Pick your departure
Trip highlights
A waterfall that falls upward, a fort above the pass and a jungle trail, three days of Sahyadri monsoon.
Naneghat reverse waterfall, water blown back uphillJivdhan Fort above the ancient Naneghat passShivneri Fort, birthplace of ShivajiAadrai jungle trailSix meals included across three daysTwo nights in village homestays
Day-wise plan
Meals and stay listed on every day · pace built for a group.
1Day 1 · Pune to Kalu Base | Kalu Waterfall Trek. · Meals: ·
- Day 0 - Report at Secunderabad Railway Station by 8 PM.
- Overnight journey to Pune, reaching by 9 AM. Sleep on the train.
- The first trek starts the same day you land, and there is no rest day built in.
- Keep in your day bag: 2L water, dry snacks, a light layer for AC coaches, and a government photo ID.
- Grade: Easy to moderate. Distance: ~6 km round trip. Time on trail: 4-5 hrs
- Notes: Keep your day pack, water and trek shoes accessible in the vehicle - you go straight from vehicle to trail with no unpacking stop.
- Arrive Pune. Freshen up at the station, then board the private vehicle.
- We drive roughly 130 km to the lunch halt - about three hours, with the last stretch climbing into the Ghats.
- Maharashtrian thali is pre-ordered so the group isn't waiting. From there it's another hour to Kalu base village.
- The trek to the falls involves two stream crossings. The second is the Kalu river itself, and in heavy rain it runs fast enough that we cross one at a time with the lead in the water. The falls drop in five stages; the lowest pool is the turnaround point.
- Back at base village by evening.
- Dinner and overnight at a village homestay - basic rooms, shared washrooms, mattresses on the floor. This is a village, not a resort. Set expectations accordingly.
2Day 2 · Jivdhan Fort, Naneghat Reverse Waterfalls & Shivneri Fort. · Meals: ·
- Grade: Moderate. Distance: 10–12 km. Duration: Full day, expect a long one.
- Early breakfast, then drive to Jivdhan Fort.
- The climb runs over ancient rock-cut steps and green slopes to a summit with wide views across the valleys and ranges.
- After descending, on to Naneghat for the reverse waterfall - where updrafts throw the falling water back up the cliff.
- Then a drive to Shivneri Fort , birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to walk the fortifications, water tanks and temples.
- Back to the stay for dinner and group activities.
- Notes:
- Early breakfast before departure.
- Lunch at a local restaurant en route.
- Trek shoes with good grip are essential.
- Carry enough water and rain protection.
- This is a long day with substantial driving between the three sites.
3Day 3 · Aadrai Jungle Trail | Return to Hyderabad. · Meals: ·
- Grade: Easy to moderate. Distance: ~6 km round trip. Time on trail: ~3 hrs.
- Early start - on the trail by 4:00 AM.
- The Aadrai trail runs through dense old forest to the Aadrai viewpoint and the Kalu top view, where you look back across the gorge at the waterfall you stood under two days earlier.
- Best light of the trip is on this trail.
- Back by breakfast. Pack up, then the drive to Pune - roughly 150 km and over four hours.
- Lunch near the station with time to change out of trek clothes, then board the train home.
- Notes:
- Day 3 is long - three hours of trekking on tired legs followed by a four-hour drive. Sleep on the train.
- You can pack dinner from the lunch halt.
Where you'll stay
The properties this batch sleeps in — swapped only for something equal or better.
Village homestays2 nights · sharing basis, same-gender allocation
Train, Hyderabad to PuneSleeper or 3AC class, both ways
What's in, what's not
Included
- Hyderabad-Pune-Hyderabad train travel, [Sleeper / 3AC] class.
- Meals as specified: 2 breakfasts (Day 2, Day 3), 2 lunches (Day 1, Day 2), 2 dinners (Day 1, Day 2).
- 2 nights homestay accommodation on sharing basis.
- All ground transport in Maharashtra by private vehicle.
- Certified trek leaders throughout.
- Forest entry fees and permits.
- First aid kit and emergency support.
Not included
- Any meals not mentioned.
- Personal expenses, tips, and anything of a personal nature.
- Travel insurance.
- Any cost arising from a weather-driven itinerary change, route substitution, evacuation or extended stay.
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
