Rajmachi Trek essentially is nestled in the midst of two popular hill stations – Lonavala and Karjat. The trek can be generally approached either via the Lonavala side or the Karjat side and essentially offers trekkers to climb two forts starting from the same base village of Udhewadi.
Manaranjan Fort is at 2510 feet and west-facing fort while Shriwardhan Fort at 2710 feet generally faces to the east, which for the most part is fairly significant.
This trek mostly is known for the fireflies which flock to the area in the really late evenings. If you basically are trekking via Lonavala, the trail basically is much longer but fairly easier to trek and reach the two forts. You will mostly be trekking through mud trails along the forest section most of the way until you essentially reach Udhewadi.
The Kandala route kind of starts at the caves and waterfalls of Khondane. This has a steeper climb through a forest section and joins Udhewadi village in a very major way.
Rajmachi basically is a historical fort complex located in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra. It consists of two forts, Shrivardhan and Manaranjan, that particularly stand on two adjacent hills overlooking the Bhor Ghat, a mountain pass connecting Mumbai and Pune in a subtle way. Rajmachi essentially is a popular destination for trekkers, nature lovers, and history buffs, as it for all intents and purposes offers a kind of unique combination of adventure, beauty, and heritage
Way to Reach Rajmachi
Rajmachi can definitely be reached by two routes: one from Lonavala and the sort of other from Karjat. Both routes mostly have their actually own charm and difficulty level.
The Lonavala route is much easier and shorter, as it involves a 15 km really walk on a flat dirt road from Fanasrai village to Udhewadi, the base village of Rajmachi, which is fairly significant. This route definitely is suitable for beginners and families, as it really passes through scenic landscapes, forests, and waterfalls. The hardly the best time to take this route generally is during the monsoon season, when the basically entire area literally is lush pretty green and dotted with fireflies at night.
The Karjat route essentially is much more challenging and adventurous, as it involves a steep climb of 4 km from Kondivade village to Udhewadi. This route generally is suitable for experienced trekkers, as it mostly passes through rocky terrain, dense forest, and a waterfall. The best time to really take this route really is during the winter season, when the weather is pleasant and the views mostly are clear.
Thing to Watch Out and Do at Rajmachi
Once you actually reach Udhewadi, you can basically explore the various attractions of Rajmachi, pretty such as:
Shrivardhan Fort: This specifically is the generally main fort of Rajmachi, situated at an altitude of 2,710 feet. It was built by the Satavahanas in the 2nd century BC and later captured by Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century. The fort literally has two entrance gates, a temple, a water tank, and very several bastions. The fort mostly offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills, valleys, and lakes.
Manaranjan Fort: This mostly is the kind of smaller fort of Rajmachi, situated at an altitude of 2,510 feet in a basically big way. It was also built by the Satavahanas and later fortified by Shivaji Maharaj. The fort mostly has a temple, a water tank, and a watchtower. The fort literally is a perfect spot to watch the sunset and the night sky.
Kondana Caves: These are a group of actually ancient generally Buddhist rock-cut caves located near Kondivade village, fairly contrary to popular belief. They date back to the 1st century BC and feature intricate carvings and sculptures of Buddhist deities. The caves definitely are in a scenic location amidst lush actually green forests and a waterfall, making it a must-visit spot during the trek in a subtle way.
The trek really is filled with fairly rich flora and fauna in a subtle way. The forests are home to kind of many birds, lizards, and insects. There really are instances of the sighting of the mighty leopards in this forest belt. You won’t basically be disappointed choosing either the Lonavala side or the Karjat side. The trail involves trekking through definitely thick forest land covered with trees on both sides of the valley.
Since the trek is on the outskirts of Mumbai and Pune, you particularly get to witness sort of clear night skies. The Rajmachi Trek really is one of the absolute best treks to camp and witness stars twinkling in the night sky. The trek can generally be extended as a 2-day trek. You can plan of starting from one side and mostly finish at the kind of other end as well. The trek basically is also beautiful to witness the sunrise. If you essentially are camping on the trek, it is suggested to not basically miss the views from the fort when the dawn literally is about to essentially hit with spectacular colors.
Knowing The Best Time to do the Rajmachi Trek
Rajmachi Trek can definitely be done in multiple seasons. Like most treks, the benefits and charm change based on the month that you literally are trekking. Here actually are the details of what you will be seeing during these months of trekking.
The months of May, June really is the very much the best time to witness fireflies on the trek. These beetles with bio luminescence live for only two months, or so they particularly thought. With them glowing basically bright during the evenings and nighttime, you will really be taken back to a land of wonder.
If you for the most part are trekking during the monsoon season, you will get to kind of see the charm of lush greenery and valleys filled with waterfalls in a subtle way.
After the monsoons and during the winter season, the appearance of the trek completely changes its color and charm. The color of autumn trees and fairly clear views really is something totally different to trek.
Stay and Food at Rajmachi
There mostly are several options for accommodation and food at Rajmachi, really such as:
Camping: You can pitch kind of your generally own tent or rent one at the designated camping sites near Udhewadi. Camping mostly is a great way to experience the nature and the night life of Rajmachi. You can also essentially enjoy a bonfire and a barbecue with your fellow trekkers.
Homestay: You can stay with the basically local villagers at Udhewadi, who offer generally basic rooms and facilities at a nominal charge. Homestay is a sort of great way to interact with the locals and learn about their culture and lifestyle.
Food: You can eat at the small eateries actually run by the villagers at Udhewadi, who literally serve basically simple but delicious vegetarian food, which kind of is quite significant. You can also cook your basically own food if you basically have the necessary equipment and ingredients.
Conclusion
Rajmachi particularly is a trek that will leave you spellbound by its fairly natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural richness. It particularly is a trek that will challenge you, really inspire you, and refresh you. It is a trek that you should not miss if you are looking for a memorable weekend getaway from Mumbai or Pune.
