Salher Fort Trek Experience – Through the Eyes of a Trekker
No invitation is needed for someone to follow his own interests. With that in mind we 16 LMTG colleagues came together to trek the 2nd highest peak of Maharastra and the highest fort in the SHAYADRI region.
About the Place: -
Salher Fort was under Shrimant Sardar Suryajirao Kakade in 1671.
The Mughals attacked the fort in 1672. Almost one lakh soldiers fought in this war. Many soldiers died in this battle but finally Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sent Suryajirao Kakade who won the Battle of Salher. Of all the face to face battles between the Mughals and Suryajirao Kakade's troops, the battle of Salher takes first place. In the 18th century, the Peshwas occupied this fort and later by the British. The money acquired after raiding Surat was brought to this fort first on its way to the Maratha capital forts.
Day1 : 16-08-2025 Saturday(warm up Day)
Sixteen trekkers from different places gathered at the same spot—Mohanlal Mithai Shop near Surat Railway Station at 8:00 AM. With a name like that, we honestly expected to be welcomed with sweets! Instead, we were pleasantly surprised when eight more people from Surat joined us. By the end of the trek, what we got was something even sweeter—a special bond with them. And at Valsad, the sweetness continued, as more people joined in. Once the headcount finally hit 27, we were all set to head towards the base camp of the Salher Fort Trek… but wait—what about breakfast?! It’s already 9AM and our stomach are carving for food.
What is the best snacks you will find, when u are nearing Maharashtra Border??? Of course, it had to be Vada Pav—ranked 39th in Taste Atlas’s list of the Best Sandwiches in the world, and the only Indian entry in the top 50. We made a quick stop to Savor this legendary bite at a little joint called ITALVA, Navsari on the way to Nasik.And trust me, guys—the piping hot vada paired with the freshly baked pav was the perfect combo to satisfy our hungry stomachs, all for just ₹15 a plateAfter that hearty breakfast, our hungry stomachs were satisfied just enough to keep us going for another three hours—right until we reached our lunch spot at 12:30 PM, a quaint little hamlet called Chikli.
But wait… aren’t we missing something? From 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM—what happened in between? Does it ring a bell? Hmmmmm… here come the details!
Once everyone was on board, we kicked things with team introductions—but with a twist. Instead of simply saying our names, each person had to act out their name (yes, just like in Dumb Charades!) while the rest of us guessed. After the guessing part, everyone had to answer four questions:
1. What is your name?
2. Where are you from?
3. What is your profession?
4. What has been your life-changing experience? (Definitely the trickiest question of all… lol)
During this fun exercise, we discovered that quite a few among us were surprisingly talented actors—honestly, some could even audition for Bollywood! (haha). Amidst all the fun and laughter, none of us realized how quickly time passed. It was only when the organizer knocked on the bus door and announced that we had arrived at Chikli, our lunch halt, that we snapped back to reality. The intro session was such a riot of fun that by the time it ended, the Vada Pav was long digested—and maybe even erased from memory!
We hopped the bus and freshened up for lunch, buzzing with excitement and curiosity—what delicacies would be waiting for us on the plates? Soon, the mystery was revealed: steaming hot rice, soft chapatis fresh the tava, comforting dal, a flavorful mixed vegetable curry, and a glass of cool, refreshing buttermilk. Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, the meal ended on a sweet note with Sira—a luscious dessert made from roasted granulated wheat, ghee, and sugar, melting in the mouth with every bite..yummmmm.. you are also feeling the same naaa.. As all the items were being prepared, our trek lead Kush called us together to capture some memories with a group picture. After all, who wouldn’t want to be part of it? We all did a quick touch-up, got ready, and here it is...
Chalo Chalo abhi next chapter..
With lunch done and energy restored, we realized we had already covered half the distance to our destination—yet there were still three more hours of the journey left before reaching the campsite. After that heavy, satisfying lunch, everyone was on the verge of dozing o … But, but, but—sleeping is what we do every day at home, right? Not on an adventure trip like this!
Naturally, the post-lunch drowsiness started to creep in… so we needed something to shake it o . And what better way than Antakshari? But wait—this wasn’t the same old song-and-dance routine that every Indian group falls back on. Nope, this time we added a delicious twist! Instead of songs, we played Food Antakshari. The rules were simple: say the name of a dish—like Dahi Vada—and the opposite team had to come up with another dish starting with the last letter. Before we knew it, our bus was buzzing not with melodies, but with mouth-watering dish names flying back and forth! And before we knew it, we had reached the campsite! Everyone was so engrossed in the game that time just flew by—like a cool breeze through the hills. The breathtaking views of the Shayadri ghat mountains are just jaw dropping. Clouds played a playful game of hide-and-seek, drifting across the majestic mountain ranges that surrounded Salher Fort, our much-awaited trekking point.
