Overview of Sandhan Valley Trek:
Sandhan Valley Trek is also called the Valley the Shadows because the sun’s rays do not reach the ravines. In the Sahyadri highlands, there is a magnificent canyon. It is one of Sahyadri’s most challenging and enjoyable treks.
Sandhan Valley Trek , near Bhandardara near Igatpuri, offers an adventurous experience unlike any other. You don’t only walk; you also rappel, rock climb, sleep beneath the stars, and enjoy bonfires. The natural Gorge of Sandhan is located between the Alang, Madan, and Kulang forts, hence the designation AMK. This hike is well-known for its new status, fantastic photo opportunities, and off-the-beaten-path terrain.
Quick Facts:
- Location: Samrad village, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.
- Altitude: Trek down a valley that is 200 feet deep and 2 kilometers long.
- Trek Time: 5 hours
- Difficulty level: Moderate to strenuous.
Best Time For Sandhan Valley Trek:
Except during the summer, any time of year is suitable for a hike to Sandhan Valley. It gets hot and humid, and surviving the heat saps your vitality, making the walk less enjoyable. Sandhan Valley treks are particularly memorable and pleasant in the winter, autumn, and even monsoon treks
How to Reach Sandhan Valley:
You must first travel to Kasara or Igatpuri to access Samrad village.
- Road: Drive down to Samrad village in a self-drive automobile. The distance between Mumbai and Sandhan Valley is around 200 kilometers, which takes 4 to 5 hours. You can also take a state-run bus from Mumbai or Pune to Igatpuri-Ghoti, where buses to Bhandardara are available, and then a shared jeep to Samrad hamlet.
- Rail: From Mumbai, take a train to Kasara. From CST, take the Kasara Fast train. Arrive in Kasara and reserve a shared jeep to Samrad. There are numerous shared jeep trips available. You can also take a long-distance train to Igatpuri, which stops there.
- Flight: Sandhan and the surrounding villages do not have any planes.
Sandhan Valley Trek Route:
Start your walk at Samrad, and you’ll be trudging through shallow water bodies 2 to 4 feet deep within the first few hours. You’ll come across Tarzan Swing Point on your descent, where you’ll rappel and use a rope ladder before doing some cave crawling.
Then you’ll descend and hike across rock spots. There will also be deep-sea pools to wade in, enormous rocks to climb over, and a camping spot after that. Bann Pinnacle and Ajoba Hill will be seen from your vantage point.
Return Journey:
Extreme adventure camping in a hanging tent Descends from the pond through mild slopes and a riverbed stroll to Dehne village, where buses to Asangaon station are available. Alternatively, you can return to Samrad by the same trail, take a shared jeep to your destination, or stay at Bhandardara for a more extended holiday.
Sandhan Valley Trek Cost
- Travel: A self-drive automobile from Mumbai to Bhandardara (round trip) can set you back to anything between Rs 5000 and Rs 8000. Train tickets would range in price from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1200. (return fare). The cost of a shared jeep is Rs 50 per person. Bus tickets from Mumbai to Bhandardara would cost between Rs. 600 and Rs. 800.
- Accommodation: In the gorge campsite, pitch your tent for the night. The cost of a night’s stay in Samrad village can range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 800. Budget stays in Bhandardara start at Rs. 1000 and go up.
- Food: During the journey, food will cost anywhere between Rs. 200 and Rs. 600.
- Sandhan Valley Trek Package: Trekking companies would charge between Rs. 1600 and Rs. 2000 per person.
Places To Stay Near Sandhan valley:
For the best camping experience ever, stay overnight at the Gorge. There are no hotels or resorts in the area, although Samrad offers homestays through locals. These are a good compromise between comfort and style. If you don’t want to camp overnight, you can stay at a more pleasant hotel in Bhandardara. Try MTDC resort, and it is pretty popular. After a day of roughing it, there are a few posh hotel and resort options in Bhandardara (such as Anandvan resort) where you may relax in luxury.
Food:
There will be no food en route as it is a shadowed ravine trek, with no habitation around. But there are plenty of home-cooked meals offered by Samrad village locals who cook fresh and hot Marathi cuisine, including bhakri, poha, upma, bhaji, dal, and rice. Before you begin the walk:
- Eat a nutritious and complete breakfast.
- Bring food for the night.
- Have a hearty lunch in Dehne or Samrad when you arrive.
If you go on a group trek, the trek operator will feed you.
Places to Visit Near Sandhan Valley:
AMK Forts:
Only if you’re not entirely fatigued following the Sandhan Valley Trek, hike uphill to see the old forts of Alang, Madan, and Kulang. These are strenuous hikes, so take a day off at Bhandardara and then start trekking again.
Ratangad Fort:
Take a reasonably arduous ascent from Bhandardara to Ratangad Fort for another thrilling hike.
A lovely waterfall may be seen in Ratanwadi, just a few kilometers from the base camp.
Bhandardara attractions:
Visit Bhandardara’s many and beautiful waterfalls, such as Umbrella Falls, Kalsubai Peak, and Randha Fall, as well as Wilson Dam, Arthur Lake, and Ratanwadi’s quaint town.
Igatpuri attractions:
At Igatpuri, only a few hours away, visit Myanmar Gate, Tringalwadi, Ashoka Waterfall, and Thal Ghat.
Safety Tips for Sandhan Valley Trek:
- First-time hikers should not attempt this journey without the assistance of a guide or a trekking company.
- The trek will put your stamina to the test. If you have a medical condition, a weak heart, or high blood pressure, stay away from it.
- Bring energy bars, insect repellent, and a windbreaker with you.
- Pack light and carry a comfortable backpack.
- If at all possible, bring a power bank and a DSLR camera.
- Bring adequate water from the village of Sandhan. It’s possible that the water in the trail streams isn’t safe to drink.
- Unless such a trekking organizer had established a porta-potty, there are no facilities on the trail.
Do not pass up the chance to go on this adventure as soon as possible. Trekkers, adventurers, and regular travelers have all given it beautiful reviews.