Vanantara Jungle Trek Pune
Vanantara Jungle Trek Pune is one of the newest offbeat monsoon jungle trails near Pune, offering a refreshing escape into the untouched beauty of the Sahyadri ranges. Surrounded by dense forests, mist-covered hills, seasonal waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams, this trek is perfect for nature lovers looking to experience the serenity of the Western Ghats away from crowded tourist spots.
Located amidst the lush green landscapes near Pune, the Vanantara Trek takes you through enchanting forest trails where towering trees create a natural canopy overhead. As you walk through the jungle, you'll be accompanied by the soothing sounds of birds, flowing streams, rustling leaves, and cascading waterfalls, making every step a memorable experience.
During the monsoon season, the trail transforms into a green paradise. The route is filled with vibrant vegetation, colorful wildflowers, muddy forest paths, and numerous seasonal water crossings. Dense fog rolling over the hills and cool mountain breezes add a magical touch to the entire trekking experience.
One of the major highlights of the Vanantara Trek is its untouched natural beauty. Unlike crowded trekking destinations, the trail offers peaceful surroundings, panoramic valley views, hidden waterfalls, and several scenic viewpoints ideal for photography and relaxation. The journey itself is as rewarding as the destination.
The trek is generally classified as easy to moderate, making it suitable for beginners as well as experienced trekkers. While the trail includes gentle ascents, forest walks, rocky patches, and stream crossings, it does not involve any technical climbing. During heavy rainfall, trekkers should exercise caution on slippery sections and while crossing streams.
Vanantara is also rich in biodiversity. The evergreen forests are home to numerous bird species, butterflies, insects, and unique flora native to the Sahyadri ecosystem. The cool climate, fresh mountain air, and tranquil surroundings make it an excellent getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Whether you're seeking adventure, nature photography, or simply a peaceful monsoon retreat, the Vanantara Trek offers a complete outdoor experience. From walking through misty forests and crossing sparkling streams to witnessing breathtaking valley views and hidden waterfalls, every moment of this trek showcases the pristine beauty of Maharashtra's Western Ghats.
Often regarded as an emerging hidden gem among monsoon treks near Pune, the Vanantara Trek is an ideal destination for trekkers, backpackers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore an offbeat trail in the Sahyadris.
What Makes Vanantara Jungle Trek Special?
- Dense evergreen forest with limited sunlight reaching parts of the trail
- Scenic views of the Valley and the surrounding Sahyadri ranges
- Seasonal waterfalls and streams during the monsoon
- Misty forest landscapes and cloud-covered mountain views
- A long jungle trail instead of a summit-focused fort climb
- Gradual descents with occasional ascents and uneven sections
- Approximately 13 km of varied forest terrain
- Rich Western Ghats vegetation and birdlife
- Peaceful natural surroundings away from city noise
- One of the most recognised monsoon jungle treks near Pune
- Suitable for fit beginners and experienced trekkers
- A unique combination of forest walking, valley views and monsoon scenery
Vanantara Trek Details:
- Trek Location:Tamhini Ghat, Maharashtra
- Trek Difficulty Level: It is a moderate-level trek and requires good endurance. Having a prior trekking experience makes it easier. The only risky part of this trek is crossing water streams during monsoons, as the river becomes turbulent.
- Trek Distance: approximately 13 km trail
- Trek Altitude: approximately 2160 feet
- Trek Type: Jungle / Valley Descend Trek
- Trek Duration: It roughly takes 6-8 hours to complete this trek.
- Andharban Distance from Pune: approximately 70 km
- Andharban Distance from Lonavala: 48 km
Why Choose Trekhievers for Vanantara Trek?
- TrekHievers has been organising group travel and trekking experiences since 2017.
- Pune-to-Pune private transportation is included in the Pune package.
- Breakfast, tea and vegetarian lunch are included.
- Forest permit and entry charges are included in the package.
- Trek leaders provide route instructions, safety briefings and on-ground group coordination.
- Basic first-aid assistance is available with the organising team.
- Solo travellers, women travellers, beginners and groups can join scheduled departures.
- A trek leader is assigned for approximately every 10 participants.
- Final pickup, reporting and trek-leader information is shared with confirmed participants before departure.
Route Operated by Trekhievers
- Pune pickup from selected locations
- Arrival near the Vanantara trek region
- Breakfast and trek preparation
- Transfer to the planned starting point at Ghutke
- Safety briefing by trek leaders
- Forest trek towards the Hirdi and Ghutke village junction
- Short hydration and rest break
- Vegetarian lunch
- Return journey to Pune
Batches :
June 2026: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
July 2026: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
August 2026: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
September 2026: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
October 2026: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
Important Note:
