A one day trek to Kalavanti Durg and Prabalgadh!

• So that was the day when I amazed my self by travelling 12 hours in general coach of the train and did the trek whole day! In fact two treks! Keyur and Pranit, two amigos joined me for the hike from Panvel.

• Kalavanti Durg, at the height of 2300 feet is located near Panvel and was built in the honour of a queen Kalavanti. To reach there, one first needs to reach Thakurwadi which is about 17kms away from Panvel. You can either hire an auto or can opt for a state transport bus. Both the trek challenges the strength, stamina and patience of you.
   
• Our plan was to do Kalavanti first and then the Prabalgad if time allowed. So we reached Panvel and from there went to Thakurwadi in MSRTC bus. It takes 35-40 minutes generally. The rough road but the finest monsoon views in the surrounding. We started the trek around 8am. And reached Machi Prabal around 9.30am. from here, the left trail goes upto Kalavanti staircase and the right one will take you to the Prabalgad. The staircase is carved out of the rocks and there is no handrail. There are numerous waterfalls we were able to saw through the green lush valley.We thought that it will be raining here but it didn’t rain that day. Just a drizzling for two to three times. Well, the trek trail would have get actually difficult if it would be raining. Such steep rock steps that the taller you are, the better you are. The steepness of the rocks is actually thrilling and a fall means a death kind of trail. We also met two Maharastrian men who were there with us in both the treks. At the top, there is a rock patch of about 15 feet which you have to climb to reach the top. The rope is there for the support. We reached there. And waited for our turns for the rope. Pranit refused to climb it. And after seeing two trekkers slipping their way while climbing, I too lose the confidence. So Keyur went alone and climbed the patch and from up there, he shouted for me to do so. He was knowing that if he will climb, I am going to climb too!

• So after another 5 minutes of confusion, I just pulled myself upwards on the top! And realized that it was not that scary even but I just got afraid after seeing people slipping from that patch.The trek is a well combination of all the hiking skills one can have! The view from the top! I would definitely regret my decision of not climbing the last patch! The descend from that patch looked more easier and with least fear. One needs to be careful while descending.We hiked down from the steps around 12.30pm and decided to do Prabalgad as we had a lot time left. There is a traverse on left for Prabalgad when you finished descending steps. You will find yourself walking under the waterfall. And after walking around half an hour the descend started. It was rocky all the way. The trail was going through the forest. Watching Pranit hiking the trail was fun though. As after 1.6 years of Himalayan trek, it was the first trek that he did in Sahyadri. And he understood that the Himalayan trek was easy far away. I was happiest as these two men joined me for the hike. I tried booking kalavanti three years ago. But it got cancelled as it was raining heavily. Around 1.30pm, we reached the top. We could easily saw the traffic jam on Kalavanti! But the views were pretty good. Rested there and left for the descend after. We started at 2pm and reached the base around 5pm, the descend was continuously through the waterfall trail. And the great sun was also up so high. We came across the three cool swings made out of the wood while coming down. I swung for a while and the other two rested there. How the nature has bloomed in the greenest way possible after rains. Trekkers were having munch at the base. We ate maggi and nimbu pani. And hired an auto till Panvel. I gave the last regards to the durgs. And wrapped our journey in a general coach again! While we sat and waited at Panvel for locals, Pranit was telling me like: “Sun, tu na ab ye general vala travelling karna chod de!!” I gave him a serious laugh!

• So the itinerary for my Kalavanti durg trek from Ahmedabad was followed by this:

Satuday Evening:

• Ahmedabad to vadodara in PURI Express(12844) departs at 6:40pm.
• Some days, I love virgin places. And on others, you may find me walking among the crowds and still finding my sole place!
• Vadodara to Panvel in Goa Sampark Kranti(12450) departs at 9.36pm. (ADI to Panvel ticket fare: 170 INR)
• Sunday Morning: Reached Panvel at 5:10am.
• Got freshened up in railway waiting room and walked till Panvel Bus stop.
• MSRTC for Thakurwadi starts at 5am. We opt for the next bus which was at 7am. (Bus fare-20 INR)

• From the drop point, you need to walk till the base almost 15-20 minutes. The refresh point is there, you can fill your stomach here. The forest entry fee is 20 INR. And the route till Prabal machi is easy trail. So you don’t need a guide for that one. From Machi Prabal, the lefttrail will take you to the kalavanti and right one for Prabalgadh fort. We did the two trek in 9 hours. And if you want to do both than try going for Kalavanti first. Its adventurous but wont soak up your energy like Prabalgadh trail. After hiking down from Kalavanti, there is a traverse for Prabalgadh, it will take 1 or 1.5 hr to reach the top from there. Keep two waterbottles and some dry snacks with you.

• After descend, you can either reach panvel back through auto(takes generally 200 to 250 rs) or come back on the road for MSRTC.

Return train:

• So I finished a day trek in 800 rs. Somewhat!
• *Panvel to Mumbai Central(20 INR)
• *Saurashtra Mail from Mumbai Central. (195 INR)