PUNE: During this monsoon season, several tourist and trekkers are exploring offbeat destinations through social media, word of mouth and joining trekkers groups through which they find new places. These places are the ones where tourists otherwise don’t visit. Here you can experience the wildlife, nature, peace, culture and many other things which one can’t explore on the usual hill stations due to exposure to places like Lonavla, Khandala and many other known destinations.
It has become a trend now to travel around the places and explore as much as one can. There are several travel lovers in the city who possess the passion of travelling across the city and share the experiences with others. Places like Nive Pimpri and Dongarwadi village in Tamhini ghat, along with Dhak Bhairi in the forest areas of Rajmachi, Thosegar falls which is four hours from Pune, Telbaila near Aamby Valley, Salter Park a waterfall near Aamby Valley have a footfall in monsoon.
Girish Konkar, a trekker from Pune who is also a Commander in Indian Navy said, “There are many hidden places in the hill stations of Pune. These places are hidden inside known spots like Tamhini, Rajmachi, Lonavla and others. There are 100 waterfalls in Tamhini region if one finds out dedicatedly.
If a traveller wants to discover these places they just have to get there and ask the local residents, they could guide them to the spots.”
Amit Bharadwaj, a trekker from Pune and a tourism industry professional said, “On the way to Fort Rajmachi, there is a diverted route of 5-7 km where one can experience the beauty of purple flower rows on the route travelling to the top of the fort. The amateur travellers can get in the group of trekkers and that’s how they could easily find these hidden places.”
“Also via social media, as Facebook has event option in it, and people can see the event and get in touch with the trekker’s group,” Bharadwaj added.
Ajay Raut of Shiv Durga, a trekking organisation in Lonavla said, “There are several trekkers who explore their own ways by going into deep forest areas of the known hill stations they get help from the local residents and also the amateur trekkers can get in touch with trekking organisations and once they get hold of the groups they could find their next trekking destination easily.”
