Sandhan Valley Trek: An Adventure for Excited Hunters

Everyone seeks adventure to live a little and get away from everyday monotonous life. Guess what? Maharashtra has the most amazing treks, including the Sandhan Valley trek and the Kalsubai trek, to say goodbye to this mundanity. 

The Sandhan Valley trek, located near the Samrad village, serves as an absolute adventure for thrill-seekers. 

Apart from the magnificent beauty, the trek offers a mix of several adventurous activities, making your journey unforgettable. 

If you are also planning your journey to the Sandhan Valley trek, then you’ve come to the right place. We will share our experience and all the necessary details about this exciting adventure. 

Overview of Sandhan Valley

Popularly known as the “Valley of Shadows,” as the majority of areas in this valley don’t receive any sunlight, the place is an alluring canyon carved in the Sahyadri mountains of Maharashtra at a height of approximately 4200 feet. Other prominent treks of Maharashtra include the Harihar Fort trek and the Naneghat trek, among others. 

Carved by water, the valley is 200 feet deep and surrounded by the Alang, Madan, and Kulang mountains. Famous for steep walls, waterfalls, and caves, the canyon has various adventurous activities, including Sandhan Valley camping, trekking, rock climbing, and rappelling, among others, serving as a popular tourist destination among adrenaline junkies.

Important Details About Sandhan Valley Trek

Before diving into the various adventures at the Valley of Shadows, it is important to know some details about this trek, including location, duration, difficulty level, and the best time for trekking. 

• Location – Sahyadri Western Ghats, near Bhandardara region and Samrad village, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

• Duration – Although the overall duration depends upon the package, the core trekking part is approximately 5 hours for a 1-day trek. 

• Distance – 12 kilometers

• Difficulty Level – Medium to Difficult 

• Base Village – Samrad Village

• Best Time for Trekking – November to February is generally considered the best time for the trek, as the weather is pleasant during this time of the year. 

How to Reach Sandhan Valley?

You can reach this magnificent gorge via private or public transport, including trains and jeeps, among others. 

The distance of Sandhan Valley from Pune and Mumbai is approximately 200 km, and there are several ways to reach the gorge. 

• By Train – Kasara and Igatpuri are the nearest stations to Sandhan Valley, so you can take a train from Pune or Mumbai to any of these stations. 

• By Shared Jeep – Shared Jeeps are available at the stations to drop you off at Samrad village or nearby areas. 

• By Bus – You can also look for bus services directly from Pune and Mumbai to the Igatpuri railway station, after which you have to book a cab or shared jeep to Samrad village. 

• By Private Vehicle – Many travelers also come via private vehicles from these nearby cities. Additionally, if you are coming from Mumbai, the Nashik Expressway is the best route, and the journey is approximately 4–5 hours long from both cities. 

What are Some Popular Adventures of Sandhan Valley?

The place is a popular attraction among tourists for various adventures, including trekking, camping, rock climbing, and rappelling. 

1. Sandhan Valley Trekking

The Sandhan Valley trek begins at the base village of Samrad and ends at Dehne Village. However, many people also return to Samrad Village after reaching the canyon. Personally, we found that the Sandhan Valley trekking is relatively easier at the start, but as the path narrows, the trek becomes increasingly difficult, including crossing pools of water and crawling under the rocks. 

2. Sandhan Valley Camping

Apart from trekking, you can also have a wonderful Sandhan Valley camping experience. Camping is one of the most exciting experiences, as it allows you to enjoy bonfires and relax under skies full of stars. Staying in tents set up in the canyon gave us a splendid view of the entire gorge. 

With local food and a peaceful experience, we actually felt a sense of warmth in the freezing climate. Additionally, if you are fortunate enough, you can also experience the view of thousands of glowing fireflies. 

3. Sandhan Valley Rappelling

If you are a risk-taker, then rappelling should be on your list, as it is probably the most thrilling part for all adventure lovers. Rappelling actually involves climbing down the rocky mountains, just with the help of a rope. 

Often included in the camping packages, this adventure involves rappelling a wall of approximately 100 feet in height. However, you should be really careful and attempt the activity with proper safety gear and under guidance only. 

Other Things to do at Sandhan Valley

In addition to the adventurous activities, there are various other things you can do at this magical place. This includes watching fireflies, stargazing, enjoying local food, and photography. 

• Sandhan Valley Fireflies – The trek is also popularly known as the Sandhan Valley Fireflies trek, as the canyon is famous for the thousands of glowing fireflies that you can witness at night. Additionally, the valley also organizes the Fireflies festival during May and June. 

