Sandhan Valley is among the Sahyadri mountain ranges’ most spectacular canyons. It’s an excellent mix of a canyon and a valley. Sandhan Valley, situated in the Nagar district near the historic fort Ratangad, is unquestionably the valley of suspense. The water-carved valley is 200 feet deep and almost two kilometers long.
Walking across a short swath of valley with 200-foot-high granite walls on both sides is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The complete Sandhan valley descent is always a great adventure, and the overnight stay along the reservoir side under the dazzling sky is the icing on the cake. Sandhan valley is near Samrad hamlet, on the western edge of the lovely Bhandardara region.
The valley is flanked by the Alang, Madan, and Kulang (AMK) forts, which are recognised as the most difficult walk in Sahyadri. Peaks of Ratangad, Ajoba, and Kalsubai The highest point in the Maharashtra mountain ranges is 5400 feet. The nearby Ghatghar Dam is an outstanding undiscovered camping site in Maharashtra.
It is less than three feet wide in some areas, while sun rays are unable to reach the ground in others. To get to the end of the gorge, you must pass through two water pools, the water level of which varies depending on the season. In the winter, the water level is up to the waist, while in the summer, it is up to the knees. The view of steep cliffs and deep valleys from the valley’s end is breathtaking.
You must rappel down one patch with a maximum height of 45 feet, as well as the well-known Sandhan Valley rock patches.
We should use ropes to climb down the two little rock patches. You’ll see some flat land after climbing down the second rock patch, where we can spend the night. There is a tiny brook nearby that provides you with clean drinking water. The creek empties into a large pond. This pond water is unfit for human consumption.
The walk to Valley is distinctive and memorable because of the uncommon opportunity to watch the dance of stars .
There is very little light pollution in the valley at night. It’s perfect for stargazing and capturing the Milky Way on a new moon night. Those who have tried before want to try again, but few individuals have attempted this step because it is regarded as extremely difficult. Sandhan Valley is a magnificent portion of the Sahyadri mountain ranges that offers a tough journey that is a trekker’s dream.
Konkan Kada Ghatghar
Konkan Kada is a naturally occuring viewing gallery located three kilometers south of Samrad. From Samrad, a damaged route leads to Konkan kada or Ghatghar. Thane district is down the valley, and the kada cliff is in Ahmednagar district. The lofty mountains surrounding Konkan kada provide a beautiful vista. Villagers previously used Asangaon station instead of Kasara. They’d walk down to Dehne village and board local jeeps to the Asangaon railway station.
Star Gazing
Sandhan Valley has the darkest sky in Maharashtra, providing an astounding view of the cosmos above, making it a perfect location for photography and astronomy. There are no stray city lights or vehicle lights lighting up the sky or forming a halo in the sky. The skies are perfect for Astronomy and time lapse or long exposure photography. For those interested in astronomy or photography, a nice telescope, binoculars, and DSLR camera are required. As a result, a new moon night is an excellent time to camp under the darkest skies.
Giant Swing
The enormous swing is one of the activities offered by hiking organizations in Sandhan Valley. This is a life-threatening experience. And a lot of it can be done properly with the help of experts. Participants should inquire about the organizer’s previous experience.
In and around the Valley of Shadows
Bhandardara, a popular hill station 30 kilometers from Samrad, is a fresh and amazing find in the area. In comparison to other Maharashtra hill stations, it is less crowded. Sandhan Valley is the place to go if you want to explore the rugged but gorgeous terrain surrounding you. The Wilson Dam, which was erected on Arthur Lake, is well-known in Bhandardara. Bhandardara Lake is also a good place to camp. There are hundreds of campsites available, many of which are adjacent to one another and appear to be campers when viewed through a drone camera. The majority of Bhandardara’s campgrounds provide wonderful food, BBQ, boat excursions, and a safe environment for camping with families, friends, and single travelers.
Sandhan Valley Trek Difficulty
Physically, treks are notoriously difficult. Walking for 6 or more hours a day over a range of terrain is possible on any given day. For all of these tours, previous trekking experience is highly advised. Please be in strong physical condition, have all essential equipment, and have scheduled adequate time for acclimatization. This hike is categorized as difficult. Even though most of the trekking here is downhill. We’ll have to navigate massive boulders. The level of difficulty is raised by a few notches when ropes and rock climbing are used. On a scale of 1 to 5, this hike received a 3.7.
An ideal campsite would include basic camping amenities such as three-person tents with mats and a tent light for a night’s stay. Camping is possible at Samrad village as well as after the Sandhan Valley walk is done. Responding to nature’s call at the camping, well, in the environment doesn’t have to be humiliating or uncomfortable. We may supply a dry pit tent for nature calls at Sandhan Valley depending on client needs; however, this is not available for all occasions, so please prepare ahead. Sandhan Valley is best visited between November and May.
