Alang Madan Kulang(AMK)---Toughest Trek of Maharashtra

Basic Info of Alang Madan Kulang(AMK):

Alang Madan Kulang(AMK) are three different forts, together they are famous for being the toughest hike for enthusiastic hikers. They are situated in the Kalsubai range, where many of the highest peaks of the Sahyadri, such as Kalsubai and Ratangad, lie. It tests your stamina, patience and mental toughness. This trek allows one to explore a varied landscape by descending into deep valleys and gorges, walking long jungle trails, and climbing steep slopes. Alang terminates in a huge plateau that offers a panoramic view of Kulang, Madan, and Kalsubai. Out of the three, Madan is considered to be the most difficult to climb.
 
How to reach:
There are 3 routes to approach these forts(Ambewadi, Kulangwadi and Ghatghar).

Ambewadi is a Base village for this Trek if you are planning to start from Alang fort. It is around 180KM from Pune. Route to reach at base village is Pune-->Alephata-->Otur-->Kotul-->Bhandardara-->Ambewadi. Parking facility is available at base village Ambewadi.

Trekkers for this Trek
Kajal Gupta

Sunil Mehta

Hemant Borole

Abhijit Ubhe(Trek Leader)

Nilesh Madke

Manohar Lolge(Trek Leader)

Prashant Komakul

Suryawanshi Sarala

Gavadu Patil(Lead Climber)

Santosh Malawade

Sandeep Chougule

Prasad Paygude

Vikas Gade

Vilas More

Shivaji Rajpure

Trekking details:
Difficulty level                          Tough
Height                                        Alang(4500ft), Kulang(4825ft) and Madan(4852ft)
Base village/District                  Ambewadi, Maharashtra, India.

We heard lot about this trek so wanted to go there from long time. This trek is said to be one of toughest trek of Maharashtra. It takes around 2-3 days to explore all these 3 forts. This trek tests your stamina, strength, patience and mental toughness so good fitness is very important for this trek. We wanted to go there by our own but climbing without ropes and expert climbers is not possible so we decided to go with professional group. Manohar sir who is trek leader and owner of Sahyadri Adventure Institute(SAI) told us that they are planning for this trek so we decided to go with them.

Our plan was to leave on 11th Nov and return back on 13th Nov 2017. Finally the day has come, We packed our bags and gathered at Mankar Chowk, Kaspate Wasti. TT has arrived to pick us at around 11:30 Am. After picking up everyone, our journey was started towards base village at around 02:30 Pm. It was long journey and we were expecting to reach base village by 09:00 Pm. After driving for few mins, we started playing Antakshari and some fun games. After 4 hrs of drive, we reached at Otur village where we took a break for few mins. We had garma garam Vada pav and tea in snacks.

Snack at local restaurant

Evening Snacks and chit chat

After 2 hrs of drive, We finally reached base village Ambevadi at around 09:00 PM. We got freshen up and had dinner. After dinner, we sat for few mins and went to bed at around 11:00 Pm. We were sleeping outside of local guide house. Sleeping under open sky, gazing stars and funny stories made our night stay memorable. It was around 05:45 Am when Manohar sir started waking up everyone.

Our Stay at Village

We got freshen up and had yummy breakfast cooked by Nilesh. After having tea, it was time for warm up session before starting long 2 days trek.

Nilesh Preparing Poha in breakfast

Breakfast Time

Yummy Poha

After having breakfast and tea, we packed out bags & started warmup session before leave for trek. You will see beautiful view of AMK trio fort from Ambewadi village. Ambewadi is small village so you will have limited option to eat. There is enough open space near village if planning for overnight stay and camping.

Warm up Session

At around 06:45 Am, we took group photo and started our trek towards Alang fort. We were expecting to reach in 5-6 hrs at top of Alang fort from Ambewadi village.

Group photo taken in Ambewadi Village

View of Mountains from Terrace.

It was refreshing morning and we were excited for this trek. You will have to walk for 20-25 mins from village to reach at starting point of this trek.

View of Alang Fort

View of Trio AMK fort

Excited Faces

After walking for 20-30 mins, narrow steep jungle trail was started. It was fun walking through steep dense forest but after few mins we started losing our energy so we decided to take break for few mins. You will see old sculpture carved on stone on this trail.

Making way through narrow trail

Sculpture carved on Stone

After walking for few mins, we have started ascending staircase made through rocks. It is a bit risky staircase so extra care is needed while ascending. It was thrilling experience as one side of staircase was fully exposed to deep valley.

Staircase made through rocks

After ascending staircase, you will reach to simple trail where you will have to walk for few mins to reach at base cave of Alang fort. You will then have to climb 2 rock patches to make it on top of fort. First 30 ft rock patch is a bit easy and can be climbed without ropes by expert trekkers. Second rock patch was 110 ft and it was 90 degree climb and cannot be climbed without rope support. Lead climber is needed for 2nd patch to setup ropes.
We waited for all members to gather at base cave and then took few mins of break, before we start climbing these patches.

