Top 10 Cannot Miss Monsoon Destinations by Bhramar Travel Group Founder - Anup Malandkar #TravelTips - The Happy Getaway 2017

Top 10 Cannot Miss Monsoon Destinations by Bhramar Travel Group Founder - Anup Malandkar #TravelTips

It's a new rainy weekend. And I'm sure you are looking for new reasons to get out of your skin and do something you've never pushed yourself to do before. And we got you covered like always. 

For this weekend's edition I reached out to my dear friend Anup Malandkar who is the founder of the Bhramar Travel group. He is a great leader and travel enthusiast. Organizing trips, doing recces and leading the troops you'll always find him smiling, sharing history and antidote's of how to become an ideal traveler. After a lot of pestering and convincing he has finally given me his personalised and suggestive top 10 Monsoon Destinations that he thinks you should visit these monsoon's. 

So without any further a due, here are Anup Malandkar's Top 10 Monsoon Destinations that you cannot miss visiting during this monsoons:

1) Korigad

Korigad can be visited in any season. The best time to see fort is from October to May. There are heavy rains in this region; however this fort attracts many people in rainy season, but due to fog and rains you may not be able to see the beauty around this fort.

2) Rajmachi

Rajmachi Fort is a popular destination for nature lovers, trekkers and for outdoor campers. In rainy season from mid-June to mid-October, this region is all the more beautiful with clouds, sparkling silvery water falls, streams, lush green forests and meadows.

3) Naneghat

Malshej was at its best in the Monsoon you can enjoy all the 3 seasons in one day at Malshej. It goes from Sunny - Cold - Raining in no time there are hundreds of waterfall adjoined the ghat were a lot of people are picnicking. MTDC resort has the best location

to stay.

4) Kothaligad - Peth

There is a small temple and large cave at the base and a chimney like tunnel to the top of the fort. This pinnacle is carved from inside forming a staircase reaching the top. There is a tank of water(rock cut water cistern) at some distance from the cave and another one at the top of the fort[1]. The stone is a single black expanse reaching till the Peth village standing on the fertile soil with abundant natural resources for water and farming.

5) Peb - Vikatgad

Trekking near Mumbai to Peb Fort or Vikatgad around 4 km from Neral Station a very enjoyable trek in Monsoon season passing through a local village, waterfalls this trek offers all ladders, rock patches, caves, dense forest, ridge walking. Trek can be combined with Matheran visit or you can trek till Panorama point Matheran till here. Excellent for new trekkers a village guide or guided tour will make the trek more enjoyable.

6) TIKONA

The fort is a trekking destination noted for the large doors, the temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev', a water tanks (seven water tanks) and some Satvahan caves. Trek organisers also commend the views of Pawna dam and the nearby forts of Tung, Lohagad and Visapur. There is Pawana lake at the summit. 

7) Sudhagad

Sudhagad is just approximately 10 kms from Pali village, where another fort Sarasgad is situated. Existence of this fort is since 2nd century BC. Thanale Caves and Khadsamble caves are also nearby. Fort was known as Bhorapgad after the presiding deity Bhorai Devi. Actual rulers were Bhor dynasty. Bhamani Sultanate captured it in 1436 and then Marathas in 1657 who named it to “Sudhagad”. Very large plateau on top with numerous lakes and ponds in rainy season. Places that can be visited on fort are Bhorai Devi Mandir, Pant Sachiv Wada, Chor Darwaja, Takmak Tok, Shiv Mandir. Places that can be seen around Tail Baila, Sarasgad, Korigad.

8) Lohgad

Lohagad is part of the Western Ghats. It rises to an elevation of 1,033 m (3,389 ft) above sea level, and is located to the southwest of the larger Visapur fort. The range divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavana rivers. Lohagad overlooks the Pavana reservoir, located to the south of the mountain. The hill extends to the northwest to a fortified spur, called Vinchukata (Scorpion's tail) because of its resembling shape. The four large gates of Lohagad are still in good condition and reasonably intact.

The fort as seen from its base during monsoon

During the monsoon, the top of the fort is covered with mist and clouds and becomes particularly wet with growing moss. The roads and trails leading to the hill are quite slippery at this time of the year and precautions are necessary to be taken while venturing the routes.

9) Harishchandra Gad

 Harishchandragad is a beautiful hill fort in the Ahmednagar region and a very popular trekking destination in the western ghats. The fort mountain along with, TOLAR KHIND, MALSHEJ GHAT offers a lot for trekkers. The main attraction here is the KONKAN KADA which offers a spectacular view of Konkan. During the rainy season you'd be walking in the clouds on this fort.