We had finally reached the base camp, and to our surprise, the stay arrangements were nothing short of perfect. Neatly pitched three-sharing tents awaited us, each complete with a sleeping mat and a cozy sleeping bag. Without wasting a moment, everyone rushed to claim their spots and settled in comfortably in groups of three. And what’s better than a hot cup of tea or cofee in the crisp mountain air? Just as we were soaking in the atmosphere, the ever-smiling caretakers welcomed us with steaming hi-tea and crunchy popcorn. It was the perfect little treat to lift our spirits. Soon after, with renewed energy, we geared up for a short, refreshing hike to a nearby waterfall—our first little adventure before the big trek ahead
Just as we were about to step out of the base camp, the skies opened up and it began to pour! But no worries—we had come prepared for the rain gods with our raincoats and ponchos. A big shoutout to our organizers, who had briefed us well in advance about the terrain and unpredictable weather. With our rain gear on, we were all set to move.
Before heading out, Kush gathered us together and explained the dos and don’ts, along with the policies of Wild Voyages—a trekking company from Valsad that organizes treks across some of the best trails in India. For this adventure, we were lucky to have not one but three trek leads: Kush, Rohit, and Yuvraj—who, by the end of the trek, were no longer just our guides but our friends. With Yuvi being the local guy from the village of Salher. You always need a local guy to know the place much better
From a distance, we could already spot the waterfall, glistening like a silver thread against the greenery. To get there, our path first led us through wide stretches of paddy fields, swaying gently in the breeze. Soon, we reached a small river that stood between us and the waterfall. As Yuvraj, our ever-enthusiastic local guide, had explained, crossing it was part of the adventure—and only then could we reach the falls.
But the heavy rains had other plans for us. The river we had to cross was now flooded, its waters gushing wildly, making it almost impossible to think of crossing. We were damn sure it couldn’t be done. Soon, murmurs spread through the group—some of us anxiously discussing alternate routes, while others simply stood there as spectators, watching the force of nature unfold before our eyes. Just when we thought we might have to turn back to the base camp, our local hero Yuvraj came up with another plan. He guided us to a safer spot upstream where the river was relatively calmer. That news instantly lifted everyone’s spirits. Without hesitation, Yuvraj crossed first with a rope, tied it firmly to a rock on the other side, and created a secure line for us. One by one, we formed a human chain, holding on to each other for support, and slowly made our way across. With teamwork, courage, and a little help from the rope, we finally conquered the river.
We pushed forward through the rain but soon realized that our raincoats were no match for the weather and the rugged terrain. The constant brushing against thorny bushes and low-hanging branches had left many of them torn. Eventually, several of us had no choice but to take them altogether embracing the rain as part of the journey.
At last, we reached the little waterfall—and the sight was worth every step. The sound of the gushing water, the mist in the air, and the cool breeze instantly relaxed us. Some of us even tried a bit of rope climbing, adding a dash of adventure to the moment. We spent a good hour there, soaking in the beauty and enjoying the break, before it was time to head back to the base camp where hot tea and snacks were waiting for us.
Thankfully, on our return, the river had calmed down quite a bit since the rains had stopped, making the crossing much easier this time.
Back at the base camp, we quickly freshened up and gathered for tea. By then, hunger had already kicked in, and many of us couldn’t resist opening our snack packets. Meanwhile, the aroma from the kitchen made it clear that dinner was going to be delicious—even before it was served. Before the meal, we had a short feedback session to reflect on Day 1, sharing our experiences and laughs from the trek.
Dinner time, folks! The menu was simple yet satisfying—rice, chapati, dal, cauliflower curry, and a sweet serving of sheera. It felt quite similar to what we had for lunch, but after a long, adventurous day, it tasted just perfect. With our stomachs full, our minds buzzing with memories of the trek, and a few horror stories adding to the fun, we finally headed to our tents. Amidst laughter, chatter, and the occasional snore, we signed off for Day 1
Day2 : 17-08-2025 Sunday(The summit Day)
After a memorable Day 1, we were all set to face the next challenge. Our trek leads had already briefed us about the dificulties awaiting us today, and we knew the climb would be even tougher if it rained. To our dismay, the morning greeted us with heavy showers, making us a little anxious about what lay ahead. The biggest concern was the infamous stretch of the trail—a steep flight of stairs inclined at nearly 70 degrees, which we had to conquer in order to reach the peak of the fort.
With poha in the breakfast , channa masala as a snack, electrolyte as energy booster we are all set to climb the Salher Fort.
After a short walk through the quaint village of Salher, we arrived at the trek’s base point. Here, Kush gathered us once again to explain the trek rules and the essential do’s and don’ts. As he spoke, our eyes couldn’t help but wander toward the mesmerizing views all around—the rolling hills, the misty skies, and the lush green landscapes. With the instructions clear and spirits high, we finally took our very first step towards the summit.
