Sandhan Valley is the most beautiful valley one could ever go in the Sahyadri range. It is situated near
Ratangad, the valley is also known as the Valley Of Shadows as the sun rays don't reach in some places.
The valley is around 200 ft deep but at some points, the depth goes to 380 ft deep and
some 2 km long with width 3-4 ft Bhandardara region, near Samrad village
We started from Pune at around 10:30 in the night and reached the base village early in the morning.
Samrad is a very small village - I assume there were only some 20-30 houses in the village.
Small house with old structure - the roof is mainly built using wood, stone slabs, and some steel sheets.
As soon as we reached our breakfast was ready, we were asked to get refreshed, then we were served poha and some tea in the breakfast.
When everyone was ready, we started our journey by walking towards the hills - as usual there was plain land or plateau for some time, then we reached
the mouth
of the valley, that is the entrance, we were greeted with huge rock structures, boulders everywhere and some patches had a pool of water beneath which they are
slippery rocks. the water was very cold almost to the freezing point.
The climate was very pleasant and the sun was hiding behind the wall. We crossed huge rocks, the rocks were not slippery and one could easily grip and move forward in the narrow lane every one singing and humming their favorite tune. After a distance walk, we reached a patch which was
watered to chest deep. the water was freezing cold and we were ready for an adventurous trip. As a precautionary step, we removed our shoes,
pulled our bags over our head and walked slowly into the water. the rocks beneath were very slippery we had to juggle between balancing our stuff on our head and within the slippery rocks. The water was very clear and one could easily see small fishes playing around. It took us about 10-15 mins to
cross the patch. We got our water and there was slight wind around, we stood laying around the boulders freezing in the cold air blowing into the valley.
That was most mesmerizing feeling one could have. Freezing and shivering - accumulating our energy to fight the cold and warm our selves. we dried our foot and
wore our shoes back. We proceed to move deep into the valley where no sun rays could be seen.
Halfway through we had to face our first hurdle, i.e rappelling down the patch of the hill which was 70 ft around. the guide with us had prepared for this hurdles, he had carried all the required harness and the rope. We were around 30 people, each one of them took a turn to rappel down. It was very easy but for the first time,
it looked difficult and scary. It took us around one hour to get all down.
There are two things which you have to remember while rappelling
- Trust the rope.
- Try to put your weight on your back and try to keep 90 degree angle between the wall and the your self.
that's it now Slowly go one step back, don't get panic, don't look down. Concentrate one step at a time.
Keep breathing, Keep moving - that's the mantra.
We had couple of more rappelling patch till we reached our camping location.
Rest settlement
Let me just describe the location we were about to rest. It was the most beautiful, most scenic place I have been to .
On 3 sides it was surrounded by hills and on one open side you could see the sun going down behind the horizon, displaying it orange-red flames on the canvas.
you can see trees every were, and beside our tent there was small waterfall, one could here the sound of water moving slowing. there was no noise,
silence every were, peace, calm and serenity. as the sun was going down we stood there tried, our legs paining and the body ache in every part. but
there was pleasure in this pain, a sense of achievement, the fun of our adventure. As the sun went down, we prepared some tea by burning the dried sticks collected
from nearby. a Hot, gingered flavoured tea - want a relishing drink.
After the refreshing tea, we sat around the bonfire and started random bollywood songs, the recent, most popular were the once we picked up.
played dumb charades and once when we were exhausted we played songs on the portal wireless device which we carried, gazing the fire, the sparking dark red wood
relaxing untill there food by prepared by our guide. WE had some yummy food and then back into the tent to fall into sleep like a dead.
We woke up early in the morning to the breezing wind, which shook our tents, there was strong - cold wind blowing. we got ready to go back to the base village.
It was memorable night we had spend, It captured the imagination in our brains.
After the drink
we sat watching the birds sing
observing the nature
the pleasant air
and the tender atmosphere.
wish, I could sleep
into the arms of nature
the trees holding me
the wind soothing me
I lay there slipping
deep into the magical world
under the sparkling star
hundreds of thousand lay there
watching for you.
Please let me know if you need any information about the place or more pic. I would be glad to share it.