| Fort Name : | Alphabetically | RangeWise | DistrictWise | CategoryWise | GradeWise |
| Sandan Valley - Karoli Ghat | FortHeight : 4000 Ft from MSL | ||
| Type : Hill forts | Fort Range : Kalsubai | ||
| District : Ahmednagar | Grade : Hard | ||
| Sandan Valley is a wonder of nature & gem in the Western Ghats of Sahyadri. Due to the heavy rainfall in this region, there is a strong flow along the slopes. The eroding nature of the water cutting through the rocks for centuries led to the creation of beautiful natural caves at Sandan Valley. Due to this the, even if the river is 7- 8 ft. wide, at some points we can see rocks sticking out together from the upper side. The giant rocks found around the caves have added to its natural beauty. After summer when rains start, the hot rocks come in contact with the cold raindrops and this develops cracks. | |||
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| Fascinating Spots : | |||
| From Samrad village within 10 minutes lies the valley of Shadows i.e. Sandan Valley. Once we enter the cave the rock patches seem to be closing upon us. At some point the wide path disappears and one has to pass through neck deep water (Depth of water is more after monsoons). In this part of Sandan Valley, the river is 10 ft. wide with 150 ft. high rock patches on both sides. At a certain point the rock patches start merging together to form beautiful natural structures. Another 30 minutes of trekking brings you to the edge of the valley. From here we can have a splendid view of numerous rock arranged in a straight line. After witnessing this spectacular view we start our journey to the base of the valley which takes around 1 to 1.5hr,on reaching the base a we are welcomed by a 45ft rock patch standing tall and unuttered by time and civilizations. Rappelling technique is used to descend this rock patch. After finishing rappelling, we continue our journey through the rock lane, from where again at 2 places we find 8 to 9 ft. Tall rocks which have to be descended using the rappelling technique. Going further at one point huge wall like rocks restricts the way. Here we need not to climb the rocks instead we need to descend rock patches within the gaps of rocks one person at a time can descend, bags can be dropped below with the help of rope. After finishing this rock patch we reach to the plain surface. After a 4 -5 hours walks from rocks patches the plain surface offers a heavenly view. At a certain point the river meets the pond, the plain rock surface at this spot can be used for night halt for the trekkers from where one can also view the arrow pinnacle. Also we need to climb down the hill to reach the pond. After another 15 minutes towards the right we can see a small pond which meets the river. From this spot we can reach the Karoli Ghat. If we continue walking for another 2 hours we reach Worpad Dhangarwadi. There is a proper motor road from Worpad from where a 30 min ride will take you to the base village of Ajoba Fort in Dehane Village. | ||
| Karoli Ghat : | ||
| After descending from Sandan valley once we reach the pond a 15 min walk will take us to the point where the pond meets the river bed. From here we can leave the river bed and climb the hill to reach Karoli Ghat. This route takes 2 to 3 hours to reach Samrad. After starting the climb to Karoli Ghat one can view replica of Konkan Kada from Harish Chandra Gad. After climbing another 2 rock patches, we reach Samrad Plateau. Further during our climb to Karoli Ghat at back side we can views Ajoba Hill & Seeta Palna. And after reaching to plateau we can also view Ratangad & khutta pinnacle. From this plateau it takes 15 minutes to reach Samrad Village. | ||
| Ways To Reach : | ||
| From Pune : | ||
| From Pune Narayangaon Sangamner Akola-Ratanwadi takes you to Samrad. The distance between Pune to Samrad is 220 km. | ||
| Mumbai - Ghoti - Shendi - Ghatghar Colony - Samrad : | ||
| Reach Ghoti on Mumbai Nasik Highway. On the way to Ghoti Sinnar (Shirdi) Bhandardara phata exists from there it takes 25 km to reach Bhadardara.Shendi village is at a distance of 1km from Bhandardara. From here take a right to reach Ghatghar. From this route distance between Ghatghar colony to Shendi village is 22 km. From Ghatghar Colony the road to the left will take you to Samrad. Please Note That after Shendi village sign boards have been displayed which shows turn left for Samrad village but dont take the left turn. Continue to Ghatghar colony on straight route and then take left route. From this way Mumbai to Samrad distance is 134 km. | ||
| Mumbai - Asangaon - Shahapur - Dehane - Worpad : | ||
| Mumbai - Kalyan-Asangaon (35 minutes by Local train) - (By Autorickashaw/Bus 3 km)-Shahapur; (By Bus 30 km) Dolkhamb; (By jeep 12 km) - Dehane. From Dehane to Worpad its a half an hour journey on foot. From Dehane via Karoli Ghat it takes 3 to 4 hours to reach Samrad. Or else one can reach directly to Worpad from Mumbai by private vehicle. For completing Karoli Ghat - Samrad-Sandan in one day one can takes vehicle to Worpad Village. | ||
| Mumbai - Ghoti - Bhandardara - Ratanwadi - Samrad : | ||
| Reach Ghoti on Mumbai Nasik Highway. On the way to Ghoti Sinnar (Shirdi) Bhandardara phata exists from there it takes 25 km to reach Bhadardara. Bhandardara Ratanwadi-Samrad distance is 26 km. The distance between Mumbai to Samrad via Bhandardhara is 136 km. | ||
| Accommodation Facility : | ||
| One can get easy accommodation for 20 people 10 each in temple and school at Samrad. To stay in the valley on can camp near the pond on the plain rock surface. | ||
| Food Facility : | ||
| Need to carry food or can be arranged with the help of locals | ||
| Drinking Water Facility : | ||
| During summer, water is not available along the trails, hence sufficient water should be carried | ||
| Notes : | ||
| 1. Sandan Valley Trek can fall into the easy or difficult category of trekking depending on the trekker. a) In Easy Type one need to start early in the morning from Samrad after finishing rock patches, slope starts from there one reaches to Samrad. From this route one experiences the thrill of walking through water. b) In difficult type one need to start early in the morning from Samrad and carry all the required equipment for rappelling through the rock patches. 2. 1 or 2 day Sandan Valley Trek can be done in following ways:- a) Samrad Sandan Valley Karoli Ghat Samrad b) Samrad Sandan Valley Worpad Dehane c) Dehane- Worpad-Karoli Ghat-Samrad-Sandan Valley-Worpad- Dehane For doing above mentioned trek in 1 day, small group with all rappelling instrument is preferable else for big group 2 day trek is suggested. 3) In Sandan Valley Stay can be done near to pond on open rock patches. 4) 2 months after the rainy season this trek can be done. During the month of March due to the water depth ropes have to be used to cross the water patches. 5) In the month of May Drinking water is available only at the starting point of Sandan Valley & lastly near the pond so trekkers are advised to carry sufficient drinking water. 6) In Samrad Village one can hire a guide & collies are available on hire to carry heavy luggage. | ||
| Marathi Version |