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Chopta Tunganath Chandrashila Trek:- Solo Trek Turn into Amazing Group Trip

Travelling :- It Leaves you Speechless, And Turns You Into A Storyteller – IBN BATTUTA

"If You Never Go, You Will Never Know"

Ukhimath Road

I prefer Traveling Solo, so this time also I started Solo From Mumbai. My Plan was last minutes plan but I have waited for 5 to 6 months for long travel. Traveling route was easy Mumbai to Delhi, Delhi to Rishikesh, Rishikesh to Chopta. Well that’s what I was thinking till Reaching Rishikesh.
But in reality it was Mumbai to Delhi, Delhi to Rishikesh, Rishikesh to Shrinagar, Shrinagar to Rudraprayag, Rudraprayag to Kund, Kund to Ukhimath, Ukhimath to Chopta. I stayed in Shirnagar for a night then started remaining journey at next morning. Traveling after Rishikesh is kind of hectic but seneries is the best I have ever seen, mountains and road running along river. At the night of full moon it get best of it like sky is so bright full moon & stars, you can see mountains and small lake in between mountains reflecting light moon it was amazing.
I travel till Rudraprayag Solo. Then I meet 3 friends group (Sanjay, Rakesh P. Rakesh J.) and Laksya from Delhi. After that we travel in group has blast of enjoyment. So from where I should start ?

Area :- Garhwal Himalayas
Duration :- 4 days – 5 days
Best Season :- March – June and September –December
Grade:- Easy
Altitude:- 4090 Meters
Total Trekking :- 30 K.M
How to Reach:-
Reach Chopta By Air
The Jolly Grant Airport, which lies in the city of Dehradun, is the closest air link from Chopta. You'll find regular flights flying from Delhi (India's capital) to the domestic airport of Dehradun. After arrival at airport, you can hire a cab to cover a distance of around 226 km and reach the hill station of Chopta.

Reach Chopta By Rail (By Train)
Rishikesh lies at a distance of around 200 km from Chopta. It's, therefore, the nearest rail way station. There are regular express trains running to the town from different tourist destinations of the country. You can first catch a train to Rishikesh and then cover the remaining distance by road.
Reach Chopta By Road (By Bus)

Mumbai to Delhi, Delhi to Rishikesh, Rishikesh to Shrinagar, Shrinagar to Rudraprayag, Rudraprayag to Kund, Kund to Ukhimath, Ukhimath to Chopta.
Things to do and places to see in Chopta Region:-
Trek to Devariyatal (2.5 kms from Sari Village )
Trek to Tunganath and Chandrashila ( From Chopta)
Visit Tunganath Temple ( one of the Panch Kedar Shrines)
Ukhimath ( Winter Home of Lord Kedaernath)
Mukkumath ( Winter home of LoRD Tunganath)
Kartikswami Temple ( 108 kms via Rudraprayag, 3 kms trek from Kanakchauri)
Snow capped Himalayan Peaks : Nanda Devi at 7817 Meters, Trishul at 7120 Meters, Kedarnath at 6831 Meters, Bandarpunch at 6316 Meters and Chaukhamba at 7138 Meters.
Chopta –Tunganath – Chandrashil Trek
Chopta is located Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and lies on the Ukhimath – Chamoli – Gopeshwar Road. There is 2 Chopta in uttarakhand so people who are relining on Google map should go for Chopta near Ukhimath. Distance of Chopta from Haridwar is 225km. People who are traveling by public transport should be aware that there is no transport during night from Rishikesh to Chopta plan your trip according.

Chopta :- Popularly Know as ‘Mini Switzarland’ among travelers, chopta is a hill station in the mountains of uttarakhand. Chopta is located at an altitude of approx 2650M. Chopta is small region of meadows and evergreen forest area which is a part of kedarnath wildlife sanctuary located in Uttarakhand state, India. Chopta is known as a base for trekking to Tunganath, third Temple of Panch Kedar. Chopta is the epicenter of all Panch Kedars (Famous Shiva Temple), two on left sides ( Kedarnath and Madmaheshvar) and 2 on right side ( Rudranath and Kalpeshawar) and one at the top of chopta ( Tunganath), Which is one of the Highest Shiva Temple in the world.

