The Flamingos are visiting!

Spend your Sunday morning in the company of Flamingos and other migratory birds. Join The Western Routes for our day trip to the Ujjani Dam backwaters near Bhigwan, then proceed to see the beautiful and graceful Chinkaras in their natural grassland habitat at Mayureshwar and finally to the stunning rock-carved Bhuleshwar temple!

All three destinations are a photographer's delight!

Date - Sunday, 30 November 2014

Tentative Schedule

6:00 AM - Assemble at Dominoes Pizza at Nal Stop (Opp. Hotel Nisarg) - Safe parking space available for cars and bikes on the road.
6:15 AM - Depart for Bhigwan via Swargate & Hadapsar...
8:00 AM - Break for a packed Breakfast and tea en-route
10:00 AM - Reach Bhigwan/Diksal. Get on to a boat to observe the birds at close quarters. Return to the shore and continue bird-watching in the surrounding areas.
12:00 PM - Head to Baramati for lunch.
2:00 PM - Depart for Bhuleshwar temple with a brief stop at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary en route.
4:30 PM - Arrive at Bhuleshwar temple and explore the rock-carved interiors of this temple.
6:00 PM - Depart for Pune with a tea break en route
8:00 PM - Arrive in Pune

The route taken will be
Nal Stop - Mhatre Bridge - Swargate - Hadapsar - Loni - Bhigwan - Diksal - Baramati - Supe (Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary) - Bhuleshwar - Yavat - Hadapsar - Pune


Costs
INR 1400 per head (Adults)
INR 1000 per child (5-11 years)

The cost includes
- Pune to Pune travel in a comfortable mini-bus
- Breakfast, Lunch & Evening Tea & Snacks
- Boat Ride at the Ujjani Dam backwaters
- Expertise Charges
- All Taxes

The cost does not include
- Personal expenses (Cold drinks, mineral water etc.)
- Meals other than specified
- Anything not mentioned in the 'includes' list
- Travel Insurance

To further details or to book a place on this trip, contact

Jayesh - 9011040773
Shruti - 9405591758
info@thewesternroutes.com

To confirm your seat, please proceed for making the payment. Here are the bank details for an online transfer

Account Name: The Western Routes
Account Number: 01492560005495
Account Type: Current
Bank & Branch: HDFC Bank, Kothrud, Pune
IFSC/RTGS: HDFC0000149

Mention 'BHIGWAN' in the transaction reference

Things to carry
• Carry a bottle of water.
• Sun cap/scarf for protection from the sun
• Comfortable walking shoes or floaters/loafers. Try not to wear sandals or flip-flops.
• Necessary personal toiletries (Sun screen etc.)
• Personal medicines (We will have a basic first-aid kit with medicines, but if you require any special medicines, please carry them)
• Binoculars & Camera

UJJANI DAM & BHIGWAN
Bhigwan is the name of a small town around 110 km from Pune on the Pune – Solapur Road (NH-9). It is surrounded by the backwaters of the mighty Ujjani Dam on the river Bhima. The vast shallow expanse of the backwaters of the dam is one of India's best wetlands. The backwater area is spread across and around the town of Bhigwan. It is one of the few wetlands in Maharashtra which is preferred by the Greater Flamingos, which stay in and around the backwaters nearly throughout the year. The productive waters also other attract bird species like Painted Storks, Ibises, Stilts & Plovers, Terns, and even Ospreys, along with an enormous number of different duck species.

MAYURESHWAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Most famous for one of the eight Ashtavinayak temples (Morgaon) dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for the Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) who finds a safe refuge here. More recently there have been reports of wolves, foxes and hyenas being spotted by locals, the forest department and a few tourists who frequent this place for the sheer joy of seeing rare and endangered wildlife so close to the city. Despite human pressure on all sides, the sanctuary continues to survive and remains a wonderful gateway for people from Pune and nearby areas.

BHULESHWAR TEMPLE
Bhuleshwar is a Hindu temple of Shiva, built in the 13th century (1230 AD) during the Yadava Rulers. The fort on which the temple is situated is called as Daulatmangal fort, also at times referred as Mangalgad. It is believed that the temple was ruined by Muslim invaders and reconstructed later because the entrance of the temple is hidden. It is said that Parvati danced for Shiva and from here they went to Kailash and got married. The temple also has an idol of Ganesha in female attire. It is popular as Ganeshwari or Lambodari or Ganeshyani. The stunning rock carvings in the temple are reminiscent of carvings in temples at Khajuraho.