Chennai to Lonavala [ Rajmachi fort trek Udhewadi ]

Rappelling point

On August 20, we (four) have started to Pune (Round-trip each 5117/- offer in cleartrip). Boarded @MAA 8:10 am and alighted @PNQ 10:00 am (torch lights ,batteries and lighter were allowed in the hand baggage :) - included those as they are helpful for trek).

Reached Pune railway station so can get on to Lonavala via train.[Hired OLA from airport as estimate price said 110/- but driver had shown 341.52/- in his mobile ;two days later when checked in gmail ,bill shown as 116/- :) ;not sure whose ride driver has shown to us. Had bf at roadside eateries -poori ,bhajji(not fan of pav) and fried eggs]. Took 11:45 am train and reached Lonavala station @ 1:04 pm. Already two from Bangalore and one from Pune are awaiting for us.

Decision was taken to set on foot till Rajmachi fort (so have not taken any vehicle and just started plying with jokes) and reached Udhewadi village @ 7:50 pm (where we can get food and lodging). In the course of journey we came across fantastic views of nature and two tea stalls. At first tea stall we had our snacks (maggi 50/- ,egg maggi 70/- ,tea 15/-) and at second tea stall there is water-body at verge of becoming waterfall where we had bath and fun (there is rappelling as well at this point but it was said three days prior booking is required to get the personnel and accessories).

1st tea stall

Rajmachi fort is of approximate  45 min trek from Udhewadi village where almost every household offers food and lodging for trekkers. The name of household where we have stayed is "Khanduvre". At first tea stall we have got the name and number of "Khanduvre" to reserve. Though there was a batch already, we accommodated on porch which is well maintained to avoid cold at night. Needless to say bathrooms were also clean.[dinner - rice ,dal, egg curry (two eggs) ,bhakri ;bf -poha].

Khanduvre

lodging bill

The next morning we left to the fort and had fun. While descend we trekked for 9 km to reach a point from where taxi can pick us (so till this point you can avail taxi service while ascending as well- TATA Gold ,Xenon) and down to highway(1000/-) [driver says approximate of 21 km from down (della adventures) to fort]. We have seen villagers plying up and down using two wheeler (splendor+). So by two wheeler you can reach village but don't loose track of main route even though you deviate with your vehicle citing main route is muddy.

Chatted with taxi driver and hired for local touring spots (1500/- Ertiga ;can be bargained further, not worth). Visited four viewpoints- khandala ,monkey ,lion ,tiger(all are nice ;lion and tiger share the same boundary with fog spread all over); bushi dam -the worst[sometimes we get a hunch after watching first scene of the film that it is going to be flop; a muddy water (with litter) of knee depth height has to be crossed to reach the dam which is constructed in a step design so people can sit and water flows through it (pink som papdi ,bhajji are sold on the steps ;few security personnel to take care of arena and it is fully crowded)] ; a waterfall near to bushi where we had bathed.
@5:45 pm reached Lonavala railway station (had Carlsberg tins :) and of course chikki) and caught local train @ 6:20 pm to Pune.

Taxi service -last point for pickup and drop

waterfall near bushi dam

bushi dam

Khandurve +91 99223 21929

Rajmachi trek taxi service 9765816294

Chennai to Tada [waterfall trek]

On Aug 15 2016, we [four] have started @ PTC 4:30 am[fasttrack swift 2300/-] and reached Tada ticket counter @ 6:30am. But the board says 8am to 4pm and counter is empty. Not to waste the time we went further [in car] till we reached a building [canteen] and also where there is ample space to park vehicles. On the left side there is a small bridge which is starting point of the trek.

Went along the stream and first place that came on our way is Siva temple. Continued further enjoying the crystal clear water and calmness [while returning there were a lot of people with noise and nuisance].

We reached a point where there are huge rocks with danger symbol on them [and a small stream between them].

On to the right there are guava tree trunks already in place to climb those huge rocks. Once we are above there is a mark showing way to waterfall [on a rock as well as stamped to a tree]. We followed it and reached a dry steep [thought this stream of waterfall had drained]. But there is a way beside it [ups and downs] which leads to a stream of waterfall in midst of greenery [where we have bathed and enjoyed].
Beside it there is a high dry steep which could have been awesome fall if water had been there [we climbed up; you can find the pattern on the rocks indicating there was flow in the past].

We reached @ 1pm to the parking area. All along, stream is filled with people [the moment we realized that we have done a right thing by trekking early in the morning].

Ingredients taken: Half KG chicken fry, boiled egg fry ,cakes and water bottles.