Once you reach Chopta you can take necessary Things like Rubber shoes or Rain coats Sticks hand gloves for trek.some times you have to pay entry fee to go for Tunganath – Chandrashila Trek. Trek start with Stone stairs and outstanding mountain view after 15-20 min Trek.
In Winter all this area is get covered in Snow. I was visited in April still there was snow in area Freezing Rain was pouring after every 30-40 minutes. It was very cold yet we didn’t wanted to stop so many people was returning due to heavy Freezing Rain, Fog and wind. But me and my Trek buddy from Delhi Rakesh Didn’t Stop, We wanted to reach Tunganath, wanted to see temple.

I was wondering whole trek how it will be when I reach top ? Because for 1^st time in my life was Trekking in Himalayan region. Mostly I have Trekked in Sahyadri Region so I had Zero Experience for Snow Trek. And Trust me it is hard to walk in Freezing Rain on Hard ice. Its like Mother Nature is testing you before Showing you Magnificent sites of her. You will be scared same time you will Tempted to carry on. I was fall for 3-4 time during trek , one time was about to fall in ice valley but thanks to metal bars at the edge I was able to control my speed but hey you need Adrenaline Rush to enjoy Adventure same time you need to be careful. After 2 Hrs trek all other people was return to Chopta Base camp because visibility of Tunganath area was Very low.

Fog

Trek Buddy

Little Ganesha Temple

We were going to Tunganath. At the one point we thought to go back but we couldn’t, we waited and fog cleared after some time and we were 5 min away from Tunganath Temple it was spiritual experience. We started running toward the Temple shouting “Bham Bham Bhole”.

Snow Chadar.

We reached at temple, the temple was closed and locked because every Temple from pancha kedarnath opens only around May to November 1^st week. In Winter season it gets closed & locked down as this area sees heavy snow fall in winter season. So we spend around 1-2 hours at temple area after that we decided to go down. I wanted to stay there but i had only one sleeping bag and my tent was with those three who couldn’t make till temple.so we went back but till that time it was already around 7 PM. It was dark when we started walking towards chopta. In trek like these you always carry essential things like Torch, First Aid, Water, Chocolate bars, and sleeping bag so if you get stuck for night you won’t have to worry.
We reached at base camp chopta around 9 -9:30 pm. Till then others threes have booked room for all of us it was around 500-700 Rs per head. We had dinner then food is normal you can eat it not much fancy not much bad. You will have veg - non Veg option, price is little high but acceptable as we are getting food there and there is no other alternative for it.
Now those three who didn’t make it till temple on 1^st day started saying they want to go in morning again because we were literally told them story about how things were there how we found temple. Although it was there all time and we couldn’t see. So finally we decided to go back again in morning. I also wanted to go back because yesterday we couldn’t complete trek till Chandrashilla. So we had fun till midnight we rolling and laughing it was amazing because most of us was stranger we didn’t know each other but we had fun like any thing.
Next morning we left around 6AM it was very chilly morning temperature was around 0℃.

It was very pleasant morning moon was about say goodbye for a day, Sun was come about to take over on day shift. Second day trek was hard, because of last night rain was harden and we were unable to walk on it. Still we went to Tunganath I fall two three times and got minor injury but it was worth it.

In morning we completed trek till Tunganath Temple an then started to trek for Chandrashilla unfortunately we couldn’t completed it due to lack of experience. Trek Was almost 70 to 75 degree angle. It was educational. I will say that incomplete trek kept me going for every time.

Last Point Still waiting for me....

I promise my self I will learn how to trek in snow after that. Overall experience of trek was good. We went down and started our return journey. Return journey was like Chopta - Ukhimath- Rishikesh-Hardwar- Delhi- Mumbai.
I had so much fun also made so much fun. Life is always like this its not that you will have to complete in Frist try what is important is never giving up. Well after this trek I have completed Kedarkanth Trek that story for next time.
Bham Bham Bhole…!!!

