Vasota and Nageshwar Caves
Adventurous Jungle Trek to Vasota and Nageshwar Caves
If you always wish to explore the wilderness through a jungle trek, then Adventurous Jungle Trek to Vasota is what you should go for. The Vasota Fort is located near Bamnoli, around 150 Km South of Pune in Satara district and 300 Km Southeast of Mumbai. This trek is also called as Vyaghragad trek (Vyaghra means tiger) as it is one of the most scenic and adventurous thrilling treks in Sahyadri range.
Basic Info:
Vasota fort is situated near the Bamnoli village in the Satara region. The fort is reserved under the Koyna Wild Reserve and forest department. This region is the home of many wild animals like wild dogs, bears so it’s quite dangerous in the forest at night. The beauty of the forest is so wonderful with its surroundings, one will be awestruck by this scenic beauty. The route of this trek is through the thick dense forest.
Grade: Moderate (Don’t do this trek in the rainy season. The area gets filled with blood sucking leeches it's better to avoid this trek in the rains.
My experience
I had heard a lot about Vasota Jungle trek but never had a chance to visit this fort and then a few days back one of my Trekker friend asked me that she is planning for Vasota. I without a second thought just said, 'I am In for the trek'. Almost for the next whole week the plan had so many ups and downs from arranging vehicle, people cancelling till the last moment , but I had made a commitment to myself and to my friend whatsoever happens I am not going to quit and finally 6 of us were ready and according to the plan we all gathered at Bhivandi on Saturday night and started with our private vehicle ( owned by of our team member).It was already midnight, we were late by 2hours as per our plan but that did not affect our further plan (so happy to say )
We took a few stops as it was a really long drive. Everyone in the group was new to me but my friend had assured me that you would never feel any difference and it was just as she said.
Around 7 am we reached Bamnoli, I was disappointed to see such a crowd never heard Vasota trek is more of a picnic than a trek, yet thought of going ahead and enjoying the day. We parked our vehicle and enquired about the boat, a boat carries twelve members in each boat. We were six so the search was for more six and what a coincidence there was a group of six from Pune just beside us and now the task was to have breakfast and carry our pack lunch for the trek because we did not prebook our meal but we could see many hotels providing the same. Without wasting time we freshened up had tea and breakfast and packed our lunch and headed to catch the boat.
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| Reflection |
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| Way towards Vasota by boat |
It takes 1.5 hours to reach the start point of the Vasota trek while on our way we informed Punekars that we would be going to Nageshwar Caves further and they were okay with it and said we may also join. At the Entrance, there is a checkpoint and that is to check if we were carrying any plastic with us for that we had to deposit 200Rs and we would get back our money when we get back all the plastic which we were carrying. (This as per me is a beautiful initiative and I believe should be applied to all of the forts around India).
Entrance to the Koyna Forest
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| Hanuman temple |
We started around 10 am and after 10-15 mins walk, came across a Hanuman temple and then was the gradual inclination further it became steeper but the best part was the whole route was from the forest which did not make our climb tiring.
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| Koyna Backwaters |
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| First glimse of Vasota fort |
After 1.5hrs we reached the top of the fort, it was actually crowded could not find peace, the other group (Punekar) were already tired and reached 30-45mins after us.
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| Water Tank |
We explored the fort in next 15-20mins and decided to head towards Nageshwar Caves and this time we were only six of us because the traverse was long and difficult as well we had to walk fast to manage our time to get down before 5 pm.
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| Way towards Nageshwar |
Nageshwar cave is the sacred temple of Lord Shiva where it has a unique Shivaling on which water drops throughout the year naturally.
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| Steps for Nageshwar |
In next 1.5hrs we were at Nageshwar Caves that is at 2 pm. Already two groups were resting in the cave so we took a halt for 10 mins and decided to descend near to water source(well) and have our lunch. Further started our way back at 3 pm.
This time we took the other route which is supposed to be a water route. The route was easy as it was hardly 15-20mins descend but all through the morning, so the biggest task was to concentrate on your path. It was like (najar hati durghatna ghati that types route) This route took 1.5hrs to reach to the Hanuman temple which we had crossed in the start. But as said before both the routes are through the shadows and so you don't feel tired. The other group was already waiting for us for 1 hour.
Around 5 pm we headed back to Bamnoli with sweet memories all were tired, sleepy but I kept myself awake to see the sunset.
With a cup of tea, we started our return journey to Mumbai, took a halt near Katraj to have dinner.
We reached Bhivandi at 1.30am. Mumbaikars an advice to you, the journey from Bamnoli to Mumbai is approx 7hours without halt plan your trek accordingly.
Highlights of the Trek:
Accommodation Facilities. : It comes under the forest department, therefore, night stay is restricted.
Drinking Water Facility: Carry 2ltrs water compulsory.
Food Facility: Carry packed lunch from, base Village which is easily available.
Best time to visit: October to February.
Ways to Reach
To reach Vasota Fort, you have to reach Satara first by NH4. The Bamnoli village is further 40 km approximately from the main city Satara. This is the base village of this vasota fort trek. You can reach Satara by Bus from Pune/Mumbai. From Bamnoli Village, there are boats available which will take you to the base of the fort.
Total time required for climbing Vasota is 1.5 hours and to Nageshwar from Vasota 1.5 hours
Personal Expenses:
Snacks and Tea: 50/-
Breakfast and PackLunch: 85/-
Boat and Forest charges: 363/-(3500(boat) forest 850) for 12 person
Toll: 115/-
Dinner:130/-
Diesel UTV vehicle from Bhivandi - Bhivandi:535/-
Total:1278/-
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