One Day Trip to Khanderi and Underi Forts on 17th March 2013

Khanderi and Underi forts are situated on two islands near Thal village, 8 Kms north to Alibaug and 20 Kms off the coast of Mumbai. Both the forts still stand proud in the Arabian Sea with their intact fortified walls.  

Khanderi was built by Shivaji Maharaj to keep a check on the Siddhis of Janjira and British. Marathas started building fortification in 1672. One can see Iron Canons with cart wheels on Khanderi Fort. The most prominent structure on Khanderi is a lighthouse built by British. Underi Fort is smaller than Khanderi and is nearly circular. It was built by Siddhi Kahim in 1680.

Khanderi is located a bit far from the beach and can be reached irrespective of High Tide or Low tide as it has a jetty but Underi can only be reached in low tide.

Khanderi Fort                                                                                                    Photo By: Hemant Naik

Join us at Nisarga Bhraman for the trip to Khanderi and Underi Forts on 17th March 2013.

Itenerary: 

Sunday, 17th March 2013 - 

> Meet at Sanjay Gandhi National Park Gate, Borivali at 5:00am sharp
> Travel by private transport
> Pickups on the way at Andheri, BKC, Sion, Chembur, Vashi and Panvel
> Simple Breakfast on the way
> Reach Thal Village at 9:30 am approx.
> Boat Ride to Underi Fort
> Sightseeing at Underi Fort
> Boat ride to Khanderi Fort
> Lunch and Sightseeing of Khanderi Fort
> Back to Thal Village by 5:00 pm approx
> Visit Khubladha Fort at Thal Village
> Travel back to Mumbai

We will be back to Borivali at 10:00pm approx.

Photo Link: Khanderi Underi Photos by Hemant Naik

Cost of the trip is Rs 1000/- only and Rs 100/- extra for Non Veg Food.

The above mentioned cost includes -
> Transportation from Mumbai to Mumbai by private vehicle
> Boat Ride Charges
> Breakfast, Tea, Veg/Non Veg Lunch and Evening Refreshments
> Guide and Expertise Charges

To register for the event, contact - 

Parag Vartak: 9167966042
Sameer Patel: 9820972043

Note: One has to handover or transfer Rs 600/- (which will be non refundable in case of cancellation) to the account given below -

Name: Sameer M. Patel
A/C No: 1451108345
Bank & Branch: Central Bank of India, TIFR - Churchgate Branch
RTGS / IFSC Code: CBIN0283996

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

1. Haversack to put in everything to be carried for the event
2. Water 3 Leters at least
3. Identity Proof
4. Extra set of clothes
5. Cap, Sunglasses, Snacks
6. Personal medicines required if any

Trek to Sandhan Valley on 2-3 March 2013

A trek which every individual should experience. Descend down huge rocks and boulders with the steep rock walls of the 2 kilometers long natural gorge towering around us, crossing a 4 feet deep water, a night stay on the rocky bed near a water pond under the open sky is a complete adventure package. The experience & the sheer magnitude of the steep walls is humbling to say the least. One of the favourite destination of trekkers and a beautiful place situated in the western ghats near Ghatghar is Sandhan Valley.

Join Nisarga Bhraman as we head out to explore this narrow gorge that descends from Samrad village on 2nd and 3rd March 2013.

Rendezvous -
 
Meet at Dadar Station (Central) P.F no 1 under the indicator at 00.15am on Friday 1st March 2013. Please ensure that you buy a return ticket for Kasara.
 
The train that we will be boarding is the Slow local for Kasara departing CST at 00:14 am, Byculla at 00:22 am, Dadar at 00:32 am, Kurla at 00:42 am, Ghatkopar at 00:49 am, Thane at 01:09 am, Dombivali at 01:31 am, Kalyan at 01:40 am, reaching Kasara at 02:55 am

Saturday, 2nd March 2013

> Travel to Base Village by private jeep
> Reach base village at 5:30 am
> Freshen up and breakfast
> Start the trek by 7:00 am
> Start descending the valley by 8:00
> Lunch on the way
> Descend full valley and rest near the pool
> Dinner and night stay under the open sky

Sunday, 3rd March 2013

> Wake up at 6:00 am
> Freshen up and Breakfast
> Star the trek by 9:00 am
> Descend towards Dehane village
> Reach base at 11:30 am approx.
> Post Lunch, travel to Asangaon
> Reach Mumbai by 7:00 pm approx.

