Experiencing hide and seek of light & shadows you need to be at Sandhan valley during early morning… Popularly known as The Valley Of Shadows or The Valley of Suspense I would love to call it The Valley of diamonds .. Valley of Sparkling water (to see this magic of sparkling water you must reach the water spot at precisely 12 noon exact, I could not capture this magic inside camera, hence you must go there to experience it)
Sandhan Valley is gods own creation situated in Sahyadri Western Ghats. Being created by natural water moving through, its carved about ~300 feet feep and 1.5 kms long. Its deep cut in rock looks like high stories walls on both slides. Its width is so less that many times even the sun rays do not reach to the bottom, hence also known as valley of shadows.
Its located in Bhandardara region, near Samrad village surrounded with Alang, Madan and Kulang forts.
Sandhan Valley Trek Information
Reliance, Idea, Airtel connectivity is available.
Look at boys at the bottom of valley
Zoom view of above photograph, now you can see boys clearly
Best time to visit Sandhan Valley?
November to May (even some people are doing this trek in Monsoon season, but its risky)
If you are visiting in monsoon season, you can plan visiting Randha waterfalls which is just 10 Kms away from Samrad.
Also one more place which can be planned is Amruteshwar temple (read more) which is a 1000 year old temple of Lord Shiva.
Sandhan Valley Trek Route
~45 minutes walking distance from Samrad village. Its not difficult trek at all, however take care to wear proper trekking shoes since you need to walk through rocks (see photos below)
Its not a long distance walk, all that you need to see is marval of nature.
Total trek time 4 ~5 hours including lunch (optional activities rappelling)
Skygazing at Sandhan Valley
If you are camping at Sandhan valley, then do not forget to plan for skygazing.
The sky in village Samrad is really dark and free from light pollution, hence you can really enjoy the milky way easily with use of small telescope. So if possible do carry telescope and sky map.
If you have a DSLR camera then carry it alongwith tripod to capture good photos of the milky way.
Obviously you need to select no-moon night for this activity.
Route map to Sandhan Valley from Samrad
Stay & Food
Following options are available for stay at Sandhan valley –
Stay at Ratangad temple which is ~6 kms from Samrad
Or
Tent camping at Samrad
Or
HomeStay at village Samrad (single big room available with local guide, but no toilet facility)
Basic simple village food will be available on request at village Samrad (Bhakri, Bhaji, Dal, Usal, Rice, Thecha and pickle) or Food at Ratanwadi / Ratangad
Alternatively if you are camping then go ahead bonfire …have barbecue on your own … Locals do provide Poha & tea in morning at nominal charges.
NOTE – Since Samrad is small village, there are no shops, so carry snacks, packaged drinking water and your medicines too.
TIP – For convenience of ladies in your group you can carry Cloth Changing Tent cum Portable Toilet for Ladies
How to reach Sandhan valley?
Mumbai to Sandhan Valley – Distance 182 km
- Mumbai >> Igatpuri & Bhavali >> Kalyan >> Shahapur >> Kasara >> Igatpuri >> Bhavali >> Bahuli Dam >> Ambewadi >> Vasali Phata >> Varaghushi Phata >> Shendi Bhandardara >> Panzare >> Udhawne >> Ghatghar Dam >> Samrad village
- Mumbai >> Ghoti Ghoti>> Bhandardara Road >> Total Distance 199 km for Sandhan Valley Kalyan >> Shahapur >> Kasara >> Igatpuri >> Ghoti >> Vasali Phata >> Varaghushi Phata >> Shendi Bhandardara >> Panzare >> Udhawne >> Ghatghar Dam >> Samrad village.
Mumbai to Sandhan valley train route
- Take a Central Railway train bound for Kasara ( 2 hours, 40 minutes) >> Take a Jeep from Kasara to Samrad (80 kms – 2.5 hours)
OR take an ST bus from Kasara or Igatpuri station (Igatpuri is 70 km from Samrad) - OR take a train to Igatpuri however Kasara would be a preferable option as there are plenty of local trains to choose from as compared to Igatpuri where only outbound train are available.
Pune to Sandhan Valley – Distance 245 km
- Pune >> Sangamner Pune >> Narayangaon >> Alephata >> Sangamner >> Akole >> Rajur >> Randha falls >> Ratanwadi phata>> Shendi Bhandardara >> Panzare >> Udhawne >> Ghatghar Dam >> Samrad village >> Via Bota
- Pune >> Narayangaon >> Alephata >> Bota >> Bramhanwada >> Kotul >> Kotul Phata >> Rajur >> Randha falls >> Ratanwadi phata >> Shendi >> Bhandardara >> Panzare >> Udhawne >> Ghatghar Dam >> Samrad village >> Via Otur
Tip – Otur route is single lane route so if you are having big bus, do not go via this route.
Beginning of trail you have to cross this small pond of water
On the rocks !!
Photo stop !! at the small piece of rock 😛
Sweet memories of my life ..
You can understand why it is called as Valley Of Shadows
Walking or swimming through water
Sparkling or glittering water, you have to be here at 12 noon to see the magic
Beginning of rock separation !
Mandar loves to pose for photograph !
You must watch an Excellent Film By Ranwata Motion Pictures on Sandhan Valley
Hi Mahesh,
Excellent pictures. Very well explained.
We are group of 15. Plan to visit Sandhan in 1st weekend of March.
Pl provide contact nos. of local guides who can also arrange rapelling equipment.
Regards
Ajay
Hi, there are no local guides in that area, you need to hire them from Pune itself for critical activities like rappelling.
hi ajay Prakash here from samrad base village of sandhan valley
plz call me for Sandhan valley trek n rappelling,camping,food arrangement etc.
8605556325,7744003602