One day trek to Sarasgad on 22nd July 2012 with Nisarga Bhraman

We at Nisarga Bhraman have decided a one day Trek to the fort Sarasgad on 22nd July 2012.

About the Fort: 

Type: Hill Fort
Height: 1600 Feet / 490 Mtrs approx.
Grade:  Medium
Base Village: Pali, Raigad 

Sarasgad: The eight places, which are important pilgrimages of Ganesh, are called “Ashtavinayak”. Lord Ganesh of Pali is named Ballaleshwar. Sarasgad is situated on the borders of Pali, off Mumbai - Goa highway. The fort has good fortification and climb on the rock hewn steps is steep. One should take care while climbing it in rainy season. There are couple of water cisterns, many caves and a lake on the Fort. Entrance to teh fort is in very good condition and is known as Dindi Darwaja. The top of the fort gives a magnificent view of Amba river and the surround region. Forts like Sudhagad, Telbaila, Ghanagad etc, can be seen from top.

Photo Link: https://picasaweb.google.com/wildsmp/Sarasgad and https://picasaweb.google.com/114581545700870279075/Sarasgad
Plan:

Sunday, 22nd July 2012:
 

Meet at Sanjay Gandhi National Park Entrance, Borivali at 6:00 Hrs
Start the journey and pick ups in between.

People residing on Central Line / Harbour Line can join us at Sion, Vashi or Panvel.

Travel to the base village - Pali by Private vehicle (~2.5 Hrs)
Breakfast on the way
Introduction and Rules and regulations (0.25 Hrs)
Visit to the Ballaleshwar Ganesh Temple (~0.25 Hrs) 
Start the Trek by 9:30 Hrs

Reach the summit by 11:30 Hrs and explore
Lunch on the top of the fort
Descend back and reach base village by 15:00 Hrs
Travel back to Mumbai by Private vehicle
Reach Borivali by 22:00 Hrs (tentative)

The cost of the event would be Rs. 470/- for members and Rs. 520/- for others.
The above cost includes- Transport by Private Vehicle, Breakfast, Tea, Evening Refreshments, Guide charges only.

Note: One has to carry their own lunch for the day.
Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination with our team

If interested, please get in touch with us at the numbers given below:
Mandar Saraf: 9892992868 
Hemant Naik: 9819786136

Sameer Patel: 9820972043 

We have another batch of participants from Pune which will join us at the base village. 

People from Pune can contact - Prachi Shinde: 9850887430

Important Note: Limited seats - available on First come First served basis. Maximum Participants = 35 Nos.

Here is a list of all the things that need to be carried for the trek:

1. A haversack to put in all the things to be carried. So that one has ones hands free while trekking.

2. Lunch for the Day (Compulsory)
3. At least 1 set of spare clothes with a towel and napkin.

4. At least 2 liters of water (Compulsory)

5. Windcheater, extra plastic bags to keep your wet clothes.

6. Optional: Camera & something to munch on.

7. Personal medicines if any.
8. Wrap everything in a plastic bag to protect from rains.

Regards,

Team Nisarga Bhraman

Waterfall Rappelling at Bhivpuri on 7th July 2012

The monsoons bring out the Best of the Sahyadris; a carpet of green covers the mountains and the occasional showers along with the fog and mist add to its beauty. The rains give a fresh breath of life to a lot of waterfalls both big and small, which majestically cascade over these very mountains.

We, at Nisarga Bhraman would like you to experience the adrenaline rush while rappelling down one such majestic waterfall @ Bhivpuri on Saturday, 7 th July 2012.
 

Here is some Info about Waterfall:
Height of the Rappel: 80 Feet (Approx)
Grade: Easy
Base Village: Bekare

Plan:
Rendezvous: Meet up at Dadar station (Central Railway) Platform no.4 at the extreme Thane/Kalyan end @ 06.30hrs on Saturday, 7 th July 2012.

The train that we will be boarding is the 07.03hrs Karjat fast halting at Kurla, Ghatkopar, Thane, Dombivali, Kalyan & all stations after Kalyan.

Note 1: Please ensure that you purchase your own return tickets for Karjat
 

Note 2: Missing out on the 07.03hrs Karjat Local would mean that you will have to board the 07.25hrs Mumbai-Pune Deccan express from Platform no.5. & proceed to Karjat & then immediately board the Karjat-CST local from Platform no.3 (Please note: Local Tickets not valid on this Express)
 

Note 3: Participants from Pune are supposed to board the 11010 Pune-Mumbai Sinhagad Express leaving Pune station @ 06.05hrs. One can also board from Shivajinagar (06.10), Khadki (06.15), Pimpri (06.25), & Chinchwad (06.30). On getting off at Karjat, board the local waiting on PF3 for Bhivpuri. Please buy a ticket till Neral/Kalyan 

The itinerary for the Event is as given below:
Saturday, 7th July -

Train from Dadar to Bhivpuri Rd. (~1.5hrs)
Travel from Station to Bekre village (~0.5hrs)
Introductions & Breakfast (~0.25hrs)
Hike from base to Waterfall (~0.5hrs)
Instructions & Demonstration (0.5hrs)
Post instructions, each participant will get one Rappel down the gushing waterfall.
We would be back at Dadar @ 20.00hrs (Subjective)

The cost of this Event would be Rs. 500/- for Members (Guest Fee – Rs.50/-) and would include:
> Travel from Bhivpuri to Bekre & back
> 1 Veg Breakfast and Tea
> 1 Simple Veg lunch
> Tea in the evening
> An Exciting Rappel on a Beautiful Waterfall (inclusive of equipment charges).