10) Avchitgad

The southern part of Konkan is adorned by natural beauty. The city of Roha is situated on the banks of Kundalika River. Avchitgad is situated in the mountain ranges around Roha. This region is beautiful, and the fort is one of the rich forts of Maharashtra. Dense woods along the mountain have made it bit difficult to ascend the top.

All excited to go? So pack your bags and get exploring. The monsoon's don't last all year. So don't waste time. 

Here is a big shout out to Bhramar Travel group.                                                                            Do visit their page: https://www.facebook.com/bhramar.org/

And give them some love as they have many trips planned for the coming months that I can assure you, that you will enjoy. And thank you once again Anup, this write up would have not been possible without you. 

Hope you enjoyed the read don't forget to share it with your friends and leave us some feedback and suggestions as to which places you think are the top 10 cannot be missed monsoon destinations. We would love to know.

Hope you have a safe, adventurous and memorable weekend!

Edited & Currated by Alvin Anthony

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Disclaimer: All images used are property of Bhramar Travel group and are used for representational purposes only. Please do check with your guide and weather updates before planning a trip to any of the above locations. Be safe.

Explore an Abandoned Aircraft This Weekend near Mumbai! #TravelSecrets - The Happy Getaway 2017

Explore an Abandoned Aircraft

This Weekend near Mumbai!

If you love exploring and finding new places, this read is meant for you. It’s always quite an adventure to venture into the unseen and find things that are lost or forgotten. And it’s a treat when you stumble upon these things unexpectedly without any prior notice. This week, The Happy Getaway brings you a guide as to how you can get to an Abandoned Aircraft of Sahara not too far away from Mumbai left at the Marshy Grass lands of the outskirts of the city. If you love exploring the unknown and discovering the lost, then this point is surely a destination, you’d like to jot down in your diary.

So, I’ll tell you how I stumbled upon this place, in the first place. I was off a few days ago to visit a waterfall in Khapoli, with a few others. And on my way on the left hand side we suddenly noticed a huge Aircraft parked in the middle of the fields. At first we wondered if this was from an accident like in the movies, where people were stranded and needed to be rescued or was it just a haunted place where locals would forbid you to go from. As we drove a little ahead we realised that further from the aircraft was another large building that looked like an abandoned factory of sorts, which was quite frightening in itself having huge clown like figures and moss all over its walls.

 

After making a stop close by we decided to the adventurous thing, and explore. So we parked a bit away and began exploring. There are two entrances to reach the Aircraft I would suggest the one near the gate of a resort which is comparatively less mossy (subject to rains of course). And there’s the other way which we took that leads from the spooky building but is super mossy (so be careful) and leading up to electricity towers that you walk past to reach the aircraft. So first we walked through the factory and realised on discussing with the caretaker, that it use to be a water park that couldn’t pay its due’s and now the bank is holding the land as ransom. Seeing majority of the park, demolished and left in pieces we decided to not venture further.

We then walked through the mud, muck and puddles and soon reach concrete land. Yeah? Concrete land in the middle of the fields, that’s right so unexpected. And we then further went on to walk to the aircraft. And no it was no dummy, make believe aircraft. It was huge, like any real aircraft you have seen and been in. Yet out of shape, old and dusty. We looked around, to soon see that the door was shut and birds had nested itself in the wheels. And yes, the wheels were taken out too and it was supported by a stand like structure now. We then saw an old man (we assume is also a caretaker), walk suddenly in surprise and tell us more about the aircraft. How it was bought by someone a few years ago, and is used now for shoots and commercial events. Had Ac attached and a stair way through which one could get in. He said we were unlucky and just a day before there was a shoot and we could have gotten to see it from the inside. (Darn!) But well, it was still quite a lot of fun to run across something mid journey and get to know about it.

So I can’t lie and tell you that it isn’t a scary ordeal and that you should venture doing this alone. Because you wouldn’t see people for miles and miles accept a few care takers around, who to be honest don’t look to be the most trust worthy. So I’d advise you to take care, and preferably take someone along. Cause exploring together of course is always a more fun filled experience. Also would be advisable to explore during the day, as there is little to no lighting provision around the aircraft. But you never know, maybe there’s a shoot happening the same day you visit, and your able to explore the insides of this abandoned aircraft.

Would love to know your experiences of visiting abandoned places and how you managed to find your way through. I hope this article inspires you to go visit the aircraft or some abandoned place near you, sure do tell us about.

Hope you have a safe, happy and adventurous weekend.

