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.

Top 10 Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler #TravelTips - The Happy Getaway 2017

Top 10 Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler #TravelTips - THG 2017

If you’ve ever been a bag packer or traveler, you may have realized how united and singular the tune to the environment and travel is. Each step on to a new mountain or experience is always wrapped around the bliss of the never ending fragrance of green. But it’s been quite upsetting though to see many a times, the disregard and lack of care shown by travelers during trips and treks towards the environment.

The distance from being eco-friendly and taking the environment for granted arises through the feeling of “someone else will clean it” or that “me alone being environment friendly won’t change the world” that makes a traveler seem more like an outsider, even though that is exact opposite of what we stand for. I believe if each of us does out part we could live in a much more happier and greener society. And down below you will find my Top 10 ways of being a more responsible and environment friendly traveler.

10. Don’t be a Plucker

We all know you love plucking flowers and making art from leaves, but the environment is alive and vibrant. And if all of us begin to pluck everything that blossoms then we would not have a lifeline that goes beyond a few days.

So unless they have already had their time and have made their way down, it is not advisable to be a plucker, which will make your quite a sucker!

09. Carry a Garbage Bag

We often complain that Oh, I would have thrown it in the right place if I would see a dustbin. But let’s be fair to find a Dustbin in the middle of nowhere or on a mountain is close to impossible. So do your part, always make sure you carry a garbage or a waste bag which you, or someone who wasn’t as responsible as you could use.

 08. Report Unlawful Environmental Activities

Many a times on our trips or journeys we may come across an illegal or not so environment friendly activity. Like hunting, cutting of trees or burning of crops but we often hesitate to get ourselves involved or take a step. Well, or we don’t know how we could. The 8^th tip is top take the effort to find out, or try. This maybe something that the environment can’t fight against (Well, cause they can’t speak) but we can, and if we don’t try to notify the authorities or do what’s right. Then who will?

07. Avoid Trespassing into Reserved Greenland’s

It may seem like a cool idea or story to tell when you went past those fences into that reserved forest or territory and did some exploring. But sadly it may cost you or the Greenland some amount of life in return. As most reserved lands are protection shields to wildlife and plant’s that are at risk. Therefore at that point human intervention may not be the most advisable without prior consent or permission. So please, don’t let your need to do something unlawful cost the environment, something it needs.

06. Refrain from Smoking & Liquor Consumption

I know, a cigarette in the middle of nowhere with a bottle of beer may seem like a scene from a movie. But it could lead to throwing of bottle’s leading to littering and starting of a fire due to improper putting of the cigarette. So please be vigilant and try to avoid any unfavorable occurrences.

05. Respect the Environment & Surrounding While Travelling

We often just stamp over plants or smash over ant hills. There is sense of responsibility or respect shown to nature or the life that it pays shelter too. There is a need as a top 5 reason to be humble and more caring of the surrounding to insure that you are a protector and well wisher instead of being a threat and careless bad doer. So respect the environment and it will respect you.

04. Lift All the Waste on Your Way of Other Travelers

You may feel if you do well and carry a waste bag and collect your own waste that should give you a clean chit. But to be fair, that sadly is not enough. There is a need for picking up other travelers waste as well on your way. To ensure that you being responsible can hopefully cover up for all the lack of responsibility your co-travelers and explorers show.

03. Avoid Using Plastic Bottle’s & Disposable Items

It may seem easier to just carry a plastic bag or an old Pepsi bottle instead of taking the effort to take a paper bag or a non disposable bottle. But it is quite the strain when it comes to carrying disposable items that you will soon need to be disposed into the open because it will add to your back weight and sooner or later you may take the convenient option of littering which would not help the environment in any way.

02. Support Plantation Drives & Animal Welfare Programs by NGOs

One way of being an Eco-Friendly Traveler is by supporting others that are doing good work in this space. Few organizations that have frequent campaigns and initiatives to help the environment are . Do support, donate, volunteer and be involved as their cause is to protect our home. An as an Eco-friendly traveler that must be our duty and agenda as well.

01. Initiate Clean Up’s & Cleanliness Drives as Part of Your Trip Itinerary

It is great to see other NGOs take initiatives but the change will only begin if each one of us begins to take the initiative to do our part. To start to incorporate nature friendly activities and drives as part of our trips to ensure that we are not just enjoying the beauty of travelling but are also helping preserve its beauty.

I hope you enjoyed this read, please do share inputs and suggestions if you feel there is something I have missed out and could add to this list. I love volunteering and giving back to the society and this write up is an effort to connect it to a passion of mine that is to travel. Please do, do your parts and share this write up with as many people as you can so that they can become more responsible travelers.

Hope you have a safe, adventurous and eco-friendly weekend!

Edited & Written by Alvin Anthony

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Disclaimer: All images used are Stalk/Borrowed images and do not belong to the blog, they are used for representation purposes only and belong to the rightful owners.

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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A Drop of Experience - A Poetry About The Rains & Experiences

I got the opportunity to visit the Zenit Waterfalls in Khopoli this week, and when I reached the base point I had this feeling of deeper connect between the monsoons and having experiences and jotted this down. Would love to know what you think and about your monsoon experiences. It's called "A Drop Of Experience"

It’s time to tie down your laces, it’s time to let go.

Shake up your traces, and pull past the ropes.

The rain drops are falling, down your window pale.

Life is at your door step don’t you want to keep awake?

Memories are stagnant, and your feet keep you still.

Living a life of detachment, that only you can call fulfilled.

Falling are the droplets, of the little world that awaits you.

Washing you through ripples and skipping past your day’s blues.

Thundering are the sounds of boredom that keep you up at night.

Echoing the peaceful breeze that blow’s past your lonely plights.

Shinning like a rainbow, that colours up your greys.

Don’t be stuck rehearsing tomorrow, when you’re not out living today.

Rainfall is a remedy, and stepping out into the green is the key.

You’ll find locks that fit right, only if you’d reach out and see.

It’s a blue world now landscaped in sorrows and the sea.

The only experiences, that won’t pass you by is the one that soaks you and your being.

Monsoons are forgotten absorbing you in despair.

Not showering you into a time loop that you’d be able to quite compare.

This feeling of rejuvenation may seem quite away.

Not as far as you’d stand from your window, hoping the drop of rain would take you away.

Away? Yes, far away. Into the forgotten grey.

Into a world of realities, where experiences lasts a life time.

But moments don’t last a day.

So step out and let it seep in.

Let the rain fall take you away.

Hope you have a great week ahead, filled with travel and adventure.

Edited & Written by Alvin Anthony

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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! :)      

What Does It Look Like? - Picture Gallery

Pictures of THG  Kalsubai Trek 2015:

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