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Kohoj

Journey is always half the adventure. Destination is the epicenter but not a destiny of an Exploring Mysterious Kohoj Fort from a new route; This lesser known mysterious fort stands on the beautiful hill on the road from Manor to Wada.

Kohoj is a moderately difficult hike to the top in monsoon is a fresh experience. The treks takes around 3 hours to climb uphill and slightly less than than while climbing down. The hike to Kohoj fort has all ingredients for a pleasant small eco-adventure landscapes reflecting in small lakes, hills, plateaus, misty atmosphere, flora and fauna (wild and domestic), remote hamlets, the two very peculiarly human like shaped pinnacles are the guiding lighthouse to this. This mysterious fort plays hide and seek in the monsoon clouds.

The view from the top is mind blowing. You will also find water tanks on the top. Dheraj River, the vaitharna river, Bandre dam and Tak-Mak.

Altitude - 3200 feet above mean sea level.

Category – Moderately tough 3 hours climb; 2 hour descend

                                                                                                                              

Location – Manor Region.

Fixed Schedule Trek Date: July 27, 2014 (Sunday)

Trek Fee: Rs.1250/- per head. (Trek is on July 27)
20% Discount for Students below 18 years old.
(For students kindly carry your photo id with age proof).
Minimum age: 10 Years Old.

Terms of trek and cancellation policy

Planned Schedule:

6:00 am Andheri West, Merwans Bakery (S. V. Road)
6:15 am Andheri East, (near exit of Metro Station on Western Express Highway)
6:30 am Goregaon East, (Western Express Highway)
6:40 am Madal East and Kandivali East (Western Express Highway)
6:50 am Borivali East, Western Express Highway (near Luxury bus boarding point opposite to National Park Main Gate)
7:00 am After Dahisar Toll Naka
7:30 am Vasai / Virar on Western Express Highway (Mumbai - Ahmedabad Highway)
Breakfast on the way
9:00 am Start of the trek
12:30 pm arrive at the summit
explore the fort
02:00 pm Start return trek
05:00 pm start return journey
09:00 pm expected time to be back on Andheri subject to traffic conditions.

Kohoj is located about 104 km from Mumbai off the Mumbai - Ahmedabad Highway. Upon reaching Manor you have to take a right turn under a newly built flyover and take the Manor - Wada road. It is approximately around 10 km from the right turn. A few minutes drive on this road and one can see the Kohoj fort on your right. At the bottom of the fort is a lake known as 'Pazhar'.

History

Very few of the historical evidences are coherent to this fort. Looking at its well-dug cisterns, the fort can be said to be belonging to Bhoj-period. But no such evidences are available.

The fort is said to be about 800 years old and finds a mention in the Purandar treaty along with 22 other forts which were surrendered by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the Mughals on 11 June 1665.

In 16th century, Portuguese captured this fort from the King of Gujarat. They constructed fortifications and bastions on this fort. Later, in 18th century, Peshwas conquered this fort in their campaign of 1737. Afterwards the fort remained under the British rule.

More information about  the fort.

Kohoj has a moderately difficult gradient, the final destination of this trek is a main plateau about 3 hours hike from Vaghote village which is situated a the base of the fort. To reach the highest point it takes another 10–15 minutes. The height of the fort is about 3200 feet.

Upon reaching the main plateau one can find a small temple of God Shankar. A little towards the right are two small water cisterns. These cisterns have potable water. A few minutes walk towards the opposite side reveal several water cisterns.

At the edge of the main plateau there are many small water streams flowing downwards. But the winds up on this plateau are very heavy. With the already heavy winds blowing against the streams, the water from the streams rise back up and you end up having an experience of a lifetime.

On the path leading to the top of the fort there are three more cisterns and a stone idol of Lord Hanuman can be seen. Some evidence of fortification can be sighted as well.

Atop the fort is a stone structure which resembles a human figure. This human like figure can be seen from the main plateau as well as from the base of the fort. Towards the right of the human structure is a small temple of Lord Krishna. It also has an old mutilated stone deity which could not be identified.

