Water streams are your constant companion. You will be walking through water, splash-pitter-patter the steady background score. Which will be broken remarkably by the whistling thrush. But since the forest is dense, you won’t see it and believe it’s a rowdy group of guys trying the eve tease!
There are forts around the forest but on the Andharban trek, you will not be able to see any. Because remember how this is the dark forest? It’s covered in mist. So you‘ll just see the mountains rising up and disappearing into the clouds.
The forest itself, when you can see through the thick mist is a monotonous green. This isn’t even a monsoon special. It’s an evergreen forest, so it is just being itself, no exceptional effort on the part of the forest during your Andharban trek.
So really, the Andharban trek is just a long boring way to spend a monsoon day. Here, have a look at this video to see why going on Andharban trek is a really bad idea.
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Some more myths about monsoon trekking in the Sahyadris we want to bust:
Monsoon is the best time to trek the Sahyadris
The air is clean and pure. Waterfalls are flowing to full capacity. Trees are their happiest. There is a freshness in the air. There’s so much water around, you won’t even have to carry many water bottles.
You will have to breathe in the fresh air. You will suffer from an overload of oxygen. This will make your lungs hurt. You don’t want that to happen. Stay at home.
Monsoon treks in Sahyadris are great fun
Did you see us having any fun in the video above? We were just walking, crossing the streams and walking some more. What’s fun in that?
Clearly, no fun at all. Stay at home.
Monsoon treks in the Sahyadris boost the local economy
You hire a local guide. Get food made by the locals. Binge on the healthy snacks that the locals see at the shacks along the way. Essentially, they get paid for their expertise and uncommon skills.
Monsoon treks in the Sahyadris challenge you and test your limits
For most treks in the Sahyadris, you are climbing up a fort and down. These forts were obviously built to have a difficult access. It’s usually a steep climb up the hill – and a steep descent as well. Monsoon just adds to the challenge by introducing water to the play. You’ve to make your way through gushing streams and slippery rocks.
But the real challenge is how long you can walk straight in an inebriated state, right? Can’t test yourself like that on a trek. Stay at home!
Monsoon treks in the Sahyadris (or any treks) give you a moment of peace and quiet
If however, you get the drift and still insist on stepping out into nature, there’s no better place than the Sahyadris. Sahyadris in the monsoon is pure love.
Andharban was the kind of beauty that makes you cry (and we don’t say that lightly, we have spent time in the Amazon!). We didn’t want the Andharban trek to end. Maybe even get lost in the Andharban forest!
Our guide for the Andharban trek was a super-duper, awesome dude. He knew exactly where the risky patches were. His steady feet in the streams gushing with knee-deep water, his sense of responsibility towards each one of us, his knowledge of the landscape and the wildlife around Andharban – and his simplicity – was something that will stay with us long after the Andharban trek.
And while we step out into the Sahyadris in the monsoon, let’s be responsible.
36 thoughts on “Andharban Trek and why you should NOT trek in the Sahyadris”
Nice written article and beautiful pictures.
It’s so beautifully written. Can you please let me know how much did the guide charge you, is it per person wise?
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please share mobile number of Guide
His number has recently changed and we haven’t yet been able to obtain the correct number. As soon as we are able to trace our guide, we will update the details.
can you please share mobile number of Guide.
Nice article l, thank you. We are planning this trek in August first half, is this fine for beginners? Please suggest.
Well written piece. The sarcasm still pinching..is it true that the govt has restricted the number of travellers per day. Also is it traversable without a guide?
Does this trek include strenuous climb? or is an easy one?
It is mostly descent and little climb in between. It is not at all strenuous.
buddy… can you share number of your guide ?
Pretty much a NO NO trek! Will be a real danger for our lungs which are used to breathe in the “fresh” city air with full of boosters from “diesel” and “petrol” fumes!
BTW, really liked the sarcastic way of presenting things! Keep up the great work! Cheers!
Hehe, thanks Jayesh! We must warn you, the range there is extremely spotty, so have patience in getting through 🙂 This should be a good time for the Andharban trek – less water, so safe and the weather is good too.
LOVE the style here:) oh clearly we NEED this beauty and we NEED to step out and explore the hidden gems of Maharashtra! Sahyadris are beautiful and in the monsoons the green cover is simply healing!
Love love your captivating pictures in this!
Awesome narration, video and pics ……thanks for sharing
Thanks, Sainath! Glad you liked it 🙂
Captivating as usual!
Thank you!
Amazing blog brother! I remembered my village in Himachal pradesh, same natural beauty and cart-ploughing is still used extensively in major portion of Himachal. This is truly amazing place, I would like to visit this place. What route will you prescribe from Chandigarh.
Thanks Arun. This trek is closer to Pune city. During monsoon you should come to Sahyandris on a longer break and there are many such options. Coming from Chandigarh you can’t do only one trek here.
Nature in all its abundance , untamed and also powerful .
You’ve said it right, Preeti! Untamed and powerful – so something we ought to respect. We are priveleged to be able to expereince it.
Can you please pass on the number of your guide?
hey Sandeep, great read this.. can u put us onto tukaram? unable to reach him..
Mobile network is an issue in that part of the Tamhini ghat. Maybe he was out on a Andharban trek. While the network is available in the base Pimpri village, it is spotty on the trek. Hope you were able to get in touch with him.
haha!!
So green, so fresh and so beautiful. Oh yeah — that’s a lot of people. 🙂
Lovely background music in the video, guys.
Thank you for the monsoon sights from the Sahyadris. 🙂
Thank you Divya. We are trying to give the real feel of the place music helps a lot. Honestly, real experience is 10 times superior 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous. Except the crowds, which I hate, but I guess in India, you cannot escape them. I would love to do this, and hope I can before the end of this monsoon.
Thanks very much for sharing. You both are not only an inspiration for travellers, but also a source of credible information. Keep travelling! Hope to meet you in person someday.
Regards,
Khushnaz
Hey thanks. To avoid crowd travel on weekdays. This trek is worth doing and not to miss because of crowd.
Such mesmerizing photos
Thank you!
So much greenery around this place, a perfect monsoon getaway!
Well written. Nice video with natural background music. And yes, we all deserve the nature. What is required is proper education right from young age to preserve the nature.
Thanks. It is a gem of a trek in Sahyadris. Hope trekkers will handle it with care.
Really nice place and beautiful pics.
Thank you Sapna