Sandhan valley is known Wonder of nature & splendid of Sahyadri (Western Ghats). Water carved valley of 200 ft deep and about 1.5 long. Sandhan valley is located on the west side of beautiful Bhandardara region, near Samrad village. Valley surrounded with mighty Alang, Madan & Kulang (Known as AMK- toughest trek in Sahyadri) Ratangad, Ajoba & Kalsubai (5400 ft. highest peak in Maharashtra) mountain ranges. Brilliant & deep narrow rock floored ravine between the two high walls of mountain range. At some places its width is less than 3 ft so that at some places sun rays unable to reach. So it’s called valley of shadow. You can enter in Sandhan valley but it is accessible throughout the year except monsoon. To go at end side of gorge you have cross 2-3 water pools, water level changes according to seasons, in winter it is up to waist & in summer it is up to knee height. At the end of valley you get magnificent view of high cliffs & deep valleys. To reach up to this point you don’t need any trekking equipment. This is called Sandhan Valley trek.
From that point ahead to reach the base of Sandhan Valley & Karoli Ghat you have to go ahead on the same path. This is known as ‘Sandhan Valley to Karoli Ghat’ trek. This is a challenging phase of that trek which has steep descend with big rocks as we reach closer to Karoli Ghat. That route look like a Harishchandragad “nalichi vaat”. You have to rappel down 3-4 small patches (max height. 40ft) to reach Base camp. Very few people have taken up this phase as it is considered to be very tough. From base camp its takes 4 hrs trek to reach back to Samrad Village via Karoli Ghat or else from Base camp we can head south towards Dehane village (Base of Ajoba fort) in Thane district.
Area around Sandhan Valley
Spots to visit along with Sandhan Valley
Randha waterfall, Bhandardara Dam, Amruteshwar Temple @ Ratanwadi, Kokan kada @ Sandhan Valley (pl. refer Map no.3), Bhandardara backwater near Samrad village, Ghatghar Dam, Kokan kada @ Ghatghar, Ghatnadevi temple & Kokan kada
Spots around Sandhan Valley
Pabargad Fort, Aswala Fort, Bhairavgad Fort, Ghanchakkar (Mountain), Katrabai walls, Aajoba Fort, Ratangad Fort, Ratangad Khuta (Pinnacle),Bann (Pinnacle), Karoli Ghat, Alang Fort, Madan Fort, Kulang Fort, Kalsubai (5400 ft. Highest peak in Maharashtra)
Grade: For Sandhan Valley
From Mid June to September - Not accessible
Due to Heavy rainfall in that region you cannot enter into the valley. There is huge waterfalls & heavy flow of water in Sandhan Valley gorge.
October - 4/5 (Tough)
In October water level is too high & water is still flowing at high speed. Huge force of water is falling dawn from both side of high walls of Sandhan valley gorge.
November to Mid March - 3.5/ 5 (Slightly Tough)
In November & December at 1st water pool, water level is 2-3 ft high & at 2nd water pool water level is 4-6 ft high. In January & February level of water in both water pools decreases by 1-2 ft.
Mid March to May - 3/5 (Medium)
Water level in both water pools is ok so you can easily cross it. At 1st water pool, water level is 1 ft & at 2nd water pool 2-3 ft.