First Rock patch

Happy Faces after Climbing first rock patch

After climbing first rock patch, we reached at second rock patch at around 10 Am. Climbing second rock patch requires very good fitness. Our lead climber Gavadu patil started climbing in free style to setup ropes on this patch. He climbed that patch in free style within just 10 mins.

Group selfie at 2nd rock patch

Lead Trekker setting up ropes on top

He fixed all ropes on top. We then started climbing rock patch one by one. It took around 12-15 mins for each one of us to climb this patch. This was thrilling and amazing climbing experience. You will see beautiful view of surrounding valley from top of this patch.

That's me!! Climbing and Making way on Top.

View of Valley From Top of Rock Patch

Excited face

At around 12:00 Pm, we have all made at top of this patch. You will find few rock stairs after 2nd rock patch which will leads you to top of fort. After few mins of walk from staircase, we finally reached at top of Alang fort at around 12:30 PM. It takes around an hour to explore entire fort. 

Staircase after 2nd rock patch

Trek Leaders

We  have explored fort for 30-40 mins. Entrance structure of Fort Alang was totally destroyed. Once we reached to the machi area, we were amazed to see the expanse of the fort and the chiseled walls of the hill on which this fort, standing since many years. The shape of the Alang fort is similar to U shape. When you enter the fort, You will see broken temple of Lord Shiva. There are 6-7 small water tanks on the machi area. You can see the two caves on the fort. One cave is not good for stay. Another cave is spacious and good option for stay on the fort. It can accommodate 30-40 trekkers. There is small tank adjacent to this cave. The water is not potable.

Ruined Temple on top of Fort

Excited faces on top of fort

To the west side of fort, you can see Madan and Kulang fort. The view of Madan was amazing from the far west end of Alang fort. Steps of Madan fort can be visible from this point. We put-off our sack in the cave and walked outside to explore the fort.  We climbed the fort till highest point of the fort on east side. There are more than 10 water tanks constructed side by side. Many ruined structures can be seen on this plateau. You can view monstrous hills of Krida and Srikrida from this point. There is one more cave at the top most portion of fort, full of water. In front of the cave, there is Stoney column erected.

Water tanks on top of fort

Caves on Alang fort

After exploring fort for few mins, we have started walking towards base of cave. It was simple walk till we reach at the staircase before 2nd rock patch. Descending was bit easy. After descending staircase we waited for our lead climber to setup rope correctly to rappel down 2nd rock patch.

View of Valley from top of Alang fort

Descending staircase before 2nd rock patch

We have then started rappelling from 2nd rock patch. Rappelling was easy and it took only 20-25 mins for all trek members to reach at base of rock patch.

Sitting and waiting for Rappelling turn

Rappelling from 2nd rock patch

We have then started descending initial small rock patch and reached base cave at around 1:30 Pm. We got freshen up and had lunch at base cave. We then started walking towards Madan fort. Our plan was to reach Madan fort before it gets dark.

On the way to Madan Fort

Route from Alang cave to Madan fort is bit challenging and risky as it is fully exposed to deep valley on right side. After walk for 40-50 mins, We reached at rocky staircase where we decided to take break for 5-10 mins.

Staircase on the way to Madan Fort

Traverse trail towards Madan Fort

After walking for few mins, We reached at point where we will have to cross risky traverse which has full exposure to deep valley. It was thrilling experience crossing this traverse. It is having enough grips to hold so you can actually enjoy the rock climbing thrill!! 

Risky Traverse on the way to Madan Fort

Rope support setup on Traverse

After ascending rock staircase, We reached at base of 70 ft rock patch. This rock patch was bit easier than Alang 2nd rock patch. Lead climber have climbed first and setup ropes on top of the patch. We have then started climbing rock patch one by one with rope support. It took around 40-50 mins to climb this patch..

Relaxing on staircase before climbing rock patch

Climbing Madan 70 ft rock patch

Once you climb this patch, you will have to cross another traverse. View of Alang fort was terrific from this traverse. You can also enjoy ‘Echo’ reflecting from the wall of Alang. You will have to walk for few mins from traverse to reach at entrance of Madan fort.

View of Alang Fort from traverse towards Madan fort

We have then ascended for 15-20 mins from entrance of fort to reach at cave of Madan fort. we reached cave of Madan fort at around 05:30 Pm.

Relaxing at the entrance of Madan fort

We have kept our bags inside cave and relax for some time. After taking break for 5-10 mins, We have started walking towards top of Madan Fort. You will see breathtaking view of sunset from top of Madan fort.

Happiness after reaching at top of Madan fort

Sunset view from Madan fort

Selfie taken On top Madan fort

Relax time at top of fort.

