Bhimashankar Jungle Trek
Bhimashankar Jungle Trek is a scenic rainforest trail in the Sahyadris of Pune, Maharashtra, leading to one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlinga shrines through the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary. Enquire or use Notify me for route details and upcoming updates.
Bhimashankar Jungle Trek
This trek takes you deep into the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the richest biodiversity pockets in the northern Sahyadris and home to the shekru, the giant Indian squirrel that is Maharashtra's state animal. Starting from the forest-fringe village of Khandas, the route climbs through a thick, multi-canopy jungle via a rugged ghat section, with the forest floor carpeted in ferns and fungi during the monsoon and small streams and waterfalls crossing the path at several points. What sets this trek apart from a typical fort climb is the sheer density and variety of the forest itself: towering trees, hanging vines, calls of forest birds, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife make it feel more like a jungle expedition than a hill walk. The final stretch emerges onto the plateau near Bhimashankar, but the focus of this route is squarely on the sanctuary's ecology and the adventure of moving through dense, leech-prone forest rather than on the temple or fort at the top.
Highlights
- Trekking through the core Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the giant squirrel (shekru)
- Dense, multi-layered forest canopy with ferns, fungi, and vines carpeting the trail
- Several small streams and waterfalls crossing the jungle path
- A rugged ghat section that adds a genuine adventure element to the climb
- Rich birdlife and monsoon biodiversity found only in this protected forest belt
Who is this for?
Suited for trekkers with moderate fitness and a genuine interest in forest ecology and wildlife, who are comfortable with a sustained forest climb, water crossings, and monsoon conditions including leeches; not recommended for those uneasy with dense, low-visibility jungle terrain.
Detailed Itinerary
05:00 AM
Pickup from Mumbai
08:30 AM
Arrival at Khandas base village
09:00 AM
Trek begins
10:30 AM
Ghat section and stream crossings
12:30 PM
Reaching the upper plateau edge
01:00 PM
Lunch
02:00 PM
Descent through the sanctuary
04:00 PM
Back at base village
04:30 PM
Depart for Mumbai
08:30 PM
Drop back in Mumbai
What's Included & Excluded
Inclusions
- Return transport from Mumbai pickup points to Khandas base village
- Breakfast and packed lunch during the trek
- Services of certified trek leaders and local forest guides
- Wildlife sanctuary entry permits
- First-aid kit and safety equipment for stream and ghat crossings
Exclusions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel/trek insurance
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Pick-up & Drop
Standard pick-up points along the route:
- Dadar — 5:00 AM
- Sion — 5:15 AM
- Thane — 5:30 AM
- Kalyan — 6:00 AM
- Murbad — 7:00 AM
The group is dropped back at the original Mumbai pickup points by approximately 8:30 PM.
Things To Carry
- Full-length quick-dry trekking clothes
- Sturdy trekking shoes with strong grip
- Anti-leech socks or salt for leech protection (essential in this sanctuary)
- Rain poncho and backpack rain cover
- Water bottle (2 litres) and energy snacks
- A torch/headlamp as backup
- Insect repellent
- A change of dry clothes for the return journey
Frequently Asked Questions
Will we see the giant squirrel or other wildlife?
Sightings are never guaranteed since it is a genuinely wild forest, but the sanctuary is well known for the shekru, hornbills, and other forest birds, and guides know the spots where sightings are more likely.
How bad are the leeches on this route?
This is one of the more leech-prone trails near Mumbai during monsoon, so anti-leech socks and salt are strongly recommended and briefed in detail before the trek.
Does this trek include the Bhimashankar temple visit?
This route is focused on the sanctuary and forest experience; the temple and fort plateau are covered in our separate classic Bhimashankar Trek.
Cancellation & Policy Reference
Note: We are not currently accepting online bookings. These policy terms apply when scheduled departures and online bookings resume. Read the full documents here — Booking Policy · Cancellation & Refund.
Summary
- Cancellation 15+ days before event: 90% refund (10% admin fee deducted).
- 7–14 days before event: 50% refund (or 100% credit voucher valid 12 months).
- 3–7 days before event: 25% refund (or 75% credit voucher).
- 0–2 days before event / No-show: No refund.
- One free date-shift if requested at least 7 days before the event (subsequent shifts: ₹250/person admin fee).
- No refund on no-show, weather-related cancellations from customer end, or missing valid photo ID at base.
Event-specific Policy
A valid government-issued photo ID is mandatory for every participant. Consumption of alcohol or any intoxicating substance before or during the trek is strictly prohibited. Since this route runs through a protected wildlife sanctuary with a rugged ghat section, the trek leader's decision on pace, route, or turnaround due to weather or wildlife activity is final and binding for everyone's safety.