Rajmachi Camping-Things You Need To Know Before Visiting

RAJMACHI CAMPING-THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

ABOUT RAJMACHI FORT

Rajmachi camping is one of best known adventure from Lonavala. Rajmachi fort is one of many historical fort located in the hills of Sahyadri range in Western Ghat. This fort is located on the height of 2200 feet above sea level between Lonavala and Khandala. Fortification of Rajmachi consist of Shrivardhan and Manoranjan fort. This is one the most popular trekking destination. Hiking trail, Waterfalls, and Buddhist caves on the way makes this place more photogenic for travellers. It is popular destination of trekking along with night camping near Mumbai Pune. The climb up to the fort starts from Udhewadi village located right at the bottom of the fort. This village was prominent spot during Shivaji Maharaj rule.

HOW TO REACH RAJMACHI FORT

By Air

Nearest airport to reach here is Pune and Mumbai International airport. Both this airport lies on the distance of 60 km from Lonavala. One can hire self-drive car or can option for local transport like train and bus to reach Lonavala which is nearest destination to reach Udhewadi base village.

By Road

There are two routes to reach Rajmachi fort, (a) from Lonavala and (b) from Kondhane village in Karjat Taluka of Raigad district.

By Rail

Regular express trains are available to reach Lonavala from various cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and other major cities of Maharashtra. Few of the express trains from Bangalore, Chennai, and Delhi halt’s at Lonavala station as well.
If coming from Mumbai, local trains are available up to Karjat and then share cab till Kondhane village.

There are frequency of buses available by road to reach Karjat and Lonavala from cities like Mumbai, Nashik and Pune.

Self-drive vehicle is always preferable option to reach Lonavala or Karjat. From Lonavala route is very rough, so one needs to be careful while driving self-car.

Lonavala to Rajmachi distance is about 18 km and it is plain walk with few ups and down on the path. It takes 3 to 4 hours to cover the distance by walk. From Lonavala one can take local vehicle to reach up to Udhewadi village. Vehicle may charge around 2 k for up and down. 

From Karjat it is steep climbing up to Rajmachi fort. An experience trekkers takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach. Minimum 2 days are required to finish this trek.

NIGHT TREK TO RAJMACHI FORT BASE POINT

It was random discussion that started with my group and discussion was about the necessity to be away from home for two days and one night. Night trek to Rajmachi was the only option which was near to me and also easy. It was now time to give my planing a green signal. Special thanks to my group, first time, none of them given excuse to come. It’s been long time that we all friend didn’t had any get together. We started gathering more information on night trekking and finally decide to explore.

As per planning, we caught express train for Lonavala from Mumbai in the late evening on one Saturday, and reached at 11 pm in night. As soon as we reached, we started our journey towards the destination. From Lonavala main highway, there is arrow mark placed near petrol pump towards left for Rajmachi. If anyone coming with bike then from highway route goes towards left. The trek is 18 km one way that passes through dense forest and rocky trail. The walk is not steep, but only thing required is endurance level to walk overnight, though there is some ups and down along the way. We had our bag-pack loaded with some energy bar and water which helped us to regain energy throughout the trek, and left for Udhewadi village from Lonavala. One can buy some snacks and water from Lonavala bus stop which lies on the way.

Initial route is simple and clear that leaves you to the rocky trail of this route. Lonavala is one of the beautiful hill station so, weather is not an issue here. This is one of such place where, temperature goes down to 12 degree. It was so cold in night, but as we started to walk, our body started generating heat. On route one can come across the fireflies that gives the feeling of moving stars. You may feel to capture those small moment but, it is bit difficult. Feeling of trekking under moon light was enchanting. Trekking in night along with dense forest both the side that helps to re-energize the body due to oxygen provided by dense tress. So far we had started enjoying the trek in the dark night. While walking stay alert from insects and Snakes. After walk of around 4 hours, we reached at the base of Udhewadi village. It is small village having less than 40 homes. We had stayed at one of those house to get fresh n up and to feed ourselves with beautiful Maharashtra’s favorite breakfast Kanda-Pohe. Our destination was not yet arrived. Udhewadi is the base village of Rajmachi fort. Being one of main tourist spots, locals makes all the arrangement from stay and up to the food, so one does not need to worry about stay and food.

