Kalavantin Durg...
Kalavantin Durg!!!
Kalavantin is a high pinnacle located on the northern edge of Prabal Plateau in the Panvel region under Raigad district of Maharashtra. It was used as ' Watch Tower'. The trickiest part of the Kalavantin Durg trek is its last stretch where one needs to traverse through steep stairs and climb a vertical rock patch to make it to the pinnacle.
Height:2300 feet
Grade: Moderate
My experience:
How Kalvantin durg looks from Prabalgad( taken from google)
Looking at the photos of the rock-cut stairs on Kalavantin on youtube claiming to be one of the scariest fort in Sahyadri, I always wanted to climb this fort as an avid trekker and this curiosity brought me to this giant structure known as “The Kalavantin Durg”
This trek was organised by Y.H.A.I Malad Unit on 27th January 19 (is a Non-Profit Organisation for hiking, adventure activities and social work.) Meeting point for this trek was Thakurwadi; the base village of Kalvantin and Prabal fort.
We were 12 members with 2 personal cars reached base village en route having breakfast at 9 am and started with our trek at around 9.30 am.
First glimse of Kalavantin and Prabalgad
The initial stretch is a muddy trail with the terrain being mostly flat. As you trek a little further, you will reach a checkpoint where one needs to show an ID card and fill the required details in a register. An entry fee of INR 50/person is charged. Further walking for 30mins you reach Prabal Machi.
Prabalmachi is a small village that lays en-route and it is here where the camping is generally done.
From Prabalmachi
Trekking through some forest patches for around 15-20 minutes will take you to the point from where the rock-cut stairs start.
As easy as the steps looked to climb, some found it difficult to climb the stone steps! The terrain was uneven and steps high. The ascend to the peak becomes challenging yet for a regular trekker the rock-cut stairs isn't that scary as they seem to be in the videos on YouTube. A Humble advise from me to you is not to go with the videos and photos on YouTube, please do read articles, blogs, information about the fort you are visiting from Onesome trusted websites. One needs to be careful while climbing and while descending as there is exposure to the entire valley.
Definitely, this is more of a thrill for those who climb such forts for the first time.
To climb the last patch of Kalavantin Durg, one needs the assistance of a rope and on weekends there are helpers who guide you while climbing and descending.
Only 5 out of 12 climbed the final patch for some were first timers and others senior members.
Words cannot describe the feeling of elation on reaching the peak.
The orange flag, the surrounding mountain peaks, the blowing wind all just too perfect.
We were back to Prabal Machi at around 12.45pm and had our lunch which was pre-booked before we started climbing.
From Prabal Machi it takes around 45mins to descend without any halt. Overall it takes 5 hours to and fro. We started our return journey at 5 pm and were back home by 7.30 pm. To say a Sunday well spent by climbing one of the scariest peak as per Google Guru!!
Highlights of Kalvantin Durg
1.How to Reach?: The cheapest way to travel is by train nearest railway station is Panvel and from Panvel, regular bus operates for Thakurwadi village, once can also opt for shared auto or tumtum.
By Road (Mumbai - Thakurwadi approx 50 km). Parking facility is available at base village.
2. Stay and Food: At Prabalmachi, there are few locals who provide stay options. One can also book a tent for which the charges are 200 INR /person. For tent bookings, you may contact Vaibhav snacks corner (9870943281),
Hotel Soham (9923726930) and Samarth Dhaba (8879464073). Also, you can set up your own tent if you have one. All along the trail, there are small huts where you can get the basic food items. Some of them do provide proper lunch/dinner as well.
3. Best season: From October to February also can be hiked in monsoon but that would be a little risky with the last patch. So in monsoon( at your risk).
4. Expense: 300/- ( Included Breakfast, Lunch, Sugarcane & Lemon Juice, Entry fees.)
Kalavantin is a high pinnacle located on the northern edge of Prabal Plateau in the Panvel region under Raigad district of Maharashtra. It was used as ' Watch Tower'. The trickiest part of the Kalavantin Durg trek is its last stretch where one needs to traverse through steep stairs and climb a vertical rock patch to make it to the pinnacle.
Height:2300 feet
Grade: Moderate
My experience:
Looking at the photos of the rock-cut stairs on Kalavantin on youtube claiming to be one of the scariest fort in Sahyadri, I always wanted to climb this fort as an avid trekker and this curiosity brought me to this giant structure known as “The Kalavantin Durg”
This trek was organised by Y.H.A.I Malad Unit on 27th January 19 (is a Non-Profit Organisation for hiking, adventure activities and social work.) Meeting point for this trek was Thakurwadi; the base village of Kalvantin and Prabal fort.
We were 12 members with 2 personal cars reached base village en route having breakfast at 9 am and started with our trek at around 9.30 am.
The initial stretch is a muddy trail with the terrain being mostly flat. As you trek a little further, you will reach a checkpoint where one needs to show an ID card and fill the required details in a register. An entry fee of INR 50/person is charged. Further walking for 30mins you reach Prabal Machi.
Prabalmachi is a small village that lays en-route and it is here where the camping is generally done.
From Prabalmachi
Campsite
From Prabalmachi 2ways split, left to Kalavantin and right to Prabalgad
Trekking through some forest patches for around 15-20 minutes will take you to the point from where the rock-cut stairs start.
As easy as the steps looked to climb, some found it difficult to climb the stone steps! The terrain was uneven and steps high. The ascend to the peak becomes challenging yet for a regular trekker the rock-cut stairs isn't that scary as they seem to be in the videos on YouTube. A Humble advise from me to you is not to go with the videos and photos on YouTube, please do read articles, blogs, information about the fort you are visiting from Onesome trusted websites. One needs to be careful while climbing and while descending as there is exposure to the entire valley.
Definitely, this is more of a thrill for those who climb such forts for the first time.
To climb the last patch of Kalavantin Durg, one needs the assistance of a rope and on weekends there are helpers who guide you while climbing and descending.
Only 5 out of 12 climbed the final patch for some were first timers and others senior members.
Words cannot describe the feeling of elation on reaching the peak.
The orange flag, the surrounding mountain peaks, the blowing wind all just too perfect.
We were back to Prabal Machi at around 12.45pm and had our lunch which was pre-booked before we started climbing.
From Prabal Machi it takes around 45mins to descend without any halt. Overall it takes 5 hours to and fro. We started our return journey at 5 pm and were back home by 7.30 pm. To say a Sunday well spent by climbing one of the scariest peak as per Google Guru!!
Highlights of Kalvantin Durg
1.How to Reach?: The cheapest way to travel is by train nearest railway station is Panvel and from Panvel, regular bus operates for Thakurwadi village, once can also opt for shared auto or tumtum.
By Road (Mumbai - Thakurwadi approx 50 km). Parking facility is available at base village.
2. Stay and Food: At Prabalmachi, there are few locals who provide stay options. One can also book a tent for which the charges are 200 INR /person. For tent bookings, you may contact Vaibhav snacks corner (9870943281),
Hotel Soham (9923726930) and Samarth Dhaba (8879464073). Also, you can set up your own tent if you have one. All along the trail, there are small huts where you can get the basic food items. Some of them do provide proper lunch/dinner as well.
3. Best season: From October to February also can be hiked in monsoon but that would be a little risky with the last patch. So in monsoon( at your risk).
4. Expense: 300/- ( Included Breakfast, Lunch, Sugarcane & Lemon Juice, Entry fees.)
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