Sandhan Valley trek
This Sandhan Valley is also known as Valley of Shadows as the sun’s rays do not reach the ravines. It is a spectacular valley in the Sahyadri mountains. It is one of the most difficult and exciting routes in Sahyadri.
Sandhan Valley located near Bandardara near Igatpuri, offers an adventure experience like any other. You not only walk, you recall, climb rocks, enjoy fires and camp under a starry sky. Sandhan’s natural gorge is between AMK forts – Alang, Madan and Kulang, hence the name AMK. The tour is famous for its untested nature, excellent ops for photography and a well-traveled track.
Location: Samrad village, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.
Height: The slope of the valley is about 1,600 feet [200 m] deep and 2 miles [2 km] long
Travel Time: 5 hours
Difficulty level: Measure difficulty
Best Time for the Sandhan Valley Trek
At any time of the year it is good to take a trip to Sandhan Valley, except summer. It is hot and humid and all your energy is reduced by enduring the heat, which makes the trip less enjoyable. Winter, autumn and even heavy rains to the Sandhan Valley are fondly remembered and delighted.
Road: Book driving cars and head down to Samrad village. The distance from Mumbai to Sandhan Valley is 200 kilometers that can be covered in 4 to 5 hours. Alternatively, from Mumbai or Pune, you can travel by bus to Igatpuri-Ghoti from where the buses are located in Bandardara and take a shared jeep from there to the village of Samrad.
Train: Take the train from Mumbai to Kasara. Take the fast Kasara train from CST. Get off at Kasara and book a shared jeep to Samrad. More shared jeep rides available. You can also take the long-distance train stop at Igatpuri.
Flight: No flights to Sandhan or nearby valleys.
Start your trip to Samrad and in the first few hours, you will be walking in shallow water two to four feet [4 to 4 m] deep. On your descent you will encounter Tarzan Swing Point, you will remember and use a rope ladder after which there will be a cave crawl.
After that you will go down and up among the rock patches. There will be shallow pools of water to enter, followed by large stones and you will reach the camp. Your ideas will include the peak of Bann and Ajoba Hill.
Return to Journey
Continue down the lake through the steep slopes and along the river bed and reach the village of Dehne, where buses are available at Asangaon station. Alternatively, take the same route back to Samrad and make a shared jeep back to your destination, or stay in Bandardara for a longer vacation.
Travel: Cars driving from Mumbai to Bandardara (return) can cost you from Rs 5000 to Rs. 8000. Train tickets will cost anywhere between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1200 (refund).
Shared jeeps cost Rs 50 per person. Bus tickets to Bandardara from Mumbai will cost anywhere between Rs. 600 to Rs. 800.
Accommodation: Camped all night in your tent in the gorge. Home accommodation in Samrad can cost from Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 per night. The budget for Bandardara starts from Rs. 1000 onwards.
Food: Food will cost anywhere from Rs. 200 to Rs 600 during the trip.
Sandhan Valley Trek Package: Trekk employees will charge from Rs. 1600 to Rs. 2000.
AMK Castles
Go up the hill to find the ancient castles of Alang, Madan and Kulang, only if you are not completely exhausted on the Sandhan Valley Trek. This is a forced climb, so maybe rest in Bandardara for one day and then walk again.
Ratangad Fort
Take another exciting trip from Bandardara to Ratangad Fort, with a slight hike.
Nanhe Ghat Waterfalls
Visit this beautiful waterfall at Ratanwadi, a few miles from the base camp.
Bandardara Attractions
Visit the many and spectacular waterfalls in Bandardara, such as Umbrella Falls, Kalsubai Peak, Randha Fall and visit Wilson Dam, Arthur Lake and walk to the beautiful village of Ratanwadi.
Igatpuri attractions
Visit Igatpuri for a few hours and explore Myanmar Gate, Tringalwadi, Ashoka Waterfall and Thal Ghat.