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DANGEROUS TREK TO KALAVANTIN DURG

KALAVANTIN HEIGHT- 2300 FEET

DIFFICULTY LEVEL- MEDIUM

TIME REQUIRED TO TREK- 3 HOURS

BASE VILLAGE-THAKURWADI (PANVEL)

Another faint hearted trek after Dhak Bahiri was Kalavantin Durg. In Marathi language Durg means Fort. This fort lies near Mumbai for its danger-ridden path and has already lost several live; nonetheless, it still looks attractive.

Kalavantin Durg is a 2250 feet high summit located in the Western Ghats, near the Prabalgad fort in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is also known as Kelve Teen, Kalavantincha Sulka, or Kalavantin Pinnacle. It is one of the popular trekking destination. According to local guides, it was built for queen Kalavantin in the 15^th century, around the same time as neighbouring Prabalgad fort.

HOW YOU CAN REACH TO KALAVANTIN DURG

By Air:

Nearest airport is Mumbai and Pune which is further well connected to other major states of India.

BY Road:

Panvel is 140 km from Pune and 80 km from Mumbai. Easy roads available to drive by road and those are very scenic in rainy season. Thakurwadi village is further 14 km from Panvel.

By train:

Get down at Panvel railway station on Mumbai Harbour line, walk further 5 min to reach state transport bus stand and take transport bus to Thakurwadi village. Bus fare is normal between 30-40 RS.

Cabs are also available to reach Thakurwadi village.

LEFT SIDE KALAVANTIN DURG AND RIGHT SIDE PRABALGAD

History

Kalavantin Durg’s history is often mixed with that of the nearby Prabalgad Fort. The Prabalgad Fort was built by the Bahmani Sultanate to keep an eye on the Panvel Fort and Kalyan Fort in the North Konkan area. Around 1458 A.D, “Malik Ahmad” the prime minister of the kingdom of Ahmednagar, took over the fort during his conquest of Konkan. After disintegration of the Bahmani Sultanate, the fort remained with the Ahmadnagar Sultanate.

During the collapse of Ahmednagar Sultanate, Shahaji led a helping hand against the separate forces of the Mughal Empire and the Adil Shahi dynasty. After the collapse of Sultanate, he moved to Muranjan along with his wife Jijabai and son Shivaji for a brief period of time. However, following Shahaji’s defeat and the agreement of Mahuli, North Konkan along with the fort, was ceded to Mughals who granted ruling authority of the area to Adilshah of Bijapur. Chhatrapati Shivaji conquered the fort from the Mughals in 1657 A.D, after which established himself in the Kalyan-Bhivandi area. During the attack of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the fort was governed by “Kesar Singh”, a Mughal sardar and was force to put up a strong resistance. Singh dead during the battle in October 1657. Kesar Singh’s mother hid herself and her grandchild during the attack. Chhatrapati Shivaji in act of kindness made sure the lady and the child were allowed a safe passage out.

In the year 1826, Umaji Naik, a freedom fighter and his associates were believed to have made the fort as their home for a brief period of time.

INITIAL ROUTE THAT GOES TO PARKING POINT AT BASE VILLAGE

Coming to my experience, so most awaited day had arrived. It was time to give this positive energy a direction. Positive energy to trek to Kalavantin Durg. A trek to top of Kalavantin Durg is considered one of the most challenging ones in the Western Ghats. If anyone traveling through local transport then need to walk further 15 minute to reach base village. There is small home at base village where you can park your vehicle and also foods are served there. They charge 30 RS for Two wheeler. From there route starts with zigzag. After walk of 15 minute there is one check point where you need to pay 50 RS to pass further for trek. You may witness show of fireflies in night time. A long hike from base village will take you through a dense forest and treeline for quarter of the way up, then it opens up in to rock. Be very careful here. It is worth the climb up, when you see the expensive view from top. This is the same route that goes to Prabalgad fort, the only thing you have to take right to Prabalgad and left to Kalavantin from Prabalmachi plateau.

