Pooja and I started our bus journey with our office colleagues from Kurla offfice for Sarasgad fort trek at 6.30 am (was actually scheduled for 5.45 am). All of us arranged for a professional group 'V-Rangers' to organise the trek, they organised everything from start to end of the journey.
We reached Sarasgad around 8.30 am in the morning while picking up other guys on the way and stopping for breakfast. We had idli, potato wada and tea for breakfast in a proper restaurant.
When we reached there, weather was sunny and everyone was craving for rain. V-rangers briefed everyone about the information and instructions regarding the trek and everyone's quick introductions was made. We came to know that one of the eight Ashtavinayak is from this village.
We started walking for the fort around 8.45 am, the place was peaceful and surroundings were green. The fort was on a hill 1400 feet and __ kms from the base. Climbing that hill was not at all easy, it was rocky, muddy, slippery, slanting, moist steps and it was tiring till we reached at a level when the breeze started coming. We were taking regular breaks between our trek, drinking water between walks. Then it started raining and all the tiredness suddenly went off, we felt rejuvenated with the coolness it brought along with it.
On the top, there was a small Temple and the view from the top was beautiful. We just stood there for a minute or two just looking at the scenery. There was greenery, other hills, villages, adjoining road to it and a water stream running between them. It was very calming.
We rested near the temple for few minutes, more information about the fort was told to us, took some group photographs and then we started descending the hill.
Everyone were sceptical about how we would climb down. Due to the rain, place became muddy, damp and, as a result, slippery! We cannot stop thinking about the path, and how risky it would be after rains while climbing down.
And it was dangerous! Even one of the rangers fell-off. Though Pooja was trekking with ease, it was me who was more scared and needed help in-between. I was mostly climbing down by sitting and supporting myself with my weight. Rangers were very helpful and they were giving clear instructions for everyone to understand. They even used a rope for support where they thought the place is slippery.
Many people slipped and fell but there were no injures, Everyone was supportive of each other. We reached the base around 4.30 pm and everyone was famished and tired.
We walked 20 minutes more for the restaurant, visiting the Ashtavinayak Temple on the way. It was a good restaurant and Pooja loved the food they served. After lunch we refreshed ourselves and started our return journey at 6.30 pm. We reached home at 10 pm. happy with our trip.
It was a nice journey and a very good & thrilling experience which we will always cherish. It was the best trek yet and we are happy that none of us slipped or fell!
