Hi All,
After a Short break....I am Back.
It was after the Diwali holidays; my fellow Trekkers begged me to take them somewhere for a Simple 1day Trek. After taking all things into consideration (i.e. Travel Time, availability of Transport, Water, refreshments) we planned to go to Nagphani a.k.a Duke's Nose, Khandala.
We started from Mumbai with my beloved INDU-raani (Indrayani express) and our Bad Luck struk us from here itself. we were not able to move a single muscle in the crowded train. somehow managed to get Life back into ourselves after we alighted at Lonavala.
"wo 75 minutes" were the worst of my life. so finally reached Lonavala at 8am. Now since this trek has 2 routes i.e Lonavala - Kuruvande - Lonavla and the other via Khandala that goes through dense forested area of Khandala Ghat. I had once been there in 2006 and it was after 8 years i was going through this route.
Thanks to the Almighty for blessing me with "Unlimited Strong Memory Card in my Head", i was able to recollect the entire route (which we had done @ 4am back then).
The Trek started from Khandala Station at 9.30 am and moving above the tunnel towards Tata power plant. Its a High security area with restrictions on using Camera.
The route then goes uphill covering small hillocks. within 20 mins we were at a small plateau. so the kids (Adult but First timers) decided to utilize their SELFIE...sh skills. 10 mins of photography session, we headed again.
We reached a small built dam called 'Bandhara' - created for preserving rainwater.
The forest from here continues for 15-20 mins and is quite pleasant and gives aweome light for clicking pictures.
within 10 mins from here, we were almost at the base of the duke's nose.
again... PHOTOGRAPHY session begins. everyone was wondering that within 1.5 hrs we were near the summit.
then we moved on towards the top with a little bit of Climbing on 2 rock patches. They are easy, but first timers may get a little dicey as to go or not. but with a little guidance and motivation they were at my side, standing confident.
went atop and explored the area. showed them the spots where adventure sports like Rappelling, Valley crossing, are conducted.
since it was almost noon, decided to move towards lonavala. reached Kuruvande village within 20 minutes. to kill time, we did an introduction round while walking itself and it worked.
Now, there are Private vehicles (Tata Sumo) from kuruvande village to Lonavala charging Nominal rate per seat, but to our bad luck, there were 3 marriages in the village and no transport was available.
with such exhausted condition, non of the kids were ready to walk as it would take almost 2 hrs to reach lonavala.
Then a god-ly man agreed to drop us in his CHOTA HAATHI (Tata ACE).
reached lonavala and had a lavish lunch. took the train towards mumbai at 4pm and by 6pm, every1 was at his home with ample time to relax.
this trek is a "MUST DO" in monsoon which is sure to give you pleasure and peace.
Thanks for reading.. will meet you soon.
till then....
Good bye,
After a Short break....I am Back.
It was after the Diwali holidays; my fellow Trekkers begged me to take them somewhere for a Simple 1day Trek. After taking all things into consideration (i.e. Travel Time, availability of Transport, Water, refreshments) we planned to go to Nagphani a.k.a Duke's Nose, Khandala.
We started from Mumbai with my beloved INDU-raani (Indrayani express) and our Bad Luck struk us from here itself. we were not able to move a single muscle in the crowded train. somehow managed to get Life back into ourselves after we alighted at Lonavala.
Ek group pic to banta hai boss
"wo 75 minutes" were the worst of my life. so finally reached Lonavala at 8am. Now since this trek has 2 routes i.e Lonavala - Kuruvande - Lonavla and the other via Khandala that goes through dense forested area of Khandala Ghat. I had once been there in 2006 and it was after 8 years i was going through this route.
Thanks to the Almighty for blessing me with "Unlimited Strong Memory Card in my Head", i was able to recollect the entire route (which we had done @ 4am back then).
Khandala Tunnel: The route goes over it
The Trek started from Khandala Station at 9.30 am and moving above the tunnel towards Tata power plant. Its a High security area with restrictions on using Camera.
route toward the 1st plateau
The route then goes uphill covering small hillocks. within 20 mins we were at a small plateau. so the kids (Adult but First timers) decided to utilize their SELFIE...sh skills. 10 mins of photography session, we headed again.
View of Kuruvande village
 |
| Enthusiast trekkers with Duke's nose at its background |
Side view of Duke's Nose
We reached a small built dam called 'Bandhara' - created for preserving rainwater.
The forest from here continues for 15-20 mins and is quite pleasant and gives aweome light for clicking pictures.
 |
| Lush greenery fills you up with energy |
within 10 mins from here, we were almost at the base of the duke's nose.
again... PHOTOGRAPHY session begins. everyone was wondering that within 1.5 hrs we were near the summit.
 |
| From tip to the Cut at the base is almost 300ft. |
 |
| Duke's Nose |
 |
| Shiva temple atop |
Now, there are Private vehicles (Tata Sumo) from kuruvande village to Lonavala charging Nominal rate per seat, but to our bad luck, there were 3 marriages in the village and no transport was available.
with such exhausted condition, non of the kids were ready to walk as it would take almost 2 hrs to reach lonavala.
Then a god-ly man agreed to drop us in his CHOTA HAATHI (Tata ACE).
reached lonavala and had a lavish lunch. took the train towards mumbai at 4pm and by 6pm, every1 was at his home with ample time to relax.
this trek is a "MUST DO" in monsoon which is sure to give you pleasure and peace.
Thanks for reading.. will meet you soon.
till then....
Good bye,
