We started from Chinchwad at around 11.30 pm and went to village Bari via Sangamner.(Travelling via sangamner was wise decision by Mandar since on the return journey we tried shortcut which was extremely bad !) Reached Bari at around 5 am and started climb at around 7.30 am (after tea and bk fast) all members could reach the peak in 3 hours (cloudy atmosphere helped us though)
Climbing is not that difficult, due to the fact that ladders are laid down at all difficult rock patches …
Descending time was less than 2 hours …

** the most important incident in Kalsubai trek ** leopard sightseeing

When we left the highway at Sangameshwar and turned towards Baari road … I told Mandar to keep an eye on road, since the past experience shows that animal sighting is a possibility at night travel .. Mandar casually said that here we can have sighting of Rabbit 🙂 .. in just few minutes it was beginning of first Ghat section … few houses were there and suddenly we could see big cat “leopard” inside a sugarcane farm !! by the time we realized that its leopard the bus has crossed down at high speed and there was no point in going back to check whether leopard was still there !!!
I think a lesson can be learnt in this to keep your eyes wide open (if you are not able to sleep at night travel) on small roads where you are far away from the highways …

• Sunrise from the peak (It is said that in 1860 Mr. Arch DiCken Gale climbed Kalasubai peak at night and mesmerized by the sunrise. He mentioned Kalasubai as the King of Deccan Hills)
• East, Aundha, Vishramgad, Bitangad
• West, Alang, Madangad, Kulang, Ratangad (south west)
• South,  Pabhargad, Ghanchakkar, Harishchandragad
• North, Ramsej, Harihargad, Brahmagiri, Anjaneri, Ghargad, Bahula, Tringalwadi, Kavnai

Places to stay, food & water at Kalsubai

Water

You can stay in the Hanuman temple in the village, if you need good stay Samadhan Khanawal (located before entry on village) is better option.

How to reach Kalsubai peak from Mumbai

• By Railway

  • Reach Kasara Railway Station
  • Take local Taxi till base village Bari

• By Road

  • Mumbai >> Kasara >> Igatpuri >> Ghoti >> Bari Village

How to reach Kalsubai peak from Pune

• Own car

  • Drive down to Bari (via Sangamner, see google map at the end of this post)
  • Sangamner >> Rajur >> Bhandardara >> Bari

• ST bus

  • from Igatpuri to Pune bus – Bari (departs at 5 am) reaches Bari in 45 mins
  • Mumbai Sangamner or Pune Sangamner >> Local transport such as jeep can be hired from Sangamner

Precautions [ read things to carry during trek]

• Use proper trekking gears for this trek
• Carry sufficient amount of water, I recommend at least 2.5 liter per person, being humid it sucks your energy (although you get water sold by local people on the way, as a good practice carry your own water)
• Snakes are seen around the route hence precaution is necessary when you wish to sit around and rest

Team FONA at the Kalsubai trek

 Morning tea with beautiful village view

Winning couple 🙂 .. with my love on fort top

Remains in front of temple .. not sure which time this temple was built

Magnificent views from the peak Kalsubai [Vilsan dam back water]