If interested, please get in touch with us at the earliest as we have limited seats:

Rohit Nayak: 9167 416 873
Parag Vartak: 9820 973 705
Sameer Patel: 9820 972 043

Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination with our team or transfer on the account -

Name of A/c Holder: Rohit Nayak
Bank & Branch: HDFC Bank, Vashi Sector 17 Branch
A/c Number: 0540 1050 318 319
RTGS/NEFT/IFSC code: HDFC0000540
 
What to Expect:

1. Each participant will get an opportunity to rappel down the waterfall only once. If anyone is interested to repeat, then the same would be only allowed after all participants are done & at an additional cost.
 

2. Please wear appropriate footwear & clothes. Eg: Sandals/Chappals to be avoided, wear shoes/floaters. Also avoid wearing Jeans as they tend to become heavy when wet & can also cause skin rashes, wear Track Pants, Shorts, etc.
 

3. Travel from the station to Bhivpuri & back would be in an Open “Tempo”, so people accustomed to Luxury travel may steer clear. Only those seeking adventure & the fun/thrill of riding in an open Tempo in the rains welcome!
 

4. Minor scratches, bruises, & bumps may be the order of the day for a handful lucky chaps while rappelling, please come with an open mind about it. On our part, we would have a fully stocked medical kit to treat all injuries.
 

5. Lunch would be provided at the top of the waterfall & would be a simple affair comprising of Roti, Sabji, Dal, Rice, Pappad, & Pickle. (The magic of the rains, coupled with the thrill of the rappel combined with the local flavor adds spice to the food) Those wanting a more lavish spread can be gracious enough to get their own food.
 

6. There is no shelter on top of the waterfall, so please carry an umbrella if you are the finicky kind who does not enjoy eating your lunch while its raining.
 

7. There are no toilet facilities once we leave the cozy confines of the railway station. So either be shameless enough to throw all shyness to the winds or maybe down the waterfall or Close your eyes while adding to the waterfall & pray no one sees you!
 

8. A local villager’s home would be available for changing clothes on getting back down.
 

9. Those wishing to leave early post the rappel will have to arrange for their own transport to the station.
 

10. Following the instructions & the advice of the instructor during the rappel would be in the participant’s best interest!
 

11. And last but definitely not the very least, get your cheerful self to the waterfall, have a great time, & enjoy.

Important Information:

Here is a list of all the things that need to be carried for the trek:
1. A haversack to put in all the things to be carried....so that one has ones hands free while trekking. Please do not carry sling bags or Jholas.
2. At least 1 set of spare clothes with a towel and napkin.
3. Soap and other accompaniments.
4. Optional: Camera & something to munch on.
5. At least 1 litre of water.

Few rules that we would like people to follow:

 
1. Alcohol will strictly not be permitted on the trek. Anyone found in possession of the same or consuming it will be expelled from the trek.
2. Smoking will only be permitted after consultation with the Leader and the person will have to move away from the group to smoke.
3. The leader’s decision will be final and binding on all members. No Arguments will be entertained.
4. Each member will be responsible for his/her own safety and baggage.
5. Please do not wear any jewelry or gold chains/rings.
6. Please do not litter, we believe in the saying, “Wherever you go, leave only your footprints and take back only memories”

Biking to Ladakh - 13th July – 29th July 2012

Last years Ride/Drive through the magical vistas of Ladakh left us nothing less than awestruck & spellbound. The after-effects were such that ‘Ladakh stories’ were the order of the day on each and every trip as well as trek for the entire year.

To relive those magical moments & to once again take a walk/ride/drive down memory lane, we at Nisarga Bhraman have decided to rough it out on the twisty roads of Ladakh yet again!

We believe in Quality & not Quantity, hence we are looking at a small number of Like-Minded people to join us for this ride of a lifetime. Join us if you are seeking Adventure & Adrenaline rush as this ride/drive is slated to be a shade different from the first one.

Please note: Non-riders are welcome to join us in the Support Car that we may have along with us.

Ride/Drive Plan:
 
Friday 13th July: Depart from Mumbai by Paschim/Rajdhani/Yuva/August Kranti/Duronto as per convenience. Those who can manage a leave on Friday can take the Paschim, those who want to attend office & start can take any of the other 4 trains to New Delhi & then a bus from ISBT to Chandigarh. 
Saturday 14th July: Arrive in Chandigarh & release bikes from Railway Parcel Office.
Sunday 15th July: Ride to Manali
Monday 16th July: Ride to Keylong
Tuesday 17th July: Ride to Sarchu
Wednesday 18th July: Ride to Leh
Thursday 19th July: Permits & Local Sightseeing
Friday 20th July: Ride to Nubra Valley
Saturday 21st July: Ride to Pangong Tso
Sunday 22nd July: Ride to Choglamsar
Monday 23rd July: Ride to Tso Morirri
Tuesday 24th July: Ride to Leh
Wednesday 25th July: Ride to Kargil
Thursday 26th July: Ride to Srinagar
Friday 27th July: Ride to Jammu
Saturday 28th July: Parcel Bike & Board Train for Mumbai
Sunday 29th July: Arrive in Mumbai

Please Note: The above plan is based on an “Ideal” scenario where everything goes per plan & considering that there is no mechanical breakdown. It is subject to change in Real Time based on ground realities.

The cost of this Magical Dream come through ride would be equally split among the participants. Given below is the cost per person based on the expenditure on the same trip last year:

Food & Stay: Rs.18,000
Bike Transportation: Rs.8,000
Bike Maintenance & Spares: Rs.3,000
Fuel Cost: Rs.5,000
Medical Kit & Emergency Nutrition: Rs.1,500
Train Tickets: Rs.3,500 (3A Tickets)

If interested, please get in touch with us at the earliest so that the journey bookings & all other necessary arrangements can be made:

Rohit Nayak: 9167416873
Parag Vartak: 9820973705