Mt Kalsubai is the highest peak(1646 meters) in Maharashtra and a definite destination. The trek offers a mesmerizing combination of waterfalls, forests, field lands, and historic forts.
Being the highest peak, it commands a beautiful view of the surrounding forts. You can see Bhandardara backwaters and the peaks of Ramsej, Harihargad, Brahmagiri, Anjaneri, Ghargad, Bahula, Tringalwadi, Kavnai, to the north; Aundha, Vishramgad, Bitangad, to the east; Alang, Madangad, Kulang, to the west; Ratangad at the south-west and to the south you will be able to see Prabhalgad, Ghanchakkar, and Harishchandragad.
Scaling Kalsubai has become something of a rite of passage for ardent trekkers. The trek is moderately difficult, passing through lush paddy fields, jungles, small streams, highlands, and rocky terrains, and takes around 3-4 hours, with short intervals in between, to reach the crest of Kalsubai.
The base village Bari is a farming village and from the start of the trek, you will walk through extensive farms. This is the best of the trek and is an easy enjoyable walk. Once you reach the end of the village you’ll find a small stream (which needs to be crossed), and a Hanuman temple. The route from the temple leads straight to the peak and is well-marked so there is no risk of getting lost. During monsoons, there is a patch of fresh slush near the paddy fields, so don't worry much about the stains, they're bound to happen. Following the fields, you’ll go through a short forest section. Here ends your first section of the trek and the easy part too. The second section is Up the hill, and what you’ll see is white times infinity. Fog. Clouds. Drizzle. Wind. And in all this come the ladders! Wobbly as they are, one-at-a-time climb on the ladder, less support, you start thinking about all the things you had ever wanted to do in life. There are five such ladders en route to the top. The ladder section is the challenging part of the trek. After this, you’ll reach a viewpoint that is usually misassumed as the pinnacle but it’s not. From the viewpoint area, you’ll have to walk for another 10 mins for the final summit. Once you reach the peak, you’re above the clouds!
The final summit is where the Kalsubai temple is located. The Kalsubai temple is considered very auspicious and many villagers still visit the temple to seek the blessings of Kalsubai Devi. The temple is open throughout the year. The descent down takes about two to three hours of trekking. You will have to take the same trail down to reach the base village of Bari.
The trek is open throughout the year with each season having a different landscape. So choose the best time depending on what you would like to experience.
During monsoon season you get to see lush green landscapes and experience trekking in heavy rain. But at the same time, it’ll be heavily crowded and the views aren’t clear too. So, it’s best to avoid this season.
Post monsoon is the flowering season and one can experience the beauty of a variety of flora. You get to see the same flowers as the ones found in Kaas plateau(valley of flowers of Maharashtra).
The winter months are the best time for night trekking since you’ll have a clear view of the starry sky and the trial is less likely to be risky. And if you’re lucky enough you even get to spot fireflies.
On Day 1, we will board the train from Secunderabad Junction heading towards Kalyan Junction.
We will arrive at Kalyan Junction early in the morning, around 6:00 AM. After reaching, we’ll freshen up while still on the train and then board our hired vehicles to head towards the base village. The drive will take about 2-3 hours, passing through Igatpuri and Bhandardara, before reaching Bari, the base village of Kalsubai.
Upon reaching Bari, we’ll leave our luggage in the vehicle and carry only essentials for the trek. We’ll have lunch and start the trek pre sunset after a brief stop. The trek is moderately difficult and takes about 3-4 hours to reach the peak. Along the way, we will pass through lush paddy fields, small streams, highlands, and rocky terrains.
The trek will begin with a gentle incline, and as we reach the end of the village, the terrain becomes rocky. We’ll proceed towards the steep part of the trek, where we’ll encounter iron ladders. These ladders, about 4-5 in total, are the tricky part of the climb, especially during the monsoon season when they can be slippery. The ladders offer dramatic views of the valley below, which can be a bit intimidating.
After crossing the third ladder, we’ll reach a viewpoint where we can take a break and enjoy panoramic views of nearby forts like Harishchandragad and the Bhandardara Backwaters, if the weather is clear. Here, we’ll stop for food refreshments and take in the breathtaking scenery.
A short ascend from the viewpoint will bring us to the final iron ladder. Once we climb this, we’ll reach the pinnacle of Kalsubai. At the top, we’ll visit the Kalsubai Mata Temple, which holds sacred significance for the locals. The winds at the summit are high, but they add to the thrill of reaching the highest point in Maharashtra. We will spend ample time here, absorbing the spiritual energy of the place.
After spending time at the top, we will descend back down the same trail to the village. Upon reaching Bari, we will enjoy a delicious local dinner, offering a taste of authentic village cuisine. Depending on the weather conditions, we will either stay in a homestay or camp under the stars. We’ll retire for the night, recharging for the journey ahead.
After a peaceful night of rest, we’ll have breakfast and freshen up before returning to Kalyan Junction. We’ll board our return train and begin the journey back to Hyderabad.
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