Monsoon treks has always been to my heart.
Raindrops, water falls, mountains, nature, fog, rocks, wilderness...
These all drives me crazy.
There was lots of excitement for monsoon trek to Peb fort. Beside a new place for us, it was little bit challenging too (as was mentioned on different websites and blogs). Till last minute, we were not sure about numbers. 
Finally, at Dombivali station we came to know that total 43 participants are their. On Sunday, we gathered at Dombivali railway station, early in morning by 5:15 am and caught Karjat train of around 5:45 am. From the beginging everyone was in the mood of enjoyment. Some of them were capturing those moments in cell phones cameras. After an hour, around 6:45 am, we get down at Neral railway station. Over their we had morning tea and refreshment. Between this we come to know that there are two routes for Peb fort. One starting from Neral Village (tough one) and another between Neral and Matheran, near Vikatgarh station (easy one). Since there were few new comers with us and also this was our first experiance at Peb fort we choose easy route i.e. second one. We hire local texis to drop us near Vikatgarh station where road intersect with narrow gauge railway treks of toy train. From here we took right and started walking parallel to the railway treks.
From the beginning climate was amazingly pleasant. We just started to walk on the
trek and show few beautiful waterfalls welcoming us. And the very next moment everyone was under those waterfalls. After some time we again started to walk ahead. There was incredible fog around and rain above. At every turn nature was unfolding its loveliness. We followed railway treks for around 2-3 k.m. and then found small Iron Gate with a temple bell (one taxi driver has already informed us to take right from the gate, so we did). Here cement road was leading few steps down side. And then for around a k.m. trek was more or less horizontal, full of twist & turns and few slippery patches. Until we find an iron ladder, around 30 feet high, to climb up. After upward small walk, we reached at the highest point of this trek were we found a shelter. For a moment we thought that this is it, we reached. But then people working over their told us to move ahead for the fort. We all get more excited as everybody was keen on having little more adventure.
Since there was no clear pathway, after walking for around half an hour we got lost. We reached at the end of the mountain. At 150 degree turn there was a small path going downside. Due to heavy fog we were not able to look faraway. Now here we sent Pritesh to go ahead and check whether it was correct or not. He found the path more difficult and going downside. He also found a 90 degree ladder for going downside, which he thought was risky. As per our assumption way to fort must be going upside and this was completely opposite. So after a small discussion instead of taking risk we decided to go back. We started to return where we found shelter. While this all was happening two of us trekker already had reached to shelter and asked local people at shelter about the route. They told tem that we were on the right path; we have to go down side and climb-down that ladder. So again we turn back to reach the final destination. It was really exciting and not at all tough to climb down the ladder. Small stream of water was falling from upside while we were descending the ladder. And then in few steps we reached at the caves.
There was statue of the great Shivaji, pictures of Swami Samarth and some Sutras on
the wall in the cave. As soon as we reached at the caves rainfall increased at the level of our enjoyment. As few of us (like me and my friends) had brought no food we made others to share theirs with us (of course). Then came time for photo session, which continued for around half an hour. Finally we started to return back from where we began. On the return journey climate was little fog free. So we got better view of the mountains. Then Rain continued to fall (as we continued to sing) at regular intervals during the whole trek. At one point (for last three k.m. walk of railway track) I felt to be alone and take a walk on own. So while every one again busy in taking pictures and enjoying waterfalls for the last time, I kept walking ahead. And the experience was really good. I think to be one with the nature some time you have to be alone with it. I reached at the road side 45 minutes early. Here, cars were supposed to pick up us. Then we went to the Neral by car and had our tea party. At 5:10 pm, we caught train and reached Dombivali by 6:10 pm.
Over all this trek was superbly, amazingly excellent. Credited goes to the climate and of course part of it to Kalpesh for suggesting this trek.
