Andharban Jungle Trek – The Jumpy Start
A surreal rattle was drumming a shrill jingle in my heart as I paced the empty lane which was marked as my pickup point. I was on my way to my first ever solo trek in one of the most amazing forest patches gracing this beautiful planet. I wanted myself to believe I could do it. The Andharban Jungle trek was yet to start and I was already throbbing with excitement.
The Andharban Jungle Trek was marked with a lot of slips – both physical and logistical. To begin with the bus played a spoiler. While 19 beautiful women (yes it was a Women’s special Trek!) were waiting all geared up, raring to rage the forests, the bus refused to move on. Prolonged follow ups by the diligent Pune Travel Club team (PTC) and a not-so patient wait by the girl gang finally yielded results and we got going. The journey was fortunately uneventful and we even managed to steal time to click some memorable team pics at a wayside restaurant where we stopped for a quick breakast break.
Missing Leads
No sooner did we alight at Pimpri village, the starting point of our trek, we felt the pull of clear bue skies and woody forest meadows too endearing to wait for anything else. Kaka, our pied piper and guide, the only male member in the group of 19 women high on adrenaline, led us on bravely into the verdant lands. We walked on drinking in the beauty of the surroundings oblivious to the world we had left behind when the buzz in our pockets shook us out of our reverie. In our eagerness, we had left our leads behind!!!
The PTC trek leads, Puja and Florina, two smart young ladies, having just finished their discussions with the driver to notify him where he needs to pick us up after the trek, turned around to lead us into the trek only to be rudely shocked. There was no one there to be led !!! The second delay in our itinerary.
As we waited for them to catch up with us, we utilised the time productively by clicking groupies and selfies.
The Walk Resumes over Hills and Dales
The errant enthusiastic trekkers were chided and things soon fell in place as we moved up the forest path. In fact, the place has a magic of its own which cannot keep you pouting for long. Located at a distance of roughly 100 km from Pune, Andharban , which literally means the ‘dark forest’, is a beautiful verdant corridor that connects Tamhini Ghat with the Konkan area. It overlooks the Kundallika valley and provides some mesmerizing views at every turn and from every ridge.
The walk is through a dense overgrowth of varied flora. The denseness at time is so severe, you can hardly see a few metres in front of you. It is a trek made for the monsoons, when the forest is sheathed in a misty fervour teasing the traveller to partake of its surreal beauty with a seduction few find hard to resist. Its gorging waterfalls bubbling with mischief, the whistling thrush and the coy blossoms all add to its allure.
The Trekking Trails
Our Andharban Jungle trek however took place in the post-monsoon season. The woods were not as dark as I expected and the mist gave us the miss. Nevertheless, what we got was equally enigmatic. The first leg of the trek was pretty easy going. We trudged up and down crossing dried up water bodies, admiring pretty fossils that left behind patterns on stones, splashing our tired faces with cool refreshing water from the streams and generally having a great time. The cricket soon started its rendition of a symphony that has become my forest anthem. I yearn to hear it whenever I am within one and simply love the thrill I experience every time. Every forest has its own fragrance, one that is raw and wild. I somehow love following hard on this cloying trace knowing it will lead me to something more exciting than what I can imagine.
Food For the Hungry Souls
At around 4 we reached the Hirdi village, our pitstop for lunch. We were too tired even to wash our hands and gobbled up the simple fare offered by our hosts. It comprised a simple fare of Bhakri, Rice, Lentils, an aloo subzi (an Indian version of mashed potato), Pithla and pickles . A typical Maharashtrian thali- light yet wholesome. We finished off. Rested and satiated we started off to resume our trek. Little did I know that this is where the real trek begins!
Trek Travails
The walk from the Hirdi village is largely a descent strewn with boulders and smaller pebbles. We literally jumped down the bigger boulders and skidded over their smaller cousins. I stepped so cautiously that I frequently got cramps in my legs. However, we trudged on , the more experienced ones with a new found gusto. For novices like me, it was a challenge. I was almost cursing under my breath for having put myself through this rigour. Nevertheless, every time I stopped, I patted myself for having covered the distance without slipping. People were slipping all around. Shouts of laughter erupted as everyone helped the other person up.
Just when I thought I had mastered the art of rock jumping, I slipped!
My legs got a cramp almost immediately. Nevertheless, having rubbed some pain gel I trudged on. It was as if the Andharban Jungle trek was throwing a challenge to all of us to prove our worth. But we were happy that we were not cowering down.
The Andharban Jungle Trek route is undoubtedly a beautiful one. Enmeshed in a thick almost impenetrable foliage, it is amazing that we didn’t spot a single wildlife other than a solitary chameleon. The poor being slipped into a crevice as soon as I approached. Maybe, sympathetic of my already sorry state it refrained from causing me further misery.
Andharban Jungle Trek – Where Darkness Leads to Light
We approached the end of the trek almost suddenly. Just when I thought maybe I could never make it, we reached flat ground and approached the Bhira Dam. A serene picturesque vista was our reward after the trek down. The climb down left me with throbbing legs but also managed to enlighten me with a new knowledge. I have realised darkness can also bring light. The dense darkness of the Andharban has enlightened me to the potential that lies hidden within me. All it needs is a little push to move my lazy overweight body and the rest is a miracle waiting to happen.
I have made new friends and new memories. I am now waiting for new stories to emerge from these. The chatter and laughter of our girl gang reverberates in my ears even now as I sit to write this blog.
A special thanks to the PTC team for their relentless effort in making this trek a success. As I was getting off the bus at 11 in the night, exhausted but exhilarated, the trek leads touched my arm and said “Do message us once you reach home.” I believe that is the kind of endearing personal touch that tourism should imbibe. The team realises the importance of making you feel special. Kudos to Puja, Florina and the entire PTC team not just for arranging the trek but also for being responsible enough to bring it to a happy conclusion. Waiting for the next trek and the next enlightenment to strike me.
That is how life pulls you on I guess!
