Monsoon 2017 – Part II: Mumbai – Malshej Ghat – Mumbai

People rely on chemicals in the form of drugs, alcohol and what all to go high to overlook the troubles and pains to have a pleasant experience. I am sure you all are pleasure seekers, then why not get high on life with Life itself without any help from those kindergarten stuff. I plan a road trip on my ride to get intoxicated just by inhaling the fresh air 😎😆. I get drunk with the experience of life itself. These kinds of road trips are just divine. Between less pleasure and more pleasure... What will you choose? Of-course more pleasure...and this one is more intoxicating than alcohol... let's grow beyonddd....

Instead of wine, let’s shift to divine 😎😍

Planning: Planned for another road trip this monsoon, and the destination this time was Malshej Ghat, full of waterfalls and has amazing scenic beauty. Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghat range in the Thane-Pune District of Maharashtra, India. This is exactly 99 kms from Teen Hath Naka (Thane) and about 90 kms from Kalyan. One can board the buses that run from Kalyan to Ahmednagar and get down at Malshej (which takes about 100 mins approx.).

Some of my office friends planned this trip, however, I being an independent soul decided to join them directly at Malshej and took altogether a long and a different route.

That's my RIDE 😍😍😍

Towards Malshej Ghat: I left Thane at 6:40 am when the meter read 7839 kms, went from Mumbai – Nashik highway and then towards Asangaon.. and then a right from Shahapur, take this route (via NH160 and MH SH79) if you have enough time, petrol 😉 (plus 40kms) and if you are looking for super awesome views. I had been to Murbad via kalyan earlier (take NH61 shortest route from Thane to Murbad), so I choose this route. The road from Shahapur to Murbad has a view to remember and you will be mystified by the beauty of the road, they are at their very best during monsoons. One can try off-roading on these curvy roads only if you are confident enough and with riding gears (These curves are much better than any other curves). You will only see 3 colours throughout till Malshej, Black (roads), Green (Trees/grass) and Blue/black (Sky). One will be delighted to drive on these roads, with minimal potholes and less speed breakers. Drive at 50-70 kmph to enjoy the magnificence of the nature here. There’s no better manner of paying your respects to this charming highway! I would have reached Malshej an hour early only if I wouldn't have stopped 1000 times to capture those Landscapes and Bridges.

Roads to fall in love with 😍😍😍

Frequency of transport being low and people waiting for buses, I thought of giving a lift to an old man and in return I got some incredible tips and he acted as my free tour guide 😜. He took a quick walk through history, explaining me the story of each waterfall, road and the mountains. Harishchandragad is another beautiful mountain peak and the various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century. In these caves are idols of Lord Vishnu and Shivling. It’s nearly a 2 hr 30 min trek from the base village. (Next on my list) 😉

I bet you will enjoy the journey only if you are not in a hurry to reach your destination or home. Road trips are all about enjoying every essence of the journey... the fresh air and the beautiful roads… serene climate. Don’t RUSH… Leave well before time so that you have ample time to enjoy every bit of it. Make all your calls way before you reach Malshej Ghat, network will trouble you a lot.

Finally, met my office mates in Malshej and had to bid adieu to this friend and a guide who had been with me for atleast 20 kms, and thereon continued to enjoy waterfalls with my gang. I would suggest you to have a good lunch way before you reach Malshej as you will spend a lot of time waiting for your turn. Else there are small eateries on road side too which are good enough for light food. Thereon one can keep the fun going and try to enjoy most of the waterfalls on the way. Ghat view is mind-boggling with natural shower falling on the road. As soon as you enter the Ghat, you will start seeing mini waterfalls all around, and major ones following. Most of the waterfalls are fully crowded during weekends. Keep searching for waterfall in every corner and you will find one for sure (less crowded). People get tents barbeque's too. You can enjoy hot tea and savour coal roasted corn and the fun to have those gets doubled when you are totally drenched in rain. Get your car/bike and yourself washed in the waterfall directly falling on the road and then you can finally sum up your trip with the bath.

Towards Mumbai: It finally started to rain and friends planned to reach home or atleast halfway before sun sets. (I don’t have time constraints when I travel). So we decided to leave and driving back again to home in those roads and this time in rain.. this feeling can't be matched with anything, and the view of sun playing hide and seek between the clouds and giving us this sunset view… amazing it is… We left together and then took our own time to return. So it was a solo ride again…. Malshej to Thane 100 Kms in 140 mins is not bad with the traffic you get in Kalyan. Reached home at 8 pm after a 272 Km journey and the meter then read 8111 kms.

So this is again a SOLO Trip where I met my friends just at Malshej and solo back home.

And once again…

This part of my life… this part right here… this is called “happiness”

Disclaimer: The information provided in this document is intended for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice.