Anjaneri trek

This was our first trip/trek for 2020 and while the spot was decided almost a month ago, we went with almost zero planning.

Overall iternary was

Pune - Lenyadri - Anjaneri - Pune

Why we chose this iternary? Based on information available on Google, Anjaneri is a medium level trek so we wanted to start early to avoid the heat, hence had taken a hotel in Nashik for an overnight stay so as to start the trek early.

For the sake of this article, I'll assume that we are having a trip from Pune-Nashik-Anjaneri

Journey

Pune to Nashik to Anjaneri

Road from Pune to Nashik is great after Alephata. It changes to a 4 lane road (2+2) and the traffic really eases out due to that. Upto Alephata the road conditions are ok, but construction work is in progress for road widening. 

Toll booths along the road encourage fasttag, so if you have one, you are luck!

Anjaneri is on Nashik-Trimbakeshwar road which also is a nice stretch of road. We had stayed in a hotel (Hotel Ibis) in Nashik with the expectation of starting early, but didn't 😣. 

Breakfast

Nashik-Trimbakeshwar road has a lot of hotels where you can have breakfast. We had our breakfast at Hotel Sanskruti. Pretty nice hotel with a lot of variety and good taste. Service is also fast. 

Having stuffed our tummies with food, we started our journey again. Do follow Google maps and take the directions as maps shows to reach the base destination..

Anjaneri parking lot

Anjannary Hanuman Janmabhumi Rd, Maharashtra 422213

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oSVNWkV1v3f8Lgtb9

You will see a board which says Anjaneri to the left, don't take take, maps guides us via a different route just about 100 mts from this board. The road turns into a non paved road, but don't worry about it, you can drive a car right up that road. I have a dzire and was able to drive it right upto the mentioned parking lot without any bumps underneath. 

Enroute you will see a temple for Anjani mata.

Beautiful temple showing Her holding Hanuman on her shoulders 🥰

There is a parking lot just a few meters up route from the temple. Parking here is free. Or you can drive your vehicle right upto the earlier mentioned parking lot. You have to pay a meagre fee of ₹30 per car + ₹10 per adult. Don't fret about the road conditions even though you are paying a fee. The road falls in the forest department and per the forest officials, the road cannot be paved. Having said that because of the road conditions it gives you the opportunity of check out the surroundings as you crawl at a slow pace, else you might be zipping past the nature.

Up near the parking lot, there are forest officials instructing on vehicle parking. Don't expect a fancy parking lot, it's pretty much roadside. Beware of monkeys, they tend to sit on the car and fiddle around with the mirrors 😒.

The forest officials check your bags and belongings for any food items before you start on the trek. It is advised not to feed the monkeys but people still do it. 

Anyways.. let's split the trek into 3 parts

1st part. 

This is a series of steps, easy to tiring ones. The steps start easy and then get a bit tougher as the altitude increases.

This portion is really tiring if you are not a regular trekker (like me). Pace your climb so you don't find yourself rushing in thr easier steps and then rushing for breath in the steps in the 2nd photo. Beware of monkeys in the area in the 2nd photo, they tend to jump on your bags here. Set your sights on the railing that you see up as your small goal to meet. This climb will lead you into a plateau. You can have your first pit-stop here are a small shack which sells Lemon juice, water and maggi.

Part 2. 

This is a plateau. Almost a flat land with light trek, with very little climb. This gives you the opportunity to grab your breath. There are a few trees which can give you a much needed respite from the sun. The inspiration here is a temple that you see as your next destination. That's another temple of Anjani mata. There are 2 shacks here which sell lemon juice, water, tea, maggi and cucumbers. If you call upfront (a day prior) one of them would even set up lunch for you.

Here's the number for one of them (provided with his permission). This is for a big green shack near Anjani mata temple

Pappu: 9011848220

Part 3. 

The final section of the trek which leads to Hanuman temple. The final series of steps starts beside a small lake. This is another strenuous trek for people like me. The rate of climb is pretty good and has steps, so you would not find yourself struggling with loose soil slipping beneath your feet. 

The lake below looks like Hanumanji's foot as you look down towards it.

This climb will lead you to another plateau on the top of the mountain. Follow the trail it'll lead you to the temple. The trail if you think is small.. nope it'll still take a good 10-15 mins before you reach the temple as it emerges into the view as you make your way towards it.

Another shack up there, selling same stuff as earlier ones. Take darshan where you see Anjani mata holding Hanuman in Her arms. Soaking in their blessings makes your feel energized again. 

Further you can proceed to get a bird's eye view of the valley below and enjoy nature's beauty.

The climb down is easy as we expect it to be.. but... Here's the twist, again for people like me whose muscles get tired with the climb and sometimes you feel your feet shaking or feel the pressure on your knees with every step down.

Overall a nice trek with a climb of around 2-3 hrs depending on your capabilities and a return trip of 1-1.5 hrs.

Start the trip early in the morning at 7 or 7:30 as the sun and the heat really gets to you. Monsoon or Winter would be the best time avoid Summer time for sure.

Have a safe trip. Feel free to convey your comments or if there is any more information that you feel I might have missed.