• Stargazing – Many camping packages also involve stargazing in the clear skies of Sandhan Valley. We enjoyed this view easily without trekking by camping at the base village of Samrad. A Reddit user commented, saying they were also able to spot Jupiter and Venus in the sky. 

• Enjoying Local Food – As there are only homestays at Sandhan Valley, you can enjoy local foods such as Bhakri, Bhaji, Poha, and home-cooked meals at the base village of Samrad and Dehne village. 

• Giant Swinging – Some hiking organizations also offer giant swing activity, but to experience this, you must rappel some feet. Performed under expert guidance, this activity is absolutely enjoyable. 

• Photography – Known for its serene beauty, Sandhan Valley is perfect for personal and professional photography. You can capture the beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, and pollution-free skies full of stars, among others. 

When Should You Visit Sandhan Valley? 

Visiting the valley at the right time can enhance your experience and make it memorable for you. 

On Reddit, December-February is the best time to visit the place. 

During this time, the Valley of Shadows has a cold and comfortable climate. Furthermore, winters are perfect for trekking, as they provide warmth to your body and prevent the irritability of sweat in summer. 

If you are planning to visit Sandhan Valley after the monsoons, in October, you will witness the most pleasant temperature and lush greenery of the valley. 

However, it is important to note that visiting during monsoons should be avoided, as the surface gets slippery, making it risky for trekking. Additionally, people on Reddit also suggest avoiding trekking during the summer. 

Essential Tips for Sandhan Valley Trek

As per our experience, some essential tips for the Sandhan Valley trek include hiring a trek guide, packing the essentials, staying with the group, wearing appropriate clothing, using waterproof gear, and carrying sufficient food and water, among others. 

• Hire Trek Guides – You should always hire a trek guide for safety purposes, and especially if this is your first time trekking.

• Pack Necessary Stuff – An extra pair of clothing, chargers, power banks, and a torch for lighting should always be in your bag. 

• Stick to the Group – You should always stay with your trekking group and avoid going anywhere alone, as you might get lost. 

• Wear Proper Clothing – As the best time for the Sandhan Valley trek is winter, it is essential to wear appropriate, warm clothing to avoid the chills. 

• Bring Enough Meals – Stay hydrated throughout the trek and keep a stock of packed food with you.

• Avoid if Unfit – Physical fitness and good stamina are important, as the trek can get difficult with time. 

• Use Waterproof Gear – Since some paths of the trek also involve water crossings, you should wear easy-to-dry clothes and hiking shoes.

Tourist Places Near the Valley of Shadows

Ratangad Fort, Amruteshwar Temple, Bhandardara Lake, Konkankada (Ghatghar), and Umbrella Falls, among others, are some of the must-visit tourist places near the valley. 

1. Ratangad Fort

Ratangad Fort is situated in Ratanwadi, Maharashtra, approximately 12 km away from the canyon. Similar to the Valley of Shadows, Ratangad Fort also comprises one of the most adventurous trekking experiences. The monument is a part of the Kalsubai mountains and comprises a 3-hour trek. 

2. Amruteshwar Temple

Amruteshwar Temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples, located approximately 9 km away from the valley. The temple is situated on the banks of the Pravara River and was built during the reign of the Shilahara dynasty. Furthermore, the Amruteshwar temple is carved using black stone and built in the Hemadpanthi architectural style. 

3. Bhandardara Lake

Also known as Arthur Lake, Bhandardara Lake is a manmade lake located near Wilson Dam, approximately 27 km from the canyon. We spent about 2 hours near the lake, as it is a well-known picnic spot for families and friends and features several activities such as boating and photography, among others. 

4. Konkankada (Ghatghar)

Located at a mere distance of approximately 4 km from the valley, Konkankada (Ghatghar) is another prominent tourist attraction in Maharashtra. Being a part of the Harishchandragad fort complex, it is a cliff that provides an extensive view of the surroundings and is popular for the vertical cloudburst phenomenon. 

5. Umbrella Falls

Umbrella Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Maharashtra, located at a distance of approximately 23 km from the canyon. An absolute treat to the eyes, these majestic waterfalls are formed during the monsoon, when water overflows from the Wilson Dam. 

Final Thoughts

There are many popular treks in Maharashtra, including the Sandhan Valley trek.  Being one of the most thrilling trekking experiences in India, the Sandhan Valley trek absolutely gave us an adrenaline rush. 

While your experience will surely be full of adventures, the Valley of Shadows also allows you to enjoy its serene view and get lost in the arms of nature.

However, we strongly suggest planning your trip carefully and carrying all the essentials for a safe trip.