Edited & Written by Alvin Anthony

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10 Reasons: Why Prioritizing Travel Is A Must #TravelTips - The Happy Getaway 2017

The Happy Getaway is back! with your weekly edition of Travel Reviews, Tips & Experience blogging. And in our Monday edition today, we talk about the 10 reasons why, you need to make time off your "Oh so, busy!" schedule to travel. To get out off your bed and not be lazy to explore, and create experiences, here are our top 10 reasons, why you should be travelling this weekend. 

#10 Nature & Wildlife Heals

We all know that being around nature and wild life creates a sense of peace and belonging which helps us calm down from our usual day stresses. The smell of wet grass, and the buzzing of the wild life helps refresh and rejuvenate our senses so as to be able to find peace and joy. And it is not every day that we spend time in the greens listening to birds or dipping our feet into a river. Thus after a hard week's work we all deserve the pampering and comfort of being lost in the arms of nature. 

Don't deprive yourself off it, just because it takes some effort.

#9 Learn About New Cultures & Traditions

If you love discovering and learning new things. Then travel is your best outlet. Every fort, village, cave, mountain or waterfall you may visit has its own tale of being formed. Embraced in the culture and community that surrounds it. There's always something new to learn and experience and if you love learning that you must surely, get yourself a new experience every weekend. Through which you can disconnect with your present belief systems and find solace within memories from the past, and learn more about the rich heritage and history of the world.

#8 Challenge & Push Yourself To Builds Persistence & Accommodate 

It's difficult these days to be persistent to push yourself to finish a trek or climb a mountain or to be accommodating and adjust to changing circumstances. Travel helps you work on both fronts. It makes you push yourself to keep up and reach the top and makes you learn to make do, adjust and make the most of circumstances irrespective of how difficult it may be or seem. So come, push yourself to not be lazy or complain about all your problems and limitations, just pack your bag and find your adventure. 

#7 Learn More About Your Preferences & Dislikes

How well do we know ourselves? How often do we put ourselves in unfavorable situations and learn new things about ourselves? Not often, I'm sure. But travel, is a world of self discovery. And through doing a trip on a budget, that may not be comfortable or as you would usually prefer it, you would learn new things about yourself. About what you like, how you like it. You'd learn more about who you are, and how you react differently to circumstances. And what's more valuable than self discovery right?

#6 Create's A Memorable Experience

The modern generations is often caught out for investing time into experiences that dont last more than a few hours or days. Putting time into nothing that you can think or reflect upon years later and take away from. Investing into memorable experiences that can help you through life and can make you a better version of you is the need of today. A memory of doing a trek, sitting across a river, doing BBQ near a lake, making new friends and sharing stories. These are memories and experiences that are cherish-able than most things we'd do ordinarily. So why not go out and make memories? Than stay in and be thankful for Netflix?

#5 Helps Clear Your Mind

Do you feel like your mind is overly clogged at times. So much that you can't get things done or pay attention. So much that you can't be creative or breathe freely without getting worried. It maybe any particular reason but it is important for your mind to be at peace, for you to live life to the fullest. And this is what travel does for you, it helps you clear your mind and refresh your canvas. It helps you detach from the world and reconnect with a world of purity away from the noise. In the most natural and organic way possible break away from your worries.

#4 Meet & Connect With New People 

We all love to be comfortable and protected within our small circle of friends and people we know. But what are the possibilities of meeting someone from the other side of the world? With similar interests but who does not live in your neighborhood? A role model? Travelling helps your meet and connect with people over a journey. It helps learn more about them and yourself by spending time with people from various walks of life. Reflecting upon perspectives and experiences

 And maybe making a new best friend? 

#3 We All Need The Exercise 

You know, we do. The age old gym membership or going for a run dream never comes true with the fast paced life that we live in. It is very important for us to keep fit and get that regular exercise that we all need. And what better way to do it? Through travel. It helps you freshen up your body through regular movement and helps build your fitness and stamina to take on any challenge that is put in front of you. It helps you stay fit in the most enjoyable way possible and not in vicinity of four walls.

#2 Helps You Connect With Yourself

Our second most important reason why should prioritize travel is because it helps you connect with yourself. And man, isn't that essential. I mean you may be doing all the right things in the world and having the best of friends, but unless you haven't connected with yourself what is all that worth? Travel gives you that safe and open space to be able to spend time with yourself and with your emotions. It helps you discover and find who you are and what your purpose is better. It helps you bring clarity to how you may then go on to describe and think yourself. Away from what the world may think or perceive you to be.

