Weekend @ Bhandardara. Review on Bhandardara

Having bitten by Travel bug , it becomes very difficult to sit at home when u get the extended weekend . And it was no different when 2nd Oct came on Friday. Thursday evening we thought of going to some place to spend the weekend and all wanted to go to a place which is

NOT A BEACH. Max Drive should not be more than 4 hrs @ 50kmph. Atleast 1 fort around. After going thru all the option Bhandardara fitted the bill. So without any bookings or any travel plan 4of us left for Bhandardara.

12 noon we started from Borivali. Via Ghodbunder road reached Agra road. As our aim to enjoy the journey , had to stop after Thane Toll naka when we Spotted GOTI SODA . @ 6 bucks / glass , it was good start to our journey. Traffic / Rash driving made us drive @ 50-60 kmph. by 1.30 reached somewhere near Shahapur(i guess). Saw Bhagat Tarachand board and what do we do next ??? Stopped for nice meal. Food for 4 costed around 450 with 4 subji + 15-20 rotis + chas . wow.

Reached Ghoti by 3pm .road there on goes thru a small village and u need to be very careful as ppl and animal can check ur brakes. Once u cross rail line, u start very scenic journey to Bhandardara. Can stop any where and take amazing pics of Valley or the Peaks . Its Photographers delight. Keep asking for the directions as the boards at some places are either plucked off or faded.

Once we reached Bhandardara , started searching for a room. Went to MTDC to see if any room is there but was of no use. Many locals were around asking if we need any room . One showed us Tents by the lake . It was very tempting to spend a night by the lake under the stars but biggest prob was in the morning u have return the tent and dont have a washroom to freshen up . :) So gave up the idea. Near MTDC found few places with OK types rooms. Rented room at Amruteshwar Hotel @ 700 per night. Room had very basic hygiene with a bed , TV , Mirror , Table attached bathroom. Its reco if u r too fussy about space. Always ask those guys to show more as they tend to show u rooms which r least preferred first.

Food there was ok but we had food at MTDC .quality was ok. Nothing costs more than 75 bucks. Went to Ratangad for trek next day. and returned Mumbai on Sunday by 4. Whole trip costed around 1700 per person ( food + acoo + petrol + limited booze) . Have not written much about the sights as its already mentioned by most. Details of the trek in another revu.

Place is good if u want to have a laid back weekend with family. Book a MTDC room with lakeview and chillout in the balcony with ur companion. @ nights hotel ppl arrange Bonfire . It becomes chilly at nite with lots of wind . its nice to be by Bonfire with booze / partner gazing stars(Bonfire costs 150-300).

Not many activities to do. Normal sight seeing of Ghat / Mandir / Trekk(all these r common at any hill station). Only unique thing to do is Trek to Kalsubai Peak as its the highest point in the whole Maharashtra. (Do it if u can).

In nutshell take family out there , sit by lake and relax.cheers. P.S : Roads r not in great shape once u leave the highway. Need to be careful on turns if driving at high speed. Gets foggy in the eve , so try n reach ur base in the daylight unless accompnied by guide. ( Guide will cost 300).