Explore more treks in Maharashtra click here

Korigad trek

Koraigad (also called Korigad, Koarigad or Kumwarigad) 

Trek can be covered during daytime, evening or as a Night Trek, Easy trek that takes you at a vantage point from one gets a Bird's Eye View of Ambi Valley (Model Hill Station Township), Ancient fort exploration, Few old temple complexes, during monsoon and early winter the fort also has couple of small ponds, Exploring Rural countryside near Koraigad, On the way back we will also stop at Tiger Hill.

Altitude: 3000 Feet above mean sea level

Trek Grade: Easy (Suitable for beginners and children too).

Experience Category: Trek easy grade climbing a hill fort (around one hour to one and half hour climb; less than one hour to descend; plus time spend exploring the fort).

Location: 20 KM from Lonavala along Ambi Valley Route (Base village - Peth Shahpur village)

Best Season: the Best season is Monsoon and Winter, but is good round the year.

In Summers a Good Trek for Mornings and Evening...

Duration: One Day trip from Pune / Mumbai.

Who is for? Families with kids / Individuals interested in getting first time introduced to trekking with an easy grade. 

Recomended Schedule:

6:00 am Start from Mumbai / Pune

8:30 am  – Meet at Lonavala

Drive from Lonavala to Base Village (45 minutes)

9:45 am / 9:00 am Arrival at base village

Tapri Chai / Biscuit / Snack at Base village

10:30 am Start of trek

60 to 90 minutes easy trek to the summit from base village

Explore the fort

01:00 pm Return Trek from summit to base village

02:30 On the way back recommended stop at Lion Head point.

Back in Lonavala between 04:00 pm

Trek Fee –

Ex. Lonavala	Ex. Mumbai / Pune	Minimum Group Size
650	825	40
770	850	25
950	1450	10
1150	2350	5

Trek fee includes:
Trek Management; Trek Lead; Safety Equipment and First Aid
Transport to base village and back
Breakfast and Evening Tea/Snack (Rural tea/Snacks/Breakfast).

If you want only experienced trek guide call.

There are plenty of options to reach Lonavala from Mumbai / Pune: Train, Luxury Bus, Share Cabs, Private Cabs, ST etc.

Click here for registration / bank details

Click here for other scheduled treks/camps/road trips/travel 

Click here for One Day Trek Checklist 

Experiences:

Easy Trek, Ancient Fort Exploration and Exploring Rural Countryside.

Scroll down to know more about  places around Lonavala.. also if you would like to plan a custom trek for a group.

Click here for additional transport cost and options

Exclusions:
Food is not included, Bottled Water or other beverages other than mentioned above not included, Tips not include.

Anything that is not included is excluded.

To design Custom trips for large group of over 20 persons or more kindly get in touch with Asif (whatsapp / sms : +91-9619182010 / asif@natureknights.net )

