Visapur Trek - How to reach there?

Not going to dwell on the history of the place called Visapur which is a fort next to all famous Lohaghad and Bhaje Caves. But here, will be giving you the details on how to reach there and what to do.

Best Option: Take a car and drive down towards Lonavala, take the second exit of Lonavala and move towards Pune you will find a Junction on the right is Malavali Station, go towards the station and drive down to Bhaje Village where you get an option to Pay and park.

Good Option: Take a Intercity Train from Dadar at 7 am, make sure you do the booking and get a reserved seat because it is one big problem in General will not cost more that Rs. 60 from Dadar to Lonavala. If the train is on time you should reach Lonavala at 9 am. Get down at Lonavala station and from there you have 2 options
Expensive Option: Well this one is a faster option as well, take a rickshaw from the station and they drop you near Malavali station (which is 12Kms from Lonavala Station) at Rs. 150 for 3 seats or if you want to continue take the same rickshaw to Bhaje Village which is another 4 Kms and charges will be crazy.
Cheaper Option: This one takes time because you will have to wait for a local train which runs between Pune to Lonavala every hour. Take one at 10:05 am, tickets will not cost more than Rs. 6 and in 5 minutes you will reach Malawali Station

OK Option: Take an Asiad or ST from Dadar station and get down at the junction of Malawali, which god only knows how long will it take and then take Rickshaw till Bhaje Village from the Junction.

On reaching Bhaje Village which is 4 kms from Malavali station you have lots of option to eat and drink like tea, coffee, misal pav, vada pav, bhaji pav which are very decent. There are no big restaurants but small ones which will serve you the basic.

Right now the actual trek starts, there are two ways to reach Visapur one is via Patan Village which is short but more tiring and other is via Bhaje Caves, longer but faster.
Via Bhaje, till reach a point where the trail to Visapur and Lohaghad changes it is a very simple route just and zig zag incline walk for which you can take shortcuts which are small and bit tiring but you reach faster.
After the new trail starts it is a very simple walk where you see on your left the massive Visapur fort.
There will be a small left on the way to Visapur top where you have to pass through a jungle which is a 20 mins walk up and then reach a point where water is flowing. This is tricky part where one has to be very careful of not putting your feet on the loose stones and taking care of the moss. Reaching the top from the start of the waterfall is around half an hour in good weather (which means sun is not shining hard).

The fort itself is so huge that you will need atleast an hour to survey the surroundings. You can also just relax and have lunch on the fort itself.

Coming down is a tricky part again you have to come down by the same route and be sure of your footings and look out for moving rocks. Once you are down you can go towards Lohaghad and there are many many eateries outside local people house and they you awesome food.

Coming back: If you have a car then just go back the way you have come. Other options are go to Lonavala Bus Station and get anyone of the bus which goes to Mumbai. Or go to the station and get into a train which is coming from Pune like Intercity but they arrive very early around 5:30 pm something or hire a cab, if there is a group of 7 or 8 you will get a Sumo @Rs. 1500 till Sion.

Well this is it...Visapur

Sundarbans

The Sundarbans (Bengali: সুন্দরবন Shundorbôn) is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. It lies at the mouth of the Ganges and is spread across areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, forming the seaward fringe of the delta. The forest covers 10,000 sq.km of which about 6,000 are in Bangladesh. It became inscripted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997, but while the Bangladeshi and Indian portions constitute the same continuous ecotype, these are separately listed in the UNESCO world heritage list as the Sundarbans and Sundarbans National Park, respectively. The Sundarbans is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove pawan are great forests. The area is known for the eponymous Royal Bengal Tiger, as well as numerous fauna including species of birds, spotted deer, crocodiles and snakes. It is estimated that there are now 500 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. Sundarbans was designated a Ramsar site on May 21, 1992

"Sundarban" (সুন্দরবন Shundorbôn) literally means "beautiful jungle" or "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language. The name Sundarbans may also have been derived from the Sundari trees that are found in Sundarbans in large numbers. Other possible explanations can be a derivation from "Samudraban" (সমুদ্রবন Shomudrobôn "Sea Forest") or "Chandra-bandhe" (name of a primitive tribe). But the generally accepted view is the one associated with Sundari trees.

