Experiences
Trek, Off-Road Ride, Time enough to explore one of the two Rajmachi ancient fortress, Nature Trail, Dip in Pond (if time permits), and rural village food
Location: Lonavala Region
Duration: 1 Day
Stay: Not Applicable
Trek Category Moderate
Camp Fee:
Minimum 9 to 14 persons @1600/- per head. + 2 Vehicle + 1 Guide
Minimum 15 persons to 21 persons @1450/- per head. + 3 Off-road Vehicles + 2 Guides
Camp Fee:
Minimum 5 to 8 persons @1750/- per head + 1 Vehicle + 1 Guide.
Minimum 5 to 8 persons @1750/- per head + 1 Vehicle + 1 Guide.
Minimum 9 to 14 persons @1600/- per head. + 2 Vehicle + 1 Guide
Minimum 15 persons to 21 persons @1450/- per head. + 3 Off-road Vehicles + 2 Guides
Note: During monsoon Jeep can only travel half way till few km beyond fanasgaon (approximately half way till Rajmachi) - For monsoon Rajmachi Trek click here
Camp Fee Includes
Transport (Off Road Ride in our transport Lonavala to Campsite or nearest base village and Back)
1 packed Breakfast, 1 Village Lunch and Evening Tea).
1 packed Breakfast, 1 Village Lunch and Evening Tea).
Note: Non-Veg food can be organised at nominal extra cost if informed in advance.
Proposed Plan
Day 1
Reporting time 08:00 hrs at Lonavala
08:30 hrs to 09:30 hrs - Off Road ride Lonavala to Fanasgaon ; Packed breakfast.
09:30 hrs - Trek from Fanasgaon to Shrivardhan Fort to Rajmachi Village
09:30 hrs - Trek from Fanasgaon to Shrivardhan Fort to Rajmachi Village
Swim in Lake
Rest at village home and lunch
16:00 hrs - Start back for Lonavala in jeep.
17:30 hrs - Reach back at Lonavala
End of tour
16:00 hrs - Start back for Lonavala in jeep.
17:30 hrs - Reach back at Lonavala
End of tour
What to Carry?
Water Bottles for Trek
Munching Snack and Fruits/Dry Fruits
Flash Lights for emergency
1 Set of Change Clothes and 1 Extra T-Shirt (Full Sleeves)
Shorts/Swimming Trunks for Swim and towel
Personal Medical Kit and toiletries
Own Waste Paper Bag
All items properly packed in Backpack
Good plastic bag to carry back wet clothes
More about Rajmachi
Best Seasons for camping: November to March
Trekking season round the year.
Place to Start Trek: Lonavala (from Tungarli Lake) or Kondivita Village (Near Karjat) or Fanasgaon if your have Jeep with you.
Things to do: Trek, Fort to be explored, Camping, Pond for a swim, Good place for Bird watching and Butterflies during winter.
Rajmachi is the name given to the twin hill forts located around 18 kilometers from Lonavala, the twin forts are called 'Shrivardhan' and 'Manaranjan'.
Rajmachi can be accessed either from Lonavala or Karjat (Base Village Kondivita). The approach from Lonavala is longer but easier; from Karjat side it a little steep. Best way to do a Rajmachi trek is start from Lonavala (Near Tungarli Dam) very early in the morning. An easy trek would take you till base village around Lunch time, stay over at the base village near the twin peaks 'Shrivardhan' and 'Manranjan', few simple village dormatory/ lodges available for stay would be happy to provide you with simple village food for a fee.
Evening take a Dip in a Pond located at walkable distance from Village, the trail to pond leads to a cool patch of greenery.
You can cover to twin forts near base village next day early morning. After early Lunch you can start your trek towards Karjat. You can get Rickshaws/ ST Bus from some distance at Kondivita Village.
More about Rajmachi
Shrivardhan and Manaranjan can also be considered as two separate forts. There is one small platue in between them. A temple of 'Bhairoba' is very beautiful. Shrivardhan is 'Bale killa' of Rajmachi. It is almost 3000 feet high. But it was mainly built to keep watch on Konkan area. The other - Manaranjan is 2700 feet high. Manaranjan consists of strong walls, 3 doors and many water tanks. One can see Ulhas river, Dukes Nose (Nagphani), Karnala ,Matheran, Mahuli and Bhimashankar etc. The old caves of 'Kondhavi' on Rajmachi fort are worth to see. The way to fort is long but truly with a good view. One can enjoy a nice forest, Tungarli lake and many waterfalls as well.
