Sandhan Valley, sometimes referred to as the Valley of Shadows, is a 2-kilometre canyon that is 200 feet deep and was formed over many years by the water. It is situated in Maharashtra, India's Western Ghats.

Trekkers can expect a unique experience as the trail passes through the valley's harsh landscape. The walk is made even more exciting by the valley's well-known waterfalls, natural caverns, and sheer rock walls.

The exciting Sandhan Valley Trek provides hikers with an unforgettable experience. The valley is one of the most difficult hikes in Maharashtra because of its untamed landscape, sharp cliffs, and deep gorges. However, the trek can be finished swiftly with the right planning and safety precautions. The trip is the ideal way to experience the splendour of nature while putting your strength and endurance to the test.

It is crucial to psychologically and physically prepare yourself for a first-time hiker. Carrying a torch, suitable trekking shoes, and an adequate supply of water and snacks are some helpful advice for the hike. Taking along a first aid kit and any essential medication is also recommended.

Best Time to Visit

November through February are the ideal months to visit Sandhan Valley because of the excellent weather and the valley's abundance of greenery. During this time, the temperature ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for trekking. Because of the significant risk of flash floods, the valley is closed from June to September during the monsoon season. In order to witness the Fireflies festival, you can also walk here in May and the first two weeks of June.

The Trek

You must begin your trek at Samrad. During the first few hours of the journey, you will be walking through shallow bodies of water that are between two and four feet deep, so wear appropriate footwear. You will reach Tarzan Swing Point while descending, where you must abseil and utilise a rope ladder to drop.

After you're down, you'll have to hike across areas of rock and engage in cave crawling. Additionally, there are a few deep puddles that you must wade across. You can see the Bann pinnacle and the Ajoba Hill from the camping area, which is accessible after passing through some large rocks. If you haven't spent a night outside beneath the stars before, this will be an unforgettable experience. You may perhaps set off on the return trip right away.

After that, you have to continue down from the pond over moderate inclines and a walk across a riverbed to reach Dehne Village. You can take a bus to Asangaon station from here. If you still can't get enough adventure, you may even follow the same route back to Samrad and spend the weekend at Bhandardara.

Difficulty Level

There are two options for the Sandhan Valley trek: Half Descend and Full Descend. Samrad village is the starting and finishing point of the Half Descend, while Dehne village is the starting point and finishing point of the Full Descend.

The walk is regarded as being at a moderate difficulty level. Including the abseil, it will take around 3–4 hours to finish and cover about 8–9 kilometres.

For roughly INR 600 to INR 800 per person, you can hire a local guide to assist with rappelling and the trip. A native will help you cross the streams in a boat for INR 20 if you would prefer not to cross the river in between.

The walk is rated as being of moderate difficulty. A decent degree of physical fitness and endurance are needed for the trek. Trekkers find it difficult because of the rough terrain, steep climbs, and descents. The hike is made much more adventurous by the rappelling and stream crossing portions of the route. But rappelling should only be done in a hiking group or under appropriate professional supervision.

Options for Accommodation

There are a number of lodging choices close to Samrad's base village, including guesthouses, homestays, and tents. The local villagers offer tents for the trekkers to camp in, or they can choose to stay in guesthouses or homestays. For a tent, the locals will charge you between INR 400 and INR 600.

Essential Items for the Sandhan Valley Hike

Having the appropriate supplies and equipment is crucial when trekking in Sandhan Valley. Sturdy backpacks, hiking boots, thick clothing, raincoats, torches, water bottles, and snacks are a few essentials. In addition, you should bring a tent, sleeping bag, and insect repellent if you intend to camp for the night.