On July 17, 2010, We company friends (Pradeep, Rajdeep, Sameer, and Sameer's friend Sadat) went for trekking for an offbeat trek to Kamalgad from Kates Point of Mahabaleshwar. The story behind this is, First we had already made an decision to go to Aajobagad near Malshej ghat on two wheeler. But somehow it got canceled. Then we have decided to go for Makarandgad near Poladpur. But when we reached mahabaleshwar, we missed our S.T bus. Then we have an option i.e. Kamalgad from Kates point.
Firstly, we all were amazed that how we are going to make up this one. because we don't know what is the route. where is it. and how difficult is it? Out of 5 of us, Only i had little idea about this trek. thanks to http://trekshitiz.com.
Then we finally decided to go for this challenge. We had or lunch in Hotel "Sher-e-Punjab" in Mahabaleshwar market. After lunch, we went to hire a cab which will drop us on Kate's Point. Then on Kate's point we asked the route to guide and guide showed the starting point of this trek. See the below image
We started our trek. As Sameer is new, he was struggling a bit while descending but then he managed quite well then we reached at point where we amazing greenery and awesome view of Balkawade dam wall and backwater.
Then we started moving further and we encountered thick forest on the way.
After passing through thick forest, we came to quite exposed area where there is deep valley on one side.
Then we reached at a point, where one can see the base village "Golewadi" and awesome view of Balakawade dam. Then slowly we started moving downwards. The funniest thing i would like to mention here is, Our friend Mr Rajdeep is advising us to keep our foot at right place at a time of descending and he himself fallen 10 times atleast while descending. Sorry Rajdeep!!!!!. Then we came at the base village where we had a small halt of 15 minutes because there is a small water flow flowing.
Then we proceeded towards Balkawade dam where we need to cross the dam wall. Amazing is it??????. We need to reach in "Nandgane" village which is base village of Kamalgad. Slowly we started moving towards Balkawade dam and then what we saw is absolutely amazing. we saw the dam wall right in front of us and we all went speechless.
We need to croos the wall now. We moved towards bridge before the wall. When we reached towards bridge, we saw amazing beauty of nature. Everybody stopped there and started capturing the photos. Amazing view of Balkawade dam backwater, greenary on hills, Dam road with street lights on, Wind-mill, Villages with small houses, Temples, fight between rain and sunshine etc. We all were feeling that, we are in some different world.
Then we started crossing dam wall.
We started moving towards our destination i.e. "Nandgane village". Slowly and slowly and after asking to couple of villagers, we then reached near Nandgane village. It's a small village having small school, big hall where a trekker make night halt. The people in the village are very cooperative. We bought ready to eat food for our dinner. Also villagers provided us Chappatis for our dinner. Also they helped us in boiling the food that we bought.
We had a very good sleep at the night. The village is very clean so there are less number of mosquitoes. At a 6:00 A.M. we started ascending kamalgad. Again our friend Mr. Rajdeep taken a back step as he was very tired on early day. Then we four (Me, Pradeep, Sameer, Sadat) went ahead. The route is very easy and full of greenery and full of awesome surroundings. One can see Panchgani top lost in clouds and sunshine in bottom.
Soon, we reached near Gorakshanath temple which is on Machi of the fort.
We went ahead from temple. The route from temple is through thick vegetation. One should be very careful. After that we reached near small water cistern which contains pure and cold water. Can't describe it in words.
We moved ahead. And after couple of minutes of walking, we reached near Dhangar's house. From one can see Kamalgad top. But we were not able to see it because of clouds. We waited for some time. after few minutes, clouds are disappeared and we saw top portion of the fort.
The top is surrounded by thick forest. Now we move ahead for last destination. After few minutes, we encountered entrance to top of the fort. one need to put extra effort to climb this patch. As sameer is new to this, he got confused. but at the end, we successfully climbed that patch.
On top of the fort, We saw awesome view of the main attraction of this fort i.e. "Geruchi (Kaavechi) vihir". We went inside using steps and had some photo sessions inside. Then we moved outside and relaxed.
Firstly, we all were amazed that how we are going to make up this one. because we don't know what is the route. where is it. and how difficult is it? Out of 5 of us, Only i had little idea about this trek. thanks to http://trekshitiz.com.
Then we finally decided to go for this challenge. We had or lunch in Hotel "Sher-e-Punjab" in Mahabaleshwar market. After lunch, we went to hire a cab which will drop us on Kate's Point. Then on Kate's point we asked the route to guide and guide showed the starting point of this trek. See the below image
We need to croos the wall now. We moved towards bridge before the wall. When we reached towards bridge, we saw amazing beauty of nature. Everybody stopped there and started capturing the photos. Amazing view of Balkawade dam backwater, greenary on hills, Dam road with street lights on, Wind-mill, Villages with small houses, Temples, fight between rain and sunshine etc. We all were feeling that, we are in some different world.
We are in sad mood because we are not able to see any surrounding beauty because of clouds. We sat there for few minutes, then i shouted "Dekho dekho kya hai" and we went speechleess. Clouds got disappeared.
Then we started descending quickly because we need to catch 11:00 A.M. ST bus to Wai. we reached base at 10:15 A.M. There are couple of trekkers who were going upwards. Then we got 45 minutes to enjoy near Krishna river. We enjoyed a lot there. Thanks to Rajdeep for his homework.
Finally ST bus arrived, and we moved with awesome memories of this trek. From Wai, we caught Maruti VAN towards Pune. We had couple of friends in VAN (Amol Bhilare from Indian Army) and thanks to Jugalbandi between Rajdeep and Sameer.
For all photos of this trek, please go through http://picasaweb.google.co.in/prasadpardeshi23/KatesPointToKamalgad#