History

The first Forest Management Division to have jurisdiction over the Sundarbans was established in 1869. The Sundarbans was declared a reserved forest in 1875-76, under the Forest Act, 1865 (Act VIII of 1865). The first management plan was written for the period 1893-98. In 1875 a large portion of the mangrove forests was declared as reserved forests under the Forest Act, 1865 (Act VIII of 1865). The remaining portions of forests was declared as reserve forest the following year and the forest, which was so far was administered by the civil administration district, was placed under the control of the Forest Department. A Forest Division, which is the basic forest management and administration unit, was created in 1879 with the headquarter in Khulna.

The mangrove-dominated Ganges delta – the Sundarbans - is a complex ecosystem comprising one of the three largest single tracts of mangrove forests of the world. Shared between two neighboring countries, Bangladesh and India, the larger part (62%) is situated in the southwest corner of Bangladesh. To the south the forest meets the Bay of Bengal; to the east it is bordered by the Baleswar River and to the north there is a sharp interface with intensively cultivated land. The natural drainage in the upstream areas, other than the main river channels, is everywhere impeded by extensive embankments and polders. The Sundarbans was originally measured (about 200 years ago) to be of about 16,700 km². Now it has dwindled to about 1/3 of the original size. The total land area today is 4,143 km² (including exposed sandbars: 42 km²) and the remaining water area of 1,874 km² encompasses rivers, small streams and canals. Rivers in the Sundarbans are meeting places of salt water and freshwater. Thus, it is a region of transition between the freshwater of the rivers originating from the Ganges and the saline water of the Bay of Bengal.

Biotic factors here play a significant role in physical coastal evolution and for wildlife a variety of habitats have developed including beaches, estuaries, permanent and semi-permanent swamps, tidal flats, tidal creeks, coastal dunes, back dunes and levees. The mangrove vegetation itself assists in the formation of new landmass and the intertidal vegetation plays an important role in swamp morphology. The activities of mangrove fauna in the intertidal mudflats develop micro morphological features that trap and hold sediments to create a substratum for mangrove seeds. The morphology and evolution of the eolian dunes controlled by an abundance of xerophytic and halophytic plants. Creepers and grasses and sedges stabilize sand dunes and uncompacted sediments.

Flora:

The Bangladesh mangrove vegetation of the Sundarbans differs greatly from other non-deltaic coastal mangrove forest and upland forests associations. Unlike the former, the Rhizophoraceae are of minor importance. Differences in vegetation have been explained in terms of freshwater and low salinity influences in the Northeast and variations in drainage and siltation.

The Sundarbans has been classified as a moist tropical forest demonstrating a whole mosaic of seres, comprising primary colonization on new accretions to more mature beach forests, often conspicuously dominated by Keora and tidal forests. Historically three principal vegetation types have been recognized in broad correlation with varying degrees of water salinity, freshwater flushing and physiography and which are represented in the wildlife sanctuaries:

Fauna

The Sundarbans is very rich in wildlife. However the management of wildlife is presently restricted to the protection of fauna from poaching and designation of some areas as wildlife sanctuaries where no extraction of forest produce is allowed and the wildlife face few disturbances. Although it is clear that the faunal resource of Bangladesh has diminished in recent times and the Sundarbans has not been spared from this decline, the mangrove forest retains several good wildlife habitats and their associated fauna. Of these the tiger and dolphin are target species for planning wildlife management and tourism development. There are high profiles and vulnerable mammals living in two contrasting environments and their statuses and management are strong indicators of the general condition of wildlife and its management. The Sundarbans are home to approximately 500 Bengal Tigers as of 2004, one of the largest single populations of tigers.

Recent studies revealed that the Bangladesh Sundarbans support diverse biological resources including at least 120 species of commercially important fishes, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and eight amphibian species. This represents a significant proportion of the species present in Bangladesh (i.e. about 30% of the reptiles, 37% the birds and 34% of the mammals) and includes a large number of species which are now extinct elsewhere in the country. Of these wildlife, Sarker has noted that two amphibians, 14 reptiles, 25 aves and five mammals are presently endangered. The Sundarbans is a paradise for the ornithologists for watching, study and research on avifauna.

