Sunday, August 3, 2014

Vasota Fort Trek and Camping in Bamnoli village

11:06 PM






Vasota Fort is one of the most isolated forts in the district of Satara of Maharashtra state. Trekking this fort fills the bucket list of thousands of trekkers. It was the month of July. Rains had started in Mumbai. And rains means waterfalls, green mountain slopes, trekking, camping. This time it was a little far from Mumbai where I live.

Vasota or Vyaghragad!

The name seemed strange to me, I had never heard it before. As per the trekking clubs it is one of the most adventurous jungle treks in Maharashtra. Vasota fort is not easily accessible and government authority keep it close for 3 months of monsoon.

How to reach Vasota:

For Mumbai folks:- There are two options
First, they can catch a Satara bound train from Dadar railway station.
Second, they can get a bus from Elphinstone bus depo in the west, right under the Flyover. Private buses operate regularly for Satara. Private bus operator charge around 250-300 per person. State Transport buses are costly, they charge around 390 rupees per person.

After reaching Satara, they can hire a private taxi which costs around 1500 rupees for Bamnoli village. OR Wait for ST buses in Satara bus depo. First of them starts in the morning at 5:30AM and second at 7 AM, better confirm with the ST depo for exact timings. Bus ticket from Satara bus depo to Bamnoli village is around 25-30 rupees.

Where to stay:

Vasota fort falls in Wild Life Reserve area. Nobody is allowed to stay in the fort or camp in the jungle. Wild life is quite active in night.
However, there are number of hotels in Satara. Also, a basic hotel is opened in Bamnoli village right at the entrance.

Here starts my journey:
Four of us were at Dadar railway station first floor ticket counter. Ticket booking counters were not crowded as usual. Train to Satara was to leave in 20 minutes.

Camping in Bamnoli
Album pic





Mumbai to Vasota fort trip
L to R: Saurabh Shetye, Gaurav Rathod, Amit Mishra (behind), Niraj Yadav (me), Rajkumar Jha (behind), Sachin Joshi

We were confused whether to catch train or go by bus. Bus as an option came before us in the very last minute. I knew it earlier but somewhere in my mind I wanted to avoid and therefore kept it aside (I am afraid of ST buses).

10 minutes to go. Sachin and I decided to have a look at the situation on the platform. Train had arrived some few minutes ago on the platform.

Standing on midway of the stairs for the platform, a deep look on the platform scared us. Only heads and nothing. We rarely travel using reservations, usually we get into chalu dabba.

But there was no chance to get in general this time, long queues of men and women made us replan our strategy.

We returned to the ticket counter. Train had left the station when 5th fellow arrived.

We caught train to Elphinstone road. Walked some 15 minutes in west to a place crowded with long private buses on both the side of roads. We got a deal for Rs. 250 per person in one of the private bus which was scheduled to leave at 11:30 PM. Placed our luggage in the bus and went down to fill our rations. Bought instant noodles which we generally use during night camping, some biscuits, wafers and jaljira.

Gulping the Falooda:

Just as me and Rajkumar ordered two glass of Faluda on the other side of the road, we heard the honk of our bus. Falooda is an item which needs time to enjoy it. We just gulped down our throat almost freezing our teeth :)

It was 2:30AM, bus stopped for a refreshment near Talegaon. Deep dark night, silence spread all over, cool breeze washing the surrounding and you in the midst of hustle sipping your chai.

Night halt near Talegaon pune
Night break near Talegaon
Back in the bus, all fell asleep except myself. My eyes were fixed in the blind darkness of the night and my face was caressed by cold winds. At 6 AM we were at Satara bus depot, it is 15-20 minutes drive from Satara railway station.


Missed the morning bus from Satara:

We could have caught the first bus from Satara to Bamnoli village had the bus was not late by half an hour. Next bus was at 8:30 AM. I could see things moving out of the plan. Hiring a tum tum or auto was a costly affair. Usually they charge 1500 from Satara to Bamnoli.


Latrines with no kundi:

So we had around 2 hours now, we decided to freshen ourselves. Entered toilets at bus depot and got in the queue. There were around 6 latrines, all were engaged. To the surprise when I checked none of the toilets had kundi. Next moment Babubhai from Hera Pheri was speaking to us that 'andar kundi nahi hai re, jaane ka to gaana gaana padta hai'


Scenic route towards Bamnoli:

We were ready for the bus. Bus arrived at the stop 8:25 AM, conductor charged Rs.39/person. We got seats easily, it wasn't crowded. The fare was much worth than its price. In less than 15 minutes bricks and iron started changing into wood and grass. To my surprise the grass was green on both the sides :)  We sat and wowed dumbfolded every minute of the journey. In 45 minutes we were in Bamnoli village. Tragedy was to arrive..

Beautiful hills of Satara
Landscape enroute Bamnoli village
Landscape enroute Bamnoli village
Landscape enroute Bamnoli village

Bamnoli Village:

Village as usual was calm with slow but eye catching movements of village folks and animals. It was clean and pretty managed with hospitals, small dhaba, shops and public toilet.

Right where the bus stops there is a small dhaba. We asked a lightly built dark moustache man where we would get the forest department permissions for Vasota fort. Unke jawab ne pura Vasota gira diya hamare sir par. He said Vasota remains closed from July to October.

As said earlier I could see things moving out of the plan. I am not boasting but my group is somewhat different than others. We don't give up easily instead hunt for other possibilities.

