So this was our trip last Sunday. Jambughoda is a famous wildlife sanctuary near Vadodara. There are few campsites and resorts within and near this sanctuary. But this one is less explored or maybe our timing was off.
The distance between Vadodara to Bhat Eco campsite is 60 km and appx time is 1 hour 10 min. But we started our journey early as sheel wanted to see the sunrise from Vadatalav lake on the way. I have read somewhere that most of your problems will be solved if you see the rising sun daily. So true!!! Nowadays we read and see so many books and sites to wake up before 5 am. But our culture, our elders, and our ancestors are telling this for ages... Isn't it our Brahmamuhurtha?
And as we expected the sunrise was as mesmerizing. There is something about golden linings along with the clouds and the sun like mother's bindi. It feels warmness in the ignorant cold corners of the heart.
So after we left the lake, we went to Bhat directly. It's just a 25-30 min drive from there. We reached there by 7:45 am. Initially, our plan was to walk on the entire trail to Ghagalmata temple, which is there on the hill. But as the guide and person at the office suggested that the trail is of appx 6-7 km. So it will be difficult once it starts getting hot. We decided to go by car and then for the last 2 km we can go on foot. We suggest that if you are with family, take a guide with you because it's a really difficult path in between and the villagers' homes are not directly on the way.
It's a deep jungle. Though according to the guide the beauty is in the monsoon, we love shades of brown in the summertime. How can we appreciate the beautiful meshwork of tree branches with their leaves? Trees are in their purest form. As they are standing tall with all pride and determination. Determination to never get tired. Determination to come back strong next season. I love this harmony of trees and leaves. Leaves that were an integral part of the trees are now hugging the ground and still, the trees let them go and nurture them again. This is the Harmony of a circle. Haven't we been taught about this circle since we are young but we can't understand its full meaning, rather we ignore this amazing concept? But nature never forgets to teach us this again and again...
Along the way, there were plantation sites for dragon fruit, all provided by the government. Many people were picking up flowers from the jungle and those were Mahua flowers, for desi daru.... as it is one of the main forms of earning for the villagers.
We parked our car when appx 2 km were left and started our journey on foot. The exciting thing was we can see the footprints of hyena on half of the trail. There are appx 70-80 leopards, 60-70 hyenas, and 10-15 bears in this sanctuary. If you want to come by trekking the entire way then the trail is totally different and it is a shortcut.
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When we reached the point, the view was captivating. There were hills all around us with a view of Dev reservoir in between. It was a windy and pleasant atmosphere, but yes, the scenery must be totally different and enthralling in the monsoon. We would definitely add this to our bucket list of monsoon travel. They also have made a watch tower at this point.
On the top, you won't get anything so please take water with you. As per reviews, the food in the campsite is good and they make it in their kitchen fresh only. But we didn't have it so can't opine on that.
Now comes the really thrilling part of our day. The guide took us to the cave. It's almost 1/2-1 km walk along the trail, once you park the car. You need to have a guide with you or you will not be able to find a way. It's a cave from the time of the Britishers. They used it for mining purposes. It is a pitch-black cave. You must have a torch with you. The other end of the cave is blocked partially by the rocks due to landslides. There are two other passages from the cave on either side, which are appx 1/2 km long. We didn't dare to go in them. The bats were flying freely above our heads. We literally had to bend and walk. It was really scary yet hair-raising!!!
There are other two caves like this. But we decided to end at this one only. We wanted to make our first experience of a cave a special one. Because we never forget our firsts. We love our first though they are terrifying. Be it the first hike or be it the first bike ride. Be it the first day of the job or the first play on stage. And this first will be special because it was the first for all four of us!!! These small little experiences are the bases and foundations of our kids' lives and maybe down the lane after few years they will be telling this story while enjoying their firsts...See this is the beauty!!!
So to cut short we have to come again for such a riveting experience and to see this amazing forest in its lush green form.
Sharing few details of the Bhat Ecocampsite. If you want to stay, you need to do a booking online only.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/jYXzsKzWooG2 - campsite
Main office: Chief Conservator of Forest
Kothi, Raopura.
Contact no: 0265- 2425136
Local guide no: Maheshbhai - 7096571951