Raigad Fort Trek

Raigad Fort Trek

How to Reach : There are two ways to reach Raigad from Pune.
1.Via Varandha Ghat ( Approx.155km)- Pune-Bhor-Varandha Ghat-Mahad-take right turn on NH 70, Mumbai-Goa highway to Mumbai side- then take right turn from Karanjkhol to Raigad fort - After around 25 km reach base village Pachad. Then Go to the Hirkani Buruz by left turn from Pachad village. You don't need to go rope-way if you want to trek.

2.Vai Tahmini Ghat ( Approx. 135km)- Pune-Paud-Mulshi-Tahmini ghat- After descending Tahmini ghat- Go through Vile Bhagd MIDC-Nizampur-Take right to Pachad road- Ghotewadi-Dhamani-Harwandi-Waki-Savarat-Pachad. This road is having less traffic, so avoid night time on the road-No petrol pump found between Nizampur to Pachad.

Parking : Parking place is unsupervised. It is roadside parking near Hirkani buruz. There are few restaurants around the buruz from where the trek starts. 

Food and Water : Food and water available on the whole trek route. Full Veg meal on the fort. Better when you reach on the top, give order to any restaurant then go for exploring the fort. So, when you come back the food will be ready. There are small homes of guides on the top who also offer to stay. They can make basic arrangement for  stay.
Better services are available near Ropeway base-station in the village. Its about 2/3 km distance from Ropeway base to Hirkani Buruz.
Ramchandra guide- 9420391050 ( On the fort)
Deshmukh Khanaval - 90116 42994, 94036 47647 ( Good for big groups at the base)

About Trek : The trek starts from Hirkani buruz. The whole trek has steps and railing aside. So its well preserved trek route. It will take 1 hour 30 minutes to reach on the top. There are small restaurants along the trek, where water, lemon juice, butter milk, packets food etc. are sold.

About Fort : The fort has historical importance as it is the capital of Swaraj and also Shivaji Maharaj had residence on the fort. Taka tok, Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi, Jadisheshwar tepmle, Bajar peth, Holi ground, Sadar, palaces of royal family etc. many important monuments are is good condition to watch.
Official guide are available on the top with mere Rs.300/500. I recommend to take guide to understand the historical importance of the fort. 

Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgad

How to Reach :
About 150 km from Pune. About 20 km from Mahabaleshwar. 
Pune- NH48- Satara Road- Shirwal-Khabataki ghat-( Keep vehicle slow and left side because the the divergant to Mahabaleshwar is not visible clearly  from running vehicle. The board is small.) Suroor- turn to right side under the  over bridge - right turn for Wai leave highway-Wai-Pasarani ghat-Pachangani-Mahabaleshwar- take right turn from Mahabaleshwar bus stand to Poladpur road-Ambenali ghat-Jawali village- right turn for Pratapgad ghat (through the The Welcome Arch) -Pratapgad Parking.

You can see the fort from Ambenali ghat. The ghat is single road with rush.  The ghat has lots of  and sharp turns with not so maintained road. Generally visitors from Mumbai, Konkan and Goa come from this ghat. There are many waterfalls in the ghat. Tourists park their vehicle near it which creates more trouble to traffic. You need to drive carefully. The ghat is on its most scenic view between July to November. 

 

 

Poladpur to Mahabaleshwar (Ambenali Ghat)

Pratapgad fort from Ambenali Ghat

 Welcome Arch

Parking :
The paved parking place available,  although not enough on weekends, holidays and vacations. May have to park before parking in the ghat. The parking is FREE.

Parking

Food and Stay :
Many Veg restaurants are available for individuals and groups. They give special concessions to educational visits. Bottled water available. 

About Trek : Hardly any trekking possibility. All visitors goes by vehicle. Vehicles reach near to the steps. So this fort is not for trekking.

What to See :
There are official guides available at the entrance of the fort. Its worth t take guide who narrates the history and features of the fort in Hindi, Marathi and English.

The fort is full of restaurants and houses from historic period. People lives on this fort. You have find the historical signs in the crowd. 

The Tehalani Buruz ( Watch Bastion) is very famous of the fort, which has become most attractive place of the fort. The fort is pictured by the image of this watch bastion.

The Shivai temple, Handicraft centre, Bhavanimata temple, Statue of Shivaji Maharaj, Kadelot tok ( Death Punichment cliff), Mahadarawaza (Main Entrance gate), Chorwat ( Hidden paths and Balekilla ( Small and Most safe part fort) etc. are the other places to visit on the fort.

You need at least 3 hrs to see whole fort.

 Restaurants on Pratapgad

चोरवाट 

Ambenali ghat

Mahabaleshwar from the fort

 

Jawli village from fort 

 टेहाळणी बुरुज 

 शिवकालीन खेडे 

 शिवकालीन खेडे 

You can see scenic panorama of Mahabaleshwar (Arthur seat point, Savitri point, Elphiston point, Sunset point( Bombay), Lodwick point(Elephant head point), Makarand fort, Ambenali (Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar) ghat, Koyna dam back water, Savitri river, Chandragad, Raigad fort, Torna fort, Rajgad fort, Jawali forest etc from the fort.

Trek-Safety :

• Driving on Pasarani ghat, Ambenali ghat, Poladpur ghat and Pratapgad ghat should be done carefully. All ghats are single and rushed with traffics.
• Should avoid in heavy rainy days.
• Half of the fort is crowdy upto Shivaji Maharaj Statue, next to that the fort is lonely. Rarely visitors go there. So go in the group.
• Don's throw plastics and other wastage on the fort.