Just Remember:
Definitely this trek is of moderate level, if you are new there are few chances to get lost. There is also one more route and difficult one from the other side of Peb fort. There is nothing great at the last point i.e. Peb Fort. As fort is not remaind any more except few signs and caves. But the way to it is amazing. And I Think only monsoon is the best time for it.
Finally, at Dombivali station we came to know that total 43 participants are their. On Sunday, we gathered at Dombivali railway station, early in morning by 5:15 am and caught Karjat train of around 5:45 am. From the beginging everyone was in the mood of enjoyment. Some of them were capturing those moments in cell phones cameras. After an hour, around 6:45 am, we get down at Neral railway station. Over their we had morning tea and refreshment. Between this we come to know that there are two routes for Peb fort. One starting from Neral Village (tough one) and another between Neral and Matheran, near Vikatgarh station (easy one). Since there were few new comers with us and also this was our first experiance at Peb fort we choose easy route i.e. second one. We hire local texis to drop us near Vikatgarh station where road intersect with narrow gauge railway treks of toy train. From here we took right and started walking parallel to the railway treks.From the beginning climate was amazingly pleasant. We just started to walk on the
trek and show few beautiful waterfalls welcoming us. And the very next moment everyone was under those waterfalls. After some time we again started to walk ahead. There was incredible fog around and rain above. At every turn nature was unfolding its loveliness. We followed railway treks for around 2-3 k.m. and then found small Iron Gate with a temple bell (one taxi driver has already informed us to take right from the gate, so we did). Here cement road was leading few steps down side. And then for around a k.m. trek was more or less horizontal, full of twist & turns and few slippery patches. Until we find an iron ladder, around 30 feet high, to climb up. After upward small walk, we reached at the highest point of this trek were we found a shelter. For a moment we thought that this is it, we reached. But then people working over their told us to move ahead for the fort. We all get more excited as everybody was keen on having little more adventure.Since there was no clear pathway, after walking for around half an hour we got lost. We reached at the end of the mountain. At 150 degree turn there was a small path going downside. Due to heavy fog we were not able to look faraway. Now here we sent Pritesh to go ahead and check whether it was correct or not. He found the path more difficult and going downside. He also found a 90 degree ladder for going downside, which he thought was risky. As per our assumption way to fort must be going upside and this was completely opposite. So after a small discussion instead of taking risk we decided to go back. We started to return where we found shelter. While this all was happening two of us trekker already had reached to shelter and asked local people at shelter about the route. They told tem that we were on the right path; we have to go down side and climb-down that ladder. So again we turn back to reach the final destination. It was really exciting and not at all tough to climb down the ladder. Small stream of water was falling from upside while we were descending the ladder. And then in few steps we reached at the caves.
There was statue of the great Shivaji, pictures of Swami Samarth and some Sutras on
the wall in the cave. As soon as we reached at the caves rainfall increased at the level of our enjoyment. As few of us (like me and my friends) had brought no food we made others to share theirs with us (of course). Then came time for photo session, which continued for around half an hour. Finally we started to return back from where we began. On the return journey climate was little fog free. So we got better view of the mountains. Then Rain continued to fall (as we continued to sing) at regular intervals during the whole trek. At one point (for last three k.m. walk of railway track) I felt to be alone and take a walk on own. So while every one again busy in taking pictures and enjoying waterfalls for the last time, I kept walking ahead. And the experience was really good. I think to be one with the nature some time you have to be alone with it. I reached at the road side 45 minutes early. Here, cars were supposed to pick up us. Then we went to the Neral by car and had our tea party. At 5:10 pm, we caught train and reached Dombivali by 6:10 pm.Over all this trek was superbly, amazingly excellent. Credited goes to the climate and of course part of it to Kalpesh for suggesting this trek.
Just Remember:
Definitely this trek is of moderate level, if you are new there are few chances to get lost. There is also one more route and difficult one from the other side of Peb fort. There is nothing great at the last point i.e. Peb Fort. As fort is not remaind any more except few signs and caves. But the way to it is amazing. And I Think only monsoon is the best time for it.
Vipul Chheda
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