two sleepy hours for our bus to Vinjhar.Reached Vinjhar we reached by 09:00 hours, had some refreshment and as regular enquired about our supposed path to Rajgad. According our plan we have to cross Kanandi river then by Sakhar-Chirmodi-Gunjavne reach Rajgad. But in the past week there was heavy rains so Kanndi river which very shallow now became quite deep and fast flowing so we had to change our plans.

We went back to Margasni by jeep and then walked to Sakhar-Chirmodi-Gunjavne crossing two bridges over Kanandi and Gunjavne river respectively. After reaching Gujavne we had our luch, and we started our climbing by 14:30 hours. I think nature is the real god on the way we were seeing all types of colours, tress showing all shdes of green and the the flowers just added a makeup to them. Mostly there were flowers of sesame, bright lemon yellow coloured. Rajgad was fully under cover of dark black clouds, aas we climbed higher and higher our visibility started decreasing. Now when we were able to see the Chor Darwaja of Rajgad we got new energy to walk. The final climb is quite deadly, steep climb with any sort of carelessness could be dangerous, but it was good to see railing on its side so it became a bit easy.

In the end we reached top by 16:15 hours, all was quite hazy and strong wind was flowing with roaring sound. Rain was throughout our climb but now we felt the coldness due to the wind and all were badly shivering. We were surprised to see many treking groups up there, along with them we took shelter in the Padmavati temple on Padmavati Machi. Inside the temple there were aprrox 30-35 trekkers. We were tired so we rested for a while then had look of Rajgad, it was something like air of rajgad was replaced by fog and the cold was as if winter. All had brought sweaters and monkey cap. We were the only one who were unaware of this. We didn't see too much of Rajgad, we cooked our food using the trivial cooking methods and went to sleep early.

The next day we woke up early in the morning, refreshed ourself and started for 'Bale Killa'. It is so called sub fort inside the fort itself to give extra protection. There are many steep climbs in the way, but railings on the sides helps a lot. Early in the morning it was too much foggy as if in winter season. Fog but added beauty to many scenes but at the same time cheased beauty of other by decreasing our visibility. On the top there are just remains, not too interesting. But on the top our mobile got full range, we phoned at home from the top. Bale Killa was over in a small time, now we climbed down and started for Sanjeevani Machi.

The way to Sanjeevani Machi is just a normal walk with two doors namely Vyaghra Mukh and Sanjeevani Machi Mukhya Dwar. The way was quite slippery so and carelessness would make you slip. The Machi is quite huge with a defense strategy of three walled protection. The outermost wall and wall adjacent to it are stick together but there is gap between second and third wall which is 3-4 feet in legth and varies from 15 to 30 feet in depth. It is not quite so fascinating. While going we walked along the third wall and while coming back we came through the gap between the walls. But we knew that it is blocked some where and it is difficult to get out of the gap at that time, so got out of the gap when there was a easy climb. Walking through the gap was as we aare in Lost World and had a feeling that we are totally screwed up. Now when we completed the machi all were feeling hungry and we were totally exhausted as we didn't had any food and water brought along with us was consumed. So we decided to go back to the Padmavati Temple.

After coming back to the temple we refreshed our self but we lost time, it was 11:10 hours. Now if we start for Suvela Machi the it will take at least two and half hours the we have to climb down and start our return journey back to Dombivli, from this it was clear that we won't reach home the same day. Everyone had colleges on the other day, and it was neccesary for all of them to reach home the same day. So we ditched Suvelaa Machi and started climbing down. As we reaachede down, we got jeep for our primary destination, Narsu. It was lucky for us that as we reached there we got a jeep for Pune. We got down at the highway had some refreshment and started begging for lift, in the end we got a lift from a truck driver upto Panvel through Express highway. At Panvel we got bus for direct Dombivli. The trek ended on sad notes that we were unable to complete Rajgad as Suvela Machi was left out. But now we all were are much eager for our next trek.

| September 5, 2003 | Photos |

After being down and out by a long time illness it was my first trek, this time all the preparation was done by my college friend Kedar. After a longer debates on phone we concluded to start early in the morning. It wasn't so cold in the city but as we went nearer to fort it was geting colder, but coldness didn't affect our hot aspire for Gorakhgad [2137']. We reached quite early to village Dehri and we had a killer for cold, a hot tea. But now the cold understood our intentions and it sublimed before we had started.