The cost of this event would be Rs.1100/- for Members & Rs.1200/- for others. 

The above cost includes -

1. Travel from Kasara to Samrad & back to Asangaon
2. Simple breakfast on Saturday & Sunday
3. Veg Lunch, Evening Refreshments, & Veg Dinner on Saturday
4. Equipment Charges 
5. Guide and Expertise Charges

To register for the event, contact our team - 

Parag Vartak: 9167966042
Sameer Patel: 9820972043

Note: One has to handover or transfer Rs 700/- for registration which will be non refundable in case of cancellation.

Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination or transfer the amount to the account - 

Name of A/c Holder: Sameer M. Patel
Bank & Branch: Central Bank of India, TIFR, Churchgate Branch
A/c Number: 1451108345
RTGS/IFSC code: CBIN0283996

Here is a list of things to be carried -

1. Haversack to put in everything to be carried
2. Water 3 Leters at least
3. Torch with extra set of batterries
4. Plate, Mug, Spoon
5. Sleeping material Bag / Mat / Chadar etc
6. Extra set of clothes
7. Personal medicies required if any
8. Something to munch on
9. Identity Proof

Wildlife Tour to Pench National Park

The raised stress levels due to work & commute; the pollution that is no longer just felt but is visible; and many more are the things that every city dweller strives to get away from! Join us at Nisarga Bhraman as we head out to explore the calm and clean Jungle of Pench in Madhya Pradesh.
Get ready for the Wilderness in Pench...

Tour Date: 21st Feb 2013 to 24th Feb 2013
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

About Pench: Located in the southern boundery of Madhya Pradesh and the districts of Seoni and Chhindawara, the Pench Tiger Reserve is named after the Pench river, flowing through the Satpura Hills. Pench Tiger Reserve and its neighbourhood is the original setting of Mowglee and Sherkhan (Rudyard Kipling's most famous work, The Jungle Book).
Pench National Park, comprising of 758 SQ Kms, out of which a core area of 299 sq km is the national park and and remaining 464 sq km is the buffer area. Rich in its biodiversity, its terrain defined by hills, valleys and the occasional precipitous slope, Pench is an important ecosystem supporting an abundance of flora and fauna, including a rich variety of aquatic life. 
Pench National Park is four different forest regions in one, an extravagance of trees, shrubs, grasses, climbers, weeds and herbs, with teak being the most prominent of the tree species. The park is home to 33 species of mammals, 164 species of birds, 50 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, and a wide variety of insect life.While primarily and reservation for tigers and panthers, Pench is also home to sambhar, chital, barking deer, nilgai, black buck, gaur, wild boar, chausingha, sloth bears, wild dogs, langurs, monkeys, mouse deer, black-naped hares, jackals, foxes, hyenas, porcupines, and flying squirrels, to name a few. 
Here, birdlife is equally bountiful. The feathered denizens of Pench include both resident and migratory birds like Malabar pied Hornbill, Indian pitta, Osprey, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Stork, Waterfowl, four endangered Vulture species, and the Green Pigeon, which is a State Bird. 

Trip Itenerary:

Day 1 - Thursday, 21st Feb 2013 
Departure from Mumbai CST by Vidarbh Express at 7:10 pm (Halts at Dadar and Kalyan)

Day 2 - Friday, 22nd Feb 2013
Arrive at Nagpur Junction at 8:55 am
Transfer to Pench and check in to the Jungle Home Resort 
Freshen up and Lunch
Afternoon Jungle Safari in open Gypsy
Talk on wildlife by Naturalist and Slide Show / Documentary
Dinner and retire for the day

Day 3 - Saturday, 23rd Feb 2013 
Wake up call at 5:00 am
Morning Jungle Safari in open Gypsy
Lunch and Rest
Evening Jungle Safari in open Gypsy
Enjoy the evening with Tribal and Folk Dance
Dinner and retire for the day

