Andharban Trek is one of the most beautiful & fascinating monsoon trek among Pune & Mumbai trekkers. This trek is simple [but hectic at descend] trail of around 13 kilometers passing through dense forest walking on the valley edges running parallel to the famous Tamhini ghat … overlooking the waters of Kundalika river and numerous waterfalls … Wearing proper trekking shoes is a must for this trek.
Andhar [अंधार] in Marathi means Darkness and Ban [बन] means jungle, so Andharban [अंधारबन] means The Dark Forest where you will feel darkness during daytime 🙂 you can call it as Dark Forest !
You begin the Andharban trek from Pimpri dam in during the daylight .. and once you enter the Andharban, you can immediately fell the darkness of the day …. You get into the dense part of the forest, and in between get some clear patches of sky, giving you the magical sensation … well the mist during monsoon adds to the flavor of darkness !
The trek ends at the Bhira dam which is the source of the Kundalika river.
[ Kundalika river is most famous for White Water Rafting ]
Andharban trek Pune – update June 2020
In view of Covid-19 I suggest avoid going for this trek. As a trekker all of us are responsible to keep the Sahyadri mountain ranges and the local people free from corona virus. Hence it is humble request to refrain yourself to visit Andharban in June – Sept 2020 season.
Andharban trek Pune – update July 2019
Entry to Andharban and Plus valley is banned by forest department from 15 July 2019 to 15 August 2019.
Ankita Tarade (Department of Forest – Tamhini Nature reserve) – If entered in Andharban during this period legal action will be taken by forest department under rules declared in 2013 by Government of Maharashtra.
Please read news regarding this in Lokamat below –
Andharban Trek update June 2019
Three trekkers lost in Andharban valley near Tamhini ghat were rescued by local villagers in June 19, so take care to get alongwith experienced guide with you for this trek
Read detailed news here on TOI
Andharban trek
Andharban Trek
Andharban Trek Difficulty level
- The trail is through dark forest without any ups and downs, last descend is critical.
- Caution to be taken since trek path moves from the valley sides without any protection
- Read the guide on Things to carry for Andharban trek
Andharban Height
Time to reach
Best Time to visit Andharban :
What to see !
- Beautiful views of Bhira dam backwaters
- Independence point [Look at the photograph at beginning of this blog-post]
- Kundalika valley views
- Crossing the streams and enjoying natural bath
- Waterfalls across (only during monsoon trek)
- Plus valley
- Ghangad, Tailbaila, Sarasgad
Place to stay/take food & water
Andharban Trek Start point location :
How to reach Andharban trek from Pune ?
Drive down :
- Pune > Piranghut > Mulshi > Tamhini ghat > Pimpri
[See video which shows where to take turn from Tamhini road]
ST Bus Route :
- Lonavala to Bhaburde village by ST bus [40 kilometers]
- Bhaburde to Pimpri village, walk or get lift [13.6 kilometers]
Suggestions :
- Andharban trek is a one way trail, hence be ready to walk till the end, start early so that you can exit the trail before its too dark.
- Better to have experienced guide with knowledge of snakes & insects
- Must wear proper trekking gears during monsoon season, trek looks simple but has risk of valleys alongside
- Here is a good guide on Which are the best trekking shoes for Sahyadri mountain ranges ?
I did my first Video blog after Andharban Monsoon trek, do watch it and provide me suggestions and comments for further improvements. This will help trekkers to get idea on difficulty level of trek as well as what they can enjoy 🙂
Blog was written when I did trek in March .. Now the Video of Andharban trek prepared in Monsoon … just look at the difference … Lush green surroundings with numerous waterfalls and mist 🙂 Wow !!
You can also plan trek to Ghangad which is just nearby Andharban location, where you can do camping and fun.
