Lonavala to Bhimashankar Trek

Embark on a trek to Bhimashankar, one of the most challenging treks of Maharashtra. Over the course of 2 days, you'll navigate through deep valleys, towering mountains and thick jungles that cover the terrain of Western Ghats. A long and ardours trek, this adventure takes you over an actual distance of 50 kms. As you climb uphill over mountains and pass through dense forests, you're rewarded with breathtaking views of the Valvan Dam, the Shirota Lake, the Rajmachi mountains and several other destinations in the Sahyadri mountain ranges.

This trek to Bhimashankar requires travellers to trek for an extended period of time over a moderately difficult train. It is recommended that only trekking enthusiasts with some prior experience attempt this trek.

NOTE: Travellers are requested to bring a packed lunch.

Destination

Located inside the protected forests of the Shri Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, the small village of Bhimashankar is accessible via a 1-hr drive from Karjat. However, this trek will take you from Lonavala to Bhimashankar, making for a thrilling adventure that will see you trekking for most of the day. At Bhimashankar, you'll visit the famed temple, a sacred Hindu shrine that dates back to the 13th century.

Destination highlights

Climb up to an altitude of 3,400 feet on a trek to Bhimashankar. | Visit the 13th century, holy temple of Bhimashankar. | Catch beautiful views of monsoon-fed forests over the Sahyadri hills.

2047

3400

1840

50 km

16 hrs

25 km

Lonavala railway station at 00:10 hrs

Get Direction >

Karjat railway station by 20:00 hrs

Non-AC, private SUV or Tempo T

Lonavala

Get Direction >

00:10

20:00

Arrive at the Lonavala railway station by 00:10 hrs. You'll meet the trek leader and your fellow trekkers near the ticket booking window on platform #1. Head out to the outskirts of the city and trek to the village of Valvand. After a 3-hr night trek, you'll arrive at Valvand, where you can rest for a few hours.

At the break of dawn by 06:30 hrs, you'll have breakfast and resume trekking on a route that will take you to Padarwadi. This is a long trek that will lead you through small villages and along forests. You'll be trekking for most of the day, but the group will stop and rest at regular intervals. You'll halt around noon to have a packed lunch, that you'll need to carry with you when you report to start point. By evening, you'll arrive at Padarwadi, where you'll have dinner and stay for the night. Based on availability and weather conditions, you'll spend the night in either a local school, temple or hall. Overnight at Padarwadi in local school, temple or hall.

Overnight at Padarwadi.

Your trip begins from the Lonavala railway station at 00:10 hrs. Meet your fellow trekkers near the ticket booking window on platform #1. Today's meal package includes breakfast at Valvand and dinner at Padarwadi. Please carry a packed lunch to eat en route to Padarwadi. You'll be accommodated at Padarwadi in a dormitory style room in either a local school, temple or hall on a multi-sharing basis.

Food

Breakfast | Dinner

Veg

Day 1 Milestone

Lonavala

Padarwadi

00:10 AM

Early in the morning, you'll wake up and have breakfast. Begin trekking to Bhimashankar and visit the famed Bhimashankar temple. After lunch near the temple, you'll start descending via the Ganesh Ghat and head to Khandas. If you're tired, you can also directly board a bus from Bhimashankar to Mumbai or Pune. At Khandas, you'll board private, shared vehicles that will drive you to Karjat. You'll arrive at Karjat railway station by 20:00 hrs. Your trip ends here.

Your trip ends before nightfall.

Today's meal package includes breakfast at Padarwadi and lunch near Bhimashankar temple. Your trip ends as you arrive at Karjat railway station by 20:00 hrs.

Food

Breakfast | Lunch

Veg

Day 2 Milestone

Padarwadi

Karjat

05:30 AM

Includes / Excludes

Includes

  • Travel arrangements from Khandas-Karjat in non-AC, private SUV, Tempo Traveller or similar vehicle
  • Accommodation for 1 night at Padarwadi in local school, temple or hall on multi-sharing basis
  • Services of an experienced trek leader
  • All vegetarian meals from breakfast on Day 1 to lunch on Day 2 (except lunch on Day 1)
  • Basic first aid kit
  • All applicable taxes

Excludes

  • Travel from base city to Lonavala and back from Karjat
  • Lunch on Day 1
  • Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, road blocks etc.
  • Personal expenses such as tips to staff, additional meals or beverages etc.
  • Adventure travel or medical insurance
  • Anything not mentioned in inclusions

What to Wear

What to Wear

  • Comfortable, quick-dry apparel
  • Trekking footwear
  • Windcheater or jacket
  • Raincoat or poncho
  • Full-sleeved shirts/t-shirts
  • Full-length track pants
  • Extra pair of clothes and socks
  • Not to wear - Expensive jewellery or gadgets
  • Hard luggage such as suitcases, trolley bags

What not to Wear

  • Loose clothing that will tangle around you while swimming
  • Restrictive clothing
  • Flip-flops

Equipment / Gear

We Provide

  • Non-AC, private SUV, Tempo Traveller or similar vehicle for transport from Khandas-Karjat
  • Any technical equipment required for the trek
  • Basic first aid kit

You need to get

  • Rucksack (with rain cover)
  • ID proof
  • Packed lunch
  • Sleeping bag (optional)
  • Water bottle
  • Torch (with extra batteries)
  • Energy drinks (Glucon D, Gatorade etc.)
  • Sunscreen lotion
  • Insect repellent
  • Dry snacks (biscuits, energy bars etc.)
  • Personal toiletries

Medical Kit

  • Specific personal or prescribed medication
  • Personal first-aid kit

Cancellation policy

For cancellations more than 6 days before departure of the Bhimashankar trek: 70% refund.

For cancellations made 4-6 days before departure of the Bhimashankar trek: 50% refund.

For cancellations made 2-3 days before departure of the Bhimashankar trek: 30% refund.

For cancellations made less than 2 days before departure of the Bhimashankar trek: No refund.

No show: No refund.

All refunds will be processed after deducting any transaction charges.

Rules on trip

Travellers are required to adhere to instructions of the trek leader during the trek to Bhimashankar.

Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco products and cigarettes is strictly prohibited during the trip.

Travellers are requested to treat the local culture with respect and avoid littering, defacing property and monuments and causing general disturbance.

Additional instructions, booking policies, terms and conditions

The tour operator reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary of the trek to Bhimashankar to maximize the safety of travellers as well as staff.

Travellers will be required to bear any additional costs arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, road blocks etc.