Getting Lost in Sandhan Valley in Samrad Ahmednagar Maharashtra

TWO DAY TREK IN VALLEY OF SHADOWS a.k.a. Sandhan Valley

I was Fan of Die Hard but not as die hard[pun intended] as after this trip to

Sandhan valley it is a 2.5 km long valley

surrounded by sheer rock about 300-400 feet long and

the valley is just about 10 ft wide at its narrowest point and with irregular rocks

and boulders scattered around makes it trekkers delight;

like what bruce willis said

when he is told by boss that all he has to do to pick up some kid...

but it turns out to

be great and

dangerous adventure

Bruce Willis:

"[mocking his boss] "Can't be a uniform John!" [to bystander]

"Feds called in a favor!

All you got to do is go pick up a kid (groans) in Jersey and

drive him down to D.C."

how hard that can be,huh cant be that hard,No,can it?No"

Thats what I Remembered when my friend MAHESH and

SANTOSH called me to plan

trip to Sandhan Valley;Nothing just go there ...step down some

little hill...

float in small pond and come back...

nothing fancy.But after pleasant drive from

Lonavla to Bhandardara approx of 7 hours with zig zag

route to small village of Samrad in Ahemadnagar

I got know what I they are upto when I saw range of

mountains like highest peak of Maharashtra 'Kalasubai',three peaks of Alang,

Malang and Kulang thrust into sky.Famous Harishchandragad is nearby.

But the area was heavenlike with greenery all around and several waterfalls.

and several waterfalls scattered all around especially in Rainy Season.Its good place to

camp here near plains of samrad village to camp out and enjoy the galaxy of stars in the night

After going to Samrad Village we met our guide Anil and helpers Maruti there.

they collected all the rappelling stuff and all the utensils to cook.

We roamed for 15-20 mins towards valley.I got know the what trip was,

when i saw the mouth of gigantic valley with scatterd rocks of size of two storey building.

Still I summoned my courage said to myself lets do this quickly and get to the pond

and come back.

but after some time climbing down, I told told our guide Maruti

that I want to go back to pavillon.

he smiled and said “look back”.I was gasped when i saw that those mammoth

rocks and boulders of around 70 feet were impossiable to climb.

then there was only one choice left for me to go forward!!!

After some it was like going in going in big snakes body with darkness all around.

We gazed all around and there were only rocks of sizes one on another.

It was scary sight.

I am not Spiritual Person;but while climbing down I got spiritual thoughts like

Why this is happening to me?

Who on the Earth planned this trip?

And at the end of trip I started to believe in GOD!!!

By the way below is the photo going throgh valley.

.

Then we got to point where we have to go through ice cold water of mans height

for some 50 feets with all the shoes and backpack in hands.Then actually

down ward trek begun,with a lots rocks on the one on another

it was hard to maintain balance on them.After approx

one hour we had sumptuous lunch prepared of Bhakri and Pithale

prepared by our Masterchef Maruti.After small nap

we resumed trek with reluctance.we fill so much belittled by

natures gigantic strength and beauty at the same time.

we were surrounded by gigantic rocks and valley;

"like rat in trap".

Then we arrived at rock patch of about 50-60 foot where we have rappel down.

Its pretty easy for normal guys but for me it was horrible but great experiance;

Since how wire of one inch width can support guys like me.But thanks to our

experianced guides and great motivation & ridicule

from my friends not to forget Law of Gravity i came down safely ...ha ha...!!!

above Rock patch for Rappelling of aprox 60 feet

There were two small patches of rock where we have to use wire to climb down

from above. After 7 hours of climbing down approx at

7 PM finally we saw some what plain surface with pond with lots of water.

Our cook started to prepare for Dinner.With readymade spot made for oven 'Chul'

in rock itself

We roamed for some time.

we got the rare chance to see Dance of stars at night from aperture created by

10 feet wide and 250 ft long walls.

Great dance of stars which we rarely see in our urban areas.

We enjoyed Great dinner prepared by our Masterchef with friends.

Then tent was set up and chatting started about how innocent

we were when we planned the trip.Because for any trip we need to have proper

backpack not travel bags like us and normal gear like Night Battery,

Trekking shoes,Lighter,Crepe Bandage for emergency,power bank for mobile.

Thank god we had experianced and skilled guide for this place.We slowly

went sleep as mischivous Wind started to roam in the valley.

In the Fresh Morning we started our upward journey back to Samrad Village.

It was no big deal as always just to cross three mountains with

some Medium [Very for me] rock patches with no rope!!!!

it took us 6 hours to go upward but great thing between that at this height also there

we found watersource nearby created by water strems dried after mansoon.

[ resting after Hardest rock patch]

after some long upward climbing for about hour or so we got to top of sandhan valley

to my dear plain surface!!!

got refreshed with tasty Nimbu sharbat and Dip in Cold water at Bhandardara dam nearby.

It was great experince to remember!!!

spot on the map[thanks to shrikantescapades.com]

Some facts of Trip

Distance from Mumbai 185 kms

Height of Valley around 2000 feet not sure.

Water bottle and glucose.

Precautions

Get the Guide.

Trekking shoes.

Extra pair of clothes.

Tent sleeping bags provided by guides.

Route to Valley

Igatpuri - Shendi- Bhandardara- Ghatghar dam- 20 km and Samrad Village.

search on the internet for guides and nearby places to go which we missed as

it was short trip of 1 and half day

and For people like me Embrace the adventure; you not as bad as you think.