This 45 min ride was a class slow-paced yet scenic. An excuse to know each other beyond our names, and helped to set the right tone for this overnight trek to Kalawantin Durg. With this sizeable open window from our tumtum, we could see Irshalgad and Kalawantin thou approach to both possible from the same base village. The route from the base village is well sorted and has a gradual climb.

As we started the climb with the sunset behind our backs, we gain altitude. With the setting sun giving Kalavantin Durg Shikhar a golden tint was any trekker’s delight. It took around 2 hours to reach the base village. Nilesh, our host, ensure a grand welcome lime water tea left us with an excellent feeling. The night had just begun. Bang opposite his house is a small plateau which could comfortably accommodate 20 tents — a unique camping opportunity for large group sizes.

Dinner was superb yet straightforward. Trust me the Dinner served was at least three-course meal. The best part being it was unlimited, plus pickle with papad. After dinner, we all gathered on the plateau and did experience heaven: shared memories and created new memories. Stargazing using Google maps and knowing the constellations. As a Mumbaikar usually we need to visit these trekking places around Mumbai to get close to stars. The best part was the watermelon that we had under the open sky with twilight.

Later we moved to the interiors where Nilesh had prepared for our stay. Again the organization was top class: mattress, pillow with individual bed sheets for each one of us. Making us feel trekking just got comfortable. We were not expecting such a royal treatment by a villager at such a height away from the city both Panvel and Mumbai. Maybe the Gods were kind to us on this beautiful November night.

Starting early morning next day, we left for the attempt to summit Kalawantin Durg the entire group from Treks and Trails India. As we have been trekking around Sahyadri Fort as a trekking group for some time navigating to the summit took just under 45 minutes. Those bare and exposed steps gave us a new high and goosebumps. Soon the selfie and video shooting started. After all, we had summit Kalavantin Durg yet again.

Sahyadri Trek most famous Kalavantin Durg is also mentioned on one of the blogs online as the 33 most beautiful abandoned places in the world. Descend was the real challenge seeing the path below was an experience you won't feel the same one more time.

• Closest railway station - Panvel Railway Station
• Close Bus Station - Panvel State Transport Bus Depot
• Closest airport - Mumbai Airport and Pune Airport
• Kalavantin Durg distance from Mumbai 65 km approx 75 min drive
• Kalavantin Durg distance from Pune 240 km approx a 3-hour drive
• Kalavantin Durg trekking Difficulty medium grade and medium endurance
• Kalavantin Durg Shikhar Height 2300 feet approx
• Kalavantin Durg trek grade 6 on 10
• Combined Trek option yes, Suggested option Irshalgard Fort, Prabalgad Fort.
• Best time to Trek July to January
• Food availability Local villages arrange food and water at Thakurwadi and the base village only Prabalmachi village.