I asked the Sarpanch if not Vasota what are the other options for us. I striked him right. He said although launches i.e. boats are not allowed for passengers he can arrange one which will take to adjoining forest actually more far than Vasota. Boat will wait for 4 hours and bring us back to the village. Total he said it would cost Rs 2500 for all.


Boat ride:

We accepted it and got ready. Towards the lake another group from Navi Mumbai was there with the same plan. We asked them if they want to join us. They agreed. Total 12 people for all Rs 2500 including to and fro.

All of us settled in the boat. It was a diesel engine boat. With nice speed we went farther and farther enjoying the splendid view of the lake and hills on all side. It took around 2 hours before we were at lake side.

Shivsagar lake in Vasota
Vasota Lake
The boat we used in Shivsagar lake


Shivsagar lake in the background
Landscape from the hill we climbed
fishermens of India
Fishermens in Vasota lake
Beautiful lake view
View of the lake

Now, we didn't had any destination. So where to go? Selected one hill and started climbing. We took 1.5 hours to reach the top of the hill. Other group from Navi Mumbai started from somewhere else but soon took our route. Started descending which is difficult if the terrain is slopy and slippery.


Lunch in Bamnoli:

We were back to the boat and our return journey started. In another 1.5 hours of boat ride we are at Bamnoli village. We went straight to sarpanch hotel and ordered our 3 veg and 3 non-veg thali. Veg thali had 2 rice bhakri, rice, dal, achar, papad and one very spicy mutter sing nariyal sabji. Food was nice and non-veg people had gaavti kombdi and rest the veg materials.

Simple and spicy village food
Veg meal at sarpanch's hotel
Ducks walking near Sarpanch hotel in Bamnoli
Ducks walking near Sarpanch hotel in Bamnoli

Now it was 5 PM, we asked sarpanch if he can lend a room in his small 2 BHK hotel for bathing and freshing ourselves. He agreed for Rs 100. Room was clean and it was pretty close on the other side of the road. Cold bath brought us back to life. Gaurav aka Kandi and Saurabh aka Inu had to return to Mumbai same day. They caught the last bus from Bamnoli to Satara at 5:30PM


Camping in Bamnoli:

It seemed that I would catch fever by night, so I was resting. Meanwhile Amit, Rajkumar and Sachin went out to look for a camping spot. They got an extremely flat and soft land for camping. Returned room keys and went out for camping.

We had half an hour for setting up camp and settling down before the place becomes dark. Also we had to bring wood and stones for fire and cooking our meal. Luckily setting up our tent didn't took much time meanwhile two people brought nice dry tree branches enough to cook our meal.


Beautiful Sunset photo
Wonderful dusk view clicked from our camp site
Setting up tent in Bamnoli village
Preparing tent

Setting up tent in Bamnoli village
Preparing tent

Camping in jungle
Tent ready :)

Placed our bag in the tent and started efforts to light the fire. Placed three stones in circular formation to make a stove. Placed the Kadhai on top of the stones. Slid soft leaves and thin branches which would catch fire easily. Used lighter for setting up fire. Poured water with instant noodles in the kadhai. In 15 minutes our meal was ready.

Apart from noodles we had placed 6-7 pieces of potato and 3 onions in the burning wood. It was all dark there and it is suggested to keep a check around the place for snakes and scorpions. Who cares when your stomach is empty finished noodles, potatoes and onions which was as heavenly as usual. Cleaned up fire and went inside our tents.

Preparing meal while camping
Cooking our meal in the wild

Camping in Maharashtra
Cooking our meal in the wild


preparing the dinner
Cooking our meal in the wild

dinner in the wild
bhune hue aloo aur pyaj slurrrp
My fever was rising so took a Paracetamol and placed myself in the corner of the tent. Time was passing hard.

Clear whispering winds roughing with our tents sometimes gave us a feel of some animals roaming around our tent. The dark night was making it more scary. After first round of sleep all woke up and were surprised to check that it was only 12 AM. Whole night was ahead.

We came out of the tent to take a feel of the lonely night. We could see bright stars in the sky gazing at us. Small river stream next to our tent rushing with soul satisfying sound. It seemed as the whole world had wrapped itself in a black blanket. Went back in the tent and rest of the night passed peaceful. It was 6 AM we went with bottles to clean our bowels in the wild. After some photo sessions we started packing up.


Review of our camping:

It is quite safe to camp near Bamnoli village. Just watch for reptiles. Villagers are quite helpful approach them for any problem. Basic provision stores are present in the village.
If you do not have tent, there is a big godown like structure just after the public toilet. The verandah was quite big and I feel its safe to stay there. Just inform the Sarpanch he is very approachable. Parking of personal vehicles is not a problem there.

Morning view from the campsite in India
Morning view from our camping site



We made sure everything was clean from our camping spot. My fever was still there. We went back to the sarpanch hotel. Drank two cup chai, it was wow. Next bus was at 10:30AM. In Satara, I visited an old retired doctor. He syringed me with his old shaking hands :) Mind it, its difficult to find a doctor in Satara.


What to bring from Satara:

Kandi pede is a speciality of Satara. I found them very nice. One can purchase kandi pede from shops near bus depo.

Private bus from Satara runs only in night and the next State Transport bus was at 1:30 PM. ST bus are costly they charged 390 per person.

Its always in our priority that the journey ends safe and we were back home after a nice trek and night camping.


Feel free to write me at budgetyatri(at)gmail.com or comment in  the thread below.

Niraj.


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