After spending some peaceful time on fort, we have started descending towards caves. Our tonight's plan was to cook Onion Bhaji in starter and Sev bhaji in dinner. It was peaceful evening and we had lot of fun. We had dinner at around 09:30 Pm. We then setup bonfire outside of cave after dinner. We relaxed and chit chat for some time. Everyone was tired so we went to bed early. Our stay in caves was memorable.

View of Caves from top of fort.

Starter(Khekda Bhaji) in making

Yummy Onion Bhaji

We woke up early and got freshen up. Morning view of mountains and sunrise from cave was mesmerizing. Madan Fort caves is a great option for overnight stay. It can accommodate 20-30 people in caves.

Sunrise view from Madan Caves

We had heavy morning breakfast and tea. At around 07:00 Am, We have decided to start descending Madan fort. After walking for few mins, you will reach near staircase. We have descended staircase and reached at Madan rock patch within 20 mins.

Morning Selfie at Madan Cave

Descending Madan fort staircase

View of staircase after descend

After reaching rock patch, our lead climber have setup ropes and we started rappelling one by one. We reached at base of rock patch at around 08:15 Am. Rappelling is thrilling and memorable experience. It was exposed to deep valley so everyone was cautious during rappelling.

Excited for Rappelling 70 Ft Rock Patch

Rappelling from Madan rock patch

Happy Moment

After rappelling, we have started descending towards traverse point, We reached at traverse point after walking for few mins. We have safely crossed risky traverse and then started walking towards Kulang fort.

Crossing risky traverse with rope support

Route to Kulang fort is not that difficult except few patches. Follow the signs set up by local people to reach at top of fort. One of the most prominent is stones stacking up on one another. The route mostly passes through dense shrubs and Karvi. You can clearly view ‘Nedhe’ of Madan from this route. It took 2 hrs. to reach a point where you need to start ascend for Kulang. At this junction, if you continues to follow straight route it will descends down to Kulangwadi through a Nalicha route (Nal in between Kulang fort and Chota Kulang hill). We started ascending steep hill. This patch was exhausting. At the last patch, you will see rock cut stairs to reach at Kulang fort.

Traverse trail from Madan to Kulang Fort

Crossing traverse trail

After crossing traverse trail and walking for few mins, we have reached near to rock staircase. We have then started ascending this staircase. It was bit sunny so ascending was bit tiring.

Ascending long rock staircase

Beautifully carved stairs 

After ascending rock stairs and walking for almost 20 mins, We have finally reached at top of fort. It will take around 30-40 mins to explore entire fort. After reaching on top , we have started exploring the top of Kulang fort. You will see caves and water tanks on top. There is nothing much on fort but you will see ruined walls and several water tanks. 

Happy face after reaching at top of Kulang fort

Water tanks on Kulang fort

Inside view of  Kulang Caves

After exploring fort for few mins, We have decided to descend via Naal towards Kulangwadi Village. This route was through rocks and dense forest so descending was bit tiring. After descending rock staircase, you will see trail that goes through dense forest. After walking for almost an hour through dense forest, we reached near water stream. We stopped there for few mins and started walking towards Kulangwadi.

Ruined Structure of Kulang Fort

Descending from Kulang fort staircase

It took us around 2.5 hrs to reach at base village Kulangwadi. After reaching at base village, we got freshen up and took some rest. TT driver was waiting for us at Kulangwadi village. After relaxing for some time, we started driving towards Ambewadi village.                  

Shoes torn out after ascending and descending for 2 days

We had lunch in Ambewadi. After lunch, we started our return journey towards Pune at around 04:30 Pm. We reached Pune at around 10:30 Pm.
AMK trek is certainly one of the challenging trek in Sahyadri. Even if you are novice in climbing, still you can manage this trek on your own. Just the task is to reach Ambewadi or Samrad. Overall it was satisfying experience to climb these three forts!!!! Worth doing it!!!

Best Time to Visit AMK:
November to February is the best time for AMK trek. Since this trek involves a lot of rock climbing, It is best to visit this place during winter season. During monsoons, this place receives very heavy rainfall and this could make the trek really slippery and risky. Summers, on the other hand, heat up the rocks so much that it gets really difficult to hold on to them while climbing if you do not have special gloves.

You may like my other blogs:

Alang Madan Kulang(AMK) Trek: AMK_Toughest_Trek

Dudhsagar And Tambdi Surla Waterfall Trek: Dudhsagar_Tambdi Surla_Trek

London Trip: London_Trip

Sandhan Valley Trek: Sandhan_Valley

Vasota Fort Trek: Vasota_Trek
Kalsubai Temple Trek:  Kalsubai_Temple_Trek 
Rajgad Fort Trek: Rajgad_Trek

Harishchandragad Fort Trek and Camp: Harishchandragad_Trek
Devkund Waterfall Trek: Devkund_Trek
Korigad Fort Trek: Korigad_Trek
Ghangad Fort Trek and Camp: Ghangad_Trek
Tikona Fort Trek: Tikona_Trek 
Amazing Places around Pune: Explore_Pune

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