SONDAI FORT TREK
Sondai is small
hill fort which is located in Karjat Region, in Raigad District, Maharashtra,
India. Karjat region also has other popular treks like Peb fort, Irshalgad
fort, Rajmachi, Kothaligad and Bhimshankar.
Trek Date: June 26th, 2021. (Saturday)
All Pandemic Lockdown and social distancing policies to be followed.
Travel by own / known pool vehicles
Base Village:
Sondewadi
Altitude: 1200
ft or 366 m above mean sea level.
Nearest Railway
Station: Karjat
Grade level:
Moderate
Endurance
Level: Moderate
Time Required
to Reach the Top: Some take 1 Hour some 2 hours.
Best Time to
Visit: Monsoon
Sondai Fort
Trek Route:
Sondewadi
village – Small Plateau – Rock Patches – Small Plateau – First Iron Ladder –
Second Iron Ladder – Sondai Fort Top
Contribution for the trek:
Rs.650/- per person (Includes Trek Management and Trek Guide Charges, Veg Meals (Packed or village breakfast, Village Lunch and Tea and Common first aid kit)
Rs.500/- per person (For Car Pool per person; this amount will be given to the person who owns the car for your share of fuel and toll expenses).
Booking amount will be Rs.650/-
Excludes:
Any other meals or beverages other than mentioned above.
Any kind of insurance.
Any kind of parking charges or any any other kind of tolls.
Anything that is not included is excluded.
In case the event gets cancelled due to Pandemic lockdown policies the trek booking amount will be adjusted other future treks.
Planned schedule for the trek:
6:15 am - Start from Andheri, S. V. Road
Route: Andheri - WE Highway - Bandra - Sion - Chembur - Vashi - Panvel - Mumbai- McDonald near entrance of Pune Express Highway and take express highway - exit express highway at Shedung Phata - Chowk - Sondewadi village.
More about Sondai Fort
Sondai fort which was once used as a watchtower post by local rulers, the summit commands a majestic 360 degree view of the surrounding Matheran mountain range. There is a small temple of Goddess Sondai on the summit of the small summit of Sondai Fort. Sondai fort derived it’s name from Sondai Devi, Sondai devi is worshiped by locals. There is no fortification available except some water tanks on Sondai Fort. Sondai Fort provides amazing view of Irshalgad, Morbe Dam, Matheran, Prabalgad Fort, Karnala Fort, Songiri Fort and Rajmachi Fort.
Sondai Fort trek route is easy and well marked till the top of Sondai fort. Sondai fort trek begins from Sondewadi village. Sondai fort trek passes through jungle, rock patches, multiple iron ladders and muddy field.
Sondai fort trek is one of the better one day treks near Mumbai and Pune during monsoon season and ideal for beginners and first timers who would like to explore trekking as a hobby.
Food / Water
Availability during this trek: There are no restaurants near Sondewadi village.
However, Arrangement of food and water can be done by People of Sondewadi
village. Water facility is not available on Sondai fort. Carry enough water
with you.
How to reach
Sondai Fort?
Best way to
reach there is to hire a private vehicle or drive in your own vehicle.
(For
Backpackers)
Get down at
Karjat Railway station. Karjat can be easily reach from Mumbai, Pune and Thane.
There is no direct bus available till base of Sondai Fort. From Karjat catch ST
bus or share TumTum to Borgaon Phata. From Borgaon phata walk 5 km to reach
Sondewadi village or if lucky then get lift. If you are coming in groups then
book vehicle till Sondewadi village. Distance between Karjat and Sondai fort is
about 10 km.
