The Koyna Valley expedition has been an awesome experience for all of us. Categorised as 'Exploratory' in our trekking nomenclature, this involved tracing our way through one of the thickest jungles in Maharashtra. The 4-day trek included hours of climbing, hiking through thick forests with exotic & dangerous wild life, and boat rides through the Shivaji Sagar lake flanked by mountains and dense forests. The last day was at Mahabaleswar and Pratapghad and the travelling was confined only to buses and jeeps.

We travelled from Mumbai to Karad by train. From Karad, an ST bus bound to Chiplun, took us to Koyna Nagar. The trek started from Koyna Nagar.

Sattelite images from Google Earth. The white line on the mountains is the indicative trail. Mountains are about 4200-4500 ft high above sea level. Distance covered on boat will be about 70-80 kms.

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The Team Koyna

Click on each day to see the photographs

DAY 1

Karad to Koyna Nagar (2hrs, Bus), Koyna Nagar to Navja (8kms, Jeep), Navja to Zadoli (8 hrs trek)

DAY 2

Zadoli camp to river (45 minutes trek), To Vasota base (3.5 hrs boat), Camp at Vasota Base.

DAY 3

Trek up to Vasota Fort and return ( 7 hours), Vasota base to Tapola (Boat, 1.5 hrs). Tapola to Mahabaleshwar (Bus, 1 hour)

DAY 4

Mahabaleshwar to Pratapghad (Bus & Jeep), Pratapghad to Mahad (Jeep), Mahad to Mumbai (Bus)

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Trek organised by Nature Knights. Reach Nature Knights at natureknights@yahoo.com