The Jungle Trek to Fort Vasota

4th Dec 2016

10:45 PM: I was still at home and reporting time was 11:00 o'clock. I picked up my phone and started searching for cabs nearby but bad luck, there was no cab available. Took my bag and rushed towards Auto-Rickshaw stand and hopped in one. Requested driver to ride fast and take me to boarding point at Lokmangal (Shivajinagar). On the way to Lokmangal, I received call from Vishal at Camp and he asked me to meet at Pune station (Yes, Vishal Kakade from SG trekker and I was going with them again). I boarded the bus at Pune Station main gate and bus started towards Deccan to pick up Smita (female leader from SG trekker and brave girl from SRT range trek). From Deccan, we started for base village Bamnoli (Satara). Except few faces from SG trekkers team everyone else were new to me but that didn't stop me from enjoying the journey. Initially everyone were sleepy but couldn't for long after Antakshari game started (game where two teams plays against each other and other team has to start a song from last Word/Letter of song sung by opposite team, 'Ant' is End and 'Akshar' is Word).

2:40 AM: Bamnoli Village, on the way to Bamnoli we passed by famous Kas Pathar (Kas Plateau). Everyone got down from bus; few of us took rest inside village temple, few inside bus and 6 of us went to take a walk around the village and near lake (Shivsagar lake). After a walk, all decided to have a small bonfire to get away from chilling winter. We collected some wood from bushes nearby, lighted a fire and circled it chit-chatting. After an hour of bonfire, all went for a nap before we start journey to Fort Vasota.

The Bonfire

6:30 AM: Everyone were awake by now and busy getting fresh. Vishal and Smita went to arrange a boat and came back with news that boat was arranged but all boats starts after 8:00 AM when forest department officer will arrive. Meanwhile, we took rest in restaurant and had breakfast Poha and Tea. Vishal have arranged for lunch from same restaurant which we took along with us. Around 8:30 AM forest officer arrived at our group, he checked all bags (since anything harmful for forest/nature is not allowed to carry) and after ticketing we started our Boat Ride towards base of Fort Vasota.

The Boat Ride

8:45 AM:Finally we were in the Boat towards base of Fort Vasota. The main attraction of coming to Fort Vasota was the Boat ride of 60-90 minutes before reaching base. Like we have seen in movies, boatman sitting at the aft of boat and moving the motor shaft to direct the boat, it was all same. He instructed us to sit on the both sides of boat equally to maintain the balance and keeping boat steady. I chose to sit at forward end of the boat so that I can explore the nature in front and also capture photos. Boat was moving slow and steady over the waves of the lake. With beautiful nature in front and cool wind of winter on face, we were moving towards Vasota. Everyone were busy chatting and enjoying the boat ride. As we were getting close to jetty, we could see forest and Fort at top. Boatman took our boat slight away from jetty and parked, we all alighted and moved forward to the entrance of the base.

Through the Jungle 

Entrance to the Jungle

10:20 AM: Everyone of the group were removing plastic bottles (water/juice) from their bags to count total number of bottles in group. At the base, there was a small checkpoint which was monitored by States forest department. Every person going inside the forest were declaring number of plastic bottles/bags, and DSLR (camera entry fee was applicable for DSLR). Deposit money was taken by forest officer for each plastic bottle (which was refundable on showing exact count of bottles at same checkpoint while leaving). After we were done at checkpoint, all gathered in a circle for trek information (by Vishal), and introduction of each member. Group was filled with people from different locations of India and one (Monchi Nozalede) from Spain; and age from 6 to 55.

10:30 AM: Trek started lead by Vishal & Smita in front, and Prashant & myself at tail end. After a while we were accompanied by Savita mam' at tail end, everyone else were climbing ahead with Vishal. Boatman was guiding us on the route. Initial and at some patches in between were prepared well with rocks wherever it was difficult to walk. Climb being through the Jungle, route was covered with trees and shadow, which made it easier.  At tail end, we 3 were moving at steady and slow pace enjoying the surrounding and different sounds of nature (Of course few groups were disturbing everyone by their shouts & loud talks). On the way, we could see some people sitting after steep climbs, to fill some air in lungs. When we reached top of the fort, we were amazed by views of Koyna backwaters and forest we left behind. It almost took 2 hours to reach at the top, by 12:30 PM we found us sitting besides two small ponds for a lunch break.

Beautiful view from top of Koyna backwater & forest

Fort Vasota

During incorporation of Swarajya in 16th century, Shivaji Maharaj named this fort as Vyaghragad (Vyaghra- means Tiger), owing to its difficult natural defense. Fort Vasota is been surrounded by forest called Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and is been maintained by government well. Being famous amongst trekkers, there are many groups seen on weekends and we were accompanied by many during our trek to Vasota. The fort is in dilapidated condition and is overgrown. The remnants of small temple, Babu Kada, and a plinth of huge Sadar (discussion area) are places to see on the top. During visits to these places, we captured some group photos at Babu Kada. 

Places to Visit on Fort Vasota

Return Journey

2:30 PM: The plan was to visit Nageshwar temple on the way back which was 3 km away from the fort. But when we reach at the diversion point of Nageshwar temple, it was almost 3:10 and we had to drop the plan of Nageshwar temple considering time required to reach back base was more than we expected. Since we had lot of time to descent and go back, our guide suggested to visit a Lord Datta Temple on the way to Bamnoli Village and we started descending.

The Conversation

We were moving at ease capturing photos and taking breaks. During descent, I got myself in conversation with women from Spain Monchi Nozalede. Conversation started with asking her age, since she was moving at quite a good speed and with ease. When I came to know she is 54, I was surprised, and happy to see a person at this age with this endurance level, which was motivating. We introduced ourselves to each other, and another surprise hit me when she told that she has four daughters and a grandchild. The conversation went on, discussing about culture and other parts of life in Spain/India. Even though there are many differences on the sovereign state culture and lifestyle, but it was quite similar in terms of thinking when I found myself matching with Mrs Monchi's thoughts about new generation and lifestyle. This conversation gave me a positive feeling of being connected to the world, and it was good looking at world from others perspective. 

4:10 PM: We were at base, counting plastic bottles again and getting refund from forest officer. Everyone boarded boat and we moved towards Lord Datta Temple on the way. The daylight which was bright while going, was getting dimmed now as we were seeing sun setting down slowly. The breeze was getting chillier than morning, boatman parked our boat near staircase of temple and we got down. After visiting temple, we waited at raised platform near stairs and enjoyed Sun setting down behind mountains far away. The boat floating in the lake was bathed in orange light of sunset and colors of which were soothing to eyes. When everyone gathered, we started our journey back to Bamnoli village. The boat ride on the way back reminded me whole journey since morning, every moment I lived and explored during trek.

Sunset on the way back

6:10 PM: By the time we reached village sun was set, every object was hidden behind shadow and only outer lines were visible. We settled down at the restaurant for a bite before we start return journey to Pune. The return Journey to Pune started around 8:00, the Antakshari game was played again. The bus was at Shivajinagar by 11:00 night.

"And everyone headed back home with sweet memories of beautiful journey!"

Thank You!