#1 Break The Monotony

The number one reason is, that you should break that ordinary followed since childhood routine of doing certain things on certain days. Break the monotony of schedules and of life and do the unexpected. Become more spontaneous and open to living life, as it comes. To packing your bags and following your heart and not your mind. Surprise yourself, and don't shy away from putting that hard work in that you know you will appreciate in the future.

And that's a rap folks, thank's for reading through our top 10 reasons, why travel should be one of the things that you push yourself into prioritizing, because it makes all the other things that you do tick. Are there any other reasons according to you? Do share and let us know, if you think we should add to this, or anything you do not agree with. 

We hope you like the article. Do subscribe and watch this space for a lot more travel and experience based content coming your way shortly. And do let us know if this motivated you to go out and travel.

Edited & Written by Alvin Anthony

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Into The Night - Kalavantin Durg - Small Steps - The Happy Getaway 2015

Somewhere New

Kalavantin durg is located on a plateau very close to Matheran, near the Machi and Vajepur villages.  It a beautiful location that is also known to be named after the queen Kalavantin, as the steep stairs takes you upwards. Embrace yourself for a thrilled filled adventure.

How to Get There

• ·        Air: the nearest airport is the Mumbai airport after which you can take a taxi to Panvel or Thakurwadi
• ·        Rail: board a train that halts at Panvel after which you take an auto (tum-tum) to reach Thakurwadi
• ·        Bus: catch a bus that goes to Panvel and then an auto (tum-tum) to reach Thakurwadi.
• ·        Tum-Tums are preferred because there is a climb from Thakurwadi to Prabalmachi and then to the top of Kalavantin durg.

Difficulty Level & Duration

Moderate, 34 hours (Night Camping)

Height

It is a 500m high pinnacle on the northern edge of the Prabal plateau. Its total height is 2,300 feet

Happy Hours

Monsoons and Winters.

My Happy Getaway – Small Steps Community

A weekend cannot be more eventful than learning so many different things and experiencing a feel of trained mountaineering skills. It was a beautiful a trip organized by Small Steps.

 On the 3^rd October at around 7 am we began our journey toward the trekking site. As the sun rose, the adventurers began their trek to the Prabal Machi basecamp at a quick pace where piping hot tea with delicious poha was awaiting them.

At about noon, a knot teaching session was conducted by Hira Kaka and Sachin Mestry, who were our mountaineering teachers. Different types of knots, their application and methodology was taught. Basic information about it and familiarity to some technical tools should be known before attempting any kind of mountaineering activities.

 After fulfilling our midday activities we headed to our very first session of mountain climbing. Our energy levels were high and so was the humidity. Though the weather wasn’t very pleasant and apt it did not kill our excitement and pumped up adrenaline. We overcame our fear by mastering the art of mountain climbing.

 For amateurs like us, aping up the mountain was a challenging task. However, with constant motivation of Nishant and Sachin (our trainers) everybody got to experience their first ever thrilling clamber.

After such a tiresome ascend we began descending to the base camp, during late evening. The dull bluish sky was slowly changing to a relatively darker shade.

The descend was followed by an amazing dinner which included an interactive session with all the trekkers. After the glorious dinner, before retiring a revision of the knot session was conducted.

Eventually, the night got to the trekkers and they began to fall asleep under the moonlight. The chilly night and snoring sound didn't let camping zeal fade.

On the onset of dawn a wake-up call was made. And what we witnessed after that was heavenly. The view of clouds covering the city was incredible.

Quickly after, freshening up and having breakfast, we soon headed out for the climb to Kalavanting durg and rappelling session.

 Slowly and steadily we climbed up Kalavanting and experienced a rare view.

 Then the exciting rappelling was awaiting us. Rappelling is easier only when you don’t look down the hill from which you are descending. Fortunately, the climate was sunny and complimented our activity.

We were back to the base camp at noon where lunch was served. After a little chit-chat, everyone gathered to thank our trainers. Their support and motivation was much appreciated. They were friendly and easy-going, as we were beginners. The knowledge and experience gained through this trip was immense.

As said happy times are short lived, and so these two days passed quickly, leaving behind some beautiful memories to be cherished.

Sakshi Trivedi - www.skiesofsakshi.wordpress.com – Small Steps Traveler

Blueprint

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The Highest Peak In Maharashtra - Kalsubai 2015

Where? - Location Compass

Kalsubai Peak (Marathi: कळसूबाई शिखर) is the highest peak of the Sahyadris on the border of Igatpuri Taluka, Nashik district and Akole Taluka, of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, an Indian state. 'Kalsubai' temple is located at the topmost peak of Sahyadri mountain range of Maharastra.