Forest inventories reveal a decline in standing volume of the two main commercial mangrove species — sundari and gewa — by 40% and 45% respectively between 1959 and 1983. Also, despite a total ban on all killing or capture of wildlife other than fish and some invertebrates, there appears to be a pattern of depleted biodiversity or loss of species (notably at least six mammals and one important reptile this century), and that the "ecological quality of the original mangrove forest is declining" (IUCN 1994).

It is also having many World Records to its credit. It is the only place on Earth which is simultaneously having all these together in one place

Wildlife Sanctuary (1976)

· National Park (1984)

· Crocodile Reserve

· Tiger Reserve (1973)

· Reserve Forest (1978)

· An International Biosphere Reserve (1989)

· An UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985)

There are three wildlife sanctuaries established in 1977:

1. Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary: Extends over an area of 31,227 ha. Freshwater and Sundri dominate interspersed with Gewa and Passur with Kankra occurring in areas subject to more frequent flooding. There is an understory of Shingra where, soils are drier and Amur in wetter areas and Goran in more saline places. Nypa palm widespread along drainage lines.

2. Sundarbans South Wildlife Sanctuary: Extends over an area of 36,970 ha. There is evidently the greatest seasonal variation in salinity levels and possibly represents an area of relatively longer duration of moderate salinity where Gewa is the dominant woody species. It is often mixed with Sundri, which is able to displace in circumstances such as artificially opened canopies where Sundri does not regenerate as effectively. It is also frequently associated with a dense understory of Goran and sometimes Passur.

3. Sundarbans West Wildlife Sanctuary: Extends over an area of 71,502 ha. Includes areas which support sparse Gewa and dense stands of Goran and discontinuous patches of Hantal palm on drier ground and river banks and levees.

ITENERY:

We have organized a Cruise Ship which can take in maximum of 15 people and this will be the place where you will be staying for 6 days. With the help of the cruise one can go to the remotest of the places in Sundarbans and view its beauty.

DAY 1:

KOLKOTA – PORT CANNING (BY CAR)

PORT CANNING – PAKHIR ALAY (BY LAUNCH)

DAY 2:

PAKHIR ALAY – SAJNE KHALI (Here we will stop for Permits) – SUDHARNA KHALI – DO BAKHI – PAKHIR ALAY (All of these places are having watch towers)

DAY 3:

PAKHIR ALAY – CHAMTA II – DEUL GHORANI – NETI DHOPANI GHAT – PAKHIR ALAY

DAY 4:

PAKHIR ALAY – JHINGA FOREST

DAY 5:

JHINGA FOREST – PAKHIR ALAY

DAY 6:

PAKHIR ALAY – PORT CANNING – KOLKOTA

Note:

• Our star attraction will be Jhinga Forest which is never included in Regular Sundarbans trip. It is situated very near to the core area and is also close to the Bangladesh Border
• Cruise Boat with overnight stay options too have to move out of the Park and Anchor outside by 5 PM, that is the reason why most of our night halts will be at PAKHIR ALAY. For night halt at Jhinga Forest, we have availed special permission.
• EXTRA INFORMATION

Inclusions:

- Accommodation

- Meal

- Mineral Water

- Transport

- Coach Ticket

- Cruise Boat

- Toll, Tax, Fee

- Entry permission in Sundarban Forest

- Driver, fuel

- Guide

Exclusions:

- Personal uses

- Air Ticket/Train Ticket

- Tipping

We shall ensure all services as mentioned in the itinerary. Extra taxes for camera/video camera have to pay by the tourist.

Mail me on vishwas.kasat@gmail.com

Ulysses 360 Degrees

Two years ago, on my first trek to Kothlighad sitting with faces I have seen for the first time…reached Karjat when 2 young guys joined us in the bus and all enthu. Telling their stories on what they did at Rajmachi and their experiences. Sitting at back of the bus listening to their stories..I did know how to react whether to be surprised or be awed or just let them talk…while me minding my own business (ie to keep silent). And I did the later.

Click here to see the photos

In the searing heat while everyone was walking slowly stopping at every available spot, these 2 guys just ran ahead and reached the village. I was all huffing and puffing…thinking on how much energy they have and I am a slow poke….few months later another trek to Visapur…I meet him again but this time he is with a big ruck sack…carrying around 10 kilos on his back while I am with around 2 litres only…this is Gautam for you, with whom I have started a company called Ulysses 360 Degrees which deals with Trekking and adventure sports.

