Ever since I was a child, the idea of sleeping under the stars had always fascinated me,One fine day my friend told me lets go for a camping at rajmachi and there we go one of the my favorite items from my to do list was about to happen..
A week ago, we began planning all the necessary items we needed to gather before the upcoming weekend. Some important things you may need to bring if you are going camping include tents, 2 water bottles, blankets/mat, a medical kit, a power bank, and cooking utensils and materials. These are the basics you should have with you.
Now, let’s start the journey. I had my own trek leader/trek buddy, who happens to be a dear friend. She already had the entire plan in her head, so we set off from Lonavala and made our way to Karjat. From there, we booked an auto to Kondana village and began our trek around 11 a.m. We reached the starting point of our journey, but unfortunately, I was feeling low on energy due to a fever.
Despite this setback, I pushed through and mustered up all the energy I had to continue on. One thing I would like to recommend to everyone is that if you are embarking on this trek during the summer, be sure to carry as much water as possible and if possible keep energy drinks with you).
After walking for about an hour or so, we reached Kondana Caves, one of the most beautiful and large caves I have ever seen. The best thing about this place was that it was kept very clean and well-maintained, with efforts being made to rebuild supports that had broken over time. We took a break at the caves for about an hour before embarking on a 3 to 4-hour trek through the jungle, even in the hot summer weather.
We took a few breaks along the way, but eventually, all our water bottles were empty and I was feeling drained due to the weight of my heavy backpack and illness. After walking for a few more miles, we came across a place with a lot of black currants where we took a break to eat some and try to get water from them.
Then again, we started and kept on motivating each other, saying we would get sprite, mountain dew, chilled waters, etc. if we completed this patch. After walking for a few hours around 4:30 in the evening, we finally reached the base village of Udhewadi. We took a stop at the place where the village people had built a small reservoir for drinking water, and then after taking some rest, everyone was starving since we had breakfast in the morning, and then we didn’t eat anything.
So everyone started their task:
- Some were collecting branches
- Some were gathering stones
- Some were chopping vegetables
We made maggies at that place, and in old-style cooking, it tasted so good that I can’t even express how good it was. After a few hours, the sun started to go down, and we planned to watch the sunset at a fort called Manoranjan Fort since everyone was tired, so we abandoned that plan and watched the sunset nearby.
One of the beautiful things you get to see in the village is the stone-carved temple of Shiva. The stones are pure black and look so beautiful that I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. After sitting there, we realized it was getting dark, so we found a location for our tent. However, my luck wasn’t good, as it turned out the place we chose was risky.
Villagers warned us about snakes and other reptiles, so we had to move our tent to a safer location.While walking, we saw a lot of fireflies, which looked like something out of a fairy tale. Every tree seemed to be blinking as if there were LED lights on them. It was one of the best things to watch after going through all the hurdles of the day.
After finishing lunch, everyone was exhausted and went to sleep. Three of my friends went to the tents, but I insisted on sleeping outside and enjoying the night.When I went outside, I had a feeling that everything was worth it. Every hurdle was worth watching for this scenic beauty. You have stars in the sky and when you look around, fireflies are blinking around. Everyone should try this at least once in their lifetime, and that’s how I completed my dream of sleeping under the sky here.
“This trip has sparked a newfound love for camping and an eagerness to explore more of nature’s wonders. I can’t wait to plan my next adventure, try out new activities, and perhaps visit even more remote and beautiful locations. If you’re considering your first camping trip, I highly encourage you to take the leap. The experience of disconnecting from the digital world and immersing yourself in nature is truly unparalleled.”
Important Safety Tips You Should Know Before Going on Outdoor Camping:
- Do a study on the geographical location of that place. Whenever you are going outdoors hiking or camping, doing a proper study about the place is a must. And you have to know how to use compass and directions reading tools. Download offline outdoor maps on your phone.
- Bring at least one friend: if you are going for the first time to that location, then bring at least one friend who has visited that place in the past and who knows the place before.
- Create a proper plan before a trip. If you are going outdoor camping or hiking, this point is more important. If you have a proper plan, then you will enjoy every moment without tension or discomfort.
- Pack the essentials:
- Medical kit
- Navigating Tools
- Sun protection
- Nutritions
- Jacket/ raincoat
- Flashlight
- Water bottle
- Emergency shelter
5. Do not use perfumes or any chemical when you are going at outddor camping.
Happy camping, and may your adventures be just as magical and memorable as mine!
Also Read: Matheran Hill Station: A Complete Guide