How To Get There:

• Reach Kasara Railway Station (Most Economical)
• Take local Taxi till base village Bari
• By Road Mumbai - Kasara - Igatpuri - Ghoti - Bari
• Kalsubai Trek from Pune By Road Pune - Sangamner - Rajur - Bhandardara - Bari

Kalsubai Trek Climb: Medium/Moderate 3 hours

Kalsubai Height: 1646 meters (5400 feet)

When? - Ideal Time To Getaway

Best Period To Getaway: June - December

Pooja Days (Temple Prayer): Tuesday & Thursday

The best time to go is during Navratri (A festival period) when there is a mela (Celebration of sorts) with a lot of people and festive happenings. Also during June to December at the start of the monsoons and winter as the temperature is much more pleasant than it is during the summers. Also you can enjoy the winds and rains better during the end of the year period (Also waterfalls!).

I happened to head out during July, so it was bliss to say the least. The cold monsoon wind, backed by heavy yet comforting rains was surely a treat.

My Happy Getaway - Kalsubai 2015

It was a cool Saturday night with a hint of a slight drizzle, and I was done with work like any other ordinary day pretty late. After looking forward to this trip for a weeks or months, with Kushal (A really close trekking friend of mine.)  I think to finally head out was surely a great feeling. So we were deciding between Kalsubai and Peb. And the highest peak of Maharashtra? Well yeah. How could you possible second option that .So Kalsubai it was. We head out at around 4am ish. Reached Kasara. You do get busses and taxi’s from the station to Bari the base village of Kalsubai close to Igatpuri and Nashik. We bussed it cause we wanted to do this old school style. And it was quite far (30-40 mins or so in the bus.) We were soon dropped off in the middle of a road, parallel to the road heading to this hills. You do get this feeling when you head out towards the Sahyadris a feeling of triumph, history and belonging. And as a backpacker there is not a whole that you’d even want out of a trip apart from this feeling, this feeling of being home. So we reached the base village, and since neither of us had been there before we sort started making our way to the top. You’ll find a lot of people asking to show you around for a small sum of money or guide you through if you're new to the place. Also a lot of shops offering meals. Now if you are in a group or completely new to trekking this may not be a bad idea, but the route that they may take you through might be unfamiliar and I can’t vouch for the safety of the same. However what I’d suggest is ask local shopkeepers and fellow travellers which way to go towards. Because the patch isn’t as confusing or hard to make out. You just need to keep going upwards. So we asked the locals around and got onto the right patch. So I’m sure anyone can.

We had to take off our shoes and walk through a stream. Oh the beautiful feeling. You feel exactly the same as you do when you feel when you're on top when you step into the clean pure water (It does depend when you visit though, early morning visit was when we did.). After that we stopped after a decent climb for a quick snack and then we kept heading up. You do find small stalls and lemonade vendors on your way who are quite kind and friendly and will help show you directions. We made a few stops, and cross quite a few ladders on our way. I think more than this being a moderate trek it is a trek that tests your endurance and stamina levels. As the patch isn’t really hard but is a long and distant patch. (Well it is the highest, for a reason.) We reached the first based after crossing a few leaders.

I think the most disappointing or thing that you should be most aware off is the fact that you’ll never be able to see the top most point from the bottom. Or until you are really close. You always feel you are right there, and bam a new peak appears. This will happen twice, till you really see the top. And don’t lose hope, because it is totally worth it. We went up and up and even though I was demotivated we hadn’t reach I was eager to see what it would be like on the top. Once we reached the second base I could see clouds all around the last one. And a patch that was barely visible. You reach up and then you are surrounded by clouds and the wind blows so strongly that it can blow you or your bag pack away. The temple is quite beautifully kept, and you’d find a guard keeper who does pray and take offerings in. The local denti is believed and worshiped by many and people believe that the statue inside the temple has been present there since 400 years or so. I think the most refreshing feeling is when you have the wind keep changing its direction the sun shining all of a sudden and the winds blowing the clouds away and opening up the beautiful view from the top of Maharashtra and the Sahyadris. Words cannot contain what me and Kushal probably felt. I think its for days like these we live for. We soon, started heading back down and enjoyed each others conversations and company. Kushal had also brought some snacks, that I really liked. And we found a dog on our way back that we gave some off our left over snacks too. We then started heading back wards.

You’d think travelling alone is fun. But travelling in a smaller group is quite a lot of fun too. I surely plan on doing more of these not so impromptu and free way trips with Kushal and other backpackers. Hopefully to the highest peak in another city soon.

This is Happy (Or you can call me Al) signing off, until next time.

Have a great day.

And an adventurous weekend! :)      

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