VASOTA TREK-Scenic, Adventurous, Thrilling, Jungle, Sahyadri, Boating (All in One trek)
Located around 140 km south of Pune and 300 Km Southeast of Mumbai, in the Satara district, Vasota is a Fort located near to the Bamnoli village. Also known as Vyaghragad, Vasota Fort is the part of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and is one of the most popular jungle treks in and around Maharashtra. Standing at an elevation of around 3800 feet, Vasota offers beautiful views of the Koyna backwaters and the wildlife sanctuary.
Direct buses do operate between Satara and Bamnoli village which takes around 50 rupees(6 am onwards after an interval of an hour). The route passes through the famous Kaas Plateau. From Bamnoli, one needs to take a boat to reach the start point of the Vasota Fort Jungle Trek.
Trek Information:-
Location Address: Vasota Fort, Near Satara, Maharashtra.
Trek Length: About 5 km from the base village (10 KM in Total).
Difficulty: Easy to Medium grade.
Endurance: Moderate
Suitability: Beginners to Professionals!
Trek Duration:-
7 Hours - 2 hours ascend+1.30 hour descend (1.30-hour boat ride one side)
Trek Fees-
For Pune --------------Rs 1450/-
For Mumbai -----------Rs1650/-
Generally, Trek Charges Includes:-
1. To and fro- Pune-Bamnoli-Vasota-Bamnoli-Pune OR Mumbai-Bamnoli-Vasota-Bamnoli-Mumbai travel by private bus
2. Stay in tents (only tents will be provided on Sharing basis)
3. Breakfast
4. Lunch
5. Boating charges
6. Forest Department Permission Charges
Night Camping at Bamnoli:-
Setting Up Camp at Bamnoli lakeside (which is the starting point of Vasotat trek in the morning), Bonfire, introduction round, and Fun Activities!
You will stay overnight at bamnoli village and Going asleep in tents allocated to you (If you want to).
Wake up early morning and be in a long queue to freshen up and then Breakfast (all-time favorite Poha and Tea will be waiting for you)
Tip-If possible get freshen up as early as possible else there will huge line
Suggestion-Get something to eat and drink from Bamnoli .As once you get into Boat then you won’t get anything, not even water. Let's Suppose you start your trek at 9 AM, you will be returned by 4 PM, So prevention is Better.
At least carry 2-liter water per person and Heavy snacks(Electoral Powder/Energy bars/Dry Snacks (dry fruits. biscuits, plum cakes, etc)
Trek Begins:-
Make a group of 12 and gets into Boat after a briefing from your Lead ,Boat ride will start and It will take around One and half hour(90 minutes approximately)
Boat journey is mesmarising,beautiful and everywhere water and jungle surrounded,you have sufficient time to take Selfies and photos and do some titanic pose and have introduction with your boat mates .You can relax and enjoy the mother nature beauty and see our fort from water.
**Note**
For Trek group, people, below charges are not Applicable and all charges are included in your Trek Charges
Below charges are only for those who are going to trek alone not by any Trek Group
Details about ferry rates and other rates at Vasota fort:-
You need to book a ferry from the starting point where a small shop is located where you can book. Rates for the ferry and other expense as follows:-
1.Max 12 people Rs. 3500 (either you have 1 person or 12 people on Boat- Rate is fixed)
2.Rs. 150 boat(Parking Charges for the whole group)
3.Rs.30 per person(forest fees are taken by Forest Department at Entry)
4.Rs.300 guide(mandatory to take the guide & the boat rider is your guide only)
5.Rs.50 camera (if you have bigger Camera like DSLR and all)
Enjoy Awesome Timelapse of beautiful Boat Ride:-
Once you get down of boat you will see the forest department office where you will need to pay all the fees(boat parking, forest, guide, camera). Also, a counting of plastics being carried along will be done and a security deposit will be taken. The deposit will only be returned if the plastic count is the same on your return. I really loved this initiative because it’s disheartening to see people throwing so much plastic on the other treks. This was the best thing to maintain and conserve the cleanliness and the purity of nature.
The beauty of the forest is so wonderful with the surroundings. The route of this trek is through the dense forest. It is the dream of every trekker to experience such beauty of nature. And Vasota fort fulfills it completely.
Vasota fort trek is approx. 5 km one way and it takes around 2 hours to reach the top of the fort. There aren’t many steep patches, it is a gradual climb through the dense forest cover, so trekking in hot summers won’t be a problem as well. I would highly recommend the trek to the beginners.
Once you cover the half distance you will see below redirecting to Vasota fort, its like selfie tree point for all Trekkers!
Soon, jungle trek will get over and you will be under Clear sky, can see Vasota fort in front of you and Koyana backwaters and beautiful jungle you conquered behind you.
Once you reached on the fort, the first thing you could see is Hanuman Temple, there is no roof but walls are intact. There are two water tanks on the fort but that water is not drinkable.
The whole trek was so tiring that after heading back to the boat, we were so quiet, looking at the beautiful sunset and feeling the cool breeze.