ONE ROUTE TO RAJMACHI, THERE IS DIVERSION TO CONFUSE TREKKERS ,BUT ARROW MARKED IS PLACED ON THE WAY

On second day morning, after getting fresh n up, we left towards Shrivardhan fort which is known as Ballekilla of Rajmachi. This is one of the fortification of Rajmachi. Sun was right on top of our head, it was mix climate. It took 1 and half hour to reach Shrivardhan fort along with photogenic break. There is enough space available at summit for camping purpose. There are some water bodies with few snakes inside it, so better not to play with it. From Shrivardhan one can see beautiful Udhewadi village. After spending another hour at top, we preferred to left for Udhewadi village as home-made lunch was waiting for us.
Till time we were so hungry, after having delicious lunch, it was time to give some rest to the body, and also evening was going to be more photogenic due to view of Manoranjan fort.

BEAUTIFUL UDHEWADI VILLAGE

SOME SNAKES FOUND IN WATER BODY AT SHRIVARDHAN FORT

Evening around 4 pm, we decided to explore another fortification of Rajmachi fort. The first 20 minutes route is with steep stairs up to small temple, and then it leaves you in the dense ropes. Another 30 minutes of trail and you are right on another summit of this trek. The summit offers 360 degree view of surrounding valley. In monsoon one can view the multiples waterfalls in the valley and it is filled with fog. Both the forts are good in structure and well maintained. Without wasting much time on top, we started to descend down the trail to explore another point of Udhewadi village, but this time it was Udaysagar Lake on the distance of 5 minute from village. The lake was so beautiful and one of the place to get chilled after tiring trek. Beside the lake there is temple of Lord Shiva. In monsoon it works as reservoir for rain water.

ON THE WAY TO FORT

VIEW OF MANORANJAN FORT FROM LAKE

After such an absorbing journey we had our dinner at same place and went to small forest near to village for night camping. Till time all the arrangement of camping was done by locals. I had done the camping before also, but this was special for me due to my group. Camping with best friends are the small moment which are unforgettable. Forest camping with bonfire and few songs on the side was re-energizing our body. Rajmachi is not one day trek if you want to explore everything. Overnight stay at tent.

NIGHT CAMPING AT UDHEWADI VILLAGE

IDEAL TIME TO VISIT RAJMACHI FORT TREK

The month from June to September is best time to visit Rajmachi since the monsoon season here greets you with water springs and greeneries all over. In monsoon so many bikers visit this place on bike though it is rough trail. Avoid night trekking in monsoon.

Post monsoon October to February is ideal place for camping at Rajmachi. Many travellers pitch the tent at base of this fort. One can stay at summit point, but the only concern is Monkey and wind.

Avoid visiting in summer as sun heats up the rock and will keep dehydrating your body.

PLACES TO EXPLORE ON ROUTE TO RAJMACHI FORT

Night camping with bonfire
Shrivardhan fort

Manoranjan fort

Udaysagar Lake

Kondhane caves

WHAT ARE THE PLACES TO STAY NEAR RAJMACHI FORT? 

Being a local village there are no hotels or resorts available for stay.

Staying at one of the local’s home from base village is good option. Locals are so kind to greet the guests, and it is also suggestive for budget travellers.

They also provide tents on rent, so camping is another option to stay at Rajmachi.
Own tents can also be option for staying.

FOOD TO EAT AT RAJMACHI FORT

While trekking carry enough amount of snacks and energy bar along with you. There are no hotels or shacks on the way to summit point.

If staying at locals place then one should enjoy the flavor of home-made Maharashtrian dishes that gives the delicious taste of Veg and Non-veg food.
Cost per dish is very reasonable between 100 INR to 150 INR depends on Veg and Non-veg.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING RAJMACHI FORT

• For night trek, carry enough amount of energy bar or snacks along with enough quantity of water. Lonavala bus stop is the last option to buy everything.
• Carry torch or head lamp for night trekking.
• Tents are provided on rent at base village and may cost around 600 INR per tent.
• 9922321929 is number of the person from base village, where we had stayed, one can contact on this number for stay and food arrangement.
• Don’t drink and litter the area around Rajmachi.

Source :- Sambhaji Patil