Hello everyone,
I'm delighted to share our memorable 3-day trip to the Dang forest in Gujarat. Our group of three friends, who initially met during a trek and hail from different cities, had initially planned a road trip to Leh Ladakh. However, due to heavy traffic caused by others with the same idea, we decided to switch destinations. We then remembered the beauty of our home state, Gujarat, and its hidden gem - Dang. This area boasts stunning landscapes, lush forests, waterfalls, and hills, making it an ideal alternative.
On July 22nd, we gathered at Ahmedabad station and embarked on an overnight journey to Surat. Arriving in the early hours, we refreshed ourselves and savored a delicious breakfast, including the renowned Surati locho near the station. Our next step was a self-driven cab, previously booked through Just Drive. Our destination was Mahal Camp Site in Dang, a government property nestled amidst forests and close to a river. This place was a treasure with budget-friendly rates.
As we traveled the 130-kilometer distance from Surat to Mahal, we were greeted by scenic roads blanketed in greenery. Our journey was enriched by encounters with local farmers tending to their fields. Finally, we reached Mahal Camp, where we rested in charming wooden huts. After a quick nap, we enjoyed a hearty lunch. Our plans included visiting nearby attractions like Girmal Waterfall before returning to camp.
During the evening, after a satisfying dinner, we engaged with a local guide. Expressing our desire to connect with our families and witness fireflies, the guide accompanied us to a forest location. This night journey was slightly nerve-wracking, given that the Mahal forest is known for its leopard population. Fortunately, we remained safe and enjoyed the mesmerizing sight of fireflies, sharing stories with our families.
One of the highlights of Mahal was its lack of network coverage, allowing us to truly disconnect from the chaos of daily life and experience a slice of heaven on earth.
On the second day of our trip, our plan was to explore Don Hill and Pandava Caves. We woke up early in the morning, got refreshed, and prepared for our visit to Don Hill. While my friends were getting ready, I strolled around the campsite. At one point, I paused, closed my eyes, and absorbed the soothing symphony of the flowing river and the cheerful chirping of birds. The tranquility of the moment inspired me to record this beautiful sound on my phone, and I shared it on my travel platforms, including my YouTube channel and Instagram.
Following a hearty breakfast, we embarked on our journey to Don Hill. With music, photography, videos, and a sense of fun, we covered the approximately 60-kilometer distance from our campsite, which was around 40 kilometers from Ahwa.
Don Hill straddles the border between Gujarat and Maharashtra, and upon arrival, we captured stunning photos and videos while soaking in the breathtaking landscape. Unexpectedly, we decided to extend our adventure to Selher Fort in Maharashtra, which was located about 12 kilometers away from Don Hill. This deviation from our initial plan was spurred by our desire for exploration.
Navigating through quaint villages on the way to Selher Fort proved challenging due to the lack of network signal for GPS. However, the assistance of local residents helped guide us to our destination.
Selher Fort turned out to be a spectacular location. We embarked on a climb, pausing at intervals to rest and appreciate the fantastic natural surroundings, weather, and landscape. Upon descending, we made our way back to the campsite. Before that, we needed to refuel our car. Seeking guidance from locals, we got to know that the nearest petrol pump was around 30 kilometers away. Since we had enough petrol to travel about 50-60 kilometers, we retraced our steps to Don Hill and asked locals for directions. They informed us that a petrol pump could be found in Ahwa City after 30 kilometers. Around 4pm, we set off for Ahwa and later returned to our campsite after nightfall.
For dinner, we stumbled upon a local individual who prepared delicious Chawal Roti and Sabji with Khichdi. This meal turned out to be a delightful culinary experience for us.
On the third and final day of our trip, which happened to be a Sunday, we didn't have any specific plans to explore nearby places. With a return ticket scheduled for 5 pm from Surat and a three-hour journey ahead from Dang to Surat, our aim was to reach Surat by 3 pm.
We checked out from Mahal Camp at 7 am and enjoyed breakfast outside the camp. Our plan for the day included visiting Sabri Dham and Pampa Sarovar, both of which were about 20 kilometers from Mahal and on the route towards the Surat highway.
Upon arrival at Sabri Dham, we admired the beautiful temple of Sabri Mata and the serene atmosphere. However, due to the Sunday rush, we encountered a crowd at the site. This limited our time there, and we took a few photos before proceeding to Pampa Sarovar. At Pampa Sarovar, we marveled at a stunning waterfall and the Hanuman Ji temple located on the lake's shore. Although the place was incredible, it was also quite crowded, prompting us to move on.
Around 11:30 am, as we discussed our lunch plans, we discovered a restaurant near Sabri Dham that offered local Dang cuisine, including Nagli no Rotlo, Nagli na Papad, and bamboo-based Athanu. Ordering this meal was a delightful surprise, as the food turned out to be exceptionally delicious.
Subsequently, we began our three-hour journey back to Surat and then took a bus to Ahmedabad, marking the end of our trip, accompanied by cherished photos, videos, and memories.
I recommend this travel itinerary to anyone in Gujarat planning a short trip.
I'd like to highlight that the people of Dang are our great farmers who show us respect and also serve food to us, so it's important that we treat them with respect as well. If you can, consider carrying old clothes with you to donate, as they are truly in need. Additionally, bringing along chocolates and food packets for children can bring smiles to their faces and remind us of the value of food. Engaging in conversations with the farmers about their lives, livelihoods, and expenses can offer valuable insights into the importance of money.
Thank you for taking the time to read this account of our journey.
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