Rajmachi Fort consists of two forts Shrivardhan fort and Manaranjan Fort. It is about 16 km of trekking distance from Lonavala. Historically, Rajmachi fort was a strategic fort to control Bor ghat between Khopoli and Khandala on Mumbai - Pune route which was a historical trade route. Rajmachi Fort has two fortified structures Shirvardhan Fort and Manoranjan Fort. Rajmachi Fort Trek has always fascinated trekkers.

Join us this weekend for Rajmachi Fort Trek

Treks and Trails had chosen to visit Rajmachi via Lonavala Route. There are two ways first from Karjat Side which is tough uphill starts from Kondivade village near Karjat and second via Lonavala which is like a trail. We caught the 2.30 pm Sinhagad Express from CST, try to catch the train from CST or Dadar if you want a seat. We met all the trekkers at Lonavala Station and took Rickshaw till Tungarli Dam from where the Trek starts. Treks And Trails had arranged Night Trek to Rajmachi. After our introduction, we started trekking it takes roughly 3 to 4 hours to reach Rajmachi Village or 16 km. You can also drive till Rajmachi or Hire a Sumo from Lonavala for Rs 2500/- per day or Rs 1500 one way. Many Bikers use the 16 km road for Off-Road Biking. The trail is well marked with direction. We started at 6.30 pm with sun setting behind us torch is a must it gets dark quickly.

The trail is mostly flat with the road under construction MTDC developing the village for tourism people will come in horde to pollute now. We walked at a good pace and climate was pleasant we stopped for regular water breaks to keep us hydrated. You can see many people camping on the way we reached the base village by 9.45 pm. Our dinner was ready at a local villager’s house after dinner we went to visit the small lake in the night we finally called it night at 12.30 is. It got very cold in the night and we all slept well. The morning was very relaxing we all woke up by 6.30 am and got ready to explore Rajmachi. We first visited Shirvardhan Fort it is in good condition. We visited the many caves on the way it takes around 2 hours to explore the fort completely. Caves are from Buddhist origin though without any carvings.

Camping is not allowed on both the forts, it is possible near the base village Udhewadi. Drinking water is available and caves can accommodate a large group on Shirvardhan Fort. We saw a bee mound in one of the caves we advise carrying your tent and camping. Many people are using such places to drink alcohol and barbeque and are spoiling such places please don’t treat them as resorts such places are national monuments. Manoranjan is smaller of the two forts and can be covered in 30 mins. You can visit this fort for sunrise in the morning. After exploring the two forts we visited the Bhairavnath Temple. You need to pay visiting tax or fee Rs 10/- per head there is also a charge for Bike/Car/Bus which is collected for Development of Rajmachi Village. MTDC is building steps on the trekking route.

We had our lunch early by 12 pm we rested for an hour and started us descend towards Kondivade village towards Karjat the route is completely a descend it takes around and 2-3 hours. Route is slippery in some part we met a villager on the way who was selling kokum sherbet at Shirvardhan fort he had sold his stock and was returning home he told us it takes him 1 hour to descend. We visited Kondana Caves which fall on the way towards Kondivade Village. This cave group has 16 Buddhist caves the caves were excavated in first century B.C. the construction on wooden pattern is notable. The cave has only one inscription on the front of the Chaitya, which gives information about donors.

We finally reached Kondivade Village we visited a local villagers house who offered us Nimbu Pani and helped us locate a Rickshaw till Karjat Station which is 40 mins away. We paid the villager for Nimbu Pani and got into the cramped rickshaw our train was one hour away we were hoping for no traffic to reach before the train left. We reached 20 mins early we bought a lot of chaat on the way since we hungry again. Treks and Trails Thanks the group members who were great and followed our instruction well. Everybody had a great time trekking and enjoyed each other’s company. On long treks it helps if you take the effort of knowing your fellow trekker.

You can Board Train or Bus till Lonavala. You can either trek till the base village Udhewadi around 16 kilometers. You can hire private jeep till the base village from Lonavala Railway station. You can also hire rickshaw till Tungarli Dam trek around 12 kilometers. During monsoon season the jeeps will take you till Fanasrai village the start point for Kataldhar Trek. From here you will need to trek till Rajmachi Fort. The route is well connected from Lonavala with many bikers, hikers, villagers always visible.

Follow the Trail which is easy landmark on the way Upper deck Hotel. Half way through the trek you will reach a diversion which has a board installed with direction you need to take left, Right will lead you to Shirota Lake or Dhak Bahiri Caves or Lonavala to Bhimashankar Trek route. Udhewadi village is 8 km from this board base village for Rajmachi fort. Descending is medium grade via Karjat Route in Monsoon it becomes tricky there are many waterfall on the way which will hide the path. Karjat Route start point is called Konkan Darwaja.  TumTum Rickshaw are available from Kondiwade village till Karjat Station you can ask villagers to arrange one if not available they normally have their numbers

You can take sharing Rickshaw or State Transport bus till base village. Rickshaw will stop one village before Kondiwade Village you need to inform rickshaw driver and negotiate rate till kondiwade caves route. You can either descend back from same route or walk till lonavala 16 km. You can also hire sumo till Lonavala village or Pune or Mumbai.

Things to see on Rajmachi Fort Trek

• Kondana Caves
• Bhairavnath Temple
• Mahadev Temple
• Rajmachi Lake
• Shirvardhan Fort
• Manoranjan Fort
• Kataldhar Waterfall