Introduction
Kalsubai is Maharashtra’s highest point. At 5400 feet above sea level, it provides breathtaking views of the Sahyadri ranges and the lush green cover that surrounds the mountain.
Kalsubai trek is one of the popular destinations in Maharashtra. The trek is steep in places, but it is also accessible to inexperienced trekkers due to the good infrastructure in place. The mountain dates from the Cenozoic era and is mostly composed of solidified flood basalt. Kalsubai is an excellent location for stargazing as well as camping.
OVERVIEW
The Kalsubai trek includes rocky patches as well as steep vertical hill slopes nestled among the pristine Sahyadri ranges. The peak offers a spectacular view of the forts of Kulang, Madan, and Alang.
We recommend this as a one-day trek, but if you want to stay overnight, Bhandardara is approximately 16-17 kilometres from Bari Village.
If you’re feeling brave, pitch your tent on top of the hill in an appropriate camping spot. Many travel agencies organise treks in this area. Going without a guide or group is not a problem, however, because the route is fairly straightforward and well-marked.
Milestones
The mountain’s name was inspired by Kalsu, the local goddess. Many pilgrims visit the mountain’s summit to see the temple dedicated to her.
The pleasant trek route through meadows, flowers, and streams, as well as the sense of accomplishment gained after submitting this peak, make it one of Maharashtra’s most popular treks.
The ideal time
VISIT DURING THE MONSOON FOR THE VIEW OF LUSH GREEN HILLS AND GORGING WATERFALLS.
As the monsoon rains begin, the mountain is surrounded by a stunning landscape of cascades and greenery. Expect to be accompanied by floating clouds on your trek in cool, misty weather, making it a delightful experience. The months of July to September are ideal for experiencing the highlights of the monsoon season.
Winter is Perfect For the trek
After the monsoons, the landscape at Kalsubai changes dramatically as different types of flowers bloom, attracting a variety of drangon flies, bees, and butterflies attracted to their sweet nectar. During the winter, snakes and lizards can frequently be seen sunbathing near the ladders.
The blooming meadows make for a beautiful day trek route, and activities like stargazing and moonlight treks draw a large number of visitors to Kalsubai during the winter. Night skies and sunrises are ideal for viewing from atop the hill from October to February.
The night trekking experience while climbing Kalsubai peak is recommended by both Vagabond Experiences and Ajay Singh from the Adventures Club Pune.
How to Get there by road:
Getting From Bari To Mumbai
The trek begins in the village of Bari, which is approximately 150 kilometres from Mumbai and takes approximately 2-3 hours to reach. For convenience, it is strongly advised to take the road rather than the train.
The best route from Mumbai to Kalsubai is as follows: Mumbai > Kalyan > Ghatgar > Bhandardara > Bari.
Transportation In Public:
Kasara and Igatpuri are the closest stations to Bari village. Igatpuri is located approximately 30 kilometres from Kasara and 50 kilometres from Bari.
From CST to Igatpuri, trains such as the Mahanagari Express, Nandigram Express, Kolkata Mail, Howrah Mail, and a Local run.
Trekking In Kalsubai
The Trek Will Take 5-6 hours.
Difficulty Level : Easy To Medium
Despite the distance, the summit is reachable by stairs. The well-maintained metal ladder has been placed strategically in difficult-to-climb areas. As a result, it is ideal for first-time hikers.
Because it is part of the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary, the area is protected. Open high-altitude forests surround the mountain.
The journey begins in Bari, the starting point. 15 minutes from the trailhead is a small temple. People who are unable to reach the peak seek the deity’s blessings at this Kalsubai temple. There are patches of shade at regular intervals where you can rest and enjoy the breeze that blows through the mountain route.
However, because the scorching heat dehydrates and damages tyres along the long trek route to the peak, consider doing a night trek (especially in the summer) or starting as early in the morning as possible.
The nights at the top of the mountain can be cold, so bring a jacket or blanket to keep warm. While the temperature ranges from 35°C to 28°C during the day, it can drop as low as 12°C to 15°C at night.
What To Pack
The Kalsubai trek can be challenging, so plan ahead of time and bring appropriate equipment. Overpacking, on the other hand, can be harmful because it causes a heavy load on your shoulders. As a result, choose your equipment carefully and make it as light and portable as possible. Here are a few suggestions:
- A backpack with a capacity of 20-45 litres is ideal. Look for adequate padding and, ideally, a chest strap in the carrying system. We recommend the Tatonka Pyrox 45 lit as the best trekking backpacks. This should be big enough to fit your tent and sleeping bag in. For a day hike, a good quality daypack/school bag will suffice.
- Many people can be seen riding floaters and other types of vehicles. This increases the risk of slipping significantly, especially during the monsoon season. We recommend that you wear simple hiking or trail running shoes.
- Camera: For capturing scenic locations, a good zoom point-and-shoot camera or a 360* camera, as well as binoculars, are ideal (one within a large group is enough)
- Each person will need a 2L water bottle.
- Sweatshirt ( During winters)
- For night hikes, bring a headlamp or torch.
- Biscuits, wafers, and nutty bars are examples of dry snacks.
- Sunglasses and a cap
- Raincoat / Poncho ( During Monsoons)
- Electronic devices are charged using power banks.
- Hiking pole, especially if you have weak knees.
You’ll also need the following items if you’re going camping:
- A camping kit, such as this one, or the items listed below purchased separately
- Tent (waterproof for monsoons)
- Bags for sleeping (10 degrees in the winter, 20 degrees in the monsoon)
- Tent light/lantern
- Female urinal buddy
