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The Sahyadri Mountains, also known as the Western Ghats, are not just stunningly beautiful but also play a crucial role in Maharashtra's ecosystem. Standing at an average elevation of 1200 metres (3900 feet), these magnificent rock formations act as a barrier against harsh winds from the west, contributing significantly to the region's rainfall.
Maharashtra's most prominent treks, including Kalsubai, Ratangarh, and Harishchandragad, are all part of this remarkable mountain range. The Sandhan Valley trek offers a breathtaking opportunity to witness these treks in all their splendour.
Sandhan Valley Trek: A Journey into the Depths of Nature
The Sandhan Valley is a deep gorge (a narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through i...
A Trek Steeped in Natural Beauty and Cultural Richness
The trek to this valley begins from Samrad, a picturesque and culturally vibrant village, brimming with Marathi heritage. The view of the Sahyadri Mountains from this village, especially during the monsoon season, is truly mesmerising, as if heaven has descended upon earth. During this trek, you enter the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Sanctuary and cross the valley, concluding your trek at the village of Dehane.
Due to the strong water currents caused by heavy rains during the monsoon, this trek is closed by the administration. However, the pleasant weather in winter will surely make you fall in love with this place.
Navigating the Depths of the Gorge
As you traverse this gorge, which is about 200 feet deep, you will encounter waterholes along the way. The water h...
Sandhan Valley, also known as Sandan Dari, is located near Samrad village in the Bhandardara region of Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra. This picturesque and culturally rich village is well-connected by road to major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.
By Air: The nearest airports to Samrad village are in Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik. Almost all airports in India have direct or connecting flights to these three airports.
By Train: The closest railway stations to Samrad Village are Kasara (81 km), Igatpuri (61 km), and Nashik (90 km). From these stations, you can either hire a taxi or use local transportation. The route from Kasara to Samrad is: Kasara - Waranghusi Fata - Shendi - Samrad.
Trains from Mumbai: Bandra Terminus, Vasai Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Kalyan Junction offer direct trains to Kasara and Igatpuri railway stations. It takes approximately 3-4 hours to reach Kasara or Igatpuri from Mumbai, followed by a 2-3 hour journey to Samrad using local transport.
By Bus: Direct buses to Samrad from Mumbai, Bandra, Pune, and Nashik are not readily available. You may need to use shared taxis or travel in stages. However, ST buses are available from Kasara and Igatpuri railway stations to Samrad.
Trek: Begin your journey from Samrad village by walking approximately 1 to 1.5 kilometres to reach the entrance of the Kalsubai Harishchandra Sanctuary. The trek from the sanctuary entrance covers an additional 3 kilometres, concluding at Dehene village.
Sandhan Valley Gorge: This is the main location you have come up with to visit. This 2-kilometre-long, beautiful gorge will undoubtedly mesmerise you. This is the most enchanting and exotic place you'll explore on this trip.
Reverse Waterfall: There's a point before starting to descend towards a valley called the reverse waterfall place. It's basically a corner of a hill where the flow of wind is found upwards. This is obviously a marvel of nature that causes a shower upward during rainfall. And if there's a clear day, you can throw water from your bottle to experience the magic.
Ajoba Parvat: You can add this trek to your itinerary if you want to learn more about nearby locations, the mountain range, the history, and the culture of this area. You can start this trek from Samrad village and reach the top by crossing two main locations: Valmiki Ashram and Luv-Kush Cave. The Ajoba Parvat trek can be done easily in a day.
Bhandardara Dam: Also called Wilson Dam, this is a marvel of engineering that was built around a hundred years ago. The dam has an ungated spillway, meaning it doesn't have any mechanical gates to control the flow of water. During heavy monsoon seasons, the excess water spills over the dam's crest, creating a spectacular waterfall. Bhandardara Dam is located around 23 kilometres from Samrad; you can either drive your vehicle or hire a taxi.
Vasundhara Waterfall: Located at a short distance of 12 kilometres from Samrad village, this is the largest waterfall in the area. You can also move towards the fall from Bhandardara Dam. This giant waterfall makes this entire area extremely beautiful and blessed with nature.
Arthur Lake Bhandardara Dam: 21 km from Samrad village, the vast and 34-kilometre-long Arthur Lake is surrounded by hills on all sides. The depth of the lake is yet to be explored. Tourists can enjoy boating, camping on the shores of the lake, or enjoying the natural beauty.
Umbrella Falls: This is a huge waterfall located near the Bhandardara Dam, which is a major tourist attraction not only for tourists but also for locals. Located on the Pravara River, this waterfall flows at a fast pace during the monsoon, although the activity of this waterfall is not the same in other seasons.
Randha Falls: Situated in the lap of Sahyadri and full of natural beauty, this Randha waterfall is the pride of this region. Due to the rainforest, this entire area appears to be an island surrounded by water. The waterfall, lake, Pravara river, man-made bridges, and Sahyadri cliffs all together make this entire area extremely sacred and unforgettable.
Amruteshwar Temple: This 800-year-old Shiva temple, located in Ratanwadi village, is a sacred site and offers a glimpse into the region's religious heritage. One must visit this temple to dig deeper into the culture and traditions found in the Sahyadri range.
More Places to Explore: Ratangad Fort, Harishchandragad Fort, AMK Triad, and Tringalwadi Fort are some other tourist places located to the south of Bari village. You need to have enough time to explore each location.
Explore The Narrowest Gorge Valley:
Among the five gorge valleys in India, Sandan Dari is the narrowest. Located in the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Sanctuary, this valley may remind you of scenes of Hollywood cinema. In some places, the valley is so narrow that sunlight cannot reach there even for a few minutes, and the temperature is much lower than normal.
Enjoy Rare Wonders of Nature:
The Sandhan Valley itself appears to be a rare specimen of nature. The rocky mountains of the Sahyadri and their structure also seem very different from ordinary hilly areas. Apart from this, the fireflies found in this valley also present to you a wonderful form of nature.
Taste Marathi Cuisine:
Marathi cuisine is among the most unique and delicious cuisines served in India. These include both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. You can enjoy vada pav, puran poli, thali peeth, misal pav, etc. at homestays or good restaurants.
Camping on Hilltops and Lake Shores:
Camping facilities are easily available in many places in the Bhandardara region. Camping can be easily done on the top of hills and on the banks of water sources. You can also enjoy yourself by renting camping equipment from local vendors. Otherwise, you can also experience camping through a package.
Tips to consider when planning a trip to Sandhan Valley, Maharashtra:
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