The last boat for Vasota will be at around 11:00 AM so make sure you reach early.
I would rate Vasota Fort jungle trek as an easy to medium level trek in terms of difficulty.
Boat rides happen at regular intervals starting from 7:30 AM and the boat takes around 1.30 hours to reach the base of the Vasota Fort.
My Ride+Trek Diary:-
Day 1:-
7.10 PM- Journey start from Wakad, Pune(Bike Ride on 2 bikes)
10.05 PM-One of my friend Bike McWheel broke down, bike cant move ahead
We were 300 meters away from Hotel Abhiruchi where all our trek Group members having dinner
Call a few friends, arranged Tow van, and reached Ashirwad Hotel next to Abhiruchi hotel.
10.45 PM-Discussing to drop the plan of Vasota trek and rest in Hotel and Get bike serviced next day in Pune, as the part was not available in Satara SVC
10.50 PM-Kept Bike at Ashirwad Hotel
11.10 PM-Gone to Hotel Raigad Executive as someone suggested you will get rooms there
11.25 PM-Rooms were not available and we were hungry
11.30-We had food(dinner) at Hotel Raigad Executive, now thinking of what to do?
11.35 PM-decided will continue our Vasota trek as we have already paid and camping will great Adventure and will ask someone to tow our bike to Pune next morning from Ashirwad Hotel
12.00 PM -Trek group Bus reached Bamnoli Village
Day 2:-
12.30 AM -After dinner, Our journey resumed to Vasota
2.00 AM -Reached Bamnoli village. (Base village)
2.15 AM-Camp setup
2.50 AM-Short Introduction with Group
3.00 AM-Bonfire and storytelling, wandering lakeside and enjoyed Camping
4.10 AM-Gone to sleep
6.30 AM-Wakeup call
7.30 Am-Freshen Up
8.10 AM-breakfast
8.50 AM-Boat Ride start
10.20 AM-Reached base of Vasota Fort(Boat ride over)
10.30 AM -Bag checking, entry fees, plastic and water bottle counting by the forest department
11.00 AM-Trek start
12.00 AM-Covered half distance
12.45 PM-Reached the Top
(1-hour photo session and fort sightseeing and admiring beauty on all Sides of Sahyadri, Koyana backwater, Beautiful water, and humungous mountains)
1.45 PM- Descend Starts
3.00 PM-Reached base village
3.50 PM-Take some rest near small water flow like a pond and freshen
4.15 PM-Waited for all trekkers to finish there descend
4.30 PM-Counting of Plastic, water bottles by Forest Department.
5.05 PM-Boat Ride starts
6.25 PM-Boat Rides End at Bamnoli
6.45 PM-Freshen up and lunch
7.30 PM-Return journey starts (Back to Home)
11.10 PM-Reached Pune
Things to carry:-
1.Bedsheets and Blanket to sleep inside the Tent.
2.Water Bottle (2 Liters Compulsory)
3. Electoral Powder / Energy bars / Dry Snacks (dry fruits. biscuits, plum cakes, etc).
4. Good grip quality trekking shoes – Must (Please check soles of your shoes and get them stitched if necessary).
5. Personal Medication / First Aid kit
6. Toiletries (Napkin, facewash, tissue paper, etc.).
7. Cap, goggles, sunscreen, moisturizer, mosquito repellent, etc. (as per season)
8. Proper Backpack to carry all these things (No handbags, duffle bag or jholas)
9. Camera (Optional)
10. Extra Pair of Clothes (as per schedule)
11. Sleeping bag/mat/bedsheet (as per requirement)
12. Slippers (optional – at the end of day/trek so that your feet can relax).
General Trekkers group Detailed Itinerary (Tentative Timings) is as follows:-
*DAY 1 *
Punekar
7:30 PM: City pride, Satara Road, Pune and
Mumbaikar
3.30 PM: Teen Hath Naka, Thane
10.00 PM: Dinner before Satara(Mahabaleshwar-Wai phata) by personal expenses
12:00 PM: Reach Bamnoli village, get a refresh, make yourself comfortable.
Setting Up Camp at Bamnoli lakeside (which is the starting point of Vast trek in the morning), Bonfire, introduction round, and Start Fun Activities! We’ll Stay overnight at bamnoli village.
Going asleep in tents allocated to you.
*DAY:2 *
06:00 AM: Waking Up, get a refresh, and have breakfast!
07:45 AM: Round of important instructions, brief intro session & commencement of the trek.
10:00 AM: Reach the base of the fort.
12:00 PM: Reach the top, explore the fort, enjoy beautiful views, Enjoy surroundings, photo sessions, and exploring the nearby region.
02:00 PM: Start descending from the top.
04:00 PM: Reach Base, get in boats, Start Traveling towards bamnoli, and have lunch.
07:00 PM: After having lunch, we'll start our journey back to Pune!
11:30 PM: Reach Pune/Mumbai
**Note**-If you are traveling from the city other than Pune, then you are requested to book your return train tickets considering 2 hours delay as per the above time schedule.
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Very informative blog!!!
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