Gorakhgad looks cute but its like a wild animal that doesn't show its presence until we are totally in its territory. The start was good and we were quite fast than our self expectations. Route was peaceful with people sliding in loose soil area with a bit steep climb. We were all happy to see the main entrance, and climbing upto the main entrance was just a bit of pushover. But now it showed its true colour, the next track consisted of steps all cut in rock. This was not a easy stuff but we tried our best to climb this.

At the top there is a great cave in which a great sadhu was supposed to be carrying hi penance over there. We rested here for a while and there we met with an foreigner, Alvian. She was great, we were quite impressed by her as inspite of being foreigner she frenquently treks in sahyadri all alone, simply amazing. We had a chat with her for a while and then she left our company. All the guys rested here for some more time aand then Sachin and myself started for the pinnacle while other ditched it.

Climbing the pinnacle is most difficult job here, this was what I was told by everyone who had been here earlier. We were finding the way to the top but we missed important markings and ended up in total risky soup. We dared some fundo rock climbing and were sucessful, but that was too risky as we did it just for fun but it scared the hell out of us. Being sad for not finding way but feeling proud of doing something great we were returning back to pavillion, the cave. But what a luck the path was right beside us and it was just like staircase from heaven as it appeared to go just upside quite steeply.

The steps were cut inside the rock and were running quite steeply. But people coming here have done a magnificent job by craving holds inside most of the steps. Going up was slightly difficult but not to great. On the the top is a temple of Lord Shiva and its a small place over the top. Here the 360 degree view from the top is BEAUtiful. But we couldn't enjoy this beauty longer as we were thirsty as we had been climbing for more than two hours with a drop of water and all our throats were dried. Climbing down is just an adventure and it is like climbing down 4-5 storey building staircase placed in front of the building. Here the holds helped us a lot and we climbed down with ease.

Coming back to cave we had some refreshment and then started coming down. It was fun watching other getting down as every one was much concentreted on getting down and u would be surprised that evryones body was completely kissing with the surface, it was real fun. They countinued to do so approximately upto half way. Then everyone was just walking normally. We reached down quite early, had our refreshment and a bit of rest we all deserved. Then we were back for home by catchin a couple of sequential buses and the finally by train. This was end of a wonderful trek all will remember for a long long time.....

| February 7, 2004 | Photos |

After Gorakhgad trek, spirit of trekking increased by leaps and bounds, by passage of each day. While all other of my school friends were raring to go for their long awaited trek and trek to Harishchandragad was the perfect remedy for the untamed fever. Transportation to the fort is easily available and takes one straight to the base of fort, a small but beautiful village, Khireshwar, with river adjacent to it. From Kalyan we caught a Murbad bus and got down at Khubi Phata and its from where our trek begins. From here to Khireshwar is just normal walk of about 3-4km on a "kattcha" dam. At Khireshwar we refreshed our self and filled up our emptied bottles. We started with a nice pace but gradually slowed down, bowing to merciless February heat.

Climb was not atall easy primarily due to heat and secondly due to varying route. The route was dusty and the red soil disperesed by our feet was kissing our cheeks.The route is hardly protected from the sun and rock patches were burning like frying pans, hence I would suggest people to visit this fort mainly in period from September to January. The funniest part of our climb was that each time we met a villager and asked him about remaining climb we had the same answer, even when we were about to reach the top. This was not only funny but also frustating as we were walking for more than two and half hours and people used to say that you are not even half way through. But after a long time we came across a small hut where we had our lunch and we took some buttermilk from the old lady residing there, from here our destination was just like a moon walk.

After reaching the top, we saw a large area with temple, caves and two village style hotel. Here we unloaded our bags at one of the hotel, rested for a while and started for pride of Harishchandragad i.e. Kokan Kada. It is a sunset spot, a beautiful place where the fort ends in a naturally sculpted semi-circular shape. The interesting part of this place is that air viscosity is quite high so if one throw a piece of stick here comes back to you. Solid substances also travel slowly downward and if you throw water one can actually see each droplet travelling slowly downward. After seeing the sunset we returned back and took shelter inside a cave.

This was the first time when we were sheltering inside a cave. There we had some other group as company who gave us tea which they prepared on their small gas they brought along with them. We lighted a camp fire and chated for long time despite being tired. We had only one torch and that to betrayed us as it went dim. Cave was lightend up by candels and all of us went into uneasy sleep as floor of the cave was uneven and the darkness outside was strange and frightening. In the morning we were supposed to go to Taramati, the sunrise point, but half of us were sleeping while Sachin and I were reluctant to go as we didn't had any torch but still with slightest hint of light we carried on with our journey. We were just running in darks in highly forested path and it was just we were running by assuming the path. Despite all obstacles we reached there well before time and viewed the beutiful sunrise.

Coming back to cave we planned to go to Ballekilla and that to quickly as we were losing time. Again following a difficult path here, this time we almost met with an tragic accident but left out by just some bruishes to Sanyog. We just forgot this accident and climbed for ballekilla but returned without it as we were running out of time. Coming back again to cave we packed all our belonging, had our luch and started our return journey. Start was difficult as we were much tired and path had many climbs, but slowly we adjusted ourself and now there were no more climbs. We got down quite early and I don't know how but we got ICE-CREAM and that was the most dalecious one we ever had in our entire life and that too for just two ruppes. After having refershment we walked a dull way over the dam and luckily got a lift straight to Dombivli. God Bless the Bus Driver.

| February 28, 2004 |

List of events during my peth trek

Perfect timing for a trek:
I finished my final year Engineering exam, job was going to start from 1st July and monsoon just started in Mumbai in full swing.
Bad luck:
None of my friends available.
Lucky Break:
I was able to find Sachin and Sagar to accompany me.
Train Journey:
6am train from Dombivli to Karjat. Safe and before time.
Small world:
Met a trek group and found my brother's friend leading them.
Patience:
Waited for atleast one and half hour for Ambivli Bus. During that time we were having some breakfast, playing frisbee, chit-chatting and taking photographs.
Bus Journey:
Driver was cool as he was in no hurry to reach the destination.
Starting point:
From Ambivli village near a village style restaurant.
Climb:
Very peaceful, as you have very wide and nice bullock-cart road. As monsoon had already begun landscape was full of green shades and reached the base village in one hour without taking any pit stops for refuelling ourself.
The village:
Amazing, starts with green fields ( careful fields are always snakes paradise and we saw one ) in the heart is a hotel were one can get all types of eatables and even can place orders, drinking water not clear and on the edge is the way to fort.
Steep climb:
Village to fort is a real trekking route, its very lovely in monsoon. It takes half hour.
Fort:
Marvellous, with beautiful carvings done on stone. The entire fort is just carved out from stone with steps whirling from the base of the fort to the top. This steps are no less than stairway to heaven as the top of the fort is really heaven.
Oh la la!! Rock Climbing:
There was a group doing rappeling as we did on our college building during fest{:D}. But that expression is for the gals accompanying them as they were icing on the natural beauty available there. Three folks down:
After having fun and satisfied with the natural beauty and happy to see the beauties rappeling there we started climbing down. Climbing down is faster process than climbing up. Again we did this with no stops and reached down in almost one hour. First time we were not walking but doing a running trek.
Revitalise:
Had a nice face wash and lunch at the Ambivli village restaurant and started for our return journey.
Break journey:
Share rickshaws are easily available for Neral as well as Karjat.
End of a short trek:
Its hardly a one day trek, but has more fun than any of the trek. So whenever you get bored and want a break from your routine, peth is the perfect break.

| June 14, 2006 |