Introduction: The Kalsubai trek is a popular trekking destination located in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra, India. It is known for being the highest peak in the state, standing at an elevation of 1,646 meters (5,400 feet) above sea level. It is known as the Everest of Maharashtra.
Difficulty level: The trek is moderate to difficult level of difficulty. If you’re new to trekking, I recommend starting with an easier trek to gauge your endurance. However, if you’re physically fit and have prior trekking experience, you should be able to conquer Kalsubai with determination and perseverance.
Base village: The trek starts from the village of Bari, which serves as the base camp for trekkers. Bari is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and is approximately 165 kilometers away from Mumbai.
Hum Panch: Our group consisted of five individuals. While two of us were first-time trekkers, two others had previously completed the Triund trek, and Ajay had recently been to the Kasol-Rasol trek. I am glad that my initial plan of solo trek turned into a group event.
Booking Options: When it comes to choosing an agency for the trek, rest assured that most agencies provide similar facilities and services along the way. We decided to book through Trekhivers, which offered us a package at an affordable price of INR 999 per person.
Essential Items to Carry: To ensure a comfortable and safe trekking experience, make sure to pack the following essentials:
- Torch (as the path can be pitch dark)
- Energy bars and Glucon-D (for instant energy)
- Jacket (as it can get extremely windy at the peak)
- Sleeves with thumb holes (to protect your arms and palms from rough surfaces, thorns, and tanning)
- Fanny pack/ waist bag (to carry essentials like phone, power bank & cash)
- Wet wipes
Pro tip 1: You can drop the speaker, as you are not allowed to play music during the trek.
Pro tip 2: Carrying torch in one hand and stick in another makes it difficult during some parts of the route, you can get a head lamp to avoid this.
The Journey Begins:
Our trekking adventure commenced at 7:30 PM when we enjoyed a light meal before boarding a pre-booked cab from Andheri East to Kasara.
At 10:30 PM, we gathered with our group and the group leader at Kasara Railway Station. With a total of nine trekkers, we proceeded to a nearby dhaba for dinner. Interestingly, we realized that all the other trekking groups were also stopping at the same dhaba. Given the condition of the place, we settled for chips and snickers instead of a full meal.
Pro tip: Have a proper meal before starting the journey, there is no decent option near Kasara station.
By 1:30 AM, we reached the base village of Bari. After securing a room to rest and store our bags, we found ourselves gazing at the magnificent starry sky while eagerly waiting for the trek to commence. It was pitch dark and all we could see were dotted lights that marked on route metal stairs.
The Trekking Experience:
At 3:00 AM, after a brief introduction with our group leader and fellow trekkers, we began our uphill climb. Following our group leader’s advice, we had minimized the weight we carried and left some belongings in the room. Other trekking groups had also arrived, and all of us started the trek almost at the same time.
Pro tip: Carry only essential stuff with you, while trekking even the lightest weight feels like a burden. I had to give my bag to Ajay 10 mins into the trek.
After a 15-minute ascent, we reached a spot marked by a gate, indicating the official start of the Kalsubai trek. A vendor nearby was selling trekking sticks, which I highly recommend purchasing as they aid in pushing yourself forward during the climb.
Every 15-20 minutes, we encountered stops where water bottles and refreshments were available for purchase. These pit stops served as a breather before continuing our ascent. After 5 such pit stops we finally reached the stairs.
By 4:30 AM, we started climbing up the metal stairs leading to the plateau. Three of our friends were too tired to continue, deciding to stay back while Ajay and I pressed on. We could see the mesmerising city lights all around us as we climbed on.
At 6:00 AM, we finally crossed the plateau and arrived at the well point, the base for the final ascent to the Kalsubai peak. However, since the sun was about to rise, we decided to pause and relish the breathtaking view. The strong winds added to the sense of awe as we sat gazing the sunrise. After capturing some stunning photos with the clouds, we replenished our energy with maggie noodles and cookies while awaiting breakfast. After sometime we had Poha for breakfast which was included in the package. The same vendor was serving trekkers with different agencies.
Pro Tip: If you are someone like me who will need lot of breaks at regular intervals, start your trek at 2:30 AM to reach the peak on time.
At 7:00 AM, we commenced our descent, hoping it would be easier than the ascent. However, the stairs proved challenging. My calves were shaking and vibrating as we climbed down the stairs. Along the way, we were treated to a beautiful valley view that we had missed during the night. Halfway down, we reunited with our friends, who were relaxing in the shade at one of the stops.
By 10:30 AM, we reached the Kalsubai gate, the same spot from where we had embarked on this trek. Exhausted but satisfied, we took a short break before heading back to the base village. Upon reaching the village, we washed away the dirt from our hands and faces. Some fellow trekkers even changed into fresh clothes, feeling refreshed.
At 11:00 AM, we gathered in the same room where we had initially stored our bags for a well-deserved lunch. The lunch was decent. We hopped into a jeep that transported us back to Kasara Railway Station. We boarded the 1:30 PM local train to Ghatkopar to head back to our homes.
Conclusion:
The Kalsubai trek offers not only a physical challenge but also breathtaking vistas and a sense of accomplishment. My takeaway from the experience was that I really needed to work on my leg strength as my calves had cramps within the first 10 mins of the trek, making the entire trek really challenging. Overall, it was a wonderful experience which left me seeking more such trekking experiences.