Overnight Trek to Fort Vasota on 3rd Nov 2012

The Unseasonal rains across the Sahyadris have rejuvenated the Earth yet again! The lush green that makes a soothing sight is an opportunity that cannot be missed. Now picture yourself walking through the lush green forest where even when the sun is at its peak; not a single ray of sunlight dares to enter. The various sounds that emanate from the jungle tingle your senses, the beautiful vistas that unfolds in front of your eyes leaves you mesmerized!

Join us at Nisarga Bhraman as we head out into the dense green of the Koyna Sanctuary to the Jungle Fort of Vasota on 3rd November 2012.

Information about Vasota:  
Type: Hill Fort / Jungle Fort
Height:  4267 Feet above MSL
Range: Mahabaleshwar
Difficulty: Medium 
Endurance: Medium (More than 8hrs of hiking involved)

Vasota fort is attributed to the Kolhapur Shilahara Raja Bhoja II (1178–1193) of Panhala. Vasota always remained with Marathas, Shirkes & Mores in 16th century & then incorporated in Swarajya by Shivaji Maharaj in 1655 during the conquest of Javli. Shivaji Maharaj named the fort "Vyaghragad" (Vyaghra – means tiger), owing to its difficult natural defense. After Shivaji Maharaj, the brave Maratha Bajirao Peshwa carried on the Swarajya mission of ousting the Mughal invaders from our country. In 1818 however, British bombarded the fort with heavy artillery thereby destroying many buildings on Vasota (Chandika mandir, Daru-kothar, etc.) & looted property worth 5 lakhs. Today the fort stands in a dilapidated condition in a thick jungle with remnants of Shree Mahadev mandir, the plinth of a huge "sadar" (discussion place), the fallen ramparts & spectacular view of Nageshwar peak & Shivsagar lake (Koyna backwaters). It is located about 350 km from Mumbai, it is a protected natural reserve and a national treasure nest. The blue-green expanse of Koyna backwaters, the evergreen forests of Koyna wildlife sanctuary, hike to Vasota fort hidden in thick jungle, the spectacular view from top of the fort along with the beauty and serenity of the place leaves one spell bound.

Plan:

Day 1: Friday, 2nd November 2012

Meet @ Mumbai Central ST Depot at 22.00hrs Sharp
We will take the 22.30hrs Semi Deluxe Asiad (ST) out of Mumbai.
Note: Participants from Pune can directly join us at Satara on Saturday morning @ 04.30hrs sharp

Day 2: Saturday, 3rd November2012

Arrive in Satara by 05.00hrs

Board Ordinary ST Bus for Bamnoli @ 06.00hrs

Reach Bamnoli by 07.30hrs

Post Breakfast & Forest Entry formalities, head for the boat for a long beautiful ride in the Shivsagar Lake (Koyna Backwaters)

Reach Met Indavali by 10.00hrs & start Trek for Vasota Fort

Reach Vasota Fort @ 12.00hrs

Quick exploration of the fort followed by packed lunch & we will descend down to Nageshwar
Reach Nageshwar by 14.30hrs & take in the vast expanse of the Konkan

Start the Long Descent to Choravane village by 16.30hrs latest

Reach Choravane by 20.00hrs & halt for the night

Day 3: Sunday, 4th November 2012

Wake up early by 06.00hrs & finish freshening up & breakfast.
Board the Ordinary Mumbai (Parel) ST @ 07.15hrs
Reach Mumbai by 16.00hrs (Subjective)

The cost of this trek would be Rs.1650/- for Members & Rs.50/- additional for others & would include:
> 2 simple breakfast, 1 Veg Lunch, 1 Veg Dinner
> Stay in a mud/thatched village house (separate rooms & toilet facilities unavailable)
> All travel from Mumbai to Mumbai
> All Forest Entry charges & Boat entry charges

The cost does not include:
> Camera Charges
> Dinner/Snacks on Friday Night
> Mineral water/Soft Drinks
> Anything else apart from that mentioned in "Cost Includes"

To register, please get in touch with our team by calling:
Sameer Patel: 09820 972 043
Parag Vartak: 09820 973 705

 Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination with our team or transfer the amount to 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

Essentials on the Trek:

