Pick your departure
Trip highlights
The dark forest, a hidden waterfall and a cliff-edge viewpoint, by night train to Pune.
The 13 km Andharban dark forest crossingThe Devkund plunge pool at first lightSavlya Ghat, the cliff-edge viewpointCertified trek leads and a homestay base
Day-wise plan
Meals and stay listed on every day · pace built for a group.
1Day 1 · Day 01: Pune to Savlya Ghat | The Descent to the Devkund Viewpoint. · Meals: ·
- Day 0 - Board the night train at Hyderabad; your trek lead meets you at the station or at your seats. Overnight to Pune, reaching by morning.
- Grade: Easy. Distance: 3–4 km round trip. Time on trail: 2–3 hrs.
- Keep in your day bag: 2L water, dry snacks, energy bars, a rain layer and a government photo ID.
- Arrive Pune and board the private vehicle for the drive out to the Savlya Ghat trailhead.
- This one starts the wrong way round — the trail begins with a DESCENT down the mountainside, and the climb comes on the way back.
- At the viewpoint: 360° views over the valleys, cliff walls and forest, and on a clear day, Devkund Waterfall itself far below in the green.
- Climb back to the trailhead, catch your breath, and take the last photographs over light refreshments.
- Drive on to the campsite / homestay, reaching by evening.
- Freshen up, dinner with the group, and an early night — tomorrow is the long one.
- Wear your trek clothes before boarding the train at Hyderabad — there is no chance to change until tomorrow's trek is done.
- Carry a thin blanket or sleeping bag for the night train journey.
- Carry a backpack, not a trolley bag — wheels are useless where we are going.
2Day 2 · Day 02: Secret Falls & the Andharban Dark Forest. · Meals: ·
- Grade: Moderate. Distance: 13–14 km. Time on trail: 5–6 hrs.
- Early start — pack the day bag with water, snacks and a change of clothes, and a light breakfast before boarding.
- A 30-minute drive to the Secret Waterfalls, where the brave can cliff-jump into the natural pool (optional, at your own cost and risk).
- Change into dry clothes and drive about 1.5 hours to Ghutake, the Andharban base village.
- Then the day's main event: the Andharban — the "dark forest" — a long trail through mist, dense canopy and running streams.
- Regroup at the vehicle parking as the group finishes, then drive back to the stay.
- Freshen up, a well-earned dinner, and group activities with the trek leaders.
- Lights out by 10 PM — tomorrow starts before dawn.
- Lunch on the trail is quick and simple — you are in the middle of a forest, not a food court.
- It is a long trek: carry enough water (the flowing streams are fresh and refillable) plus energy bars, dry fruits and ORS.
3Day 3 · Day 03: Devkund Waterfall at First Light | Return to Pune. · Meals: ·
- Grade: Moderate. Distance: 7–8 km round trip. Time on trail: ~4 hrs.
- The final adventure starts at sharp 4:30 AM — through dense forest trails in the dark to a hidden waterfall.
- Devkund at first light, with time at the plunge pool for the view and the photographs.
- Trek back to the stay, freshen up and sit down to breakfast.
- Then the long drive towards the railway station — roughly 120 km, four hours and more.
- A lunch stop en route (at your own cost) to relax and eat before the journey home.
- Board the train to Hyderabad, considerably muddier and happier than you arrived.
- The 4:30 AM start is not negotiable — the falls are at their best, and the trail at its quietest, at first light.
- Shoes with real grip matter today; the forest floor stays wet through the monsoon.
Where you'll stay
The properties this batch sleeps in — swapped only for something equal or better.
Trailhead homestay2 nights - sharing basis with 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
What's in, what's not
Included
- Sleeper-class train tickets, Hyderabad ⇄ Pune (both ways) — Hyderabad-to-Hyderabad package.
- All local transportation in Maharashtra by private vehicle.
- 2 nights homestay accommodation on a sharing basis.
- Meals as specified — 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners.
- Certified trek leaders with the group throughout.
- Basic first aid kit and emergency support.
- Devkund Waterfalls and Savlya Ghat entry fees.
Not included
- Meals during transit.
- Andharban entry fee.
- Cliff jumping at Secret Falls.
- Mules or porters to carry personal luggage.
- Personal expenses, tips and anything of a personal nature.
- Any cost arising from a weather-driven itinerary change, route substitution or extended stay.
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