Two weeks back our first company event, Rappelling in Borivali National Park in which we expected around 25 people but only 15 turned up…as the people enjoyed the whole experience we thought why not continue with a bigger number of people and then we end up at Rajmachi, Kondane Caves…for a corporate event.

As for me…experience in meeting with people and knowing them was fun….

16 day Trek to Singalila starting from 15th May 2008

Hi,
We at Ulysses 360 Degrees are organising a expedition to Singalila National Park in West Bengal. The expedition will start on 15th May 2008 and will span for 16 days.It will be conducted from Mumbai and will terminate in Mumbai. It is a good trek for beginners as it is not very treacherous. The entire expedition will be covered @ 17500/- Rs. per person. People interested in the trek can contact me for further details.

Some of the highlights of the trek are as follows:

• This route is the only place in the world that offers a view of the world’s five highest mountains – Everest, Kangchendzonga, Lhotse and Makalu, amongst many others. The peaks are at a handshaking distance from Phalut.
• You can gaze in awe at the ethereal beauty of Kangchendzonga dominating the entire horizon from Sandakphu.
• Mount Siniolchu in the Kangchendzonga range has been officially declared by UNESCO as the most beautiful peak in the world – due to its near symmetrical shape. Mount Fuji of Japan comes a close second in this category.
• It is one of the highest Alpine national parks of the country.
• During late spring in April, the Rhododendrons and Magnolias flowers are in bloom, and the hillsides are covered with red, pink, yellow and white blooms.
• Being primarily a ‘ridge walk’, there are views on all sides especially towards Nepal. An interesting sight is watching the cars at night, lit up like pinpricks on the distant Darjeeling hillside, their lights moving slowly against the black background many miles away to the south.
• Walking through the Darjeeling mountain trails, is an unparalleled experience – for the sense of history that it evokes, considering organized trekking in India first began somewhere in these hills more than 80 Years ago, and the varied terrain that is covered.
• Beginning in Buddhist Sherpa inhabited Manebhanjang where one catches a view of the near vertical trekking route, to the dense rhododendron forests, wildflower covered hillsides, sleepy hamlets lost in time, thick bamboo glades, vast farmlands and a breathtaking mountain view of Khangchendzonga – you get it all.
• The most beautiful stretch is the one from Sandkphu (3,600m) to Phalut, that trails through burned silver fir forests.
• In an international magazine Sandakphu trek featured in the Top 10 adventure holidays of the world. It was at No. 7
• The expedition will include accomodation in Trekker's hut and tent's to give you a real outdoor experience.

DARJEELING – THE QUEEN STILL RULES

We have also included Darjeeling in our itinerary, some of the highlights of this place are as follows:

• LEBONG RACE CORSE (in Darjeeling) is the highest in the world.

• The station at GHOOM ( also spelt GHUM) is the second highest station in the world and is the highest one to be reached by team engine. The famous ‘Toy Train’ of Darjeeling makes a stop at the station.

• While traveling from Mumbai to Kolkatta – the train will pass through Kharagpur junction in West Bengal. This station at 1072 Mt's.is the longest station in the world.

• The Snow Leapord Breeding Center in Pdmaja Naidu Zoological park, Darjeeling) is the only place in the world where breeding of Snow Leopards in captivity has been successful. This zoological park also houses the only Siberian Tiger in the country.

• The tea produced in Darjeeling district is indisputably best in the world. Tea estates of the region have over the years competed with each other for producing the finest and resultant, the costliest tea in the world. “CASTLETON” currently holds the record for getting the highest price in the world. We will be passing this estate while we are on our way to Ghoom.
• Another attraction of this place are the HARDY’S. These are vintage Land Rover Taxis. They have been in the hills since 1950’s, but thanks to their Aluminum construction they have shown. No signs of deterioration. This is the only mode of transport which is capable of taking ON this sort of terrain.

The alluring beauty of these hills have attracted some of the great souls of mankind. Viz. Mark Twain, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Deshbandhu Chittranjan Das (Who died in the bungalow named “ STEP – ASIDE”), in Darjeeling.