> Minimum 3 Liters of water * (Compulsory as water is only available on Vasota fort & Nageshwar Temple and nowhere else along the route)
> Torch with extra set of batteries * (Compulsory as descend from Nageshwar would be a night trek)
> Sleeping bag/Mat/2 Blankets * (Compulsory as no bedding will be provided & it will get cold during the night)
> Appropriate footwear & Clothes - Shoes + Full Trouser/Tracks + Full sleeved Shirt/Tshirt (All essential as its a jungle trek & there is always a possibility of a snake/insect bite)
> Comfortable sack to put in all the things *
> Extra set of Clothes/Socks/Towel
> Personal Medication if any
> Dry snacks or munchies

Please Note:

1. It is essential that you hydrate yourself by drinking atleast 4 liters of water everyday atleast a week before the trek - It prevents your body from getting dehydrated soon on the trek
2. Avoid wearing New shoes without running them in as it increases chances of a shoe bite
3. A Hat or a cap always comes in handy to keep the sun off the face
4. Carry Mosquito repellent to keep the mozzies and other insects at Bay
5. If allergic to insect bites, please carry medication for the same like 'Avil'
6. Limit the stuff that you carry in the sack to Essentials, it helps reduce the load on your back and increase your speed
7. Medicines like Avomine help keep motion sickness at bay only if consumed 2-3 hours before the actual journey
8. Cigarette smoking will strictly not be permitted inside the forest as per Forest Rules.
9. No Network coverage at all inside the forest, strictly stick with the group and do not deviate under any circumstances
10. Also it is essential to stay in a group due to presence of wild animals
11. In case of denial of permission to descend to Choravane, we would return back to Bamnoli for a night halt.

Overnight Trek to Fort Torna on 27th-28th Oct 2012

Here is some info about the fort:

Type: Hill Fort
Grade: Medium
Height:1403 Mtrs / 4603 Feet above MSL
Base Village: Velhe / Bhatti
District : Pune

The Torna fort is also known as Prachandagad due to its massive size. It is the first fort that Chatrapati Shri Shivaji had captured at the age of 16 in the year 1646, paving the way for the great empire. The fort is vitnessed of many battles that have been fought. The fort is truly grand, stretches for a couple of kilometers and is the highest fort in the Pune District. Situated at the northwest of the fort, Bini Darwaja is the main entrance to the fort from Velhe side. Toranjaai Temple, Maal, Safeli Bastion, Lakkadkhana, Mengai Devi Temple, Kothi Darwaja, Hanuman Bastion, Budhala Machi, Jhunjaar Machi are the places to see on the fort. View from the top is breathtaking. Fort like Rajgad, Raigad, Lingana, Sinhgad, Durgadi, Kavlya etc. can be seen from top.

Plan:

Friday, 26th October 2012 :

Meet at Sanjay Gandhi National Park - Main Gate at 10:30 pm
Start the journey by private vehicle. We will travel via Andheri (10:45 PM) – Sion (11:10 PM) – Chembur (11:20 pm) - Vashi (11:40 pm) - Panvel (12:20 am) route. You can get in the bus at location convenient to you.

Saturday, 27th October 2012:

> Reach Velhe by 5:00 am 
> Freshen up and Breakfast 
> Start the trek to Torna by 6:30 am 
> Reach the Bini Darwaja by 10:00 am 
> Explore the Top 
> Post Lunch explore Budhala Machi 
> Dinner and stay in the Mengai Temple

Sunday 28th October 2012:

> Wake up early, freshen up and breakfast 
> Explore the top 
> Start descend by 9:00 am 
> Reach base village by 12:00 noon 
> Lunch at the base village 
> Return journey towards Mumbai 
> Reach Mumbai by 7:00pm (tentative)

The cost for the event is Rs. 1300/- for members and Rs 50/- extra for others.

The above cost includes -
> Travel from Mumbai to Velhe and back by Private vehicle 
> 2 Simple Veg Meals, 2 Breakfast, Evening Refreshments 
> Guide and expertise charges

To register, contact our team -

Rohit Nayak: 9167416873
Hemant Naik: 9819786136
Sameer Patel: 9820972043

Please Note: Seats are limited & will only be confirmed on payment of the entire amount in advance. Amount once transfered will be non refundable in case of cancellation.