Andharban Trail begins at Pimpri dam (Google coordinates 18.510341, 73.417509)
andharban pimpri dam
Immediately after end of Pimpri dam, you will get to see electric towers from where the trail continues to Independence point
andharban Electric Towers after pimpri dam
And the trail continues to independence point along the valley sides
andharban trail to the independence point
If you look from a distance you will see valley-side trail something like this (look at tiny trekkers)
andharban trek from valley sides
After crossing the waterfall (which was dry during January !) you will begin with dark forest trail
andharban trek crossing the waterfall
No water so we just rested inside the dry waterfall … photograph below just provides you size of waterfall … I am sure you will enjoy it during monsoon season (Which I am planning anyway this June)
andharban sitting in waterfall
Finally you enter inside the Dark Forest Trek …. This trail continues till the Bhira dam …
andharban the dark forest
Andharban Trek location Map
andharban trek map pimpri bhira dam
Wonderful description sir
Very well explained. Thanx. Its too good, the video n the writeup of March.
great post !
would definetly try out the andharban trek next time i am in maharashrtra .
hope it will be exciting ..
can we go here without a guide ?
If you are regular trekker then please go ahead and explore, but if you are doing trekking once in a while then it is advisable to take guide. रानवाटा फसव्या असतात .. सहज वाट हरवली जाते … मागच्या वेळेला मीच परत येताना वाट चुकलो होतो … एक ग्रामस्थ भेटला त्याने बरोबर वाट दाखवली …
Hi
Thank you for sharing nice blog
Do you have Any contact number of local people/guide ? ??
Sorry .. but I do not have any local person contact, you may need to depend upon other trekking group for that.
Great information ..
Hi Mahesh.. Thanks for the great info.. We are planning to go this weekend.. Could you please tell us whether a private vehicle is necessary or can we get local ST or other modes to reach there and get back to Mumbai?
You have transport available while going via Pimpri village from Lonavla.. But back way will be difficult and you will have to search for some local transport
Tomorrow we are going to visit Andharban thanks forthe blog..
I am also there with Team FONA for trek .. let’s meet … plz share your contact details on [email protected]
Hi I was looking for a guide contact to andharban…can you please help
Hey! What else can be seen there? Is it the point (the mini bridge with water pipeline below) we have to take turn inside?From there, a huge waterfall is seen in the mountains. Shall we have to go there for the forest? Are there any guidings or marks or boards along the path? Reply soon please….! 😀
You can’t goto the waterfalls … you can do Kundeshwar trek if you wish to goto some waterfall … from the mini-bridge you almost reach end of trek .. move left to goto Bhira dam
Thanks for the quick reply. Where shall I go once we reach the Pimpri dam with the co-ordinates you mentioned? 🙂
Difficult to explain over texting, suggest to get local guide from Pimpri village (there is hotel, ask that person about guide on chargeable basis), but remember Guide is a must.
okay! just on more thing, Is there any (safe) place to park the bikes?
Parking is there, but does not seem to be safe place, once you leave the place then anyone can get hands over it and since you will be getting down to Bhira dam you need to think on how to collect bike. Else you have to get back to Pimpri dam via same route.
We are planning a Backpacking to the Andharban Forest in the first week of November. We need some information on how do we reach the Village and how do we come back from the end point. The trek seems very intresting for us. Sir please reply us soon as we have to plan for the trek!
Cheers!!
You can reach the village from Lonavala to Pimpri gaon (see blog post for details) Later at finish point i.e. Bhira dam, you can catch up ST Bus (I saw it when I reached Bhira dam). If you are planning stay then remember that you need to carry tents etc ! will be too heavy. Drop mail to [email protected] for any further details (I will share phone number to you over email)
? great,very informative,
Mesmerising beauty,
Nature at its best,
Worth,
Memorable,
And the “director,producer,actor ” one and only Mahesh ?
?,great attempt Mr Mahesh
Mesmerising,
Mother Nature at its best
Gives proper idea about……..
Properly picturised,
Director and Producer,Mahesh,the trekker ?
Hello,
Can you please tell me a landmark near Bhira dam so that we can tell our driver to reach there?
Yes, Tell him to get to Petrol Pump, Bhira. The person at petrol pump is aware that groups keep coming there, so he can park vehicle there. Also he helps by providing room for changing for ladies.
