MALSHEJ GHAT...

Malshet Ghat

We all know there is lots of places out of Mumbai for Mansoon picnic spot… But for the many person nearest spot is Malshet Ghat…

Overcast skies… steady downpour… milky waters cascading down the soaring Sahyadri cliffs… the green valleys crammed with the clouds… and a thoroughfare running through the hill. At the corridors of Pune and Mumbai is the heaven called Malshej! Sometimes its known as the Kullu-Manali of Maharashtra, Malshej is adorned with picturesque countryside which beckons the nature lovers from near and far. Situated on state highway # 2, Malshej ghat is a beautiful road connect between Kalyan and Ahmednagar. 125 km from Pune and almost at the same distance from Mumbai, this dreamland is accessible all round the year by the loads of ST buses that ply on the highway. But it is highly recommended you get a vehicle of your own. No! Not a car – but a bike, for it is the best way to get intimate with this cloud nine and experience the wilderness of the ghat!

Nature then begins to unfurl and the mountains allure you with their charm. The green hills and a clear blue sky at the backdrop makes it perfect wallpaper set on the windows of your gazing eye. And this is just the beginning… Hold your breath till you get to see many such landscapes when you reach Malshej!

On Malshej to first catch a glimpse of the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam. Pimpalgaon Joga is a 5 km long bund obstructing the clear waters of the Pushpavati River, which springs out at the foothills of Harishchandragad fort. The dam is responsible for crafting a lake that inflates after downpour, soaking a stretch of land and plentiful trees with the taller ones peeping out!
Further down the highway is a short tunnel, after which the ghat begins to descend. You pierce into the tunnel, little expecting that the light at the end would fall on a series of waterfalls tumbling down a rock face. Enthralled by the sight you ride down the lane that runs beneath successive overhangs with the cold waters spilling all over you.

Malshej during cloudburst is a sheer paradise. It is the time when Mother Nature, dressed up with varying shades of green stands by to bestow you with her best. Bewitched by her beauty, the clouds go crazy and shower all their love in the form of drizzle. As the rains lash against the crags, the ghats come into their own. Wet roads make long curves along the cloud covered valleys towards the distant peaks. The haze in the environs sometimes impairs the visibility even up to 5 feet and your heart almost skips a beat when you turn along one of those long curves!


Having survived the charisma of the ride along the ghat, it is now the time to make friends with nature. So, park your bikes and get undressed to rest yourself under a cascade. The waters soon socialize with you and hit your bare body. Enjoy the rubdown and when waterlogged, drag yourself out to relish the hot bhajiyas, served at a lone eatery just near the tunnel.
From a mini cascade to a king-size rumble – the scores of waterfalls are a forte of Malshej. At times the cold breeze that blows, forces the falling water upwards creating a scene worth a watch – a waterrise!


Malshej is a splendid rendezvous with nature as you can never imagine. And the pink-legged European Flamingos had discovered it much before we could. Thousands of these arrive here every year in monsoon and their graceful mating dance – another specialty of Malshej, is a moment to be cherished for lifetime! But not every one is lucky enough. To experience this glorious jiffy, one has to wade far into the backwaters of the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam.4 km ahead of the dam, hovering at the edge of the plateau is the comfy Flamingo Hill Resort. Endowed with the location excellence, it is a privately managed MTDC inn – the most remarkable place to lodge yourself. At the backyard of the resort is the land’s end. Stand at the periphery to feast your eyes with the panoramic view of an odd 2500 feet deep valley. In the monsoon it is typically dictated by the clouds, which descend so low and the miasma makes your wits fly like a free bird. And then you begin to envy those wee creatures for their knack to fly!

Having survived the splendor of the ghat, Malshej must have already triggered millions of expectations in you. So get geared for an intimate rendezvous with nature this cloudburst!

Treking...

Trekking

Words are not enough to describe the grandeur of All Forts.

The love of nature & the pursuit of the unknown have eternally drawn man to shed the comfort and security of this home to venture beyond the blue ranges on the horizon and to discover new valleys, forests, rivers and high mountains. The quest of mountain lover is for the freedom of the hills, to be at home in the high wilderness, with no barriers he cannot pass, no danger he cannot avoid with due caution and proper knowledge. This is the essence of enjoyment sought by the trekker and the climber.

