irshalgad

So you think, you can trek...

Irshalgad Trek (as - First Monsoon Trek)

Travelog Date: June 18, 2017.

Grade: Medium (3 hours ascend and 3 hours descend).

I always wanted to climb Irshalgad been crossing the base village of this mountain from Morbe Damside while climbing to Matheran from Shivaji Ladder.  This time due to some misdirection given by google maps while driving we took a left turn a couple of km ahead of Chowk station the road lead us to an interesting offroad ride on countryside mud roads. We finally decided to park our vehicle in a small Hamlet (Wada) called Poyinje. 

Irshagad would have been a critical watch tower, you can see Prabagad, Karnala Fort, Dhak Fort, Rajmachi, Matheran, and several other hills from here.

An Offbeat trail leading to Irshalgad from the west side of the mountain starts here at 

(Nanai Factory).

Unlike the trail starting from Morbe Dam side the trek from the west side of the mountain has a reasonably thick forest cover, and being on the west side if you start your trek early in the morning you will also have the benefit shadow cast by Irshagad hill. 

The trek route is a steep ascend taking you to a plateau from where you can see Irshal machi and few small farms. On a warm and humid day, this trail can become tough if you start later than 10 am. So ration sufficient hydration fluids (2 liters per head minimum) and few seasonal fruits and salad items to go with it. 

(scroll down to read more about Irshalgad trek).

Travel safe and book your travel adventures in the good company of reputed "masters of risky business"...

Experiences

A nice and fresh monsoon adventure Trek just a couple of hours drive from Mumbai set up in a rustic rural countryside on a Mountain top. 

Experiences involve a mix is a moderately difficult trek along with countryside followed by a steady uphill climb and climaxing finally with a bit of easy grade traversing and basic rock climbing towards to the summit ridge before we reach the base of the pinnacle. We will not attempt the pinnacle during monsoon. Add a few more toppings to the experience with an opportunity to exploring rural countryside, rural village, farms, village Food (not part of the package)...

What comes free with this trek... great company of friends and family called (Nature Knights - Offbeat Mandala)

Location: Chowk (Near Karjat and Panvel) / Range Matheran (Next to Prabalgad)

Altitude: Approximately 520 meters / 1706 feet above mean sea level.

Duration of Trek: 6-8 Hours

Base Village: Irshalwadi/Nanivali

Custom Trek Budget:

Rs.650/- per person. (Includes – Trek lead team; Trek Management; Evening Tea/Biscuits; First Aid and Safety Gear). 

(Minimum group size 5 persons). Call for discounts if you have a bigger group.

Travel by public transport: Rs.300/- per person for travel cost. 

Travel by Non AC private transport: Rs.650/- per person. (Ex. Mumbai / Thane).

For booking details and procedure click here

Checklist for one day trek click here

Contact details click here

Planned Schedule with private transport. (Pickup points can be changed as per start destination).

 
Suggested Pickup Points:
6:00 am Andheri West, S.V. Road, Near Merwans Bakery opp. Brahmakumari Hospital, Outside Bus Depot
6:15 am Valoka Junction (Santacruz East) / Bandra, Kalanagar Junction (Bandra East), Near exit of Sky Walk
6:20 am Outside Sion Station
6:30 am Chembur (Opp. Akbar Allis Departmental Stores)
6:45 am Vashi, Highway and station Road Cross Junction, Near Volvo Bus pickup point
Breakfast on the way
8:00 am Take Packed Breakfast from Mc Donald (Cost to be borne by participants).
Introduction / Induction at base village.

9:00 am arrival at base village, start the trek

11:30 am to 1:30 pm Summit Climb and Back at Village
2:30 to 4:30 pm Return trek from Irshalwadi to Chowk.
5:00 pm Return journey

8:00 pm expected return time to Mumbai (Andheri).

Access by public transport: Nearest railway station: Karjat (Central Railway) & Panvel (Harbour Railway), Route:  Karjat- Chowk bus stop- Chowk railway station- Nanivali- Irshalwadi- Irshalgad Nedhe and; back via same route

Morbe dam

About Irshalgad Fort:

Irshalgad is a hill in the Matheran range which might have been used as a watch tower to keep an eye over the region between Manekgad and Prabalgad or maybe as a fire/smoke signal communication tower with the neighboring forts. The final 10 m high climb to peak involves technical rock climbing and shouldn’t be attempted by amateurs.

Alight at Chowk bus stop (NOT chowk fata, the station is a km from that stop) & cross Chowk railway station to reach the Morbe Dam road. The trail passes through Nanivali before climbing uphill to Irshalwadi (base village).

A crown- shaped fort is prominently seen at the start of the trek. Take the mud trail in south-west from Irshalwadi (keeping Irshalgad to your right) and proceed for 300 m, crossing a temple and couple of seasonal streams along the way to reach a pass. Turn right (usually marked by a shoe/bottle on a twig) and climb the rocky trail to reach the main ridge. The way ahead is up the western face of the mountain. Negotiate a medium grade rock patch and; a rickety vertical ladder to reach the Nedhe. After climbing for two hours, you will reach to Irsalwadi, the village on the maachi (plateau) of the fort.  Follow the same route for descent. Irshalgad is 100 meters high from Irsalwadi (half hour) and the type of climb here is moderately difficult. The area of the fort is very small and there is no fortification, but there are six rock-cut cisterns (water reservoirs) and image of Vishaldevi. There is a natural hole called Nedha on the top and we can see the forts of Prabalgad towards north, Manikgad, Karnala and; Songiri westwards and Matheran hill range in the east.

Details for Internet Banking Transfers (RTGS / NEFT / IFSC):

Account Name: OFFBEAT MANDALA

Account No.: 50200006370273

Bank Name: HDFC Bank Limited

RTGS/NEFT/IFSC: HDFC0000019

Branch: THE AMALDAS CO-OP HSG. SOC. LTD., 

JUHU-VERSOVA LINK ROAD,

WARK-K, (WEST), ANDHERI (WEST), MUMBAI – 400053, MAHARASHTRA

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