The trek was divided into three distinct patches. The first one was relatively easy, with neatly carved steps guiding us all the way up to the second stage. But the real challenge began in the second patch—by far the toughest part of the trek. Here, the trail narrowed into steep stairs, with solid rock supporting us on one side and a sheer drop straight down the hillside on the other. A single slip here was unthinkable. Finally, the third patch awaited us—similar to the first in its stone-carved steps, but rising to a much greater height, testing both our endurance and determination
We began the first patch with great energy and excitement, eager to make our way to the top. Along the trail, we slipped, we stumbled, even crawled at times—but with each other’s support, we kept moving forward. The rain continued to play its little game of hide and seek, but by now we had already acclimatized to the unique climate of the Salher region. Nothing could dampen our spirits. Kush was very helpful for all of us who are struggling to climb. He was always there in the front and if required in the back also. As we had 3 guides. Yuvraj the local guy was in front, Kush was in middle and Rohit was in the last.
We crossed the first patch quickly and soon arrived at the real testing point—the second patch. To recharge ourselves, we boosted our energy with a few sips of electrolytes and some shared snacks, a little act of bonding that made the climb feel lighter. By this time, we had reached a height where the clouds drifted right past us, brushing against our faces. The tiny droplets of condensed water felt like nature’s own mist spray—so refreshing that with every inhale, we felt younger, lighter, and more alive.
The second patch began with a bang—the sight of the vertical steps looming ahead. They were so steep that standing upright, you couldn’t even see the topmost step. To get a full view, you’d have to bend backward, but that was out of the question—one wrong move at that height could send you tumbling down. The sheer angle of the climb was enough to send chills down our spines. The only way to climb the steps is not to climb but to crawllll.. yes we had used our hand and legs to climb the steps someone like our ancestors. On the way we found some , but kush has already informed not to entertain them with any kind of snacks or drinks. We were climbing thinking that how to get down, because climbing up is optional but getting down is mandatory. The second patch turned out to be the most tiring yet adventurous part of the trek. Every step demanded caution—far more than the first patch—but with patience and teamwork, we managed to conquer it. Then came a much-needed halt. And of course, it was photo time—pics, pics, and more pics! We clicked away as if we had just stepped into heaven… and in that moment, it truly felt like we had.
We marched onward to the third patch, steadily gaining altitude with every step. By now, a thick mist had blanketed the trail, reducing visibility to almost nothing. Yet, the zeal within us kept us moving forward. Whenever the path seemed unclear, our determination and teamwork helped us find the way through the fog. Finally, after nearly three hours of trekking, we set foot on the peak of Salher Fort. At the summit stood a small, serene temple—a perfect vantage point to look out over the breathtaking landscapes below. To recharge ourselves at the top, we opened our packets of chana masala—nothing fancy, but at that moment it felt like a feast. It was the perfect fuel to fill our empty stomachs and give us the energy we needed for the descent ahead.
After spending a wonderful hour at the summit—soaking in the views, clicking countless group photos, and of course some solo shots destined to become new DPs—it was time to begin our descent. Usually, getting down is easier than climbing up, but not on the Salher Fort trek. The steep trails demanded the same caution, if not more. To make it trickier, the rain seemed to descend along with us, following every step of our journey back. The rain made the trail so slippery that most of us ended up falling more than actually walking. Every few steps, the air was filled with shouts of ‘oye!’ ‘arre!’ ‘careful!’ ‘gaya… gaya… gaya!’—followed by bursts of laughter. Honestly, this had to be the funniest part of the trek. Some slipped and, in the process, pulled others down with them, turning the descent into a hilarious chain reaction.
Amidst the rain, the tumbles, and the endless jokes, we rediscovered the children within us—laughing, teasing, even snatching snacks from one another. Thanks to the magical climate of Salher Fort, that carefree spirit came alive again, reminding us how beautiful it feels to just let go and enjoy the moment. After nearly two hours of careful descent, we finally reached the base of the trek. And with that, we could proudly say—we had conquered Salher Fort. It felt like a true achievement. Our legs ached with pain, but our eyes sparkled with joy, and our heads were held high with pride. This was not just another trek; it was an experience etched into our memories for a lifetime.
The relentless rain, the slippery paths, the steep stairs—none of it could stop us from reaching the heights of Salher Fort. Along the way, we learned to respect nature, and in return, it felt as though the rains, the rivers, and even the drifting clouds became our companions on this unforgettable journey.
Back at the base camp, a hot lunch was waiting for us, and we pounced on it without a word—hunger had completely taken over, and the silence at the table said it all… lol. After that hearty meal, it was time to wrap up our adventure. With a six-hour drive back to Surat ahead of us, we quickly packed our bags, thanked the caretakers for their warm hospitality and delicious food, and of course, bowed our heads in gratitude to the mighty mountains—for hosting us, challenging us, and allowing us the privilege of trekking through their trails.
A special thanks goes out to our amazing trek leads—Kush, Yuvraj, and Rohit—whose guidance, patience, and encouragement made this journey both safe and memorable. We are equally grateful to Wild Voyages for organizing the trek so beautifully and for taking such good care of us at every step. It was an experience to cherish, and we would love to be part of many more adventures with you in the near future. Cheers to the mountains, the memories, and the friendships we made along the way!
“Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.” —David McCullough Jr.