Chanderi Trek

Trek Name: Chanderi (Trek till Chanderi Cave)

Date: December 13, 2015.

Region: Karjat / Matheran

Type : Hill forts

Altitude : 800 metres (2,600 ft)above mean sea level.

Nearest Railway Station: Vangani (Central Line) or Badlapur Station.

Base Village: Kasgaon 

Grade: Moderate to Difficult

Moderate till Cave of Chanderi (good trek till here in monsoon)

Difficult till cave on top of the massif (this part should only be done in winter).

Nearby mountains:

Mhasmal, Tavli, Haji Malang, Peb Fort, Matheran etc.

Trek Fee:
Rs.700/- per head.


Click here for procedure for Registration / Bookings

Includes Breakfast;Evening Tea and biscuits; Trek Support; Program Management
Local rickshaw fare from Badlapur / Vangni Station till base village.


Excludes:
Packed Lunch or any other meal that is not included; Train Tickets

Planned Schedule:

Buy your return tickets before boarding Karjat bound train

6:00 am / 6:45 am - Meeting at Ghatkopar Railway Station

7:45 am / 8:30 am - Take first train towards Karjat (get down at Badlapur Station)
Those of who are driving down (meeting point Badlapur Station)
Breakfast at Badlapur Station

Introduction / Induction at base village.
Trek to Chanderi Cave

2:00 pm Turning back time (irrespective of where we are; weather we reach the Chanderi Cave or not)

Safety comes always first

Village Lunch at Chanderi Village

Return trek
Depart to Badlapur Station

6:30 pm - Expected back at Badlapur Station

End of Trek

Checklist:

Carry your packed lunch, water and personal survival kit

Rain-wear; Trekking shoe; Spare floaters; flash light; snacks; spare socks; personal first aid kit

Cap or Hat

Keep all your belongings packed in waterproof double plastic bag before keeping in backpack

To know more about adventure travel check-list click here

More about Chanderi

Chanderi is a majestic massif, 800 metres (2,600 ft) high, that stands out as one approaches Vangani station on the way from Badlapur to Karjat by train. Joined to Chanderi by a column are a group of four pinnacles called Mhasmal.[clarification needed] The Chanderi-Mhasmal duo is very prominent and can be seen from far-away peaks in the Sahyadris.

Chanderi looks close from Vangani, but the better approach road to it is from Badlapur. From Badlapur Station hire an auto-rikshaw up to Chinchavali Wadi. From there you have a walk of about 45 minutes to the base of Chanderi Fort. To reach above takes about 2½ hours and to the summit takes another 45 minutes.

Asherigad

Date: for next scheduled one day trek to this fort.October 25th, 2015.

Location: 

Enroute Mumbai – Ahmedabad highway, just off the highway. You may miss the turn if do not keep lookout for Asherigad and neighbouring Conical Hill. Around 2 hours drive from Mumbai. Region Palghar.

Trek Grade: 

Medium Grade and Non Technical (around 2 to 3 hours climb and 1 hour 30 minutes to descend + time at the fort. Steady climb, near the Col little bit of scrambling but overall anybody will average fitness should be able to do this trek.

Altitude:

1600 to 1800 feet above mean sea level.

Best time: 

Monsoon and winter till Mid-February.

More about Asherigad

Location: Enroute Mumbai – Ahmedabad highway, just off the highway. You may miss the turn if do not keep lookout for Asherigad and neighbouring Hill. Around 2 hours drive from Mumbai (just around start of Dhanu Taluka)

Trek Grade: Medium Grade (around 2 to 3 hours climb and 1 hour 30 minutes to descend + time at the fort. Steady climb, near the Col little bit of scrambling but overall anybody will average fitness should be able to do this trek.

Best time: Monsoon and winter till Mid-February.

More about the fort:

Asheri is one of the major forts in Palghar region due to its massiveness and height. Raja Bhoj built the fort about 800 years ago. Raja Bimb, ruler of Mahim captured it from Kolis in the beginning of 14th century. Portuguese had a control of the fort in 1556 and made it the head of 38 villages. The fort was taken by Moghals in the mid of 17th century but again captured by Portuguese in 1683. With the battle of Mahim and Vasai in 1737, Chimaji Appa took over the control of the fort and it was under the rule of Marathas till 1818 then was handed over to Britishers. Base village is Khodkona. It takes approx 1.5 hrs to reach the col & then 0.5hrs to reach the top. In the col, there is a temple of Vaghjai. The route then leads to carved steps. Remains of settlements, a ruined entrance, fortification symbols, Portuguese shield, 17 water cisterns, 2 lakes, a cave, temple are the things to see on top. One can see forts like Asheri, Adasul, Kohoj.

Disclaimer Note:

I do not claim to be a qualified historian, you may verify the above content from a more reliable source in case you are going to this fort for a historical case study or any other kind of study.

Its.. 9619182010 / 9819983722 / asif@natureknights.net / natureknights@gmail.com

Click here for Photo Album

Recommended schedule:

6:00 am Start from Bandra / Andheri by private transport.

6:30 am Borivali

Carry packed breakfast or options for breakfast available on the way in forms of few restaurants.

8:30 am Arrival at base village

8:45 am Trek to the Summit

11:45 am arrival at the summit

Rest explore.. have lunch at the summit, in case you are visiting this place during monsoon or early winter there is some waterbody available there. But better carry your own source of hydration.

01:30 pm Start return trek

03:00 pm arrival at base village.

Opportunity for some local dip in pound for the adventurous kind.

You can have tea or the way back.

Hope you have a nice trek.

Trek fee for Schedule trek on October 25th, 2015.

Rs.1250/- per head.

