Cover photo by Sachin Pakale
routes
& trails
Vol.1 Issue 4. October 2013
cover story
KAAS, A PLATEAU OF FLOWERS photo feature
FISH AUCTION AT HARNAI twr traveller
A ROSY PERSPECTIVE an introduction
PUNE FOOD TRAIL www.thewesternroutes.com
KAAS
A PLATEAU OF FLOWERS
I
was indeed blessed when we decided to drive down scenic bends and uphill views of the Kaas plateau. Located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, the drive to Kaas is around 135 km from Pune. The distance from Satara city to Kaas plateau is around 22 Km and the road passes through gentle hills and the most impressive views of deep gorges and valleys.
cover
story
Center spread photo by Kedar Champhekar Editorial photos by Ameya Umrani, Kalyani Date, Deodhar, Shrikant Gund & Vidyuth Singh Routes & Trails | www.thewesternroutes.com
period commences as the monsoons season ends, for
What is simply incredible is the wide carpet of yellow to contrast this carpet of yellow the purple hue is just Jambhali manjiri. carpet, the colours of the rainbow and many others in
myriad shapes and sizes, and shades, thousands of
QUICK FACTS GETTING THERE: Distance from Pune: 150 km, By Rail: Satara (22 km), By Air: Go THERE foR PLACES of INTEREST ARoUND:
CHARACTERISTIC fLoRA AT KAAS
Murdania lanuginosa
Drosera indica
Eriocaulon
Pinda concanensis
Murdania simplex
Pleocaulus ritchei
Flemingia gracilis
rules to accept the moral responsibility to protect is
other countries while in our motherland rules are sadly meant to be broken!
these seasonal spread of colours are so ephemeral, so
Habenaria heyneana
Smithia hirsuta Pogostemon deccanensis
Utricularia purpurascens
Routes & Trails | www.thewesternroutes.com
A RESEARCHER’S PERSPECTIVE
GUIDING TOURS ON THE KAAS PLATEAU
Photo by Rujta Vinod
choice, but simply because they are unaware, and
stay back and train them…people who will not only
A month later the Satara forest department (FD) conducted a workshop, where we trained around of those who had been trained turned up when the
asked they noted that this would only be seasonal
photo feature
FISH AUCTION AT
HARNAI by Vinit Godbole
B
eing one of the natural harbors, Harnai is an
village is one of the most area and is a daily custom held in the morning from 7 am to 9 am and in the evening from 4 pm to 7 pm. The market is known to sell like Pomfret, Surmai, Tiger Prawns, Squids, Lobsters, lures many travelers and photographers. Tourist can
is also known for the located on the northern front of the village. Uncharted Konkan Lands Routes. More details on www.thewesternroutes. com/tours
Routes & Trails | www.thewesternroutes.com
a rosy perspective By Sagar Dave
W
just a science, it is an art.
This seemed like an overstatement
twr t
ravel
ler
Routes & Trails | www.thewesternroutes.com
Routes & Trails | www.thewesternroutes.com
headed to Akluj town that houses the Fratelli winery
we had a sumptuous lunch complimented, of course, by
round the year to keep it all prim and proper! One can
tour leader Sujata then led us to the cellar where
contributed to the impromptu camaraderie that developed between the disparate members of the tour
Routes & Trails | www.thewesternroutes.com
AboUT fRATELLI
by numerous
Fratelli Vineyards and Akluj, near Solapur in
Since the launch, the wines produced by Fratelli
PUNE FOOD TRAIL Want to know where to get the best and the most authentic Misal or the most delicious Wada Pav in Pune? The Western Routes is ready to launch customized 'Food Trails' in Pune to explore the traditional eating joints in the city. The food trails will be guided by Jayesh Paranjape who is the quintessential Punekar and a hardcore foodie at heart, who knows the best and the most authentic places to eat in the city! For an authentic food experience of Pune,contact us on 9011040773 or info@thewesternroutes.com
LS
UPCOMING EXC
JOIN THE WESTERN ROUTES FOR OUR UPCOMING EXCURSIONS. W
PICK FROM OUR WIDE RANGE OF TRIPS - DAY EXCURSIONS, TREK 9th – 10th November 2013
PHANSAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY*
This evergreen forest provides excellent bird watching opportunity for amateur Raw tented campsite in the sanctuary Janjira Fort Frequent sightings of the rare Ceylon Frogmouth bird Cost per person (ex Pune) : Rs 3,500/-
23rd – 24th November 2013
MAGICAL MARATHWADA World Heritage Sites of Ajanta & Ellora Caves Daulatabad Fort Ghrishneshwar Temple Paithani & Khadi weaving Cost per person (ex Pune) : TBD
30th November – 1st December 2013
CAMPING IN THE FOOTHILLS OF HARISHCHANDRAGAD Community-based eco-tourism Stay in tents Adivasi performance Basket weaving Be a farmer for the day Cost per person (ex Pune) : Rs 2,800/-
FOR BOOKINGS & ENqUIRIES CONTACT: JAYESH PARANJAPE - 901104077 *In association with Wild Quest Pune
CURSIONS
WE HAVE YOUR WEEKENDS SORTED OUT FOR YOU.
KS, BREAKFAST RIDES, WEEKEND TRIPS AND WILDLIFE CAMPS!
rs
6th – 8th December 2013
KONKAN BIKE SAFARI* Ride on the coastal routes of Maharashtra 800 km of biking Stay on Hedvi beach in tents Option for non-bikers too! Cost per person (ex Pune) : Rs 4,800/-
25th – 29th December 2013
NAGzIRA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY* Land of the Tiger Stay in the core area Spot tigers, sloth bear, leopard, gaurs and a plethora of birds during safaris One of the best places to see the Tiger in Maharashtra Cost per person (ex Pune) : Rs 11,500/-
17th – 19th January 2014
DEVRAIS (SACRED GROVES) OF KONKAN* Get to know the concept of Devrai (sacred groove) and explore the biodiversity of Konkan Marvelous birding opportunities Stay in a 110 years old traditional Konkan house amidst the forest. Cost per person (ex Pune) : Rs 5,000/-
73, JAYESH@THEWESTERNROUTES.COM, WWW.THEWESTERNROUTES.COM
twr contest
KUTHE
Guess which place this is and win exclusive merchandise from The Western Routes
Rush your answers to info@thewesternroutes.com by 15 Nov 2013. The first 3 correct entries would receive some really cool TWR merchandise. Terms and Conditions: The contest is valid for residents of India only. Prizes are non-transferable, non-negotiable, subject to availability and there will be no cash alternative. These terms and conditions are governed in accordance with the laws of India.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF OUR LAST CONTEST
ADITYA MULAY
BHAVESH BHAVSAR
OMKAR DODWAD
The correct answer was ‘Nana Wada’ in Pune