Kumbhe Waterfall Oct_2019

Kumbhe Waterfall is one of the unknown waterfall in the remote Sahyadri. One the most spectacular waterfall in the monsoon season.  I visited in October 2019 with my Trekking Paltan friend Vilas Karpe.  

Kumbhe Waterfall 

How to Reach : Its is about 110 km from Pune with 3 and half hours ride via Tamhini Ghat. Bikes and cars can reach to the waterfall. 

Pune-Paud-Mulashi-Tahmini Ghat-After Ghat- Bhagad MIDC road-Mangaon road-Nizampur-Take left to Pachad road which goes to Raigad fort-Ghotewadi - leave right side Pachad road - Go straight to Borawadi - the road becomes rough and narrower, the road is lonely, hardly any vehicle can be seen- Stay on Kumbhe Hydro power project road- There is small but risky Ghat here- landslide prone area- drive safely !

When you reach on the top of the Ghat, there is rough tunnel there. The Kumbhe waterfall is there on the other side of the tunnel. There are no lights in the tunnel. Road is rough. 

Tunnel just before waterfall 

Waterfall side of the tunnel 

After the tunnel, the waterfall is there immediately. Find a place for parking. We cant see fall of water from this location. We need to cross the stream which is very risky. In the rainy days the water force is too much. Don't dare to cross it. Just watch from the road side. We could cross it, because we visited in October when water force is very low. 

On the Edge, you can't reach here in rainy days. 

If you want to see the view of the Kumbhe waterfall you have to go further with the road. You can take your vehicle near View point.. See the map. A small Ghat section is there. After 10 mins drive you will reach on the plain terrain.

Vilas Karpe and Me

You can see some left houses, incomplete structures around. You have to park your vehicle here. 

Enter here to go the waterfall view point. The trail may not be so clear. Take care of grass which is big and slippery. After five minutes walk you will be on waterfall view point. Be aware of grass, because you may not get idea about where your are keeping your legs. The surface is uneven. 

Beautiful view of Waterfall 

Precautions : 

• It is remote and lonely place, so go with group. 
• Carry all food and water with you.
• Roads are lonely and help is available at the base i.e. Borawadi village which is far away.
• Keep anti-puncture material with you. No shops around. 

TVS Ntorq

Me and Vilas at Plus Valley, Tamhini Ghat

Vajrai Waterfall July_2019

Vajraai Waterfall

About: It is claimed one of tallest waterfall in India and the tallest in Maharashtra. It runs only in monsoon season. I visited on 21/07/2019 with my Trekking Paltan Group, Pune

How to Reach from Pune : It is about 140 km from Pune and 35km from Satara. There are two ways to reach waterfall after Kaas plateau.

1.Waterfall view : It is easy and gives full view of the waterfall you can see all phases of the waterfall. Good photogenic view from here.

Pune>> Satara city >> Kaas-Bamnoli road >> Kaas plateau >> Kaas lake >> Take left turn after the kaas lake dam wall, there is an archa opposite Kasaidevi temple >> it is a small and rough road through a small village >> after 5/10 mintues muddy drive you will reach to the parking. The parking is paid.

2. Base of the Waterfall : If want to go the base of the waterfall means under the water then follow the route

Pune>> Satara city >> Kaas-Bamnoli road >> Kaas plateau >> Kaas lake >> Take left turn after the kaas lake dam wall, there is an archa opposite Kasaidevi temple >> Take left after the village >> road is narrow and rough, drive carefully >> reach to Bhambavali village >> Park vehicle near Vaghaji mata Temple

Parking: Parking is paid and supervised and ample to park bus, car and bike.

Food and Stay: Food and home stay available at Bhambavli village. If you looking for professional stay then prefer to stay at Satara, Kaas or Bamnoli.

There are no sure facility of food at the base village. There some small restaurants and homemade food suppliers, but you need to confirm first by calling them. Sai Tours and Travel - 081085 29619 

Best stay and food is available at Bamnoli contact Hotel Bhairvnath, Mr. Dhanaji Sapkal, Sarpanch 9421216232. He has boating and camping facility too. He makes arrangements to Vasota fort trekking and boating. You can see details on Google map. 

You can see the waterfall and go for the lunch to Bamnoli which is 30 mins drive from the waterfall. 

Mobile Network: Network is moderate.

About the trek:

Waterfall Top view – After parking vehicle Just walk for 15-20 mins then you will reach on top, the waterfall view not really giving idea of the height from this point but view is very beautiful.

Waterfall Front view – If you want to see waterfall view then its simple walk of 15-20 minutes. Follow the trail which very clear, just follow it. It takes you view point. It is on the edge. So be careful while photography. The view of three phases of the waterfall is clearly visible form here. You will get a poster shot view of the waterfall. This is best point to see the waterfall with all its glory.

Waterfall base view – You need atleast an hour trail from Bhambavli village to reach the base of the waterfall. The trail is very risky and slippery in the monsoon. Better not go with children and senior citizens. Take a local guide from the village. They ask nominal charges like Rs 300/500. It is must for safety because the way is on the side way of the fast running water coming from the waterfall.  When you reach just take all the precautions before going in the water. Better not to enter in the water stream. There are many whirlpools are found. Here you can see the mighty waterfall. Of course you not able to see all the phases of the waterfall but you feel it with the force of the water.

Precautions:
§  Land is slippery in rainy days.
§  Avoid to go in the water.
§  Better to see the waterfall front view.
§  Waterfall generally appears in the monsoon period that is June to September.
§  Avoid to go during heavy rainy days because lots of mud and land becomes slippery, on the other hand due to the moist and fog, you can’t see the view of the waterfall.
Nearby Places - Kaas plateau , Kaas lake, Bamnoli lake, Vasota fort, Tapola, Mahabaleshwar

Mandhardevi Ghat

Mandhardevi Ghat

How to Reach :
Its about 60-70 km from Pune which will take 2:30 hrs journey.
Situated on Bhor to Maaandhardevi road . Pune is about 50 km from Pune. Take left turn from Shivaji maharaj statue in Bhor-Mandhardevi-Wai road. After a scenic journey of 10 km, you will reach to then take left turn After Balvadi village and before Ambade villlage to Mandhardevi ghat. The Ghat starts from Ambade village. Ir is of about 10 km.
Total ghat section is on 10-12km.
The road goes to Kalubai Temple, the Hindu religious temple.
You can travel to Mahabaleshwar via Mandhardevi too.
You can do Pune-Bhor-Mandhardevi-Wai-Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar.

 

Pune to Mandhardevi

Bhor to Mandhardevi

Food and Stay : 
Food and stay is available at Pune,Bhor, Mandhardevi, Wai etc.

What to see:
The ghat is full of greenery and waterfalls during monsoon. The blossom makes it more beautiful in October and November.
The ghat is so scenic and less rush, so you can stop on many safe spots for photos.
From ghat the panaromic view of Sahyadri.
Bhatghar dam, Sinhgad, Purandar,Rohida fort, Torna fort,Rajgad fort, Raireshwar fort  at the North direction.
When you reach at the top of the ghat you have beautiful view of Panchgane-Mahabaleshwar.
Dhom dam, Pandavgad, Kamalgad, Panchgani table land, Mahabaleshwar, Wai, Menvali etc. region is visible from South direction.

Raireshwar from ghat

 

Pandavgad

Kamalgad fort