Navigation

Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: May 6: An elusive and ethereal place of high mountains, forts, stolen culture and tradition... Forts bring to mind faraway lands of mystery and romance, set upon high mountain peaks and solitaire backdrop… Trekking is a hobby for many and when it comes to Navi Mumbai there are several patrons. Many are members of trekking organizations like Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI), a non-profit non-government organization and Young United Group of Adventures (YUGA) while a few prefer going for trekking with friends than partying on a Saturday night.

Says Nikita More, member of YHAI and CBD Belapur resident, “There are many options of trekking in and around the city. But it’s always advisable to take a guide along with you. There are a few clubs scattered around the city (Mumbai) that arrange weekend trekking both for groups and individuals. The ideal and most frequented places are Karjat, Ambivali, Dhanu, Khopoli and Lonavala.”

For the members of YHAI, there are several benefits. Besides being able to go for regular trips being organised by the association, “One gets accommodation in the best hotels at extremely subsidized rates. You just have to reproduce your I-card and your work is done. Also, the association itself organizes tours to India and abroad. So you get to meet a lot of people. It’s fun!”

Ankit Baphna, Vashi resident who works as software engineer with Patni (Mhape) frequently treks. He says, “Whenever I get time off from my office, I go trekking. I like to explore new places and I believe in adventure travel. So, during weekends I try to go to different places where I can discover something new. I’ve been with my friends to Raigad forts, Khandala, Pune etc. And this weekend it would be somewhere else!”

Another trek-freak, Prathamesh Amlekar is going to Manali this month in a trip organised by YHAI. He says, “The association organizes rappelling, biking, desert trek, mountaineering, safari etc. Last year December, we had gone to Goa and Dalhousie and we did all sorts of adventurous fun! There were 20 batches and we all had a great time together.”

YUGA has a unit at Dadar but the team leader Ram Katkar says that there are no plans this summer. “Mostly people do not like to go for trekking during summers. Vasai adventure club has organised a trip to Vasai fort tomorrow, as it was on this day that Chimanji Appa won the fort over Portuguese. We have planned trekking trips in the first week of June. July-August is the ideal time as the weather is good too!”


Contact-
Ram Katkar (YUGA): 9869304373
Prathamesh Amlekar (YHAI): 9867169165

Swati Pandey