Wall of Valor: Bhairavgad Trek

Destination: Malshej Ghat, Near Pune, Maharashtra, India

Date(s): Nov 05 (Saturday) to Nov 06 (Sunday), 2022

Cost: INR 2300/- (See inclusions & exclusions)

Registration: 👉 Click here 👈

Focal Point: Pune (See itinerary)

Event Contact: 9841274429

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Event Type: Weekend Autumn Trek

Highlights:

• An adventure of a lifetime with an adrenaline-rushing climb
• Knife edge ridge walk above the clouds
• Panoramic views of the Konkan mountain range

Bhairavgad

Located in the Malshej Ghat, Bhairavgad is one of the most thrilling treks in Maharashtra. At the height of 1145 m, Bhairavgad is a Dyke. In better words, it's a layer of rock that developed in a split of a pre-existing rock body. As one travels along the Malshej Ghat, the sharp pinnacle of Bhairavgad, separated from the main range can be observed. The initial hike is through green vegetation and loose soil followed by rock-cut steps. The steps disappear after a certain point as the British Govt blew them off for security reasons. Today, only the remnants of the steps are visible till the ridge. The experience of rock climbing and ascending the rock-cut steps raises the adrenaline. The ridge offers a great view of Malshej Ghat, Naneghat, Jivdhan, and many prominent peaks like Ajoba and Harishchandragad.

Bhairavgad Ridge

View of Bhairavgad Wall and adjacent Naneghat

Rappelling at Bhairavgad Wall

Rock steps at the wall

View of Naneghat at the pinnacle

Itinerary:

Nov 04 (Friday)

If you are joining us from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, or other surrounding regions, there are various modes you can leverage to reach the meetup destination. Our team would be happy to help you with the travel arrangements from your locations.

By Rail:

This is the most economical and trusted mode of transportation in this region. There are daily trains from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai & Ahmedabad to reach Pune comfortably.

By Road:

There are regular buses plying to Pune from Bangalore, Northern Karnataka, Marathwada & Vidharba regions.

By Air:

Pune is well connected to all the major cities in the country from its airport.

Day 1: Nov 05 (Saturday)

09:00 AM Gather near Pune railway station

09:15 AM Board a pre-booked vehicle for a road trip to the mountain base

01:00 PM Reach the base village and event briefing

03:00 PM Begin the trek through the vegetation while clicking candid moments for your social media pages.

Time & Difficulty: 2.5 hours with an easy-moderate ascent

05:00 PM Reach the base of the wall and set up the campsite

08:00 PM Dinner, fun activities, & sleep

Day 2: Nov 06 (Sunday)

05:00 AM Wakeup call & breakfast

06:00 AM A gentle trek to the Bhairavgad wall and climb the thrilling rock

Time & Difficulty: 1 hour with an easy-moderate ascent and 1.5 hours of rock climbing (for the whole group)

08:30 AM Reach the pinnacle and enjoy the moments at the ridge with clouds below you

09:30 AM Start descending the pinnacle to the mountain base

Time & Difficulty: 3 hours with an easy-moderate descent and 1.5 hours of rappelling (for the whole group)

01:00 PM Set the coordinates for the return trip to Pune

05:00 PM Reach Pune & bid goodbye to your new friends

Nov 07 (Monday)

Reach your respective destinations through overnight train, bus, or air services

Expenses:

INR 2300/- (Pune — Pune)

INR 3100/- (Hyderabad — Hyderabad)

For Hyderabad, the cost is quoted for traveling on a Sleeper Class Train. This would change if you prefer other modes of travel.

Inclusions:

• Road transportation from Pune railway station to Bhairavgad and back to the station
• Accommodation in a 2–3 sharing tents
• Rock climbing, rappelling, and safety gears
• Services of an expert rock climber
• Services of an event management team

Exclusions:

• Food (Outsourced at restaurants as per individual preferences)
• Any kind of emergency evacuation charges
• Travel Insurance
• Anything that is not accounted for is an additional expense. Due to unforeseen reasons, if the costs overshoot the estimate (usually it doesn’t), the expense incurred will be shared equally.

Cancellation:

• Before 45 days, 8% cancellation charges
• 45 days — 30 days, 12% cancellation charges
• 30 days — 15 days, 22% cancellation charges
• 15 days — 7 days, 50% cancellation charges
• Last 7 days, no refund

A participant can also transfer his/her slots to someone else. However, this option is subject to many factors, and its feasibility cannot be guaranteed always. Check with the event management team when such situations arise. Transfer of slots cannot be permitted during the last 5 days.

How to join?

• Submit the registration form with duly filled details
• Post-registration, you will be contacted by the event management team through your registered email for the payment process
• After payment acknowledgment, your slot will be reserved and the logistics will be arranged
• Heads up and other instructions regarding the event are shared over email building up to the event
• For any specific query related to the event, drop a note to POC. For any general queries, please write to cognoventure@gmail.com

Things to carry:

• Face mask
• Hand & surface sanitizer
• Photo identity (Govt. Issued)
• Vaccine certificate
• Backpack (40–60 L)
• Blankets / Sleeping bag
• Shoes with good grip
• Socks — 3 Pairs
• Comfortable light clothing — 2 Pairs
• Torch/headlamp
• Toiletries
• Garbage bags to take back the trash with you
• Pair of lightweight slippers
• Water bottles — 2 liters

Optional:

• Windcheaters (As it may be cold)
• Refreshments/energy bars (to make new friends)
• Personal medicines
• Sun hat
• Camera (to make others jealous of what they missed)

Event guidelines:

1. Focal point of this event is Pune. The above itinerary is designed for participants starting from any part of India and reaching Pune.
2. We take utmost care to make your trip comfortable. However, things may sometimes change due to the weather and other factors. Please have an open mind towards changes and adjustments
3. Please understand India is still a developing country. Therefore, rural areas may be oblivious to corporate standards
4. Smoking, boozing, littering, and polluting water bodies are not permissible
5. Event organizer will carry a first aid kit that caters to the essentials. If you are susceptible to something, please reach out to the organizers before the event to manage things better
6. We urge you to notify the organizers immediately if you are unwell anytime between slot confirmation and the end of the event
7. We have carefully crafted safety protocols for the events adhering to the guidelines of MoHFW. We request everybody to follow them religiously
8. If you are not fully vaccinated with two shots, you are expected to furnish RT-PCR Negative report
9. Event organizing team reserves the right to alter the course of an event in the interest of safety
10. CognoVenture team reserves the right to accept or reject a nomination in the interest of safety
11. Undesirable circumstances like a natural disaster, bad weather, disease outbreak, civil unrest, etc are beyond the control of the CognoVenture team and no refund can be provided for such

Covid safety measures

Amidst the ongoing uncertainties, we have carefully crafted SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) adhering to the safety guidelines issued by MoHFW and WHO.

• Event precedes with a briefing on Covid & safety practices
• Everyone including the organizers will be tested for Covid-19 symptoms regularly during the course of the event
• Provisions for regular hand washing or sanitizing
• Regular monitoring of the overall safety situation and making course corrections
• It is mandatory that every participant should be fully vaccinated with MoHFW / WHO approved vaccine. Otherwise, you are expected to furnish RT-PCR Negative report not older than 72 hours
• Emergency evacuation/quarantine plans