Hi,
Is the trek dangerous, i mean snake bite or poisonous insects, etc?
Yes, there are snakes. However with precautions you can go ahead and complete the trek safely.
Instructions :
1. Have at least one person who can identify poisonous snakes
2. Don’t sit on rocks aside the track unless you look at the rock carefully, poisonous snakes tend to get camouflage
3. Wear proper shoes and don’t remove even they are wet
If you wish I can provide you with a paid guide for this trek
Hope this helps
Sir,
I am going there this sunday with a group of 20. can you provide me a guide on 09.07.2017.?
https://goo.gl/forms/lHWze9gLx3SFi76r1
can you please provide paid guide. thanks
Plz see my youtube channel ShowMyStay where I have given video on Homestay and guide phone number https://youtu.be/I4Uy-Xobotw
We are staying near Dadar Mumbai….is it possible to complete journey within one day ? Or tell me how to reach above destination from Dadar. Thanks in advance
Yes, provided you start your journey at midnight 12
Hi Sir,
Can we get the contact details for Food arrangements ??
Thanks
Jalpesh
Nice information sir…Is devkund waterfall is end point of andharban trek ?
No Devkund waterfall is not end point of Andharban trek, end point is Bhira dam. Devkund trail is different, but in the same area
Sir. Thanks for all the queries answered.
My question is that, why this trek is not preferable in early monsoon as written in your blog. I mean, what are the precaution to be taken in monsoon for this trek ?.
Thanks in advance Mahesh sir ?.
Early monsoon treks are not preferred, since there are chances of falling loose stones, small landslides which become loose in the Summer season. You shall begin trekking once the monsoon stabilizes and minor landslides, stone falling has already happened. So suggestion is to take care of safety. I hope this answers your query.
Second thing about precautions during monsoon treks,
1) first thing is to have good trekking shoes, plz read http://reviews.trekbook.in/best-hiking-trekking-shoes-india/
2) Snakes – Do take guide in areas like Andharban, where you can meet some snake friends 🙂
3) Avoid trekking in heavy rains, where chances of getting trapped due to heavy waterfall or streams are there
Thanks for your precious guidance.
This thing happened with us on trek to sarasgadh dt.02.07.17, where there were actually loose rocks and even we came across a couple of snakes hidden besides staircase on the way towards climbing up.
But we enjoyed the trek and nature at its best.
This Sunday,
(09.07.17) we are planning either andharbhan or korigadh or kothligad.
But, I will remember your suggestions in mind.
Thanks once again.
Hi, Thank you so much for such a detailed information about this trek. Can you please help with contact details of guide who can also help in food arrangements.
Hi,
Can any one please suggest personal guide for andharban we are in group who want to visit next month and We love to have tents and enjoy nature is it possible.
Thanks
You may plz fill up the form to get information on treks
HI,
We are a group of 7-8 people and thinking to reach start point by bikes. Is there any parking lot near the starting point So that we can park our bikes if we are coming back by the same route. And how much time it will take to start and end the trek at starting point. It seems other transport options are dependent on time.
Hello Sir, Good to know that you are sharing good information here. We are actually planning this trek and just wanted to know – 1. Safe area for Car Parking and 2. If any transport available to reach back to start point at Pipmri / Parking area from End point Bhira Dam – Like local transport or ST bus or something.
If we get local transport what are the general charges.
Await your reply.
Hi,
very helpful to me, but have few questions:-
Can I go with one of my friend?
Is it necessary to go in a group of more than 5 people?
If I go alone, will I be able to find my ways to bhira dam, covering all the spots?
Thanks in Advance!
Yes , you can find way to bhira dam easily but, always better to have company with you. No as such human locality is available in way except 4-5 small village homes.
You should reach to bhira dam before 6-6:30pm.as last root is very slippery and somewhat steep .
Hello,
This weekend I am visiting Andarbhan one day trek with frnds for first time without any knowledge about the trail. We want local guide along with lunch facility. Kindly help
You may please fill in request form to get guidance