To register, Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination with our team or transfer the amount to 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

Here is a list of things to be carried for the trek -

> Haversack to pun in all the stuffs (40Ltrs min.)

> Bedding material / Sleeping mat / Sleeping Bag

> Torch with extra set of batteries (Compulsory)
> At least 2 Liters of water (Compulsory)

> Extra pair of clothes, towel, napkin

> Plate, Mug, Spoon (Compulsory)

> Personal Medicines if any

> Camera and something to munch on (optional)

> Identity Card

Few rules that we would like people to follow -

1. Possession and/or consumption of Alcohol will strictly not be permitted on the trek & would lead to expulsion from the trek.
2. Smoking will permitted only with the consent of the leader and the person will have to move away from the group to smoke.
3. Please stay woth the group. Any deviation from the group will not be entertained.
4. The leader’s decision will be final and binding on all members. No Arguments will be entertained.
5. Each member will be responsible for his/her own safety and baggage.
6. Please do not wear any jewelry or gold chains/rings.
7. Please do not litter, we believe in the saying, “Wherever you go, leave only your footprints and take back only memories”

Overnight Trek to Rohida-Raireshwar-Kenjalgad on 13th Oct 2012

We at Nisarga Bhraman have decided a 2 days-2 night trek on 13th-14th Oct 2012 to Rohida-Raireshwar-Kenjalgad in Bhor region.

Here is brief info about the Fort -

The Rohida fort is located to the south of Bhor - a historical sansthan. It is popularly known as Vichitragad or Binicha killa. The base village Bajarwadi is about 15 kms away from Bhor. Rohida is barren in Summer or Winter but With monsoon it is filled with lush green grass.
The ancient Rohideshwar mandir, different styled bastions, water reservoirs, remains of fortification and settlements, Chuna grinding wheel are few things to see on the fort.
Rohida was built during the reign of the Yadavas. Post 1656, this fort became a part of Shivaji Maharaja's Swarajya. In 1666, the Moghuls conquered the fort but could not hold it for long. On June 24, 1670, Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort.

When Shivaji was seventeen, he decided to transform what were till then simply games to a reality. He and his friends encouraged by Jijabai and his Guru Dadoji Kondeo; decided to take a formal oath to free the country from the shackles of Muslim tyranny. This was done in the year 1645 in a dark cavern housing a small temple to the Hindu God Shiva (locally called Raireshwar). Here Shivaji and his select band of teenaged Maratha friends slit their thumbs and poured the blood oozing from it on the Shiva-linga (Phallus representing the Lord Shiva). By this act they declared a blood-feud against Mughal tyranny. This was the beginning of a long and arduous Maratha-Mughal struggle that went on for the next century and a half to culminate in the defeat of the Mughals and their replacement by the Marathas as the dominant power in India when the British came into the scene.

Plan -

Friday, 12th October 2012 -

Meet at Borivali National Park Main Gate at 10:00 pm sharp
Start the journey by private vehicle. We will travel via Andheri (10:45 PM) – Sion (11:10 PM) – Chembur (11:20 pm) - Vashi (11:40 pm) - Panvel (12:20 am) route. You can get in the bus at location convenient to you.

Saturday, 13th October -
Reach the base of Rohida Fort i.e. Bajarwadi at 6:30am
Packed Breakfast and start the trek to Rohida Fort by 7:30
Explore the fort
Descend from Fort Rohida at 11:30am
Reach to the base village, Ambavane or Bajarwadi by 1:00pm.
Have your lunch for the day
Visit to Nageshwar Temple and Shankaraji Narayan Samadhi by 2:00pm
Travel from Ambavane / Bajarwadi to Korle
Start the trek to Raireshwar via Gaydara route from Korle by 3:30pm
Reach Raireshwar Plateau by 6:00pm
Halt at village house on the Rireshwar Plateau
Stay and Dinner at the village.

Sunday, 14th October 2012 -
Wake up early, freshen up at 6:00 am
Visit to Raireshwar temple and explore the surrounding area at 7:00am
Post Breakfast descend via Gaydara Route at 8:00am
Reach to the base/steps of Kenjalgad at 9:30 am
Explore the fort Kenjalgad
Descend to Kenjalmachi and then to Korle Village by 12:30pm
Start the return journey towards Mumbai
Lunch on the way back
Reach Mumbai by 9:00 pm approx

If time permits, we will try to visit Bhor Palace.

