Sondai Trek

I missed on the second trek conducted by CommunIT in 2018 to Naneghat (for something better, Khardungla Pass). The third trek was conducted at Sondai Fort on 13th July, 2019. As usual, the enthusiastic trekkers in the System's family registered and paid for the trek. Breakfast was arranged at the base village and lunch packets were also taken care of, by the organising team. Two buses were arranged: one from HO Santacruz and another from Omkareshwar temple, Borivali West. The Virar to Borivali folks got into the bus from Borivali and started the journey around 06:30AM and further picked up the Thane folks and drove straight to the base village, Sondewadi.

Sondai Fort trek route is easy and well marked till the top of Sondai fort. It offers a beautiful view of Morbe Dam, Prabalgad, Irshalgad, Rajmachi, Songiri forts, Karnala Fort, and Matheran mountain range. 

It was used as a watchtower to protect the trade routes. The topmost point has an idol of Sondai Devi, hence the name Sondai Fort. Sondewadi and Wavarle are the base villages of Sondai fort. Sondewadi village is situated at 1/4th height of this Fort. We reached the base village around 09:30AM and had poha breakfast with tea/coffee. Having done with the breakfast, we started our trek from the road at 10:30AM. 

Post the tar road, the ascending rocky patch was slippery and difficult to climb. Further we had to walk through the edge of the route. We also faced trekkers traffic on this muddy route. Further we reached the top plateau at 11:30AM. The open area had many trekking groups. 

Having spent some time in this area, watching the surroundings and taking a few group clicks and selfies, we proceeded towards the top.

There are two water cisterns adjacent to the first iron ladder. There was a second ladder at a distance from the first one. There was another water cistern on the way but had a green cover.

Finally we reached the top at 12:30PM and worshipped the Sondai Devi. There were multiple rock idols assembled at the centre, with a temple bell hunged around at the tree. 

We stopped at the top for lunch. Post lunch, we carried all the waste in garbage bags and left the top. Its very important to keep the nature at its best and not litter. We started descending at 01:30PM. Now the fog and rain had blurred the surroundings. We had to carefully get down both the iron ladders and walk the plateau. 

Then we walked the muddy edge patch till the rocky route. The trail was easy but was quite slippery, hence we had to descend carefully. We walked the rocky patch and tar road till the base village and reached at 2PM. 

We rested for a while, some changed their clothes. Finally we started the journey towards Mumbai in the same buses. Our bus stopped at stops as per the trekkers preference in Thane and hence delayed the journey to reach Borivali. Post that the tired us, me and Neha, boarded the Virar train.