Trekk - Ratangad/Bhandardara Go For It. Review on Ratangad

It all started with a normal chat amongst friends on the Breakfast table at Bhandardara MTDC resort. With no beach to lie on we had to find a way to spend the whole day . We were not very keen on seeing the Dam / Konkankada( two the most famous places for sight seeing at Bhandardara) as almost all the hill station will have a cliff where u can see the whole valley and with the air pressure the little water that trickels down will be thrown upwards to some extent.

From Bhandardara one can Trekk at Kalasubai or Ratangad . Kalasubai is highest point in the Sahyadri ranges and for that matter whole Maharashtra. It is almost 3 hrs very stip climb and needs loads of strength and more than basic trekking training / skills. So it was out of question for us. We decided to go for Ratangad.

Ratangad trekk starts with blessings of Lord Shiva at Amruteshwar mandir( said to be built in the ages of Pandava). It 3-3.5 hrs hike so one needs to be wel equipped with enough water and light snacks( chocklets / cucumber). The road is thru jungles so first timers need to take services of the guide. Guide will ask for 300-500 bucks depending upon ur attire. Nego can get them for 150-200.

It started with nice walk thru the small river(more like mithi river in mum). It was sept end so there was very less water in the river; it made our journey very fast and pleasent. After 45 mins of walk we started climbing first hill. That made us realize importance of going to the gym:). Ppl started taking breaks . in almost 60- 75 mins we were in thick forest. Having started at 1 in the noon, we were late by 3 hrs from all the groups . most of them had started coming down.

by 3.30 we were at the place where if u r Acrophobiac who has an extreme or irrational fear of heights, trekk will be over. It is a iron staircase with side railing broken on 60 degree inclination. It very foggy and difficut to see even at 5 ft distance . Imagine u r afraid of height and u have climb this . I was terrified.(thats were chocolates r handy). there is one more staircase like this and u come to the Gate of the fort.

Its an amazing sight from there . We could hardly see coz of fog but pics taken by friend very next week were amazing. U can actually do camping there as ther r few caves / shades were u can put tents and have experience of life time. If no plans of night out then have to leave before fog gets dense as it becomes very cold and difficult to find way out.

Things to remember:

Start trekk early if want to return early.

Carry enough water+ food

Avoid heavy clothes( jeans / trousers, yes some ppl were trekking in it)

Keep tourch, match box, some alchole, food to be cooked or prepared if spending night at fort.

Avoid littering .

Keep all the garbage in plastic bag and try to carry it down.

Be responsible towards nature and people n enjoy the outing.