Itenarary for Singalila Trek
Day 1 ----Boarding train from Mumbai
Day 2 ----Train journey
Day 3 ---- reaching New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and then Siliguri. Jeep journey from Siliguri to Manehbhanjan via Ghoom.
Day 4 ----Rest day at Manehbhanjan for acclimatisation.
Day 5 ---- Manebhanjan to Toonglu/ Jaubari. We will stay in Trekkers hut or camp in tents depending on availability.
Day 6 ---- Jaubari to Sandakphu. Stay at Sandakphu overnight in trekker’s hut or in tents.
Day 7 ---- Stay at Sandakphu and view the beautiful Sunrise there. At Sandakphu a decision to go to Darjeeling or Phalut will be made depending on prevailing weather conditions. If conditions are favourable we proceed to Phalut.
Day 8 ---- Sandakphu to Sabarkhum/ Molley. Accomodation in trekker’s hut or Tents.
Day 9 ---- Sabarkhum to Phaluk.
Day 10 ---- Rest day at Phaluk
Day 11 ---- Phaluk to Gorkhey.
Day 12 ---- Gorkhey to Ramam.
Day 13 ---- Ramam to Rimbik.
Day 14 ---- Rimbik to NJP.
Day 15 ---- Train journey back to Mumbai.
Day 16 ---- Mumbai.

Note: Trek will be organized if we have a stipulated number of people

Contact info:

Gautam: 9819788356

Email: gautamdseth@gmail.com

Rucksack/Sleeping bags/Tents

Ok guys we have started a small firm called Ulysses 360 Degrees which sells rucksacks, sleeping bag, tents etc etc. Check out the products below and also click on this link to know about rucksack and types of rucksack

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I'm glad to inform you that have got into manufacturing of trekking equipments. along with the internationally famous brand Alpine.

After years of experience in preparing equipment for Himalayan expeditions we are launching a set of well tested products (for Himalayas and Sahyadris) for the first time in Mumbai.

Rucksack 60L – Rs. 2500 ( Ever-Rest- Basic)

Pack and Play. You don’t have to worry about the balance. This self-balancing bag is designed for comfort. No more back aches & shoulder strains. Great for beginners to get addicted!

Rucksack 55L – Rs. 3000 (Ever-Rest - Advanced)

For the more discerning trekkers. So comfortable, you will want to carry it with you everywhere. Self –balancing and designed for the rough and tough conditions.

Rucksack 40L – Rs. 2300 (Trek Star - Shorty)
Our special creation- ideal for short treks. Sahyadris, Adventure tours, Picnics – it fits in so perfectly, you will wonder how did you ever manage it without it!!!

Rucksack cover – Rs. 900

So you want to trek in the rains but don’t want to soil your precious rucksack ? Our Rucksack covers protect your bags and keep them brand new. No more mishandling, soiling or staining- our guarantee.

Sleeping bag (double fly) – Rs. 2500

Its freezing -4°C outside but you are as comfortable as a baby !!.. Where most sleeping bags gives you aches in the mornings, our sleeping bags promise warmth to those tired muscles, and a refreshing sleep so that you are fit for the next day’s adventure.

Sleeping bag (triple fly) – Rs. 3000

Take it to the Himalayas. Take it to the Sahyadris. Take it anywhere. Be it 40°C or -20°C : you are guaranteed comfort and safety . Your all- weather sleeping bag will handle the widest temperatures and promises great comfort.

Poncho – Rs. 1250

Often the most critical equipment after the rucksack, the poncho is a must for every trekker. We have fabricated our ponchos with the best raw materials to ensure an all-weather, all-terrain top performance. No more rainwater, dust, snow, gravel, sand, or soil worries.

What’s more, we have added more to the poncho so that it doubles up as a one-man tent during emergencies that often accompany expeditions.

Dome Tent – Rs. 18500

Every Trekker’s dream come true- Our specially fabricated Multipurpose, weather-proof dome tent with super light -weight aluminum poles. This all- terrain tent has been tested in the wildest rains, and the hottest desert sands.

We took it to the Himalayas and toughed it up in the cold winds and thunderous rains. This is your safest bet against the nature’s elements

Easy to carry, and easy to set-up- less than 2 minutes!

Ridge Tent – Rs. 17500

For those who like the tried and tested!.. We took the same materials of the Dome tent and made the conventional professional trekker’s choice – the A-shaped ridge tent.

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Photos will be up soon...if interested you can contact Gautam on 9819788356