Trek to Fort Vasota

At 34 km from the Satara City, near the village Bamnoli, in the dense forest of Javli, Fort Vasota stands resolute. Accessible by boat, the forest check post at the base village Met Indavli welcomes a number of trekkers every weekend.

We did a one day trek to Fort Vasota in the month of January this year. Although considering the total distance of Bamnoli from Pune City and the total time required to reach the base of the fort from Bamnoli village, it was quite tough to manage everything in one day. But when you have equally passionate co travelers, such challenges can be managed really well.

We were a group of 6 who took this challenge. At the dawn of Saturday, January 11th, we left Pune City for Satara. It felt as if the entire highway NH4 was built just for us. The smooth drive till Satara City was then followed by a narrow & bumpy route till the village Bamnoli. It was 8.30 AM when we reached the base village. Simple breakfast of Pohe & Tea was sufficient to overcome the drive fatigue and recharge us for the trek.

The next phase of the journey was from the village Bamnoli to Met Indavli, the base of the fort. It was a 100 minutes boat ride through the Shivsagar Lake. Doing a boat ride on a misty morning with hills surrounded by both the sides having birds flying by, partially dried up trees passing by; the only thing needed at that time was silence; which was not possible due to the roaring motor sound.

 

We reached the forest check post at the base, Met Indavli, by 10.30AM. There were some formalities (read Things to Remember section below) to be done before we set out for the trek. It was an easy trek. The route is an easy elevation gain with some steps in between. As the route passes through the forest, almost 80% of it is covered by trees. It feels as if we were passing through a tunnel.

Fort Vasota

History

During the Shilahar Dynasty, Fort Vasota was under Bhoj 2 of Panhala in the 12th century. When trapped on Panhala Shivaji Maharaj sent a battalion to Vasota and brought it to his Swarajya in 1660, he then renamed it as Vyaghragad. (Vyaghra - Tiger). In 1706, Tai Telin on Pant Pratinidhi took control of the fort, fought for it against the Peshvas before losing it to Bapu Gokhle in 1707. In 1818, with heavy artillery bombardments, the British captured the fort, destroyed many buildings and looted the property.

Places to see

Although all the structures on the fort are now ruins, the view of the Sahyadri ranges, the Javali region and the backwaters of Koyna is simply breathtaking. There is no bastion left on the fort. As you climb up the last section of the steps and enter the fort, you can see a temple of the Lord Hanuman. As you go right, there is a temple of Lord Shiva. On the way to the temple, one can also spot the ruins of the building, plinth of the Sadar and a small pond. The route takes you to the narrow stretch of the fort which is known as Kalthai’s Post. The view of the backwaters, Fort Mahipatgad is amazing from this point.

 

As you return to the Maruti temple and go towards the right while facing the idon of Lord Maruti, you pass through a dense section of trees and bushes and it takes you to the end of the fort from where you can spot the famous Nageshwar Peak and the Konkan region. 

The route that goes behind the Maruti temple takes you to another end of the fort known as Babu Kada, from where you can spot a hill known as Old Vasota. Old Vasota is now inaccessible & there is presence of wild animals. Enroute Babu Kada, there is a large stone wheel which was used for making cement for the fort using jaggery, limestone, lead etc. One can also spot water tanks.

As we were early arrivals we had sufficient time to explore the fort, hence the hike was very smooth for us. We reached the top of the fort by 12 noon. We explored the fort for a couple of hours, had lunch and began our descent by 2.00 PM. We reached Bamnoli by 4.30 PM. After a break for snacks we left for Pune City and returned home by 9PM. 

Places near by

Bamnoli

It is a scenic village near Satara which offers activities like camping, boating etc. Accessible easily by road the village also has good connectivity of public transport from Satara City. There are basic restaurants available in the village offering both Veg & Non Veg food.

Shivsagar Lake

It is the reservoir formed due to the Koyna Dam project. Spread across 50km, the reservoir is 80m deep.

Met Indavli

It is the base village for Fort Vasota. It comes under the Forest Department. It is accessible only by boat from the mainland. Every trekker needs to declare the luggage and pay the deposit at the forest check post. One needs to leave this post on or before 4PM after the trek, else there is a fine to be paid.

Nageshwar Peak

The section of the Vasota hill spreads all the way to Nageshwar Caves. Vasota plus Nageshwar is treated as one the rigorous but thrilling treks.

How to Go

From Satara

Satara - Bamnoli - by boat to Met Indavali

Satara - Vaghali Devachi - by boat to Khirkandi - Dhangarwadi - Met Indavli

Satara - Bamnoli - by boat to Kusapur - Nageshwar - Met Indavli - Vasota

Satara - Mahabaleshwar - Tapola - Vasota

From Chiplun

Chorvane - Nageshwar - Met Indavli - Vasota

Tivare - Rede Ghat - Vasota

Vasota is easily done from Satara - Bamnoli route compared to any other routes. Chiplun route is very difficult as it requires 6 to 8 hours depending on which route you take.

Also there is no water on the way.

Places to Stay

Vasota and Nageshwar come under the Forest Department, hence staying is not allowed on those spots.

Food & Water

Both food and water need to be carried by the trekkers. No food stalls are available on the fort.  There is water available on the fort near the tank behind Maruti temple but the water is not potable. Food stalls are available in Bamnoli from where you can carry packed food to Vasota.

Things to Remember

• Boat service is available from Bamnoli to Met Indavli.
• Boat Capacity - 13-15
• Boat Cost - Rs.3500 per boat.
• Boat starts between 8.30AM and 10.30 AM from Bamnoli
• On Return the boats should leave Met Indavli post at or before 4PM. Failing which leads to fine by the Forest Dept.
• As per the forest rules, the boatman is supposed to be with his crew during the trek. 
• One should not carry many plastic items, bluetooth speakers etc on the trek as we need to declare everything at the forest check post at Met Indavli.
• Permit needs to be taken from the forest department before visiting the fort. Nowadays that is handled by the boat operators from Bamnoli itself.
• Everyone should carry an ID proof.
• Carry sufficient food, water as it is not available on the fort.
• Post monsoon be prepared to get attacked by leeches.
• The Boat operators are offering a package for one day or 2 days.
• One Day - It includes breakfast, to & fro boating charges, forest department fees, evening snacks on returning to Bamnoli.
• Two Day
• Day 1 - Arrival by sunset, evening snacks, dinner, tent stay in Bamnoli
• Day 2 - Breakfast, to & fro boating charges, forest department fees, evening snacks on returning to Bamnoli.

Contact

Dilip Shindikar (Boatman) - 09420462464

Total Expenses

• Toll - Pune - Rs. 95
• Toll - Satara - Rs. 75
• One Day Package - Rs.550 per head
• Two Day Package - Rs.1400 per head
• Fuel Cost - Rs.1500 (shared by the trekkers)