Trekking is undoubtedly of value to physical fitness but its aim is not to produce athheletes. It is an activity which should develop real love for the mountain regions and appreciation of their grandeur. Trekking leads to a closer interest in plants, trees, birds and animals, indeed in all form of nature study. It inculcate the virtue of sacrifice, the value of physical exertion, somtimes to the limit of endurance, and above all, the spirit of comradeship. A sense of adventure adds excitment towards the fulfilment of the goal.

Trekking is an art which any healthy and young minded person can learn at any age. But it is best to start early in life to get the most out of it. Trekking does not demand great strength or immense wealth but merely a desire and willingness to accept certain rough with the smooth. Once initiated into trekking, one soon learns that in order to enjoy one must minimise his wants on the trek. Yet there is no compromise with safety. Mere survival is not the freedom of the hills. There is no greater oppressor than wild nature in the raw.

A sound trekker is mindful of his own minimum needs. Trekking inculcates qualilities of self-reliance, keeping fit and willingness to help. A trekker therefore, carries on his back-in miniature-his entire home, bed, kitchen and other needs on the trek. To achieve a sense of freedom the trekker must give up certain comforts and avoid burdening himself with the non-essentials. For, the trekker has no other power of locomotion but his own legs. He learns the campcraft to make himself comfortable outdoors.

How to prepare your self for any treks?

Fitness – Most important.

1) Start walks 3 to 4 times per week; go for 45 minutes to 60 minutes brisk walk. If you can go for walks with your backpack or a smaller one nothing like it.

2) Do stretching exercise (stiff body can break down easily).

3) Built strength training (weights or GYM or at least do Surya Namaskar; Pushups; Squats and Stomach Crunches). 20 minutes 3 to 4 times per week is OK.

4) Eat good food (have 3 to 4 servings of vegetable or fruit salads per day).

5) Pranayam – Breathing exercise for developing stronger lungs.

If you have purchased a new shoe for trek, start wearing it at least 10 to 15 days in advance to get used to the new shoe.

Personal medical Kit and Toiletries
1) Velbet Skin cream for ticks or insect bytes
2) Anti-septic cream – Soframycine and Burnol
3) Paracitimol – Crocin
4) Mosquito / Insect repellent
5) Pain killers and / or any other personal medication recommended by your family doctor.
6) Detol soap,Comb
7) Small shampoo soap
8) Tiny pouch of coconut oil
9) Toothpaste, tooth brush and shaving kit
10) Torch
11) Carry all Personal medical kit and personal toiletries in a separate pouch.
Your medical Kit should contain your blood group and emergency phone number.
Other essentials in your survival kit


You may also carry goodies like camera; small - binoculars, magnifying glasses and pocket field guide to make most of the trip.

We strongly believe in traveling in small groups, leave only foot prints and take only memories.

Stuff You Need To Know

Group Size
No group will exceed 16 people (including the Group Leader). Treks will run with a minimum number of people, clearly stated with each trek summary..

Fitness
Fitness, or perceived lack of(!), is the first concern of most non-regular trekkers. Provided that you can walk for several hours over varied terrain for several consecutive days carrying a daysack containing essentials such as water, camera, sun screen, etc..., then you should be perfectly capable of completing any one of these treks.

Age
Age is no barrier provided you feel fit enough. The age range to date has been between 18 and 72. Most people join these treks because they have a passion for this type of travel and will therefore be very like-minded with all the other members of the group. It is a great advantage to have a good age range as it provides a good base for varied conversation.

Distance / How Far?
Distance in mountainous areas is generally measured in time, not miles or kilometres. Expect to walk between 4 and 8 hours and occasionally more on a daily basis dependent on numerous factors. Between 5 – 6 hrs is normal. These treks are not a test of endurance; sufficient rest is factored in and flexibility is key.

Clothing and Equipment
You do not need any specialist clothing or equipment for any treks. A good sleeping bag, daysack, boots and perhaps a duvet jacket are the only items that I would perhaps single out for special attention.

Altitude
Whilst some of these treks attain a significant altitude, do not be overly concerned. Provided that the rate of ascent is controlled responsibly and in accordance with general guidelines, then serious problems should not occur. Your Guide/Leader will be well versed in the symtoms …