Pointers to Vasota (Vyaghragad)

Vasota is situated in the dense forests surrounded by the back water of Koyana dam. There are two ways to reach to Vasota. One way is from Bamnoli and other is from Konkan side village called Choravane. The route from Choravane is not so good and I'll rate it as Medium and will recommend it only for good trekkers. (We were amateur trekkers, so opted the Bamnoli route)

Hence I will describe the Bamnoli way only.

How to reach Bamnoli:

If you have your own vehicle, you can directly come to Bamnoli. It is 35 kms from Satara.

Otherwise, you can catch state transport (ST) bus from Satara to Bamnoli. First bus is available at 6:30-7 AM and will reach Bamnoli at 8:00 AM. One need to cross the back water of Koyana dam to reach the base place met Indavali using the launch service available at Bamnoli. This service starts at 7:00 AM.

Formalities:

One need to take forest dept permission to visit Vasota. The office opens early at 7:30 AM during week ends to help the trekkers. If not, you may contact Suresh Salunkhe, who stays opposite to Bhairavnat temple. The fees per head are Rs. 20/-. Boat services charge Rs. 1475/- for to and fro trip to Met Indavali with max capacity of 12 people.

Places to visit:

There are two places to visit during this trek, Nageshwar and Vasota fort.

After you get down at Met Indavali, register your entries at the office and then take the road going backside of the office. After 10 mins, you will find one Hanuman idol on LHS. Here road towards left go to Vasota and straight goes to Nageshwar. People who want to do ONLY Vasota can opt for the LHS road. Those who want to do Nageshwar or BOTH can go straight through the stream of water. Follow the stream end. This will take you to Nageshwar. You can see Lord Shankar Idol at Nageshwar, which is in a cave. The scenery from here is truely marvellous.

Just before Nageshwar, you will find water which is drinkable. Get your bottles filled here as there is no potable water at present at Vasota. (People doing only Vasota should also remember this !!). If you have to do ONLY Vasota, it will take 2.5 hrs from office till top of Vasota.

Nageshwar to Vasota is 1.5 hrs walk, half way along the ridge of the hill and remaining through dense forest. One can see Old Vasota, Babu kadaa, Hanuman Temple, Mahadev Temple, Reins of the Wada at Vasota. Vasota to Met Indavali takes 1.5 hrs for descend. Babu kadaa is very similar to "Kokan Kadaa" at Harishchandragad fort.

One have to reach before or at 5:00 PM to catch the boat for Bamnoli. Boat people do not wait for long time. Stay at Nageshwar or Vasota is nowadays prohibited. Otherwise the fine is Rs. 100/- per day per head, if you were found voiloating it.

A word of caution during rainy season. This area is full of litches in rainy days. So be careful and carry salt and/or tobacco with you to remove litch from your body. Don't pull them directly.

Camping:

One cay have camping in the forest, but at the opposite banks of Bamnoli. Charges for boat are Rs. 200/-. If you want tent, then rent for the same is Rs. 400/- for 10 people's tent (which can accomodate 12 to 14, I say). Or You can have your camping at Kaas lake as well. But it will be very dark till you reach there and you will not get same feelings like the forest.

If you want any other information, you can contact me at mahesh.masurkar@gmail.com

Thanks,

Mahesh Masurkar