Kothaligad Adventurous Solo trek
9th Aug 2013.
It has been a long time since I had the last trek to Vihigaon. I was searching for the perfect opportunity to have some more trekking. Its 8th Aug, Thursday; 3 consecutive holidays are there. So, at evening, I planned for somewhere to go. I shortlisted Kothaligad as the Name I liked very much. Then collected some information about communication and slept early. I knew that no one would agree to go on the trek so didn’t ask anybody. Also, couldn’t sleep due to curiosity as tomorrows things started flashing in mind what to do, what are places to explore, the planning all these made me a sleepless night.
Got up at 5 am before the alarm rang at 5.30. Prepared and came out at 5.30 am. Two security guards sleeping and I did not feel good making them awake by calling, waited for them till they get up. One old man came from outside after early morning jogging whose noise made the security guard to awake and open the gate. Now I came out swiftly and collected some cash from ATM and headed toward Koparkhairne station. Bought ticket to Karjat. Then got the train to Thane at 6:17 am. The daylight did not completely come still I was outside and going for trek because reaching early can give you more time to explore which you wouldn’t able to get if reaching late.
Now, reached thane by 6:40 am & got the train to Karjat at 6:56 am. At such early morning, the crowd was not less & there was no seat. Just stood till Kalyan then got a seat. Now relaxing and relishing the wonder of nature from outside. Compared to last time visit to Vihigaon, this time greeneries thicker which turned into the dark green from lush and grasses were tall. Waterfalls having more water. These made happier.
Reached at Karjat at Karjat at 8:15 am. That was the first time I was at karjat, came out it looked like a small station but a lot of people alighted there. There was 15 min in hand to get the bus from the bus station, so quickly moved to the bus station and got the bus and seat. that’s great!, few more trekkers also there probably they were planning to go Kothaligad. If that comes true then I may get some trek mates so that the trek would be more enjoyable.
Now the bus started at 8:30 Hrs, once it crossed the Karjat region, it entered into the village area. Narrow one lane road with great views outside. Outside green vegetation, cultivation etc. are the pleasurable things to enjoy.
After 40 min of travel, it reached marketplace called as Kashele, few trekkers alighted there, I thought that is the place to get off from the bus for Kothaligad. But one person insisted on the information to me that there's more 15 km to cover if you are planning to go there & assured me by saying not to worry. The exact base village is Ambivali to start the trek. Okay, I relied on as well as the information I’ve collected last night.
Now after a halt of around 15 min, the bus resumed and entered into more jungle areas and getting deeper. I was enjoying the outer scenario. Now the hill was visible and that is the Peth/Kothaligad which I got confirmed from that person. But, pinnacle topmost part covered by cloud looking at the significant height. Now after some time the bus stopped and suggested me to get down as the village Ambivali has arrived. In no time, I alighted and had a view around. It’s a great village and one road pointing towards the Peth/Kothaligad. After asking a local, confirmed the trail and started the trek. It was 9:30 am. Good time to start the trek, the morning was cool and the weather was friendly. No hard sunshine nor any humidity which may be a burden for the trek.
I spotted a few trekkers also starting the trek, but I didn’t wait for them and started the trek by keeping them behind. After some time, reached the place where two diversion was there & after asking a local confirmed that left one to follow. The road now with boulders making the walk little difficult. After a few meters walks, came to know that the group is following me. Also, a dog was following me ok, good. The pinnacle was not visible due to the cloud.
After some time, the ascending started along with the rain. I took out my umbrella to protect myself and my belonging from the rain. Few villagers getting down toward the base village. After a few more ascend, reached the waterfall, where the group also reached. We had an introduction there, they all are Maharashtrians & they surprised to know about me as I was not from MH but going alone. However, they encouraged me for the bravery & admired, thanks to them. They crossed me and proceeded further, I stopped for enjoying the view.
Now just had a look around, what a view!, really very good view. Far hills not visible due to the cloud but near things visible which are green. Stood there for some time and enjoyed the place and view. Once I was saturated, then again started the climb.
After the lonely walk of around 20 min, reach the valley which was almost flat and the Kothaligad was visible at another side of the hill making the middle portion gap. One from the group asked me to go there and have the view. So, just moved there, wow! What a view. We were at the edge of the valley going beyond may take you to straight bottom of around 200 Mtr which is very risky.
The Base village Peth, was at another side of the hill parallel to the valley, from where again we had to climb to reach the top of the pinnacle. More interesting & wonderful thing is the water falling from the waterfall on the other side not falling down rather getting blown up due to heavy wind. That’s a great thing to enjoy. Nature has a lot of wonders for us and we need to explore them like this. On the other hand, we had to be careful enough to refrain ourselves from dangerous points. Here we were taking the utmost care. We had some photo session there. We helped each other for photos. That’s good, after some discussion, we planned to continue the rest of the trek together. I agreed with them as got a good company.
