Trek to Gorakhgad

A good one day adventure trek; involving steep ascends and descends with some rock climbing; exploring cave temple and fantastic view from summit. The trek is suitable for beginners and seasoned trekkers. This trek should only be done in company of experienced trekkers and group carrying safety equipment and have a good track record of safety.

Trek Name: Gorakhgad

Scheduled Trek date: December 4th, 2016. (Early winter trek). - Total capacity 20 participants.

Duration: One Day 

Altitude: 2150 Feet above mean sea level

Grade: medium and challenging.

(Trek climb – 2 to 3 hours till cave, further optional climb till summit temple 60 minutes, total descend time 2 hours and 30 minutes descend).  

Region: Murbad

Base Village: Dehri

Trek Fee for scheduled trek:

Rs.1300/- per head

100% advance payment for confirming your seats. We have to make arrangement for resources and logistics to ensure you have a safe and good experience.

Trek fee includes:
Trek Management, Trek Lead, Safety Gear, First Aid
Private Transport to reach the base village.
Breakfast (1 Veg Snack and Tea or Coffee); and Evening Tea Biscuits.

Excludes:
Lunch (Carry your own packed lunch and snack during trek)
Bottled Water (2 Liters per head for trek and 1 liter kept back in the bus).
Cost of any custom menu ordered has to be borne by participant.


Click here for registration / bank details

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

Click here for One Day Trek Checklist 

Experiences:

Trek, Beginners Rock Climbing, Small Offbeat Caves Exploration, Small Local Devi Temple at the summit  and Exploring Rural Countryside.

Details for Internet Banking Transfers (RTGS / NEFT / IFSC):

Account Name: OFFBEAT MANDALA

Account No.: 50200006370273

Bank Name: HDFC Bank Limited

RTGS/NEFT/IFSC: HDFC0000019

Branch: THE AMALDAS CO-OP HSG. SOC. LTD., 

JUHU-VERSOVA LINK ROAD,

WARK-K, (WEST), ANDHERI (WEST), MUMBAI – 400053, MAHARASHTRA

Includes:

Transport; packed breakfast; evening tea/snacks; trek management; and safety equipments.

Excludes:

Any kind of insurance
Lunch (carry your own packed lunch)
Bottled water
Anything that is not included is excluded.
Resources not utilized will not be refunded.

Cancellation Charges:

Any cancellation one month before trek dates; 25% of total trek fee will be charged towards cancellation charges.
Cancellation between 30 days to 10 days before trek date 50% of the total trek fee will be charged towards cancellation charges.
Cancellation between 9 days to 5 days before trek date 75% of the total trek fee will be charged towards cancellation charges.
Last 4 days no refund for any cancellation request.

The Schedule:

6 am                  Andheri (W) , (near Merwan’s Bakery S.V. Road)

6.20 am             Bandra Kalanagar Juntion

6.30 am             Sion Station (Opposite Sion Lunch Home)

7.00 am             Thane / Mulund Toll Naka on Easter Express Highway

8:00 am             Kalyan

Freshen-up break / packed breakfast

9.30 am             Dehri Village

                          Introduction & Induction for the trek

12.00 pm            Reach main cave

Reach for final summit Temple

1:30 - 2.30pm     Community Lunch,

3.00 pm             Start for Base

5.30 pm             Freshen up and start for Mumbai

10:00 pm  Reach Andheri

More about Gorakhgad

Gorakhgad is a small fort at Dehri village near Murbad, named after the saint Gorakshanath.

The second half of the trek beyond the cave is more challenging; involves climbing exposed; steep and broken stairs.

This place is also a case study for successful afforestation initiative taken up by a doctor with help of local communities.

To reach Gorakhgad, one can travel to Murbad via Kalyan. Reach village Dhasai from Mhase junction. From here, private jeeps as well as S.T. buses are available to reach the village of Dehri. Village Dehri can also be reached from Murbad via Milhe. Right from Dehri village two prominent pinnacles can be seen. The smaller one is Machchindragad and bigger one is Gorakhgad.

Fort Gorakhgad had strategic importance during the reign of Shahaji Raje. However, no major battle is recorded to have taken place here. It was used in Shivaji’s era to patrol the nearby region and was used as a stopover station during the journey to Junnar via Naneghat which was a very important commercial route. Though small in size, there is enough availability water and a lot of space for accommodation.

Two cisterns can be seen just after emerging through the entrance and the path climbs up further ahead. Further, a small step-way descends down to the large caves that are carved out in the main rock of the pinnacle. The trek to the caves is an easy climb, but the pinnacle is what makes the fort look so tempting to climb.

The top of the fort is very small. There is a small Mahadeo temple with Nandi. A wide region ranging from Siddhagad and Machchindragad up to Ahupe Ghat and Jeevdhan in the Naneghat area towards north can be seen from the fort-top.  

Suggestions for packed lunch: 

Sandwiches; Thepla; Potato Vegetable; Roti; Boiled Eggs; Ready to eat canned food; home cooked roti / dry vegetable; Puran Poli; Bread / Cheese slice / spread; Potato Vada; Bread; etc you can get creative; We will have multi-cultural buffet. You can carry tetra packed buttermilk.

Clothing:

Track pants, dry-fits with shorts; dry-fits or regular full sleeves t-shirt spare shorts, socks, rain wear (if monsoon).

Footwear:

Sports shoes with rubber sole or trekking shoes; carry spare slippers or floaters. No high heals allowed.

Packing your stuff:

Pack all to carry items in Backpack; lightweight on bottom and topside of bag; heavy items towards shoulder and closer to body. Use compression straps if you have them in your backpacks.

Capacity of bag should be 40  liters.

