Sandhan valley , also known as the valley of shadows, is one of the most challenging yet enjoyable treks in the Sahyadri. This place is also known as valley of shadow because the sun’s rays do not reach the ravines. It is located near Bhandardara which is near Igatpuri in the Sandhan valley which is part of the western ghats in Maharashtra. This valley offers an adventure like no other because it is not just trekking that you get to experience , you rock climb , rappel, you can camp and enjoy bonfires with your friends or family. The Sandhan valley trek is popular for its unexplored status, excellent photography backdrops and a trail that is off the beaten path. Sandhan valley is surrounded by the mighty forts of Madan, Alang and Kulang. It is one of the toughest treks in the Sahyadri range. At certain places the trail is less than 3 feet. You also have to rappel down a patch of 45 feet.Then you have to climb down the other two patches with the help of a rope. When you reach the end of the valley you will get to witness magnificent views of high cliffs and beautiful deep valleys.
There are high chances that you can witness a shooting star at night from the aperture which is created by 15 feet wide and 200 feet long walls. This makes the trip even more special. Who hasn’t dreamt about witnessing a shooting star just to pray for your wishes , even though we still don’t know if that is a myth that shooting stars grant your wishes. Nevertheless it is a beautiful site to witness for sure. There is also a small stream which eventually flows into a large pond. This stream might be the best source of drinking water while trekking and this is because the water in the pond is not suitable for consumption. It is recommended not to trek the Sandhan valley during Summer as it gets really hot and it will drain your energy. You can go anytime during monsoon, winter or fall.
How to reach the Sandhan valley?
First and foremost, you will have to reach Igatpuri or Kasara to reach Samrad village which is where the journey begins.
By road : you can either hire a cab or drive down to the Samrad village. From Mumbai the sandhan valley is nearly 200 kilometres away which can be covered in 4 or 5 hours easily. You can use the bus service from Pune or Mumbai to Igatpuri. From here you can take a shared jeep to reach the Samrad village.
By rail: you will have to take a train from Mumbai to Kasara. From here book a cab or take a shared jeep to Samrad. A lot of jeeps are available here. Another option is to take the long distance train which directly stops at Igatpuri.
Unfortunately there are no flights to Sandhan or any nearby villages.
You will start your trek at Samrad and in a few hours you will have to trudge through the shallow water bodies which are nearly 2 to 4 feet high. You will also come across the Tarzan Swing point where you will have to rappel and will have to use a rope ladder after which there will be some cave crawling. After this you hike among the rock patches where you will find deep pools to wade into. Then you will reach your camping spot with spectacular views of Ajoba hills and Bann pinnacle.
When you keep descending from the pond through the river bed trek and gentle slopes you will reach the Dehne village. You can either take a bus to the Asangaon station for your return journey or use the same trail back to Samrad and take a shared jeep to reach your destination. You can also stay here for a few days to enjoy the local culture and can enjoy some local delicacies.
Some of the other places of interest for the visitors are :
- AMK forts
If you trek uphill you will discover the ancient forts of Alang, Madan and Kulang. Only continue your trek if you are not completely exhausted from the Sandhan valley trek. If you are really exhausted but want to visit these forts then camp in Bhandardara for a day and then go trekking again. Do not over exhaust your body.
- Nanhe ghat waterfalls
- Ratangad fort
This trek offers a unique experience and is a perfect combination of adventure activity like rappelling and camping under the starry sky. Have a great trekking experience !
Conclusion
This trek is not meant for all as it is a bit challenging. Entry to the Sandhan valley is free but people who are not trekking and are just visiting the place are not allowed to go beyond the pond. It is a must to carry the essentials while trekking like a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, snacks , water, medicines etc.you also need professional guides with all the equipment for rappelling and rock climbing. Carry mosquito repellents, power bank and a windbreaker. Do not over pack while going for a trek especially a trek like this which can be challenging. This trek is not recommended for first time trekkers. It takes a test on your stamina hence you should avoid it if you have any heart conditions or blood pressure. Also do not forget to carry enough water from the Sandhan village as the water from the trail streams are not suitable for drinking.
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