Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200

This piece is about a trek which I performed recently in a tight budget of Rs.200. I decided to do it under Rs.100 though I ended up spending an extra Rs.100 on it. However, physically fit individuals can do it under Rs.100 without much stress.

Doing a trek inside Rs.100 or Rs.200 is only possible if the trek is near your hometown. As there is hardly any scope of spending money on commuting and food. And you can also restrict yourselves from spending money on bottled water.

All you need to do it is, find a local way and the cheapest way of traversing, food and water you can carry it from your home. You would only need money for commuting.

What can be better than traveling in Mumbai local trains?

Such was this trek, wherein the money was mostly spent on commuting. The target was to complete the entire journey from start to end under Rs.100. However, I had some Rs.270 extra for emergency situations. I did all my reading on this trek before hand and was quite confident enough to achieve it as per plan.

It was the sweetest trek I have ever done in all these years of my trekking. It suits well for first time trekkers who want to quench their inner calling for mountains. I did my first trek way back in my childhood days with my friends from our neighborhood. And it was to the ancient mountain pass that connected Kalyan to Junnar. All seasoned trekkers would know what I am talking about. I am talking about the “Naneghat” trek. It was too difficult for me who was then a fat kid which I am still today but not a kid anymore. I would rather call myself overweight or simply obese grown up. It was too stretchy and painful, I still remember.

After doing it, I thought I should’ve started my first trek expedition with a simpler one. Like I did recently – about which this blog is all about.

I would suggest every first time trekker no matter what age or size to give it a try. It is not too far from Mumbai. Also it is well connected with the railway station and falls on the state highway.

I’ll not go into the history of this trek. This trek route leads to an ancient fort named “Kaldurg”

It seems like a strategic outpost along with two forts such as “Asherigad” and “Kohoj”.

It lies in the district of Palghar.

I took an early morning train from Dadar to Dahanu (Fast) at 05:15 AM and disembarked at Palghar around 06:50 AM. The train ticket cost was somewhere around Rs.50 – Rs.60 – to and fro.

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 1/13 by Bonny John — Now this is called some start. Outside the Palghar Station

You will find the rickshaw stand and a bus stand outside the station, which is a blessing if you are on budget.

Palghar is rapidly growing districts so eating options are similar to what you find in Mumbai. I had an elaichi tea at Rs.5 and two idlis at Rs.10. The bus that goes to Manor or Wada was on time.

My next stop was “Waghoba Mandir” from where the trek begins. I don’t remember the exact fare of the bus but I think it would be around Rs.20 – Rs.25. This temple is few meter ahead of the Water Purifying Plant when the bus enters ghat section of the road. The plant is visible when you sit on the left side seating of the ST bus. You do not have to worry about missing the temple as the bus has an official stop near the temple. It is a well known revered temple in the area.

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 2/13 by Bonny John

Once out of the bus, you will be surprised to see an army of monkeys – “Vanar Sena” patrolling the temple. I was totally amazed and bit nervous too because of weird experience and also one encounter, in fact two, with these chaps on couple of my treks. Lucky, they didn’t accompany me on the way. They’re well settled near the temple and continued their chores around the vicinity of the temple.

See, the route is well marked. The ascending route starts from the huge tree beside a boring water pump and continues ahead in the upward direction.

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 3/13 by Bonny John

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 4/13 by Bonny John

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 5/13 by Bonny John — This lovely flowers will give you company on the way.

After few meters in the upward direction (you will see two new routes) turn to the left and straight up with no diversion. Just keep going straight in the upward direction. Till you come to a plateau type area. The fort is still up and visible from this plateau area. The trail is well marked naturally and this is the only trail that leads to the fort. I personally do not think that one can get lost here. The only diversion that you’ll take will be at the start (remember the left turn I highlighted few sentences ago).

The view is amazing from the top. There are few naturally appearing selfie spots on the top and on the way which can make you sit there and spend most of the time clicking your picture with the greenery in the backdrop. Don’t try to get too narcissists here.

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 6/13 by Bonny John

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 7/13 by Bonny John

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 8/13 by Bonny John — This is one such selfie spot

I could imagine how lovely it could be during the monsoon. It took somewhere around one and half hour for me reach the top and 40 – 50 minutes to descend. A physically fit person can even reach the top within 45 minutes and come down quickly. This way you also get good time to spend on the top.

You can also carry barbecue, cooking utensils and plan an overnight stay on the top. You can easily fix a tent and camp with friends.

But, please make sure you carry your garbage when done with the stay.

Please, I urge people reading this piece to avoid the use of plastics here. It is our duty and responsibility to maintain the sanctity of such places.

I forgot to keep the train ticket, bus tickets and the cost of the idlis. I only remember the price of elaichi tea which was Rs.5. It stuck in my brain because of the conversation I had with the Tea owner till my bus arrived. He and his mother were friendly and helped me with the schedule of the bus. It was astonishing to see him sell elaichi tea at Rs.5 – have you checked the price of 1 kg elaichi (cardamom). If we take a rough figure of the expenses, it seems to fall under Rs.100. However, I ended up spending extra Rs.100 on the way back at the railway station.

When the returning bus reached the Palghar railway station, it was 01:00 PM and I had planned another destination near Palghar to complete on the same day. Not every time, you come to Palghar. Here, I could feel the scent of “Sheera” from a passing restaurant and this where I could not resist my tongue and my mouth started to water already sitting inside the bus.

I got inside the hotel and ordered a vegetarian meal – Sheera is a dessert and we all know they come complimentary with thalis.

Photo of Trek to do near Mumbai within Rs.200 9/13 by Bonny John — Rotis covered the bowl Sheera

It cost me around worthy 75 – 80 rupees. Some hotels have maintained the taste with which they must have started. You do not find such consistencies in today’s world of quick fixes.

So this is how I ended up spending nearly about Rs.200 during this short and sweet trek.

I’ll write about the second destination is my next blog. It only cost me Rs.30 – 40 to and fro from the railway station. So in total I spent Rs.240 – 250 for this entire day.

I had a great time at both the locations and would like to leave you with few pictures of it.