Rajmachi, located in the Sahyadri Mountains range of Maharashtra, is one of the most popular trekking destinations. For all the brave folks out there, the Rajmachi Fort trek is the perfect getaway. Picturesque waterfalls and Buddhist caves are the highlights of this trekking trail.
And if that’s not enough, you can even experience the grandeur of mountains, beautifully carved forts, water life, fireflies (yes, you can find a lot of it here; illuminating your life a little too much!) and a lot more. So, if you are someone who loves everything about nature, a trek to Rajmachi fort is something you cannot afford to miss. It surely will leave you with memories that shall keep lingering in your heart for a pretty long time — excited already?
Craving to experience this travel bandwagon? Then, pack your bags, put up your traveling shoes, and say hello to this adventurous, one day trek to Rajmachi. Trust me; you are going to love every bit of it.
Here’s everything you need to know about this oh-so-awesome trek.
The way to Rajmachi Fort:
Since Rajmachi Fort lies in the middle of the Mumbai Pune route, it is straightforward to reach here. Yes, the well-connected railways and roadways midst Mumbai, Pune, and other major Indian cities make Rajmachi easily accessible for anyone and everyone. All you need to do is board a train to Pune from Mumbai and step down at Karjat. Karjat happens to be a small town in Maharashtra which will take you to the Kondhana village. You can either book a cab or take an auto for the village. Once you reach there, you can unleash your adventurous streak through the trek. And yes, don’t forget to witness the beautiful caves of Kondhana while on your way to the village. The Trek from Kondhana can take up to 3 to 4 hours from one side. Well, it might take your breath away a little bit, the mesmerizing views along the journey are worth all the efforts you put in.
Few more routes to the trek:
Apart from Kondhana village, the Rajmachi fort can also be reached through Lonavala. You can board a local train to Lonavala from Pune and enter the base village of the fort with the name Udhewadi. There are two routes from here:
- The one from Lonavala which goes through Kunhe village, Della Adventure Park, and reaches Udhewadi.
- The other one is also from Lonavala, but it reaches Udhewadi through Tungarli and Nandgaon.
Pro tip: Starting the trek from Udhewadi is useful if you happen to be a beginner at trekking. However, if you are a pro, Kondhana village is your ultimate trek to Rajmachi fort.
Places to explore at the Rajmachi fort:
The peaks at Rajmachi are the one that enhances its beauty. Two peaks, namely Shrivardhan and Manaranjan are divided by a plateau which makes it a visible treat for the eyes.
And if that’s not enough, you can also see the beauty of temples followed by the serenity of reservoirs, caves, and ruins. Brace yourself. The grandeur of these places will leave you awestruck. Here’s a little sneak peek of a few of these places.
Shirota Lake: Lying at a distance of few kilometers from the base village of Udhewadi, Shirota is a beautiful lake around the Rajmachi fort. It is a great place for sitting in solitude and enduring the beauty of nature after the trek has tired you a little too much.
Say hello to Fireflies: As mentioned above, your life will get illuminated at Rajmachi fort because of the beautifully sparkling fireflies in large numbers. However, they can be seen only in the end month of May and June. Concentrated in a bunch of midst a few trees, it certainly gives the feel of twinkling stars embedded on leaves on a beautiful summer night.
So, what do you think about Rajmachi Fort? Well, trust me, this beautiful village is as beautiful as it has been described here. Visit yourself, and you won’t stop praising this one of a kind of trek.
From unfathomable valleys and beautiful hills, it has everything to make your weekend getaway one memorable trip. In fact, with the New Year around the corner, a trek to Rajmachi is all you need to kick-start 2019 with fun, zeal, enthusiasm, and of course lots of profound memories. Happy trekking, folks!