Sandhan Valley is one of the most picturesque basins in the stunning Sahyadri Western Ghats, popularly known as the Valley of Mystery or the Valley of Shadows. Water carved the 1.5-kilometer-long, 200-foot-deep valley. The valley is surrounded by the Alang, Madan, and Kulang (AMK) mountain ranges, as well as Ratangad, Ajoba, and Kalsubai (5400 ft.), Maharashtra’s highest point. A lovely and deep narrow rock-floored valley lies between the two towering cliffs of the mountain range. In some places, the width is less than 3 feet, while in others, sun rays cannot reach the ground. As a result, the Valley of Shadows is named after it.
QUICK FACTS:
Samrad village is located in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district.
Difficulty:
Moderate to difficult Altitude: Descending valley hike with a depth of 200 feet and a length of 2 kilometres.
BEST TIME FOR SANDHAN VALLEY TREK
A trek to Sandhan Valley is good at any time of year, except during the summer. It gets hot and humid, and enduring the heat depletes your energy, making the stroll less enjoyable. Hikes in the Sandhan Valley are very memorable and enjoyable in the winter, autumn, and even monsoon seasons.
HOW TO GET THERE
Road: Rent a vehicle and go to Samrad village. The distance between Mumbai and Sandhan Valley is around 200 kilometres, which takes 4 to 5 hours to go. Alternatively, you may take a state transportation bus from Mumbai or Pune to Igatpuri-Ghoti, from where buses to Bhandardara Camping 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 vehicle to Samrad. There are several shared jeep trips available. You may also take a long-distance train to Igatpuri, which stops there.
TREKKING ROUTE
Start your walk in Samrad and you’ll be trudging through shallow water bodies 2 to 4 feet deep within the first few hours. On the way down, you’ll come across Tarzan Swing Point, where you’ll rappel and utilize a rope ladder before doing some cave crawling. Then you’ll descend and trek across rock spots. There will be deep water pools to wade in, large rocks to climb over, and then the camping place. Bann Pinnacle and Ajoba Hill will be seen from your vantage point.
RETURN JOURNEY
Continue down from the pond over mild slopes and a riverbed hike to Dehne hamlet, where buses to Asangaon station are accessible. Alternatively, take the same road back to Samrad and take a shared jeep to your destination, or stay at Bhandardara for a longer vacation.
EXPENSES– Travel costs range from Rs 5000 to Rs 8000 for a self-drive automobile from Mumbai to Bhandardara (round trip). Train tickets would range in price from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1200. (return fare). The cost of a shared jeep is Rs 50 per passenger. Bus tickets from Mumbai to Bhandardara would cost between Rs. 600 and Rs. 800. Overnight camping is available at the gorge campground with your own tent. 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. Food: During the voyage, food will cost somewhere between Rs. 200 and Rs. 600. Trek companies would charge between Rs. 1600 and Rs. 2000 for a Sandhan Valley trek package.
PLACES TO STAY
For the finest camping experience ever, stay overnight at the Gorge. There are no hotels or resorts in the area, although Samrad offers homestays through locals. These shoes strike an excellent balance between comfort and elegance. You may stay at a more nice hotel in Bhandardara if you don’t wish to tent there overnight. Consider staying at the MTDC resort, which is quite popular. There are a few nice hotel and resort options in Bhandardara (such as Anandvan resort) where you may unwind in luxury after a day of roughing it. FOOD- Because it is a shadowy ravine hike with no settlement nearby, there will be no food along the way. Locals in Samrad village, however, serve a variety of home-cooked meals, including bhakhri, poha, upma, bhaji, dal, and rice, as well as fresh and hot Marathi food. Before you begin the walk, eat a nutritious and filling breakfast, bring food for the night, and have a hearty lunch at Dehne or Samrad. If you go on a group trip, the trek operator will feed you.
PLACES OF INTEREST
AMK excursion Only if you’re not entirely fatigued following the Sandhan Valley Trek, hike uphill to explore the old forts of Alang, Madan, and Kulang. These are strenuous hikes, so take a day off at Bhandardara and then start trekking again. Fort Ratangad Take a reasonably hard ascent from Bhandardara to Ratangad Fort for another thrilling hike. Waterfalls in Nanhe What A lovely waterfall may be seen at Ratanwadi, just a few kilometres from base camp. Attractions in Bhandardara Bhandardara Waterfall Visit the many and beautiful waterfalls in Bhandardara, such as Umbrella Falls, Kalsubai Peak, and Randha Fall, as well as Wilson Dam, Arthur Lake, and Ratanwadi’s quaint town.
SAFETY TIPS
This journey should not be attempted by first-time hikers without the assistance of a guide or a trekking company. The trip will put your stamina to the test. If you have a medical problem, a weak heart, or high blood pressure, stay away from it. Bring energy bars, insect repellent, and a jacket with you. Carry a comfortable backpack and pack light. 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. Do not pass up the chance to go on this adventure as soon as possible. Trekkers, adventurers, and normal travellers have all given it wonderful reviews.