For custom trek get in touch with us.

Rs.1650/- per person. (Minimum billing for 4 persons to 15 persons) - 1 Guide Guides

Rs.1450/- per person. (Minimum billing 16 persons to 25 persons) - 2 Trek Guides

Rs.1250/- per person (Minimum billing 26 persons to 40 persons) - 3 Trek Guides

Inclusions:

Trek Guide.

Breakfast

Evening Tea/Coffee

Transport Bandra/ Andheri / Goregaon / Borivali to Base village and back

(Pick-up and Drop).

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.

Contacts:

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 )

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Checklist for one day treks

Payment Terms and Bookings Procedure

Cancellation Policy and Terms for Multi-day Trek/Trip Click here

Cancellation policy for one day trips/trek click here

Additional Cost applicable - click here to know more

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More about Palghar Region:

Palghar is a beautiful small coastal town that is nestled between the sea to the west and hills to the east. The Palghar region in Thane district has maximum number of forts as compared with other regions in the district. Some of these are sea forts located along the coast such as Paankot or Alibaug Fort, Kelve Fort, Bhavangad Fort, Mahim Fort, Shirgaon Fort and Tarpur Fort. While other forts are on the top of the hills that lie to the east of Palghar – such as Tandulwadi, Kaldurg, Asava, Asherigad and Adsul.

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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

Mahuli

A laid back hamlet, a tiny wild life sanctuary and a gateway to ancient fort located few km away as you climb the off beaten hill path. Time stands still, it takes you back in times to a stage set 2000 years ago.

The only sign of modernization is a lone electric cable and a narrow tar of a so called road, both of which terminates at our base camp.

The village looks older than the Malgudi village, but equally interesting. The Climb upto the fort promises lots of romantic views of lush green trees, shrubs and wild flowers. I will not elaborate on describing the place more and spoil the surprise awaiting to be quenched. 

Mahuli Fort. Altitude around 2815 feet above mean sea level.

Trek Category: Moderate (3 to 4 hours climb; 2 hours to descend).

Best Season: July to March 

Location: 5 km off Asangaon railway station, Shahpur region.

Reaching there: Asangaon on Mumbai-Nashik highway (91) Kms from Mumbai. 5 kms inside on to the left is the Mahuli village. A temple and a humble home of Mataji Geetabharati is at the base. Temple dormitory and camp area can be reserved. Mataji provides authentic maharashtrian vegeterian food on advance information.

Budget for custom trek with small groups.

Custom Trip Fee Per Head (Includes transport and breakfast)

Rs.1450/- per person. (Minimum billing 6 persons), 1 Guide and Transport.

Rs.1350/- per person. (Mnimum billing 7 persons to 13 persons), 1 Guide and Transport
Rs.1250/- per person (Minimum billing 14 persons to 25 persons), 2 Guides and Transport

Camping facility on the banks of lake available at hardly 30 minutes drive from this fort with facilities like Kayaking, Barbecue, Fishing, Swimming etc.. click here for more details

For Bookings / Registrations click here

Trip Fee includes. 

Experienced Trek Guides with safety equipments and first-aid.

Transport

Breakfast (1 Local or South-Indian breakfast item + Tea/Coffee)
Evening Tea or Coffee.

Carry your own packaged lunch

Extra wholesome village meal from our-side will cost you Rs.300/- per head.

Excludes

Any meals or menu not mentioned above.
Any customization like team games, adventure sports, camping (can be organised at additional cost).

Commercial Terms and Exclusions Click Here for details

To design Custom trips for large group of over 25 persons or more kindly get in touch with Asif (call / sms : 9619182010 / asif@natureknights.net / natureknights@gmail.com)

   

Suggested Trip Plan

6:00 am Start from Andheri West S. V. Road.

Pickups along the way.

6:10 am Vile Parle East, Western Express Highway

6:15 am Vakola East, Western Express Highway

6:20 am Bandra East, at Kanalanagar Bus Stop,  near exit of Sky Walk

6:30 am Sion Lunch Home, Near Sion Station

6:45 am Ghatkopar on Eastern Express Highway

6:50 am Vikroli on Eastern Express Highway junction, on road connecting from Powai

7:00 am Eastern Express Highway (after Mulund Checknaka)

7:30 am Junction of Kalyan and Mumbai - Nashik Highway.

breakfast on the way

9:00 am Trek starts

12:30 pm expected time to reach the fort

exploring fort, forest, caves have lunch at the fort

2:30 pm start back for the base village

5:00 pm arrival at base village

5:30 pm depart for Mumbai

8:30 pm / 9 pm arrival in Mumbai

History: The creator of this fort is unknown. In 1485 this place came under rule Nijamshahi dynasty. When Shahaji Raje became the secretary of Nijamshahi, Mughals of Delhi tried to end Nijamshahi. In 1635-36, Shahaji Raje transferred himself with Jijabai and Shivaji to Mahuli. When Khan Jaman attacked the fort, Shahaji asked Portuguese for help, who refused and Shahaji surrendered.

Shivaji took this fort from Mughals on 8 Jan 1658. In 1661 it was given back and was won again by Shivaji. In treaty of Purandar, in 1665, Marathas lost these forts again. In Feb 1670, Shivaji Maharaj tried to conquer Mahuli, but failed, thanks to an alert Manohardas Gaud, who was the in charge of the fort. Thousand of Marathas were killed. Manohardas Gaud, soon gave up his position and Alveerdi Beg took over. On 16 June 1670, after two months, Moropant Pingle conquered the forts and Mahuli, Bhandargad and Palasgad became part of Swarajya. Till 1817, Shivaji's dynasty owned the fort and later by the Britishers.

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