NARROW ROUTE TO WALK FURTHER TO TREK WHICH HAS VALLEY OF RIGHT SIDE AND IT IS THE COL BETWEEN KALAVANTIN AND PRABALGAD

There is small temple of Hanuman and Ganesh on route. The summit is accessible via a 3 km hike from the Thakurwadi village in Karjat taluka. After Prabalmachi village (2km from Thakurwadi), the hike route diverges in to two paths: the shorter one towards kalavantin Durg, and the longer one towards Prabalgad fort. You don’t need confuse here because there are marking available here. The route to Kalavantin is a roughly 60 degree incline, and invlolves rock-cut steps that are as high as 2 feet. After half an hour trek from Prabalmachi village, we reach the col between kalavantin and Prabalgad fort. From here there are rock cut stairs which are quite steep and have bigger height. These rock cut stairs are easy to climb unless one has vertigo or fear of height. Climbing stairs in rainy season is tricky. So, we should take upmost care. After the climbing these giant steps slowly for some time we were almost at the top of pinnacle.

ROCK CLIMBING PART AT KALAVANTIN

The last part of the trek was still to negotiate, “Rock climbing”. On top there is Orange flag and nothing else. One could see Prabalmachi plateau from the top and Prabalgad standing behind. One can also see Matheran, chanderi, Peb, Irshal and Karnala forts.

STEEP STAIRS TO ASCEND

If anyone wants to do camping, there is enough space available at plateau where you can pitch own tent and experience camp fire. There is small hotel at this plateau that serves home made food. Kalavantin and Prabalgad is one of those trek which is also famous as night trek and you may find good amount of crowd on weekends.

Descending down from any trek is easy but to pass rock part it was bit hard for us. Somehow we managed to get down from rope and then another 1 an half hour we are down at base village.

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE TREKKING TO KALAVANTIN:

Try to avoid going in monsoon as rock becomes sleeper to climb. Several live has been lost here.
Try to start the trek early morning because sunlight heat ups the rocks in the afternoon.
Don’t try to take selfie while climbing from last patch of this trek.
Keep proper hiking shoes.
One can pitch own tent also at base village.
Don't leave any plastic behind.

Do follow me by mail for further trek itinerary and complete guide.

Author : Sambhaji Patil

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DEVKUND WATERFALL ( JUNGLE TREK TO HIDDEN WATERFALL)

Devkund (Dev means God and Kund means Reservior) is hidden waterfall which is less known and more Nailing. It is ‘plunge’ waterfall pouring massive amount of water on rocky surface. The place is till date so true to its name. It is confluence of three waterfalls and it is said to be the origin of Kundalika River. It is located in Bhira Patnus and recently went viral on social media. Recently It has become more popular and one of the crowded place. Several live has been lost as some armatures tried to visit without knowing anything. It is three hours trek from base village passing through back water to reach ‘Devkund’.

HOW TO REACH DEVKUND

Devkund is close to 170 km from Mumbai and 100 km from Pune. One can take direct train to Karjat, Khopoli from Major cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nashik which is further connected to other cities of Maharashtra state in India, then travel to Pali by bus and from there again to Bhira village which is base village of this trek. Traveling with own vehicle can also be good option and time consuming. From Mumbai you can drive to Khopoli-Pali-Bhira. From Pune you can drive to Tamhini ghat and then to Bhira village. ( From Khopoli to till Bhira bus fare goes upto 60 to 70 rs one way).

After getting in touch with social media I found Devkund a hidden waterfall from Bhira village which is less known and more graceful. I goggled more about this hidden trek and found one of the mesmerizing trek from Maharashtra and went on my bucket list. I started collecting information to reach there and also heard that though it is mesmerizing it is also dangerous as several live has lost there. I gathered more information from people who have been visited there. I found it is safe if we go with proper information. It was monsoon when we made plan to head to Devkund.

