Garbut Trek (Matheran)

Garbut Trek (Matheran) was one of the best trek ever not only because of the scenic beauty but because of the knowledge sharing we had simulatneously. Learning was no better than this. When we gathered in Bhivpuri Road railway station, I thought its going to be like just another trip in a group but the experience was totally opposite when we started from Bhivpuri village.

The road from Bhivpuri village to Matheran hill range is long and arduous and in this weather hot - but that's during the day. By night its long, arduous and cool! It is infact a wholly different experience - while during the day your senses are attuned to enjoying the view of tall mountains, deep valleys and blue skies, at night a different awareness sets in. The stars above, the night sounds of the jungle, the breeze, the mountains in stark silhouette and the mysterious valleys.

Garbut point is located on south-east side of Matheran with grand view of the plateau below. This time I decided to take challenge of night trek and finalized the night - 26th May 2012.  We reached Bhivpuri station at 7:45 pm. After getting down some of us went to buy some Bisleri bottle. Everyone was carrying at least 2 Liters of water bottle as there is no source of water during the trek. We started our walk at 9:30 pm. from Bhivpuri station and March towards base village – “Diksal”.

We had dinner. Luckily we found one general store open, but not able to fulfill our requirement. Nitin bought one cold drink bottle to subdue his thirst or increase ?...................... I don’t know …………..whatever it is and we continued our walk, After few mins. Of walk we reached to a lake which is an artificial (Man made) The lake was huge and we had to take a turn round the lake to reach at the base of the mountain.

This patch of trek was very boring as you were continuously walking on Murum road with no life on either side. After a long & boring walk we reach nearer to a small village which is located on top of small hill. All dogs from village noticed our presence And started barking continuously, so we decided to take a turn around village instead of going through the village. Here we lost our way for the first time. After taking a turn to village we walk more on left side, instead of right and missed our first landmark – “well”.

After a small search here & there, one villager shout toward us and directed the way from distance which we couldn’t make out. Villager was either awake or wake up due to dog barking. We three Sudamshu, Nitin & Me walk towards villager to understand exact way. He pointed towards one tree with the help of long stick he have, where the well is located and we started walking towards said direction.

Very soon that well is visible to us and we become very happy as we are now on right track but this happiness was temporary which we came to know later While walking towards well we came across to a poisonous snake. Snake was baby one but showing his anger against us as we disturb him a lot by throwing light on him. Everyone was enjoying snake and suddenly Nitin jump over & almost fall on his face, fortunately manage to save his face but leave some marks on his forehead. We decided to take water break for a while and again continued …………… After a little walk we came across to another bunch of houses & obviously dogs also. Here there was no chance of escape from dogs, we have to pass through the village as there was no other way and if it was there but we are not sure Here we lost again and it took us nearly 2 hour to get back on right track.

After crossing village, instead of going on left side we walk more on right side and enter into thorny plants and dead end. We completely lost our way. We can easily able to view Garbett platue from base, also compass shows us the same direction but not able to find out the way. Only way is to reach at the top of the hill and look for the way. Till now all people are exhausted and not in a position to climb further, but the important thing was to found the way. We here still at the base of Mountain and there was still more to go. Finally decided that two of us will go further climb the hill& search for the way and others will continued later. Me and Mandar move further. The hill climb was interesting but little scary. At the top of hill we found two Mango trees & a path along the trees leading towards top. Thus how we came back on right track. Now we were more confident & happy as we found our way.Immediately we call others and very soon everyone was gather there.Every one was exhausted & wanted a break. We took rest for sometime and again continue.This climb was very interesting as path was rocky & you came across to many beautiful spots while climbing.  Moonlight was making this trek more interesting by creating interesting shadows of mountains. An amazing combination of Black and white (shadows & moonlight). We finished this patch with in in a short time & reached at Garbett Platue.

The platue was huge and giving an amazing night view of Matheran towards west side. We reached platue at 2:30am. We spotted one clean place for our dinner as there cow dung everywhere. We finished our dinner & took a rest for sometime and continue our trek. Some of us wanted to rest more but we were already behind our schedule and we had to reach Matheran before sunrise. This was the last patchof our trek. This patch have small part of rocky way & more amount of walking through forest.Though it was a full moon night but because of forest there was pitch dark that one cannot see the things at a distance of two feet. While walking through forest we pass through a village. A herd of cows were seated on plane ground and their eyes were glittering.

We reached to a place where a huge stone was located this was our last landmark. The way on left side of stone goes to Matheran city , right side goes to Garbut point and middle one goes to Dasturi Naka. Here we took rest for sometime. We reached here at 5:30 am and still one hour to reach Dasturi Naka. We were 3 hour late from our schedule. Now continuing for second trek would be little difficult and most of us are exhausted and don’t want to continue, so finally decided to restrict up to Dasturi Naka and cancelled second trek.

We took a pleasure walk into Matheran city after an expensive breakfast and took a horse ride. Sudamshu offered us to do valley crossing from Honeymoon point to Louisa Point.