Dajipur, A Perfect Weekend Getaway for Trekkers (only)!

Situated amidst the dense forests of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg, is a small village, Dajipur. Trekking in this area near backwaters of the Radhanagari dam should be experienced at least once. It takes 3 hours to reach Dajipur from Kolhapur, which makes it an 8 hours journey from Pune. The undulating topography offers spectacular views on the way to Dajipur. The Radhanagari dam constructed by Shahu Maharaj in pre-independence times has added greenery to the natural beauty of ghats. The Indian bison (Gaur) found in Dajipur is one of the major tourist attractions.

One has to say that, for those who wish to have nice and cozy holiday, Dajipur is a big NO. The tourist vehicles can reach up to a certain point on the trail. Trekking can be difficult after first few kilometers for those who are not prepared or used to walk. The insides of Dajipur forest, just like any other pristine and evergreen region, offers the recluse and cool atmosphere we (urban people) all crave for. The only thing that can bring us to the heart of forest is walking. Our experienced guide, provided us with information about plants, animals and also about the tourists who visit the place.

The best time to spot bison is the wee hours of mornings. In the monsoon season, one can even see herds of bison soaking in the rains. Unfortunately, we started off at 9 am and by the time we reached the top, it was 12-12:30 pm. Apart from rustling sounds at few spots, we couldn't hear/see anything. The trek was however, worth the effort we took in walking (5½ -6 hours). The evergreen forest which has flourished in the backwaters of Radhanagari doesn't make you feel tired. Even though, we had to trek for almost 6 hours, it didn't dehydrate or made us feel sick at all. Of course we started feeling a bit tired at the end; but, the whole experience was far more enjoyable and fulfilling than the difficulties we had to face. No Pains, No Gains !!!