Progressive Palase...!!!

The trip was planned for Tahmini Ghat and Kailashgad Trek, which eventually starts and ends with Palase due to heavy rain. Palase is the first point to Tahmini Ghat from where the waterfalls starts.

Me and Arpita started early morning on the State Highway 60. It's always a wonderful drive keeping beautiful Mulsi and its surroundings on a side.





It was raining heavily. We are drenched. So we dropped the Kailashgad plan. When we reach Palase we thought it's Tahmini, though I was doubtful cause we reached early.


Anyways, the place was crowded with young boys and girls enjoying and splashing into water. Due to heavy rain, we kept our belongings to a near by shop and went for plunging. We had a lot fun in water for a long time. The waterfall has many levels. So we started exploring level by level trekking through the streams.

The rain has stopped and we are hungry, too. So we get down to the shop, took our bags and staffs and again went up the first waterfall level. Having bread jam on the bank of a stream may sound crazy but it felt awesome.

Anyways, it's time to go up and up and to have some snaps.


 



It started raining again. So we take shelter behind the waterfall. Watching the streamflow from the behind feels magnificent.



As the rain stopped, we moved on. We are on mood to explore more and we found a narrow path going upwards. The path is full of thorn bush. As we reached the top, we found another stream flow. But unlike others, this streams flowing alone with no crowd at all.





We moved further to table land. It's spectacular all around from there.






We are exhausted, so no more exploring. We got down fast, had some hot Kanda-bhaji, changed our wet clothes and headed towards home.





It's true that we didn't reach any of our actual destination, but this place definitely didn't disappoint us.

Rolling Trolling Rail Trail @Khandala!!!

Splashing under springs, trekking in monsoon had become little common these days. So thought of doing something different... a little HATKE. I have travelled to Mumbai no. of times; and it's always splendid while crossing Khandala. Instead of enjoying the view from train, this time we planned to walk on the tracks.

We caught Sahiyadri Express from Pune station and it was so delayed (due to acccident as Kasara) that we're going to cancel the trip. Anyways, finally we started off around 8:20am (instead 7:00am) and reached Khandala station by 10:30am. And we got down on the tracks.

Khandala Station

And the tunnel starts. We thought of taking the right tunnel, so that we can see what is coming to us. But local peoople asked us to take the left tunnel as it's broader.

There are two lines going through the left tunnel and both the tracks headed towards Mumbai while the onle track in the right tunnel is for the trains towards Pune.



The tunnel is almost a kilometer long. We're thrilled as we enter the tunnel.


Water was licking from the roof of the tunnel and a train passed us. And it was more thrilling; can't explain in words.


Once you out of the tunnel it's paradise. Just for info, hills at the left side are known as Bor Ghat (sometimes pronounced as Bhor Ghat) and the right side is known as Khandala Ghat.





Dukes Nose Valley

But more tunnels are yet to come, though are not as big as the previous one.





We passed two more tunnels. And we're almost at our desired location. But, but, but...


There're more adventures waiting for us. We're just about to explore the spectacular Khandala Ghat, and we found a few Gray Langurs on the tracks at a distance around 300 meters. And within a minute, it becomes a gang of 20-25. Naturally, we're little scared. Langurs are normally of calm nature; but to my surprise they are very turbulent even more then monkeys.

We became more scared when they started copying our movement. They were moving to the same railway track where we moved. We packed everything tightly and  decided to return back. But, but, but...


It's not the end and this time, it's the monkey gang. And we left with no option except moving through them. As we get closer, we realized that they're on the tracks for the foods thrown from the trains. As we move forward, they step aside from our way. We found a old man inspecting railway tracks; we asked about the Gray Langoors and he confirms that they are harmless.
Anyways, we're already long way back from the spot and didn't go back.

We found a small way that links Mumbai-Pune Highway. We way up the route and spent the rest of the time at the various points of Khandala.


This point is really nice. In the mid of the Highway, it gives a wide view of Khandala along with the highway.

Dukes Nose Point





Panorama View from Dukes Nose Point


Sunset Point is a very popular point though I didn't get a good view of Sunset from this point despite having five visits to Khandala. In monsoon, clouds are the obstacle and in other times, it's dust.

View from Sunset Point



We walked up to Rajmachi Point. It was cloudy, spent some time. And it's time to return.

View from Rajmachi Point

After a lot bargain, we took an auto-rickshaw to Lonavla and from there train to Pune.


Final words, it was a nice hop with different flavor.