Once our enjoyment was over, without any delay, we started further ascend. The group leader was Prasad, who had numerous trek leading them (total 5 people). He guided us to take the shortcut which is the right side of the main trail and the trail would take more time. Later we realized, though its shortcut but little risky and thorns are there. Anyway, we safely reached the bottom of the valley and again we had to climb further. The road was made with gravel and boulder making the walk little difficult. After a few minutes of walk, we reached the water flow from where we have seen water getting blown up due to heavy wind. They started enjoying, I was reluctant to plunge into the water so, just watched them. Though they didn’t make much more delay and continued the ascend. Now, we reached the base of the village named Peth. The road to the village through cultivation. There was a beautiful horse grazing near the field. The view was more beautiful & I was so happy to be there. The height is around 1500 ft, little strange as how people are maintaining their daily life at such height lacking the basic amenities & medical aid. They are still living the primitive method of lifestyle, that’s another way of living and ancient people how managed to live they are following the same though few things are modernized as they have the electricity support (Solar). After passing through the mesmerizing views, we reached the heart of the Peth village. Though the smell of cow/buffalo dungs making me feel dirty as the smell is very pungent. Also, few places dung split into the road that’s too dirty.
We took a halt at the temple and visited Lord Hanuman, the dog was still with us. Now the rain started so, we waited until the rain stops. Once the rain stopped, we headed further, found few hotels are there with unlimited food @ Rs 80. Initially, we planned to have but, later discarded pondering the unhygienic environment especially due to the cow dungs.
Now we started further climb toward the main pinnacle Kothaligad. Initially got stuck in the mud, then proceeded further. Few children’s ran towards us asking for food. That time I was not having any food carried with me. They offered biscuits to them, I just gave Rs10.
Then we started further ascend. Now to get the exact trail to the top was another challenge. The villager guided us to follow the pipeline to get the proper trail. After failing to find in two guesses, finally found the proper trail. As there were no trekkers, so the trail is not made properly. The area was too swampy and with very less sunlight. Leaves of tree piled in the road making more confusion. Now the trail getting ascend with slippery rocks, more careful climb was required, somewhere we were helping ourselves where the chance of risk is there. They were asking me, could ever you imagined, without their company would it be possible for me to come to this place alone?. I was not sure what to answer as the place was too scary just agreed with them. They are good guys and making lot of funs while climbing so that’s another mode of entertainment whilst trekking.
After the continuous restless climb, we reached a place from where the left side of the hill clearly visible, far hills having a lot of waterfalls. Clouds covering them and getting cleared due to rain. Clouds looking like white smoke. A lot of enjoyable things there. So, we took a halt there and did a photo session as well as rest.
The climb getting more steeper and slippery where more careful climb was required. It's raining intermittently and we were totally drenched in rain. Though there was no chance of confusion as trails now clear to us.
After some more climb in rain, we reached the Gate of the fort. That’s great, there is a cave also which can accommodate 20 people. But I would never try to stay there as the area too swampy and scary. After climbing on the steps from the gate, it was dark inside and scarier. The wall was covered by moss and no way to take the support of the wall. After a few more climb, we reached a place where the trail was bifurcated and two trails were there, we took the left and which was correct. Now climb was more steep with a slippery rock. One side was straight fall so, the very careful climb was more essential than any other things. I just spotted a green snake which was hiding in the green grass & I was just supposed to put my shoe on it but somehow notices and escaped from any mishaps.
Now, we were at the topmost part of the pinnacle at 12pm. There is no more climb remaining. Yahoo! There is nothing more happiness than this as after too much struggle reaching the topmost part of the trek gives such pleasure which cannot be compared with any other things. We all shouted with the heart full of satisfaction. The dog was with us. Very strange that the dog followed us to the top. No one would do this.
We were walking in the cloud, I had longtime desire to walk in cloud & now the same I was doing. Nothing is happier than this. We were in very less visibility. There is a bog water cistern and may not be having the potable water due to garbage and tree leaves making the water contaminated.
Once the cloud got cleared, we could see the outer part. The villages at the base were visible but looking very small which can explain that we were more height. The height was 1500 ft. one hill in front was having so many windmills at the top. Wow! At such height installing windmills may be a great challenge. One company of there who provides the support (does the project) for such green energy revolution, that is Suzlon. There may be some other route to reach the top of that hill and not planned this time as we were too much exhausted and long distance to cover to return back.
Enjoyed each bit of the place, took photos. They had the food, I didn’t carry any food with me so they offered food to me. I took little but couldn’t deny as I was too much hungry. Offered food to the dog too. Also decided to carry food from starting of the trek next time when I would plan for the trek.
One thing they disclosed whilst we were ascending, that they took the last local yesterday to Karjat. Then waited in the station at night time. Early morning they got a tumtum to Kashele, from where there was no transportation, so they walked from Kashele to Ambivali. I got surprised to know about them but got inspired too and leaving the previous night can be wiser as we would get ample time to explore. Also, they told, they were not having a holiday on Saturday, only once in a week. They themselves discussing that we would think once, that we have arranged one day from our life and came to that place and enjoyed the nature together. Their name was Prasad, Rahul, Suryakant & don’t remember the other one. But Salute to their dedication and I thanked from mind for the inspiration they made to me.
