We reached Karad Railway Station in the wee hours of 26 Jan' 06. A 2 hour bus ride from Karad through the picturesque Karad-Chiplun road, which runs parallel to a river for most part, took us to Koyna Nagar. After freshening up, we moved to the forest office, finished the formalities and got permission for 3 days to be in the forest. With the help of forest department, we identified a guide and arranged a jeep to the starting point of the trek, Navja (8 kms from the forest office).

(Click on photos to get a larger view)
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Near Forest Office at Koyna Nagar
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Starting point
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Ready to venture
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Camera is also getting warmed up
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Spotting the pugmarks (Photo Credits: Vandana)
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Pugmarks of the big cat's cubs
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Pugmarks - The big cat
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Observing the pugmarks
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Into the Jungle
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Langur (Photo Credits: Manjit)
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Jungle shots
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Sid Waiting for a Ram Gopal Varma to discover
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Malnourishment even amidst plenty
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Break
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Looking back
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A steep dry patch
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Rest after the steep climb. And a view of the lake
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Almost on top
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A 'been there done that' smile
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A Bison. The only animal we spotted
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A quick break and stretching muscles. We had increased our pace to reach the village before dark. This is also the time when wild animals get out (Photo credits: Mithila)
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Last leg of the journey for the day
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Pitching tents in the village (Photo credits: Manjit)
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The trek, which started at 11.15 am completed at about 7 pm, as we reached the tribal village of Zadoli. It happened to be our guide's village. We were carrying all the necessary provisions with us. While the villagers prepared a delicious dinner of rice, dhal and potatoes, we pitched the tents and freshened up. After a hearty meal, lights were out.

>> Day 2 >>