Commercial Terms / Cancellation Policy for One Day Trek Click Here

Night Trek

More about Korigad Fort

Korigad (Koraigad, Koarigad / Kumwarigad) is a hill fort located about 20 km South of Lonavala in the Maval region is the Koraigad fort which offers a panoramic view of the Deccan Plateau as well as the Konkan region. To get here you have to take the INS Shivaji road from Lonavala to Ghusalkhamb, Peth-Shahpur and Ambawawne, the village at the foothill. From here is a slightly arduous path through moderately thick forest leads to a flight of steps take you to the main entrance of fort. From the village of Peth-Shahpur you can see Koraigad hill rising like a steep wall. Its height is 3000 feet from mean sea level, but the height from peth-shahpur to the top is about 800-1000 feet. The path to the forest goes along a flat plain for quite a while before entering the forest just below the fort. From here to the main doorway is a steep climb, through dense vegetation. Among the various trees which can be found here are fig, mango, bamboo, hirda, kokum, nirgudi, karti, raanwangi, ghasodi. Occasional rare spotting of barking deer, boars, peacocks, doves are among the animals and birds found here. Half-way along the path to the left, you can see a carved Ganpati idol in a rock. Further ahead, just short of the main doorway, is a water tank, containing cool and fresh water. On entering the main door, you find a cannon lying to one side. To the left is the main gateway, the Ganesh Gate. From here far to the left, you can see the Duke’s Nose and the INS Shivaji area, while straight ahead is the Jambhuli mountain range beyond which is Tungi hill. The southern side of the fort has a temple dedicated to Koraidevi. The roof of this temple had been blown away some time ago, but now some enthusiasts have got together and had a new roof fixed. Outside the temple are two stone lamps. Inside is a four feet tall idol of the goddess. Behind the temple, adjacent to the ramparts of the fort, this is by far the largest. To the south is the well-fortified Ambavane gateway. There are two lakes on the hill where often groups of vultures hover. Visible from here are the Mulshi lake, the Bhamburda mountain and the Durga hill. The western part of the fort contains some caves and an idol of Vishnu. From the northern bastion of the fort, there is a panoramic view of the Konkan area.

Things to explore on the fort, there are few temples on the fort to its patron goddess Koraidevi also exists along with several smaller temples to dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The former has been recently renovated and has a 3 foot high Deepmala(tower of lamps). The interesting part of the fort is that its wall is completely intact and one can walk along its entire perimeter(about 2 km). Its massive gate is also intact. Several ruins of older structures within the fort still exist. It has six cannons - the largest of which called the Laxmi Toph is located near the Korai devi temple.

This fort was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji along with the forts of Lohagad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657. On March 11, 1818, Colonel Prother tried to take over this fort but even after a prolonged siege could not make any headway. Finally on 14 March, by igniting the stored ammunition by means of a loose cannon ball he succeeded and this fort went to the British

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Prabalmachi

Easy trek in countryside with gentle hill climb ending on a plateau having a birds eye view of the region on one side and; Kalavanting durg and Prabalgad fort hill in the backyard.  Prabalmachi is a small hamlet located on this plateau. One will also get to explore small forest; farms; village homes in and around this Hamlet.

Altitude: 1500 Feet above mean sea level

Experience Category: Trek easy grade climbing a hill plateau (around two hour ascend and two hours for  descend; plus time spend exploring the countryside).

Location: 20 KM from Panvel; just off the first exit from Mumbai-Pune Express Highway (Sedung Phata).

Best Season: Best season is Monsoon and Winter; but is good round the year.

Duration: One Day trip from Pune / Mumbai.

Who is for? Families with kids / Individuals interested in getting first time introduced to trekking with easy grade. 

Planned Schedule

Pick-up Points

6:30 am to 07:00 am Pickup (Along Highway Andheri - Vile Parle - Santacruz - Bandra -
Sion - Chembur - Vashi - Belapur)

8:30 am Mc Donald Near Entrance of Express Highway (Break)

Coffee / Tea Break

 9:30 am Arrival at Base Village

Start of Trek

11:00 am Expected time  to Reach Prabalmachi
Tea at Village / Order Lunch / Explore Village and Forest Near By

Village Lunch

Rest
3:00 pm Start our return Trek

5:00 pm Expected to reach back at Car Park

Return Journey 

Drop 

Custom Trip Fee Per Head with trek guides; village meal and transport.

Rs.1350/- per person. (Minimum billing for 6 persons upto 10 persons) - 1 Guide

Rs.1250/- per person. (Mnimum billing 11 persons to 24 persons) - 2 Guides

Rs.1100/- per person (Minimum billing 25 persons to 40 persons)

Click here for procedure for Registration / Bookings

Trip Fee includes. 

Non-AC Private Transport

Rural Village Wholesome Veg Lunch and Tea/Snack

Trek Support / Program Management Overhead.

Commercial Terms and Exclusions Click Here for details

To design Custom trips with team games; adventure spots for groups kindly get in touch with Asif (whatsapp / sms : +91-9619182010 / asif@natureknights.net )