Mesmerizing Naneghat

Naneghat

Naneghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range near Junnar in Pune district of Maharashtra, India. During the reign of the Satavahana (200 BCE–190 CE), the pass was extensively used as a trade route between Kalyan and Junnar. Literally, the name nane means "coin" and ghat means "pass". The name is given because this path was used as a tollbooth to collect toll from traders crossing the hills.

History

The inscriptions in the caves indicate that they are the work of Satavahana rulers who came into prominence after the fall of the Mauryan Empire. It is believed that a powerful woman ruler Naganika, the wife of Satakarni (180–170 BCE) of the Satavahana family commissioned the cave, the statues and the inscriptions.

Nane Ghat is situated at about 55 km from Kalyan. One can reach the base village Vaishakare by boarding the state transport bus passing through Malshej Ghat. From Vaishakare it's about 1/2 an hour walk along the road to Malshej Ghat to reach the divergence for Nane Ghat. There is a board indicating the divergence so finding the divergence is not difficult. Naneghat offers different beauty in different seasons.

Getting there:

1)   Base Village: Vaishakhare village

Route from Nashik –

Nashik – Shahapur – Saralgaon – Vaishakhare – Naneghat Trekking Point (Landmark - A huge concrete board on the left indicates that the route is as old as 250 BC)

2)    Base Village: Ghatghar (Via Malshej Ghat)

Route from Nashik –

Nashik – Shahapur – Saralgaon – Vaishakhare – Malshej Ghat – Pargaon – Bagadwadi – Khaire – Hirdi – Ghatghar – Naneghat

By this route you reach directly on the top on Naneghat

P.S. The above route runs from Kaacha roads. Not advised for night journey

One can even drive from Junnar – Aptale route (roads are better compared to the above)

For more details or bookings contact +91 9561440405 | +91 9422976625

Sandhan Valleys - Valley of Shadows

About Sandhan Valley

         Sandhan valley is known Valley of Shadows in a magnificent location in the mighty Sahyadri range. This splendid water carved valleys in about 200ft deep. This eco-region is located near Samrad village, on the west side of beautiful Bhandardara region. This beautiful valleys is surrounded with mighty Alang, Madan & Kulang also known as AMK, Ratangad, Ajoba & Kalsubai mountain ranges. Deep rock floored ravine between the two high walls of mountain range simply looks amazing. At some places its width is less than 3 ft due to which at some places the rays of sun are unable to reach the rocky floor, which is why it’s called valley of shadow. To reach the end of canyon you have cross 2-3 water pools, where water level changes according to seasons. in winter one can expect the level up to waist & in summer it may be enough to wet your knee height. At the end of the valley you get magnificent view of high cliffs & deep valleys. This is called Sandhan Valley trek. (You don’t need any special trekking equipment up to this point)

                From that point ahead to reach the base of Sandhan Valley & Karoli Ghat you have to rappel 3-4 small rappelling patches. This patch is relatively tough and one should cross this patch under experts’ guidance. From base camp its takes approximately 4 hrs trek to reach back to Samrad Village via Karoli Ghat.

P.S. Sandhan Valleys is not accessible during June to October due to heavy rainfall in this region.

Best time to visit Sandhan Valley is November to May 

(winter is always best for treks, floral beauty with green landscapes with great atmosphere.  In hot summer if you want some chill out with adventure, Sandhan Valley & Bhandardara backwater is best place to visit)

Getting there:

Base Village – Samrad Village

From Nashik – 

Total distance – 90Kms (Approx)

The route runs as – Nashik – Ghoti – Bhandardara – Shendi Village – Panjare – Udhawne – Ghatghar Dam – Samrad Village

Sandhan Valley - Images - HnV

Bike Expedition - Ride with Hills and Valleys Tours

For Details Call +91 9561440405 || +91 9422976625

White Water Rafting at Vaitarna

White Water Rafting at Vaitarna

 Life is either a daring adventure or nothing - Helen Keller

Vaitarna Dam, also called Modaksagar Dam, it is the first gravity dam of its kind. The design and concrete style of construction was repeated across India to give shape to various dam projects. The backwaters, the calm lagoon, the deep woods and the natural surroundings make this place a key centre of tourist attraction for those visiting this part of Maharashtra.

Igatpuri is a popular hill station for tourists visiting Maharashtra and at 1900 feet; it is one of the highest too. The pebbly climbs and the cascading waterfalls are sights to behold. The serenity and the quiet ambiance of the surroundings are simply unmatched.

In such a serene and tranquil location we, Hills and Valleys Adventures are happy to introduce Nashikites to the most enthralling adventure sport - White Water River Rafting.

Just a few kilometers away from Nashik City, we have this thrilling adventure surrounded with mountains and natural flora & fauna.

The total rafting distance is 10kms approximately, which takes about 2 hrs to complete the rafting patch. 

We conduct rafting in 2 batches:
Batch 1: 09:00am 
Batch 2: 02:30 pm

White Water Rafting is conducted throughout the year at Vaitarna.

River rafting is such an adventure sport which can be attempted by almost everybody(other than heart patients/severe asthama patients/medically unfit people).
Minimum age requirement for White Water Rafting is 12yrs. And most important, don't worry if you can't swim (Non-swimmers are most welcomed), we provide you with best quality life jacket, helmet, paddles for your safety.

Things you need to carry in your backpack to the camp site:
>> T-Shirt and comfortable pant/shorts
>> Extra pair of clothes
>> Towel/napkin
>> Floaters/sandles
>> Water resistant sun screen (SPF.40)
>> Bottle of water
>> Personal medicines, if required
>> Avoid jewellery   
>> Most important, a sense of adventure

HD VIDEO Link: Hills and Valleys - White Water Rafting at Vaitarna

For more details and bookings contact:
 +91 9561440405 (Paresh) | +91 9422976625 (Anil)

write us at:
hillsnvalleys@outlook.com | hillsandvalleysnashik@gmail.com

   

History of White Water Rafting

History of Whitewater Rafting

White water rafting can be traced back to 1811 when the first recorded attempt to navigate the Snake River in Wyoming was planned. 

In 1840, the first rubber raft was made by John Fremont and Horace Day. The same took place commercially a century after, when Clyde Smith led a successful tour through the Snake River. Earlier they used surplus war rafts which were 8ft wide and 27ft long. 

In 1972, white water rafting was included in Olympic Games in Munich and from then it has risen to a popular adventure sport and hobby, growing more and more every year.

In India following are some famous places to go for White Water Rafting:

1) Rishikesh (Dehradun, Uttarakhand)

2) Zanskar (Jammu & Kashmir)

3) Indus (Jammu & Kashmir)

4) Bhagirathi River (Himalaya, Uttarakhand)

5) Teesta River (Sikkim, Darjeeling)

6) Brahmaputra (Tibet Region, Himalaya, Arunachal Pradesh)

7) Kali/Sharda River (Uttarakhand)

8) Tons River (Garhwal, Uttarakhand)

9) Kundalika River, Kolad (Maharashtra)

10) Barpole, Coorg 

Grades of White Water Rafting:

There is an international scale for measuring the difficulty of river, which is divided in six grades. They range from simple to dangerous level of difficulty.

Grade 1: Very basic skill level, with small rough patches

Grade 2: Requires basic paddling skill, has some rough areas and rocks

Grade 3: Has no considerable danger, with some small rapids and drops

Grade 4: Medium waver, slight drops and rapids with some rocks

Grade 5: Large waves and rapids, large drops and huge rocks, requires precise maneuvering

Grade 6: Considered to be dangerous. One can expect huge waves, rocks and rapids.