Sandhan Valley Trek What know before you Go-2019

SANDHAN VALLEY -Asia's second largest valley.

VALLEY OF SHADOW

Maharashtra is well known for the forts which is situated at sahyadri range whose beauty is spread across the state.apart from this Maharashtra is also blessed with untouched, unexplored beauty,Sandhan valley is one of those. Sandhan valley is one of the greatest canyones in sahyadri ranges. For trekkers it is like wanderlust those who knows.

SANDHAN VALLEY MARKING AT SAMRAD VILLAGE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SANDHAN VALLEY,

Sandhan valley is beautiful carved valley in magnificent sahyadri range which is part of western ghat in Maharashtra.It is surrounded with mesmerising Ratangad and Kalsubai mountain, Valley stands on height of 4200 feet and it is ideal place for trek lovers.

Because of awesome rainfall in this area there is solid river along the hill.The decayed nature of water sliding through the rocks for quite long time driving the formation of delightful caves at Sandhan valley. It is accessible throughout the year except monsoon , it is quite difficult to complete valley in monsoon as  water level increases.To reach at mid of valley you have to cross two water pool where water is ice chilled. Sandhan valley incorporates repelling experience,rock climbing and descending so accordingly one need to carry safety equipment.

We had visited this valley in  December 2016 along with Kalsubai mountain.This was 2 days trek from Bhandardara region,we already had trekking experience so it was not that tough to trek back to back.

Ideally stay is needed those who are coming from Mumbai or any other city,so one can start exploring Sandhan valley in early morning.The route is through rocks of 5-8 feet where physical fitness is essential.

We had started Journey from Mumbai to Samrad village which is located in Bhandardara region of Ahmednagar district,as we had our own camping gear due to which we could camp at night in Bhandardara and started early morning.Having your own camping gear if you travel frequently is always preferable.

Sandhan Valley can be visit by Mumbai,Pune and Nashik.

DISTANCE AND ROUTE FROM MUMBAI TO SANDHAN VALLEY :-

Via Igatpuri-kalyan-shahapur-kasara-Igatpuri-bhavali-Bahuli dam-Ambewadi-Vasali phata-Varaghushi phata-Shendi bhandardara-Panzare-Udhane-Ghatghar dam-Samrad vilage.                                  (Total distance 182km for Sandhan Valley)

Via Ghoti-kalyan-Shahapur-Kasara- Igatpuri-Ghoti-vasali phata-shendi-Panzare-Udhane-Ghatghar dam-Samrad village. (Total distance 199km for Sandhan Valley) 

DISTANCE AND ROUTE FROM PUNE TO SANDHAN VALLEY :-

Via Sangamner Pune-Narayangaon-Alephata-Sangamner-Akole-Rajur-Randha falls-Ratanwadi phata-Shendi Bhandardara-Panzare-Udhane-Ghatghar dam-Samrad Village                                                           (Total distance-248km)

Via Pune -Narayangaon-Alephata-Bota-Bramhanwada-Kotul-Kotul Phata-Rajur-Randha falls-Ratanwadi Phata-Shendi-BhandardarPanzare-Udhane-Ghatghar Dam-Samrad Village                                      (via Otur total distance 200km for Sandhan Valley.

DISTANCE AND ROUTE FROM NASHIK TO SANDHAN VALLEY :-

Nashik-Wadhiware -Ghoti -Bhandardara-Vasali Phata-Varaghushi Phata-Shendi Bhandardara-Panzare-Udane-Ghatghar dam-Samrad Village. (Total distance 93km for Sandhan Valley).

TRANSPORTATION :-

From Mumbai-Take local train to kasara or Igatpuri . From both station you can take ST going towards Bhandardara or Shendi village (frequency is less) then take private vehicle to Samrad Village which is base village for valley.

You can take  private vehicle to bhandardhara if there is group of people which will be economic in money or own vehicle is always preferable as there is no local transportation for samrad village.

Parking is available.

WHEN TO VISIT :-

Sandhan is good to visit anytime.only situation varies, April being hot summer month will make you more tough as dehydration increases and energy degrade faster,if you are not regular trekker then avoid to visit in hot summer. 

Best time to visit valley is October to January,I would rather suggest you to go for stay in this peak season as you can get experience of camp fire.

Monsoon is not suggested as water level increases and flow is high due to which trek become difficult to descend.

WHERE TO STAY :-

You can camp at Samrad village as local people  provides you tent and matrises which they normally charge you around 500-700 per tent.

You can also camp at Arthur Lake near Bhandardhara village.

You can stay at hotels which is situated at Bhandardara village which is 23km from Samrad village.

 THINGS TO CARRY :-

-Bagpack  light and comfortable bag.

-Carry enough water bottles and food stuff in bag from samrad village, after there is nothing on route to valley.

-Energy bar or ORS to keep your body hydrate throughout trek.

-Carry power bank and camera which will help you to take  beautiful clicks.

TREK ROUTE :

Trek starts from Samrad village situated at Ahmdnagar district.You can park your vehicle in same place and can walk further to reach starting point.while travling from Bhandardara for about 30km you will find marking for Sandhan valley which is there at Samrad village.It takes 10min walk to reach entrance of valley.There are local guide from village where they may charge you around 400,better go on own as the road is quite easy from village. Samrad village is last stop to take water bottle or any other food stuff because later you wont find anything on route to valley.All trek starts with climbing but this was different from other trek as it starts with descend..

STARTING POINT OF VALLEY

This is the place where Airtel network add was take place. After few hours of trek you will pass from two water bodies,one is upto your knee point where as another is upto chest.You may feel water like freezing cold.You can pass first water body by passing through tough wall side corner where hardly we can adjust one leg or can go through water as well.These will give you very good feeling of coming to valley.

WATER BODY UPTO 4-5FEET

After descending for about 20 min you will pass through two water bodies in valley where you need some time to prepare yourself to cross the water.First water mark is upto knee which is easy to cross.when it comes to second water body we had taken our bags on head as water mark is upto chest  and you have to cross it to move further for valley.This is really an adventure you never came across such. while moving further in valley there are some parts where sun rays hardly reach.After finishing about 70% trek there are some rocks whose height is around 5 to 8 feet and you have to cross it through gap between the rocks,then you reach to exit point of  valley. To exit the valley till last you must have roping equipment unless its not possible to move further because at one level there is descending height of about 50feet which needs to cross with the help of proper rappelling. Now days people those are managing events for sandhan valley they have taken camping to next level thats hanging tent for stay which hangs from the feet of 40-50. you can exit complete valley only if you have your own repelling gear which helps you to descend you.

Some memories of valley :

HALF VALLEY WITH SUN RAYS

EXIT VIEW OF VALLEY

WALK THROUGH STONES

FINAL DESCENDING WHERE ROPING IS MUST

Most of the time trekkers returns from last rocky patch where there is no options left other than coming back unless you have rope to get down and if your vehicles are park at samrad village.

Sandhan valley trek is unique experience of climbing adventure activities such as, rappeling, camping in amidst nature,where recently people have started hanging tent stay also. In monsoon these place gives amidst beauty of valley .

MONSOON VIEW OF VALLEY :

Physical Fitness is essential for this trek.

LIFE IS EITHER ADVENTURE OR NOTHING 

ENJOY YOUR TREK

(Author :- Sambhaji Patil )