Bhimashankar Sidi-ghat Trek

Date: August 4th, 2013.

Adventure Trek and Rock Climbing for Amateurs in company of experienced trekkers; Don't forget your swimming trunks and towel.

You and Your Friends Welcome to Join Nature Knights on a Great Eco-Adventure...

Trek Route
Khandas Village to Base of Sidi Ghat - [30 to 40 Minutes] (Grade Easy)
Sidi Ghat Climb - Climb [30 to 40 Minutes] (Grade Challenging, Steep slope) 
Lunch and Chill Out on Sidi Ghat Plateau [Time Spend 2 Hours] (Grade - Chill Out)
Traverse Across Plateau [Over Sidi Ghat] - 40 Minutes (Grade Easy)
Down Hill Climb via Ganesh Ghat - [Approx 60 Minutes] (Grade Easy)
Swim in Stream on the way back - [60 Minutes] (Grade - Chill Out)

Bhimashankar Altitude: 1034 mtrs

Event: Trek Bhimashankar Sidi Ghat (While Going Up, Return from the Plateau via Ganesh Ghat)..

Location: 128 km from Pune (via Manchar) or by trek via Khandas (Near Karjat / Neral)

Best Season: Monsoon and Winter

For inquiries on custom packages for Bhimashankar kindly get in touch with

Camp Fee: Rs.950/-.

Includes: Travel By Bus; Packed Breakfast, Evening Tea/Biscuit, Guide and Tech Support.

Carry your own packed lunch.

Link to Photo Album

More about Bhimashankar

There are three route to Bhimashankar starting from Khandas; one is from Ganeshghat the easiest at the same time the longest; 2nd going via waterfall and the third the shortest but the most adventurous (sidi ghat) route; we will be taking thist shortest but also the most adventurous trail to Bhimashankar.

The trek to Bhimashankar via Sidi Ghat is adventurous and involves a bit of elementary rock climbing. We will be carrying safety equipment like Carnamental Rope (Mountaineering Ropes); Carabineers; Descender; Mechanical Ascender; Tape Slings etc. The group will be a mix of experienced trekkers and also new explorers into trekking (but ready to rough it out in the psychological thriller walk).

Tentative Schedule

6:00am Start from Andheri West, S. V. Road, Near Merwans Bakery, Outside Bus Depot
6:15am Santruz (East), Western Express Highway
6:20 am Bandra Kalanagar Junction (At end of Sky Walk).
6:25 am Sion Station
6:35 am Chembur (Opp. Akbar Allis Departmental Store)
6:50 am Vashi (Station Road and Highway Junction)
8:00 am Breakfast
Option (Idli; Medu Wada; Dosa; Bata Wada (With Tea or Coffee).
10:00 am Trek Starts at Khandas
12:00 pm Reach at First Plateau
Lunch at First Plateau
2:00 pm Start our trek back from Ganesh Ghat to Khandas
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Swim in the River/Stream
5:00 pm Start from Mumbai
9:00 pm Expected Arrival back at Mumbai

Check List for trek

Suggestions for packed lunch: (Sandwiches); Thepla; Potato Vegetable; Roti; Boiled Eggs; Ready to eat canned food; home cooked roti / dry vegetable; Puran Poli; Bread / Cheese slice / spread; Potato Vada; Bread; etc..you can get creative; We will have multi-cultural buffet. Carry tetra packed buttermilk.)

Also carry some chocolates; biscuits; salad items; 3 liters water per head for on-the-way in-between meals and water.

Attire:

Track pants or tights or any comfortable clothes (avoid heavy jeans) 

Full sleeves T-shirt, (you may carry spare change clothes)

Carry Spare Swimming trunks, light towel  

Rain wear (Poncho, or Short light Raincoat), Rain Cap or Hat

Regular Sun Cap or Hat

Hand Towel

Other mandatory items

Flash light with spare batteries

Water (2 liters per head)

Packed Lunch for day 2 (For those coming only for one day camp).

Pack all items in plastic bags before packing it in your backpack or ruck sack

Pack everything in your backpack properly. Light items on top and bottom side of bag, heavy item towards center and towards your shoulder and body. Use compression straps to tighten the bag from all sides so that items inside the bag do not keep shifting. 

Optional items

Comb and pocket mirror

personal medical kit

Mosquito repellent 

Camera

Eco-Adventure Code

We strongly believe in traveling in small groups, and follow the principle leave only footprints and take only memories.

How to prepare your self for any treks?

Go through the “What to carry?” matrix while packing your backpack.

Carry personal medical kit, even though general first aid kit is available with the group.

Rehearse packing and un-packing of your bags with proposed items to be packed (Remember - every item has a place, every item in its place); check the weight of your bag. You have to carry this weight for 4 to 5 hours of trek; do not carry items not required

More about Bhimashankar

The adventure

Bhimashankar is a dream destination for any trekker, a paradise for a Naturalist, a spiritual journey for a religious person; a perfect setting for an exciting eco-adventure.

The excitement begins right at Neral station as you have your breakfast and sip of tea anticipating what’s to come. You start your travel from Neral / Karjat in dugdugies for a bumpy ride along countryside till you reach the village Khandas. We are ready for the trek once we finish our induction and introduction. The trail leading from Khandas village to Bhimashankar goes through all kinds of terrain; the trail start as a flat cross country walk to a semi-deciduous scrubland and as you progress the climber gets steeper and finally ending in a ever-green forest. Few patches also involves a bit of armature rock climbing.  You pass through a glimpse of history as you cross two forts Tung and Paddar Killa;

Once on top of Bhimashankar you can’t resist visiting Ancient Jyotir ling temple or explore the mysterious Gupt (Secret) Bhimashankar Ling hidden the cool forest Bhimashankar; We also have the rare temple of Goddess Anjana.

There is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Lord Shankara after getting angry, killed Rakshas Tripurasura. The heat generated from their war caused the origin of river Bhima. That is why it is called Bhimashankar.

Play a nature detective trying to site the secretive Shekru (Giant Squirrel of Bhimashankar); for anxious bird watchers there is plenty of Bird life, Keep your binoculars; camera and field guide handy.  A walk through the old jungle of Bhimashankar is magical experience liven your spirit green and clean. Bhimashankar is conserve red forest area and wildlife sanctuary where a variety of birds, animals, flowers, plants can be seen.

There are Buddha style carvings of Amba-Ambika, Bhootling and Bhimashankar in the hills of Manmod near Bhimashankar. A big size bell in Hemadpanthi structure built by Nana Phadanavis is also a feature of Bhimashankar.

Various places that could be visited in Bhimashankar are Hanuman Lake, Gupt Bhimashankar, Origin of River Bhima, Nag Phani, Bombay Point, Sakshi Vinayak and lot more.

Get cozy in pleasant Climate; put your feet up at end of the day in any vintage Ashrams; If in mood for sweet tooth try the local Khoya Sweets served by warm people; there is lots more to discover for those inquisitive and adventurous.

Bhimashankar is worth visited for jungle lovers and trekkers as well as for pilgrims.