Day 4 - Sunday, 24th Feb 2013 
Wake up call at 5:00 am
Bird Watching and Jungle Trail
Snake identification presentation
Shopping etc., Lunch, Rest
Check out of the Resort
Drop at Nagpur Junction Railway Station
Return journey by Vidarbh Exress at 5:15 pm

Day 5 - Monday, 25th Feb 2013
Tour ends and we reach Mumbai by 6:20 am 

Tour cost:
Rs. 7250/- + Rail / Air Fare (For stay on Triple Sharing)
Rs. 8000/- + Rail / Air Fare (For stay on Twin Sharing)

The Tour Cost includes:  
> 3D/2N stay in Air conditioned rooms 
> Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner at the Resort
> Informative Slide Show / Documentary & Cultural Program
> Three Open Gypsy Safaris
> Bird Waching and Nature Trail
> All forest entry fees & guide charges
> Hotel Transfers in Private A/C Vehicle
> Camera usage fee

Cost does not include: 

> Train Tickets and Food in the train
> Mineral Water, Cold Drink etc. or Anything ordered other than whats on the spread.
> Anything other than that mentioned in cost includes

Resort - http://www.junglehomepench.com 


For more details and registrations, get in touch with -

Sameer Patel: 9820972043
Hemant Naik: 9819786136

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

Name of A/c Holder: Sameer M. Patel
Bank & Branch: Central Bank of India, TIFR, Churchgate Branch
A/c Number: 1451108345
RTGS/IFSC code: CBIN0283996

Special Notes:

1. The weather in Pench during the month of February would be pleasant, morning Safaris would be cold & carrying warm clothes is advised.

2. Please wear Dull/Earth colored clothing in the forest.
3. Avoid use of strong Perfumes/Deodorants.
4. Cap/Hat would come in handy during the afternoon Safaris.
5. Please carry your medications (if any) as the same would not be easily available in Pench.
6. Last date for the registration is 15th January

One Day Trek to Aja Parvat & Seetecha Palna on 20th Jan 2013

Aja Parvat or Ajoba known as grandfather of all other peaks in the range is an ideal one day trek from Mumbai. The Valmiki Rishi Ashram is situated on the platue of Ajoba hill where godess Seeta was said to be staying after seperation from Lord Rama. Seetecha Palna offers a very picturesque view of the adjoining mountain range. Forts like Kulang, Madan, Alang, Ratangad and peaks like Khutta, Kalsubai can be seen from here.

Join us at Nisarga Bhraman for this one day trek to Aja Parvat and Seetecha Palna on 20th January 2013

Details about the Trek - 

Place: Aja Parvat or Ajoba Hill
Grade: Easy +
Height: 4511 Feet above msl
Region: Shahapur

Itenerary -

Sunday, 20th January 2013 -
Meet Dadar Station - Central Railway (Platform 1) at 5:20 am sharp.
Carry your own return ticket till Asangaon
We will be taking a slow train to Asangaon which arrives
Dadar at 5:32 am, Kurla at 5:43 am, Ghatkopar at 5:49 am
Thane at 6:10 am, Dombivali at 6:32 am, Kalyan at  6:41 am
and reaches Asangaon at 7:20 am

Note: Board in the 2nd coach towards Mumbai CST.

Plan -

> Travel to Dehane by private Jeep
> Post breakfast, start the trek at 10:00 am
> Reach Valmiki Ashram at 11:30 am
> Have rest and explore the area
> Trek to Seetecha Palna at 12:00 pm
> Lunch in the col at 1:00 pm
> Descend back at 2:00 pm
> Reach Dehane at 4:30 pm
> Travel to Asangaon by private Jeep
> Reach Mumbai at 9:00 pm approx.

Cost of the trek would be Rs 300/- for members and Rs. 30/- extra for non members.

The above mentioned cost includes -
> Travel from Asangaon to Dehane and back by public transport
> Breakfast and Evening Tea
> Guide charges

To register for this event, get in touch with our team - 
Hemant Naik: 9819786136
Sameer Patel: 9820972043

Here is a list of the things to be carried - 

1. Haversack to put in everything to be carried for the trek
2. Water at least 2 Ltrs
3. Lunch for the day
4. Camera and something to munch on
5. Personal medicines required of any
6. Identity Card