1. We insist that you take Friday departures to avoid the rush.
2. We need a minimum of 10 people to operate Friday batches; if not, then it will be shifted to the Saturday batch.
Event Fees:
- Pune Package: 1399/-
- Base Package: 999/-
- 05:00 AM: Report to The Trekleaders at Fergusson College Main Gate, FC Road (https://goo.gl/maps/53XNsyDPwcSVReZW9)
- 05:20 AM: Pick Up From Bremen Chowk- Shivneri Bus Stop, Aundh ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/jukaqsPdYZoHwsa89 )
- 05:30 AM: Pick Up From Wakad-Hinjewadi Flyover ( https://goo.gl/maps/8aTY1UsQmiSciTfR9?coh=178573&entry=tt )
- 05:40 AM: Pick Up From Hinjewadi Phase 1
05:50 AM: Pick Up From Hinjewadi Phase 3
07:30 AM: Reach Base Village and Have Breakfast
08:30 AM: Board the Buses to reach the Start Point of the Trek. (Asanwadi)
09:30 AM: Start Andharban Forest Trek Post Briefing and Instructions by trek leaders
12:00 PM: Reach Hirdi & Ghutke Village Junction and take a break
12:30 PM: Continue our trek towards Base Village - Pimpri
03:00 PM: Reach Pimpri Base village
03:30 PM: Get Freshen up and have Lunch (Veg Thali)
04:30 PM: Start return journey to Pune.
08:00 PM: Reach Pune. (Arrival time is subjective to traffic and weather conditions)
( Click here for Andharban Mumbai Trek details )
Inclusions:
- Private Bus Transportation (Pune to Pune)
- Breakfast & Tea
- Lunch ( Veg Thali Unlimited)
- Trek Leader Charges.
- Permit and Forest Entry Charges.
- Trek Expertise Charges.
- First Aid Charges.
Exclusions:
- Travel till pickup points
- 5% GST on Booking Tickets
- Any kind of personal expense like Mineral water/lime water/ Soft Drinks/ Extra snacks or meals that are not mentioned in the inclusions, purchased for personal consumption
- Any kind of cost which is not mentioned and included in the inclusion of this package.
- All expenses incurred due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances like roadblocks, bad weather
- Any medical / Emergency evacuations if required
- Any kind of Insurance
How to book?
- Click on the "BOOK NOW" button.
- Select your departure date from the calendar and proceed.
- Select your ticket type and quantity. (If you have a coupon code, apply at this stage)
- Fill out our personal details and proceed.
- Select your payment type (UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking) and proceed.
- Once your tickets are booked, you will receive tickets via email.
- A WhatsApp group link will be sent to your WhatsApp number 10 hours prior to the departure.
- Trek Leaders / Volunteers details will be shared on that WhatsApp group.
Things to carry:
(Highly Required and Mandatory Things)
- ID proof
- backpack (waterproof or covered with waterproof cover)
- trekking shoes or any sports shoes with a Good grip
- Trekking pants (compulsory), 2 T-Shirts (Preferably full sleeves or Half T-shirt with sleeves), Raincoat/ waterproof jacket/ windcheater, Handnapkin/Towel, etc
- Water 2-3 liters.
- Ready-to-eat food like plum cakes, Dry fruits, dry snacks and biscuits, Chikki, chocolate bars, etc.
- Torch
- Personal Medicines and Personal First aid
(Required but Optional Things)
- To change after trekking - Facewash, Extra pants/ shorts, Extra T-shirt, sleeper/ floaters, an extra bag to carry your trekking shoes, innerwear, etc
- Sweater For bus journey
- Electoral or Glucose D powder.
- Portable Phone Charger, Earphones, etc.
- Sun protection cap, sunglasses, Sunscreen lotion, toothbrush-toothpaste, etc
- Proper face mask or shield
- Sanitizer
- Extra Pair of clothes.
(Note: Please wear Full sleeves and Full Track Pants, this will protect your body and skin from Sun / Thorns / Insects / Prickles, etc)
Best Time for Andharban Trek
- June to September: Best for dense greenery, mist, active streams and seasonal waterfalls.
- October: Suitable for post-monsoon greenery, reduced rainfall and comparatively clearer views.
- Heavy rainfall can make the route slippery and increase water flow at stream crossings.
- Trek routes, timings and departures may change because of rainfall, forest department instructions or local safety restrictions.
Things to do at Andharban Trek:
Being one of the most stunning treks, there is a lot to do and experience on this trek.
- There are beautiful waterfalls and streams which make for a great backdrop for photography
- Enjoy the monsoons rains and witness the dense jungle turn into a magical wonderland
- Jump into small water streams and swim in these natural swimming pools
- Explore unique flora and fauna and look for several species of birds such as the Jacobin cuckoo, the Malabar whistling thrush, dwarf kingfishers, and minivets native to this place
- Stay amidst nature and experience mental peace and bliss
- Instagram lover? Love blogging? Captures photos and videos to show off to your friends and family!
Places to visit near Andharban:
- Tamhini attractions: You can explore the Tamhini waterfalls, Devkund waterfalls, Tamhini Ghat viewpoint, and the Plus Valley trek just a few kilometers from Pimpri village.
- River Rafting in Kundalika: 10-15 kilometers from Tamhini Ghat, you can enjoy the thrill of white water rafting in the Kundalika River. There are other adventure activities too in which you can keep yourself indulged.