Here is a list of things to be carried for the trek -

• Haversack to put in all the stuff
• Sleeping Bag / Carrymat / Bedding
• Extra pair of clothes / Napkin / Plastic Bags / News Paper
• Water 2 liters (Compulsory)
• Torche with spare set of batteries (Compulsory)
• Personal Medicines if require any
• Identity Card
• Camera and something to munch on (Optional)
• Wear appropriate footware and clothes

Cost of the trek would be Rs. 1750/- for members and Rs 50/- extra for others.
The above mentioned cost includes - Travel by Private Vehicle, 2 Breakfast, 2 Veg Lunch, 1 Veg Dinner, Evening Refreshments, Stay in the village house, Guide and expertise Charges

If interested, please get in touch with our team for registration -
Rohit Nayak: 9167416873

Parag Vartak: 9820973705

Please Note: Seats are limited & will only be confirmed on payment of the entire amount in advance. Amount once transfered will be non refundable in case of cancellation.

To register, Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination with our team or transfer the amount to 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

Here is a link of photographs -
1. https://picasaweb.google.com/102958030538791716235/Rohida_Raireshwar
2. https://plus.google.com/photos/103506947752081254804/albums/5715197321310541745?banner=pwa

Bike Ride to Shivneri-Lenyadri-Hadsar on 6th Oct 2012

Life is a journey & to add some spice to it, we at Nisarga Bhraman have decided to head out on a ride/drive through Malshej Ghat to the birth place of the Great Maratha Warrior, Fort Shivneri.

Join us as we embark on a ride/drive through the twisty turnies of Malshej ghats with its jaw dropping views of the valley & mountains and explore Lenyadri & Hadsar fort along with Shivneri on 6 & 7^th October 2012.
Plan:

Saturday 6th October 2012 -

Meet outside Korum Mall(Thane) @ 06.30hrs. (Sharp)

Start ride/drive to Junnar via NH-3/NH-222 (Mumbai-Kalyan-Ahmednagar Highway)

Reach Shivneri by Lunch time & explore the fort.

For Information on Shivneri: Shivneri Fort

Lunch would be simple & tasty veg food.

Post lunch we would head to Lenyadri & Explore the rock cut caves.

For Information on Lenyadri: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenyadri

Stay would be simple dormitory style accommodation in Lenyadri.

Retire early to bed post simple veg Dinner.

Sunday 7th October 2012 -

Wake up early by 05.00hrs & leave Lenyadri by 06.00hrs & head to Hadsar fort.

Cover Hadsar fort & start return journey for Mumbai.

Reach Thane by 20.30hrs (Subjective)

The cost of this trip would be Rs.950/- for members & Guest Fee for others would be Rs.50/- extra

Which includes:

> 2 Breakfast, 2 Veg Lunch, 1 Veg Dinner, 1 Evening Refreshment
> Stay in simple dormitory style accommodation
> All Entry Fees & Parking charges.

If interested, please get in touch with us soon -

Rohit Nayak - 9167 416 873
Parag Vartak - 9820 973 705

Route Map:

For everyone's convenience, the entire route map for the trip has been posted below with all their Designated Halts.

Mumbai - Shivneri - Lenyadri - Hadsar

Note 1: Please ensure that you are at Korum Mall @ 06.30hrs sharp on Saturday. The group will wait for a maximum of 15 mins for anyone running late. (Join us at Kalyan – Gurudev NX Hotel)

Note 2: We will all be riding/driving in formation, so please ensure that you follow the order allocated at Flag off.

Note 3: The group will only halt at the spots designated on the map unless there is a problem/breakdown or if someone gets left behind in the traffic.

Note 4: The accommodation at Lenyadri is simple and clean dormitory type. There is no provision for separate rooms.

Note 5: Riders/Pillions need to wear appropriate riding gear (Jeans/Jacket/Gloves/Shoes). 3/4ths or Shorts would mean bruised/scratched legs in case of a fall.

Note 6: Helmets are compulsory for both rider as well as pillion

Note 7: Please get the Bike/Car checked & tanked up before the trip. Needless to say, carry all valid documents.

Note 8: Alcohol consumption would not be permitted on the trip.