Being frequent traveller I usually prefer to travel by bike which is money saving and also time consuming for me. So this time also I took my Honda shine and Activa along with my 3 more group mate travelled to Devkund via Khopoli Pali road. It took us 2 and half hours to reach Pali as road ahead of Imagica on Pali road is under construction. As we were reaching Bhira village there were so many bikers and cars on the way to Bhira. Those crowd was only for hidden trek. We reached Bhira village and parked our vehicle at one corner. After reaching near to Devkund we all were so happy but here comes some twist in story. There was huge queue of people coming for Devkund at entrance of the forest where start point of trek lies and those people were disappointed. When we went to check what has happened, there were few police in front and said us due to huge crowd near to waterfall area we are sealing off tourist to enter. All our happiness was gone till now. As like other treks in monsoon Devkund can one of those trek that can be done in heavy rain but our prediction was wrong After sometime everyone tried to request police as they had come from far away that too with long trouble wherein few travel companies came with their group, after 10 minutes they showed their kindness and asked us to move in queue towards our landing place, and our happiness started recovering. (Message to take is avoid going in heavy rain as chances of road blocks and trek closed are more because of water flow).

Moving further we started our trek through dense forest where the walking trail is as narrow as people have to hold each other while passing to those who are coming from opposite direction. Initial 45 minute trek is through dense forest and some vast area that also passes through Bhira dam with marvellous view of back water on left side. People also do camping near to this back water in other season as view of surrounding is amazing. This trail is well marked with arrow so there is least chances of getting lost. Slight descent from here will take you along the banks of the reservoir from where the trail advances further into forest. In this 45 minutes trail you have to cross the river as increased in water flow was making it bit difficult. At one crossing there is one thick rope tied to cross this water streams, and at second river local villagers have put wooden bridge to cross Kundalika river that goes from this trail and as only 3 to 4 persons at a time can pass through that bridge that takes some time when there is crowd. There was only lust greeneries wherever you keep your eyes that was putting a glimpse on our eyes.

MARKING ON THE WAY TO DEVKUND AT JUNGLE TRAIL

FIRST WATER STREAMS THAT NEED TO CROSS WITH THE HELP OF ROPE

After this trail route started climbing up for some more minutes. Though the climb isn’t steep, you may need good amount of energy. You may find small huts selling lemon juice and snacks. The climb is through dense forest hence little care needs to be taken while maneuvering. Once you start the trek I am pretty sure you will take photo session break for every 10 minutes as view are amazing filled with greeneries. Post completion of this climb a 10 minutes trail is open that passes through rocky patch and it also takes you to Beautiful waterfall called Devkund.

BACK WATER PLACE AT DEVKUND

WOODEN BRIDGE THAT HELPS TO CROSS THE KUNDALIKA RIVER STREAM

Locals have marked line of control bisecting the pond. Swimming in the first half of bisection is allowed. No one is allowed to go to the point where water streams directly hits the ground as the depth over there is around 60 feet and there have been incidences of visitors drowning in it. We stayed here for sometime to enjoy what we had come for.

we started return journey since we had to reach before sun set. While reaching waterfall it was raining due to which we could not click much photos. You can carry some food and water along with you which will help to keep you energetic. There are home-made food option that are available at base village. This is the end of our trek. This is one of the advent

Our total expenses being couple was:

Petrol- 650

Food-250

Entry fees-100(per head 50)

Guide is not mandatory, one can go on own.

some of the memories of trek

IDEAL TIME TO VISIT DEVKUND TREK

It is best to go during the monsoon. Temperature is on lower side and the atmosphere is perfect for trek. Avoid going in heavy monsoon as locals closes the trek. Post monsoon up to February month you can visit there to witness waterfall. Apart from temperature you can also visit there if one wants to do camping near back water.

Do plan for this hidden trek, enjoy your adventure and do follow me by mail for more treks information.

Auther :- Sambhaji Patil

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DEVKUND WATERFALL ( JUNGLE TREK TO HIDDEN WATERFALL)

Chopta Tungnath Chandrashila Trek:- Solo Trek Turn into Amazing Group Trip

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