- Explore Lonavala: Between Lonavala and Pimpri, there are amazing places to explore like the Sudhagad Lake, Bhushi Dam, Takmak Point, Shivling Point, Ekole Valley, Morgiri Fort, Korigad Fort, Anghai Fort, Tung Fort, Lohagad fort, Thanale caves, and much more! You can stay back for 2 days after your trek to get lost in the laps of nature, away from the city crowd.
- Visit Lavasa: This planned city is about 2 hours from Pimpri where you can book your stay at high-end resorts. There are also activities like zip-lining, lakeshore kayaking, and jet skiing which you can try here. The Temghar Dam is also a famous spot to visit.
How to Reach Andharban?
- By Road: The starting point of this trek is Pimpri village. It is around 140 km from Mumbai, 50 km from Lonavala, and from Pune to Andharban trek distance is 16 km. From any of these locations, one can either take a cab or board a bus to Pimpri village. Another option is to travel by your private vehicle, however, park at the base village at your own risk.
- By Rail: There are many train options to reach Pune. If you are traveling from Mumbai then Deccan Express, Intercity, Indrayani, or Udyan Express are the best options. While coming from the South, board any train to Mumbai and get down to Pune.
- By Flight: Book a flight to Pune or Mumbai if you are coming from any part of India and then take a cab to reach Pimpri
Vanantara Trek Pune – FAQs
Q1. Where is Vanantara Trek located?
A: Vanantara Trek is located near Pune in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra, surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls, and scenic valleys.
Q2. How far is Vanantara Trek from Pune?
A: Vanantara Trek is approximately 55–70 km from Pune and takes around 2–2.5 hours to reach by road.
Q3. How can I reach Vanantara Trek from Pune?
A: You can join Trekhievers' Pune transport package or report directly to the base village with the self-drive package.
Q4. What are the pickup points for Vanantara Trek from Pune?
A: Pickup points include Novotel Viman Nagar, FC Road, Bremen Chowk, Wakad Flyover, Hinjewadi Phase 1, and Hinjewadi Phase 3.
Q5. What is the price of Vanantara Trek from Pune?
A: Trek prices vary by departure date, so please check the Trekhievers booking page for the latest rates.
Q6. What is included in the Vanantara Trek package?
A: The package includes transport (if selected), breakfast, lunch, trek leader, first aid, and applicable entry charges.
Q7. What is the total trekking distance?
A: The total trekking distance is approximately 6–8 km (round trip).
Q8. How long does the Vanantara Trek take?
A: The trek usually takes around 4–5 hours, including breaks.
Q9. What is the difficulty level of Vanantara Trek?
A: Vanantara Trek is an easy to moderate jungle trek suitable for most participants.
Q10. Can beginners join Vanantara Trek?
A: Yes, beginners with basic fitness can comfortably complete the trek.
Q11. What fitness level is required for Vanantara Trek?
A: Participants should be able to walk for 4–5 hours on uneven and muddy forest trails.
Q12. Who should avoid Vanantara Trek?
A: People with serious injuries, medical conditions, or poor walking endurance should avoid this trek.
Q13. What is the best time to visit Vanantara Trek?
A: The best time is from June to September, with October also offering beautiful post-monsoon scenery.
Q14. What makes Vanantara Trek special?
A: The trek is famous for its dense forests, waterfalls, stream crossings, misty landscapes, and peaceful nature trails.
Q15. Is Vanantara Trek safe during the monsoon?
A: Yes, it is safe when trekking with experienced leaders and following all safety instructions.
Q16. Are entry charges included in the package?
A: Yes, applicable entry charges are included in the Trekhievers package.
Q17. Is a guide necessary for Vanantara Trek?
A: Yes, trekking with a guide is recommended for safety and navigation through the forest.
Q18. Can participants swim in the waterfalls or streams?
A: No, swimming is not permitted unless specifically allowed by the trek leaders.
Q19. Is Vanantara Trek suitable for solo travellers and solo women?
A: Yes, solo travellers and solo women can safely join the scheduled group departures.
Q20. Can children join Vanantara Trek?
A: Yes, eligible children can participate with a parent or guardian, subject to the organiser's age policy.
Q21. What should I carry for Vanantara Trek?
A: Carry trekking shoes, rainwear, a photo ID, 2–3 litres of water, snacks, personal medicines, and an extra pair of clothes.
Q22. Are food, toilets, and mobile network available?
A: Breakfast and lunch are provided, basic washrooms are available near the base village, and mobile network may be weak.
Q23. What time does the Vanantara Trek return to Pune?
A: The group usually returns to Pune between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, depending on traffic and weather.
Q24. Is photography allowed during the trek?
A: Yes, photography is allowed and the trek offers excellent monsoon landscapes and waterfall views.
Q25. What should I wear for Vanantara Trek?
A: Wear quick-dry clothing, trekking shoes with good grip, and a rain jacket or poncho during the monsoon.
