A Wanderer's Diary

Lake near the eatery

Waiting for visitors

Trek downhill

The path created by the water

Another day another event. It was on Saturday, when a call from my cousin (who was desperate for a break) prompted us to plan our trip to Kondana caves in Karjat. I did some research with inputs from the internet and had a brief about the place.


So Sunday the 10th of March, we left our abode at Ambernath with the entire team (my family of 4 and my 3 cousins) to catch the 6.28 karjat train. We were at the platform by 6.10 and ready for our journey. Though I had packed some sandwiches for the trek we did not have a good breakfast. The sight of idli sellers on the platform set alarm bells ringing in my stomach. The same was experienced by one of my cousins who shares my fetish for food. We had two plates of idlis & vadas and felt fully recharged. Finally we boarded the train which was 10 mins late and after 45 minutes reached Karjat around 7.30. Took some snaps at the station and proceeded towards the auto rickshaw stand. We hired a the big rickshaw or tumtum as we call it for Rs.400 and the driver assured that he would take us as close as possible to the mountain. He also arranged us an auto for our return journey at Rs.350. Lucky Day.

He dropped us at a house ( reached there around 8.30) which doubles as a eatery which can serve breakfast and lunch on request. We ordered for poha (puffed rice cooked with onions, potato and chillies) with tea. The kids and my cousins started sniffing around the courtyard. They have well where there are two tortoises. The kids were most delighted to see it. My cousin enterprising cousin entered the well and tried touching them. He was happy to do that. We finished the poha which was very tasty and gulped the tea. The kids had the sandwiches. Later we enjoyed playing in the river which is just opposite the eatery.

Started walking towards the spot where we would begin the trek. This place is a 20 minutes walk and can be stressful in summers. Since it was just around 10 am it was not very hot. After a short break at the foot of the mountain and some snaps we started the climb. The trek is an simple one or two with minor difficulties. Our youngest member who is 7 led us. There are markings at various places to show us the right direction. I was the last as my weight made things difficult. We finally made to the summit with many breaks. It took us about 90 minutes and was tiring.

The sight at the summit took us to a different era. Though there were few caves, it was enough for our nature starved eyes. We were later joined by another group (with a guide) of around 30 people. This place also has fort which the guide said would take another 2 hours. But with the rising heat (it was around 11.30)and depleting water stock we were not in a position for anymore treks.

We had grapes and biscuits which gave us some strength. But water was an issue. We had only 2 bottles of water for the return journey. The return journey was adventurous as we took the path made by the gushing water in monsoon. This path is full of rocks small and big but it was great fun. Here too it was the youngsters who led us and I had to follow slowly. It took us about 2 hrs to come down. We all realised the importance of a single drop of water when we exhausted our stock before reaching down. The walk upto the eatery seemed like a walk in the desert for my eldest kid. But like a oasis in the desert, we  found a vendor selling ice candy or golas. That was great solace for our parched throats.

We don't what we had and how much we had but we ended up with a bill of Rs.160. Amazing isn't.

On reaching the eatery we called the auto driver who took us back to Karjat station. The station was crowded due to the arrival of the pune - karjat passenger. The train to ambernath came on time and we managed to grab seats. Reached home around 6 p.m. Dead tired. But fully charged. We will be going back in the monsoons with water everywhere.

A friendly advice do not attempt this trek in summers.