Other essentials in your survival kit

Hand Sanitizer 

Torch (flash lights)

Pocket Knife (Preferably Swiss Knife or equivalent)

Small Towel (light) and carry one cloth, useful for wiping dirt.

Walking Cane / Trekking Pole (should be 65% to 70% of your height – strong and light)

One bundle of 5 mm Nylon or 3 mm Carnamental ropes (around 10 meter).

Goodies & nice to have

You may also carry goodies like camera; small - binoculars, magnifying glasses and pocket field guide, local map, ball pen and small note pad to make most of the trip. 

Eco-Tourism Etiquettes

Camps organized by “Nature Knights” are in the eco / culturally -sensitive area like Sanctuaries, Jungles, and places of Historical importance.

While visiting these places we should blend into the community of Original Inhabitants and respect their culture and sentiments.

We strongly believe in traveling in small groups, and follow the principle leave only footprints and take only memories.

Also check the following links:
Few camping options in Maharashtra Click here
Custom Treks in Maharashtra Click here
Our Corporate Services - Click here​
Team Building Program - Click here
​Some of our credentials - click here
Adventure Hobbies - Know more click here
Join our Adventure Club Family and Trips - Click here
​Why us - Click here​

Madap Canyoning Trek

A Fresh new trek in lush Green Countryside with Plenty of  Waterfalls; The trek route takes through Flowing Streams and climbs up Gentle waterfalls that finally reach the bigger waterfalls..   Plenty of opportunity to Splash in Small Pools of Waterfalls; 

Locations:
Madap Waterfalls (Off Mumbai- Pune Highway).
You can reach here by your own car or bus;get off the express highway at "Mumbai-Poona Expressway at the Khalapur Toll Plaza (Khopoli Toll Naka).", and take a 30 minutes ride on the countryside road to Madap.

Trek Grade: Easy to Moderate

Registration Fee to block your seat: Rs.1000/- per head. (Call / SMS / email and confirm before registration).

Total Camp Fee: Rs.1150/- per head. (includes breakfast, lunch and travel)

 
9619182010 / asif@natureknights.net 

Terms and Conditions

Includes:

Transport (Mumbai to base village and back)
Fixed Menu: Breakfast, Packed lunch and Evening Tea-Snack
Small Trek going through rural country side, hills and flowing streams
trek with gear support under expert guidance.

Excludes:

Any non-standard menu items in food
Bottled water
Porter Charges

Waterfall Rappelling (Optional). at extra cost.

Other Terms:

In case of cancellation of event on the date of event from our side due to Act of God, Man Made Disasters etc. You will have a choice to select an alternate date among the dates listed above.

In case of cancellation from your side cancellation terms apply.

Terms and Condition Apply click here to read

Registration with 100% advance mandatory.

Camp Schedule Details

Pickup Points

6:00 am Andheri West, Near Merwans Bakery
6:20 am Bandra (Kalanagar Junction Bus Stop)
6:30 am Sion Station
6:40 am Chembur Naka, Opp Kamat's Restarant
07:00 am Vashi (Junction of Station Road and Mumbai-Pune Highway)
07:45 am Mc Donald at entrance of Express Highway
Breakfast on the way or packed breakfast.
08:50 am Arrival at base village
Breakfast near Base Village
Small Trek to the waterfall (90 minutes)
Fun in Waterfall Rappelling from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
packed lunch will be provided
4:30 pm Start our trek back to base village
5:30 pm Tea with Snacks
6:00 pm Start back for Mumbai
8:30 / 9 pm Back in Mumbai



The Sport: (Waterfall Rappelling / Canyoning )

Canyoning is a brand new sport that's becoming very popular all over the world. Western Ghats have many waterfalls and flowing streams that offer plenty of opportunity to enjoy this sport. 

This unique, multi-sport adventure combines rappelling, down-climbing and river tracing in a deep valleys. Exploring trails following down the steep waterfalls is an adventure experience of a lifetime – go where very few have had the privilege to roam! Imagine yourself in the midst thick forest at the top of tropical waterfalls with surprises each step of the way.
Check list

Attire
Tights, leggings, or Track pants (avoid heavy jeans)
Full sleeves T-shirt (Dry fits), (you may carry spare change clothes)
Carry Spare Swimming trunks, light towel 
Rain wear (Poncho, or Short light Raincoat), Rain Cap or Hat
Regular Sun Cap or Hat
Hand Towel
Other mandatory items
Flash light with spare batteries
Water (2 liters per head)

Pack all items in double plastic bags before packing it in your backpack or ruck sack
Pack everything in your backpack properly. Light items on top and bottom side of bag, heavy item towards center and towards your shoulder and body. Use compression straps to tighten the bag from all sides so that items inside the bag do not keep shifting.

Optional items
Comb and pocket mirror
personal medical kit
Mosquito repellent
Camera

Eco-Adventure Code
We strongly believe in traveling in small groups, and follow the principle leave only footprints and take only memories.

Important Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs not allowed in during adventure sports.

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

Details for Internet Banking Transfers (RTGS / NEFT / IFSC):

Account Name: OFFBEAT MANDALA

Account No.: 50200006370273

Bank Name: HDFC Bank Limited

RTGS/NEFT/IFSC: HDFC0000019

Branch: THE AMALDAS CO-OP HSG. SOC. LTD., 

JUHU-VERSOVA LINK ROAD,

WARK-K, (WEST), ANDHERI (WEST), MUMBAI – 400053, MAHARASHTRA

Also check the following links:
Few camping options in Maharashtra Click here
Custom Treks in Maharashtra Click here
Our Corporate Services - Click here
Team Building Program - Click here
Some of our credentials - click here
Adventure Hobbies - Know more click here
Join our Adventure Club Family and Trips - Click here
Why us - Click here