2012-01-26-Bhimashankar–Dhakoba Traverse

Route: Khandas – Sidi Ghat – Bhimashankar – Kondhwal – Ghonemal – Damdamia – Ahupe – Doni – Hatvij – Durg Killa – Dhakoba – Amboli Ghat – Palu

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One of the best treks I have ever done where we could complete the planned route even after getting lost couple of times, and it was all due to the stretched mentality of the “Machine” Prasad J He never wants food, water or  rest when on a trek.

Going up the steep Sidi Ghat route to Bhimashankar, nice jungle walk from Bhimmashankar to Kondhwal village avoiding the boring road walk, then after a break going to the Ghonemal plateau to get fabulous views of Siddhagad and the surrounding mountains and finally our scenic campsite in the Bhimashankar jungles. Perfect weather for camping.

Next day starting for Damdamia not knowing the route, going off track for 2 hours, meeting our man Friday (a villager from Ahupe) who helped us back, still getting lost in the jungle maze of Damdamia but finally the strong team we were, found the way to Damdamia top, come what may.

Reaching Ahupe in evening and staying in the school, amazing dinner at a villager’s place (how long can you tolerate the MTR and ready to eat food).

Early morning ST Bus ride to Doni and then a long walk up and down several valleys with thick jungles to Hatvij village and then further on to Durg Killa and then Dhakoba plateau where our next round of adventure would start. Again getting lost for  2 hours in the Dhakoba plateau jungles before finding our way to the Dhakoba top and then finally making our way to the Amboli village for night stay.

We had nice walks around the village with cold evening breeze for company and did some star gazing too.

Next day it was a thrilling downhill via the ferocious Amboli Ghat to Palu village from where we would take the ST bus back home.

Numerous water breaks in the jungles, warm and hospitable village stays – especially the amazing food of vegetables, bhakri, rice and dal, camping in the jungles, walking despite your feet hurting and going to the next level, finding the top to the next mountain, reaching the mountain visible at the far end of the horizon the very same day walking on 2 legs and beyond to the village for night stay. That’s what this trek was all about and I enjoyed it to the max.