Once our enjoyment was over, we started descending at 12:40 pm. So, just 40 minutes we enjoyed there. Descending was more challenging as we have to walk in the fore of gravitational force and additional force may cause danger to us. Spotted few trekkers approaching towards the top, we shouted and they responded.
Now, we thought of visiting another trail which we left while ascending, I led that place and found it's having another great view and responded to the group to come and enjoy. They all rushed towards me and admired the place. There is a big tall cliff with the green covered body is where you can spot once you look backside. I was a little upset as there was no cannon I found throughout the trek, but the cannon was here. So, felt very happy see it, which means we completed each part of the trek in time efficient way. That’s a great thing to declare. Just, took some photos and returned back and continued further descend in another trail. Which would lead you to the cave.
Another interesting thing is that big wild banana plants without any banana, probably the villagers not letting the plant to grow banana. Rather they are plucking them from the flowering stage. A lot of trekkers approaching us. We took a halt at the place we took halt while ascending. Rahul cleaned his shoes. Then continued further descend. I was having an umbrella but didn’t take out while trekking with them as they were not using any raincoat nor any umbrella. Many times getting drenched in rain and after sometimes getting dried due to body heat.
Now, we reached the base village Peth where more trekkers in the group going ascend. Few of them not going, they advising their team to go they would stay until they return back, maybe they got scared. We encouraged them to go and told its easy to go up.
Then we took a halt at the water flow, they enjoyed the water. After some time, we again resumed the descent.
Finally, after a long walk, we reached at the Base village Ambivali at 3:20 pm. There was no vehicle to Karjat. Just moved towards the market. We had Vada Pav, tea there. We waited for a bus to Karjat at 5:40 pm. Till that time we were gossiping sharing our contact details as in case in future, we are planning then we can go together.
Now we got the bus with a seat, it was running very fast. Reached at Karjat by 6:35 pm, they didn’t take the Ticket so, they requested me to get the train at 6:41. They would go by another day, by saying heartful thanks to them I got the train and returned back. Reached at Thane by 8 pm.
This was the great adventurous trek was finished successfully. This added more enthusiasm in my mind to do more trekking in the future. This experience I can’t explain in word really great.
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| On the Way to Amivali |
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| Start of the trek from the village, see the boulders laid road..could be difficult for the walk |
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| Road condition better than previous |
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| Kothaligad is not visible |
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| He was my friend all the way till the top, Dog's our friend and reliable animal always |
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| Ascend started, getting more slope |
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| Mist Covered surroundings...view of Ambivali/Jambrung village |
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| A small waterfall in the middle |
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| Hide and seek Game of cloud and wind....lovely picturesque |
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| The turning point making the hike steeper |
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| Flat rock surface |
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| From the Valley, the view of Kothaligad..just awesome..the pinnacle not visible |
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| Wow...! |
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| The dog passing time with his friend whlie we were passing time at this valley |
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| Beautiful valley |
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| Edge of the valley, beautiful and dangerous |
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| See the natures Marvel, waterfall fetting blown up |
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| Thanks, friend for the pose...worth taking your photo.... |
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| SMall pool at the valley |
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| At the village, see the menus... |
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| Walking through the village Peth |
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| Small Cannon |
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| Lord Hanuman at the village |
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| The Dog is still with me.... |
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| Toward the base of the mountain to start the hike to the pinnacle |
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| Getting into the Jungle, see the road!!! |
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| My Trek Mates |
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| not normal way |
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| Another Side of the hill |
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| Far Hill covered with could....lovely scenery |
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| Easy... |
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| Little visible |
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| Wow...great scenery..lines of waterfalls.... |
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| Again hidden |
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| This is the path to the top, scary? ..hmm |
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| Our guys coming up |
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| Dog joined with them too...hiking |
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| Getting closer to the cave |
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| Visibility...very less |
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| Posing t the entrance...front one me :) |
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| Notice Board, read it |
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| Inside the cave |
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| Lord Hanuman |
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| Itihaas....! |
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| Perfect Devotee.... |
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| Steps...slippery...towards the top |
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| One side clear, another Side cloud....simply breathtaking view |
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| Wow |
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| VIsibility.... |
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| This creature ...While I was stepping into it, I stopped at last moment doubting it could be a snake...Don't know whose life has been saved...it's both |
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| More beautiful view...clear visibility |
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| More Notice Board |
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| Reach the Top..yahoo!, see the dog, still with us.... |
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| Less Visibility at the top |
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| Same view from the top |
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| WInd Mills.... |
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| Good Dog.... |
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| More beautiful |
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| Lovely |
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| It's me.... |
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| Cloud or smoke... |
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| Just mesmerizing view...lovely |
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| Time to descend |
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| Posing... |
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| My new trek mates |
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| The entrance of the Cave |
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| This pinnacle, still unbelievable we have reached the top |
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| The cannon |
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| More view... |
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| Descend... |
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| A well at the village...could be a source of water for the villager....life saving Well |
Finally, this trekking was over, but a lot of memory stored in the mind to cherish forever and planning for more adventures...
Dear reader, thanks for reading the blog. Please share your kind feedback in the comment. We will meet in another post with mor
