Rajmachi Trek

During the September Walk-A-Thon meeting it was decided that we will go for the Night trek to Rajmachi.  As we had to go by local and no arrangements were required it did not require any confirmation.  So anyone could join and decide to opt out.

A detailed mail was circulated to everyone for information.  Trek evening arrived and everyone has to gather at Pune railway station at 8:30PM.  There were 5 peoples supposed to join from Mumbai. Received a message in eveing that they all decided to opt out. There were 3/4 people to from Wai were also to join directly at Lonavala. Received confirmation that they started from Pune by car. 

Because of no confirmation one cannot predict the count of people.  Finally seven of us met at Shivaji Nagar and started for Lonavala.  Thanks to Kirloskar group, at Lonavala around 10 of them joined us and count at station was suddenly 17.  We decided to have tea and start the trek.  We decide to go the regular spot "Lonavala Bus Canteen" to have tea and asked Wai team to join there.  Every one had tea and in mean time Wai team also joined us there.  In Wai team two of them were from Pune itself. After small introduction/regular instructions we started the trek.   

Upper Desk Resort

We crossed the Lonavala i.e. Tungarli Dam, Upper deck resort.  And now we were left only 22 who were trekking.  While going upto Upper desk resort one has to ascend.  Now road was decending so bit easy.  Now it was dark we had to use our torch to check the route. Last few days it was raining in Lonavala region so we have to be bit careful.  There is the rareest possibility of having animal, but we decided that we will wait away from water flow.  Reason was, just in case if there is one it will be found near water source.

Nature's Wall

After around two and half hour walk lady who was first timer said she cannot walk any more and wish to go back.  This normally happens during the treks.  Everyone was encouraging her to continue.  It was 1:30AM and if she wishes to go back she had to climb all the route which we just came down.  We came to know that ahead there is some house where a vehicle is parked.  Thinking we have found the solution we asked her to carry on till the house.  This was near water source, and now we also wanted to go away from water stream.  We reached near so called house and found that it was a hut made for animals.  It was not at all possible to leave the lady there.  Luckily there was a lady doctor in our group.  She gave some medicines.  We asked her that if she is willing then we will surely take her to Rajmachi.  

We few only knowing that she has to return as well.  But no one mentioned that.  Trekking with lots of slow is more difficult.  So we had to devide the group in two.  Kirloskar group of ten decided to ahead.  And we started slow.  Everyone still telling lady not to worry and continue slow but steady.  We reached junction where one road goes to Rajmachi and other Velvand (Dhak Trek).  From here we had to ensure that she continues as the route goes through forest.  It was very Good! she had not yet given up.  Additional thanks to Wai couple who was continuously encouraging her to continue.

Streams

Streams

Enroute there is a stream where they kept a wire to help everyone cross.  Some decided to remove shoes (avoid getting wet) and walk through stream and few decided to jump.  Everyone crossed the stream.  Clock was ticking 3:30AM.  We had to climb up now.  Moon light was also good.  We decided to ascend fast.  After ascending for 20/30 min we were almost near Rajmachi.  We decided to continue as lady might take more time and there was no nice place where we can wait.  We were also sure that we are nearing.  And finally we reached a temple which just 2 kms before Rajmachi fort.  It was 4:15AM. The other group was already resting there.  

We decided to wait there.  To everyone's surprise the lady seemed comfortable.  And she also came by 5:00AM.  As plannned, we decided to wait till sunrise.  But there was not enough space for everyone so some of us wanted to climb up and wait at Rajmachi top.  Finally we decided to wait.  Everyone adjusted themselves inside temple. Group reached early had nearly 1 / 1.5 hrs sleep as well. 

Waterfall

Water Fall

Around 6:00AM in morning we decided to start so we can take some nice snaps. We took out our Cameras but soon it started raining.  We had to pack our camera again.  Now we started towards Rajmachi.  It was full of fog/clouds so nothing was visible.  We reached a spot from where we can see the waterfall starts at Lonavala.  We were on the other side now.  Between there was a very big vallay.  Luckily rain stopped and we could take some pictures.  But Manoranjan fort was still not completely visible.  

Yellow flowers

 We started ahead.  It was lush green everywhere.  Between some patches you could see complete Yellow or Pink full of flowers.  The scene was as if someone filled Yello/Pink color.  Now we started ascending.  After climbing for around half an hour we reach a temple.  This is also one more place where one can stay at night.  Rain was playing hide and seek with us.  We all were hungry by now.  As it was raining we decided to open our bags and have some breakfast.  After having our breakfast we decided to climb up Manoranjan fort.  It was very nice.  At some places it was very slippery so we had to climb carefully.  We reached the entrance.  Weather was foggy at fort which felt as if we are entering clouds.

Manoranjan

Due to fog/cloudy weather we are not sure how much we had to ascend.  We started climbing ahead.  We have seen two ponds.  Symbol of Shivaji Maharaj's forts that each fort has some or the other water source.  We climbed almost for 45 min but nothing was visible.  So we decided to get down.  We were worried, if it starts raining heavily then it will be difficult for us to climb down.  We came back to same temple.  By now other members also came there.  They were planning to climb the Shivvardhan fort.  But because of past experience we opted out.

Cloudy, Temple at Rajmachi Mid-way

Few of members decided not to come up.  So all of them were waiting at Udhewadi village.  We reached down had tea.  The lady who had problems last night was also there.  We decided to send her by some vehicle.  After enquiry we came to know that there are no vehicles at Udhewadi.  One should go back to lonavala atleast half distance where some vehicle drivers come and picks up.  After lots of discussion we booked the vehicle.  And it was decided that all those who came by car will go. 

The lady was asked to start return journey along with 4 others, as it will be easy to return before it becomes hot.  Luckily weather was still very nice.  Drizzling showers making it nice for trekking.  Clock was ticking 9:30 and by now all of us were reached down.  Everyone wanted to climb down by Karjat side.  After discussion it was decided that 4 of us will go back by Lonavala route.  And remaining 13 of them will go via Karjat side.  

Nature's Wall

Now our return journey started.  Four of us Bokil kaka, Shaunak, Vidish and myself. In night could not take any photos, so we decided to do photography and return ASAP.  We took many photographs while returning.  On return journey we never felt that this was the same lady who wanted to go back.  She was walking with a nice pace.  We decided to continue as we have to walk fully upto Lonavala.  On one side the fort is like a big wall.  And on other side we could see a big vally.  All this scenic view cannot be explained in words.

We had to climb the last patch now.  It was too hot and we were too tired and addition to that we had to walk on the road, so it was difficult.  We managed to reach top and rain shower welcomed us.  We reached Tungarli dam, by now we had finished all our water stock. We continued our journey and reached Lonavala station.  

RajMachi from Lonavala

Four : On return journey

We found that Lonavala-Pune local is already on platform.  Me and Vidish wanted to buy chikki so we went to other side.  We were looking for a nearest shop as we both don't wanted to walk any more.  Finally we found the shop.  It started raining heavily.  We decided to enjoy the rain.  By the time we reached the station we both were completely drenched.  It felt really nice.. we needed this because we were too tired.  We reached platform and easily caught the local.  And reached to Shivaji Nagar.  We wanted to have some tea but no one was in mood to walk so silently we went to pick up our bykes and returned home.

After having bath at home I don't remember anything.  Got up at night around 9:00PM (Nice sleep of 4 hrs) had dinner and again went back to sleep.  Overall it was really a wonderful experience.