Excursion to Tamhini-Dongarwadi
On July 6, 2014, which is a free day, we have planned a guided excursion to Tamhini-Dongarwadi. Situated about 65 km from Pune, the Tamhini area has been a favorite hotspot for nature lovers. A wonderful area to visit in the monsoons, it offers excellent views of verdant valleys, cascading waterfalls and evergreen forests. The Tamhini area has some dense evergreen forests offering good opportunities for bird watching. The sacred Grove behind the Vinjai Devi temple is surely worth a visit. Tamhini is also home to some beautiful monsoon flora. A trail through the 'Devrai' can reveal some interesting variety of Plants, Ferns, and Fungi etc. You can find pictures of the area here.
Itinerary
The itinerary is as follows:
- 6:15 am: Reporting infront of Guest House (HR4)
- 6:30 am: Proceed to Tamhini by private bus. Travel time approx 2.5 hours.
- 8:00 am: Breakfast @ Tamhini Village
- 9:30 am: Reach Dongarwadi and trek upto the waterfall
- 12:00 noon: Head back for Tamhini village for lunch.
- 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm: Lunch and rest.
- 2:30 pm: Start for the nature trail in a sacred grove etc. This will be a moderate walk for about 2-3 km
- 4:00 pm: Return to Tamhini for evening tea and snacks.
- 5:00 pm: Leave for Pune.
- 7:00 pm: Reach Pune.
Specific instructions
The trek is an easy walk which can be done by an eight year old as well as by senior people. However, you should wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes. Please remember now is the rainy season. If you enjoy getting wet then carry an extra set of clothes so that you can change into dry ones after the trek is over or else carry your rain-coats. There are clean changing rooms available. Additionally you should carry a litre of water with yourself.
Cost
As of now those who are interested needs to pay for the excursion. If the conference budget permits, we will try to sponsor it. The charges will vary depending on the number of persons opting for the tour. If there are at least 35 people, then the charges will be 850 INR per head. If the number increases this might go down. The charges include traditional Maharashtrian breakfast, lunch and evening tea/coffee and snacks, one litre mineral water bottle, visit to the Kundalika valley, charges of outdoor experts well equipped with First Aid and knowledge of the entire route and area (ratio of 7:1). The transportation cost (non AC bus) will also depend on the number of people opting for the tour and might vary somewhere between 200-350 INR. This is inclusive of driver allowance, RTO vehicle tax and toll and parking charges.
Payment and Booking
You need to make the payment in cash upon arrival. However, it is mandatory to fill up the online registration with the details asked for. We need this information in order to obtain the necessary permits from the government agencies. We request you to fill this form latest by July 01, 2014. You can find the form here.