Mandakini hill trek, near Vajreshwari, Virar.
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS, STAYS IN VEGAS.
13.07.2025, 1-day Sunday TTMM trek with a group of 6 friends.
We got lost at the start of the trek and realised it when we were climbing the steep uphill slope, probably climbed by the cattle or mountain goats.
Mandakini hill seen as we approached the base village Kelthan in the rickshaw. It looks small, but the climb is long and steep.
Trailhead: This was right start of the trek. We crossed a stream at the start and there was a fork. We took the right, instead of the left. This was the wrong turn. While returning we came by the right path.
We had asked the help of a villager to find a way from the fields into the hill. He guided and then left us. We got lost. We couldn't find a guide to lead us. This seemingly small hiccup made us climb a steep ascent, that may have been climbed by cattle or goats.
The wrong turn and a steep ascent made our climb a bit difficult in the initial part of the trek.
Finally, we found the right path. The brown mud path was the gradual regular trekking route, that we stumbled upon after climbing the slope. We rested for a while and caught our breath to proceed further. Thankfully, it didn't rain when we were climbing the steep slope. So it was not slippery. But it was humid. The drizzle started much later, when we were almost at the plateau on the top of the hill.
Gumtara/ Gotara's peak is seen with a highway being constructed at its foothills is seen from Mandakini hill.
Lohape lake & dam is seen from the top of Mandakini hill.
There was a rock patch, that was wet and slippery in the monsoon and it was blocking our way to reach the Devdar cave. We didn't go to the Devdar cake. A friend, good in geology mentioned it may be a lava tube!
The slippery rock patch was suitable for this crustacean.
The orange flag marks the Devdar cave and we didn't venture ahead as there was a slippery rock patch (pointed).
Devdar cave.
After having lunch and enjoying the view and the breeze, we backtracked and while returning found the right path to reach the base village safely. We also cooled off in the streams near the base.
This trek must be done with a guide.
Goats in a pen at Kelthan, the base village.
HOW DID WE GO?
Rickshaw from home to railway station > Virar East railway station > ST bus to Vajreshwari > Alight at Vajreshwari Devi Mandir's bus stop > Rickshaw to base village Kelthan (3 to 5 km from Vajreshwari temple) > trek to Mandakini hill > backtrack > walk from Kelthan to Vajreshwari > ST bus from Vajreshwari to Virar West railway station > train back home > rickshaw to home.
TREK: Ascent: 2.9 km. Descent: ~4 km. Walk from Kelthan to Vajreshwari: ~4 km. Total = ~11 km.
TIME LINE:
5:20 am wake up. 6:05 leave home. 7 am meet at Virar railway station & have breakfast. 7:30 am to 8:30am ST bus from Virar to Vajreshwari. 8:30 am to 9am - rickshaw from Vajreshwari to Kelthan. 9 am trek starts. 12:00 pm reach the top near Devdar cave and have lunch. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm - backtrack leisurely. 2 to 3:30 pm walk from Kelthan to Vajreshwari. Snacks & tea at a restaurant in Vajreshwari. 4:10 pm to 6:15 pm ST bus from Vajreshwari to Virar. 6:30 pm train from Virar. 7:45 pm home sweet home. EXPENSES (per head):
26/- rick from home to station. 20/- return train ticket. 46/- ST bus ticket from Virar to Vajreshwari. 50/- rickshaw from Vajreshwari to Kelthan. 65/- snacks & tea. 61/- ST bus ticket from Vajreshwari to Virar. 33/- rickshaw from station to home.
TOTAL = 301/-.
Sincere thanks to my friend, Dr JVT for his invaluable guidance in reaching the base village. Hope he joins us soon for some treks.
Enjoy the beauty of monsoon in the video below:
Read more of the surrounding nature exploration below:
