Kathingad Tung Fort Trek

The trail often begins where the signposts end... 

John Muir - "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."

A Short and steep Hill trek, Rural Countryside, standing tall at over 3500 feet from mean sea level gives you a Majestic 360-degree view of mountains and forts around Pauna Lake. Possibly may have been used as a lookout fort. 

Planned Itinerary


Location: About 15 km from Lonavala

Route: Andheri – Sion – Chembur – Vashi – Panvel - Express Highway – Lonavala – INS Shivaji – Ghusalkhamb Village – Tung Village

Altitude: of Tung – 3526 feet from mean sea level; climb around 1200 feet.

Category: Moderate (You can do up and down in less than three hours).




























Contact for Inquiries and Booking: 


9619182010 / asif@natureknights.net


Custom Trip Fee Budget (Trek Leads (Mountain Guide)/Basic First Aid/Basic Safety Equipment required for trek): 

Rs.750/- per person. (Minimum billing Rs. 5000/- or person cost whichever is higher) - 1-Trek Lead / Mountain Guide.
Rs.700/- per person. (Group size over 10 to 15 pax minimum billing Rs.7500/-) - 2 Trek Leads / Mountain Guides
Rs.650/- per person (Group size over 20 to 23 pax Minimum Rs.10500/-) - 3 Trek Leads / Mountain Guides.

Note: 


We can help you book transport (Ex. Lonavala / Ex. Mumbai / Ex. Pune etc)


Meal Budgets (approximate budget: Rs.350 to 500 for Lunch and Breakfast).


Note: Our guide/s will travel with the guest from Mumbai or Lonavala depending on where he/she is resident.

Road tolls; parking toll; forest entry tolls if applicable will be borne by customer.


Transport is from Point-to-Point as per planned tour only. 

Timings for transport is between 6 am to 11 pm. 

Exclusions:
Food is not included, Bottled Water or other beverages other than those mentioned above not included, Tips not included.
Anything that is not included is excluded.

To design Custom trips for large group of over 30 persons or Corporate / Students 


Kathingad the trek

Kathin means difficult in Marathi; so, the fort Kathingad may have been difficult to conquer. The path we take is short but narrow and steep at times.   Monsoon challenges with slippery rocks; gushing winds and occasional cover of cloud. The gifts of conquest are plentiful; the stage is set for adventure.


The fort is conical and has steep climbs with a very narrow route on the edge of the mountain throughout. From Pawana dam, reaching this fort requires a 400-metre climb.

Kathin Gad Stands tall on the landscape of Pauna Lake; This sharp Conical Peak and a prominent Landmark is surrounded from three sides by waters of Pauna Lake.



Once upon a time trekkers approaching the base of the fort used to ferry across to Tungi Village. Here a steep but short climb on grassy slopes leads you to a temple. A rocky staircase leads a few feet down to a water reservoir. The summit is a grassy pinnacle with a ruined temple.



We will be approaching this fort from Ghushalgaon (on Lonavala-Ambavne road) to Tungi.
One can also approach this fort from Malawali railway station (about 12 km from here) we generally approach this fort from Lonavala.

From Lonavala, one can reach the base village Tungwadi around 20 km via Bushy Dam-INS Shivaji-Peth Shahapur-Tungwadi. From Tungwadi village, reaching this fort requires about a 300-metre climb.

Kathing Gad (Tung Fort) has an elevation of 1075 m above sea level. An exploring traveler can also find a local ferry that can be boarded from Pawna dam to its base village, Tungi.

This summit of fort has a 360 Degree view of the surrounding area giving a brilliant view of Pauna Lake, Loh Gad, Visapur Fort, Tikona Fort,  Koraigad Fort, Dukes Nose, Jambuli hill, Devgad etc.













Its sharp, conical peak makes Tung Fort a prominent landmark, even from a distance. It has an oval shape, thick walls and numerous bastions. A steep climb on grassy slopes leads to the ruins of a temple at the summit. A rocky staircase leads several feet down to a water reservoir. From the top of the fort, the Tikona, Lohagad, Visapur, and Korigad forts are clearly visible.





History


Tung Fort (Kathingad) was built before 1600 CE. It was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty but was captured by Shivaji. It is small, and not able to hold more than 200 troops at a time. As such, it would not have been able to defend itself on its own for a long time. Its shape and structure suggest that its main function was as a watchtower guarding the road to Pune city. The Dhamale family, one of the Deshmukh from the Maval region, was charged with ensuring the security of Tung Fort. During the invasion, it served to provide a temporary distraction for invaders. Thus, the major forts of Visapur and Lohagad would have time to prepare themselves to meet the invading army. This fort served as a watchtower in the past because from the top of the fort, a lot of areas in the Maval region of the Pawana and Mulshi valleys can be seen, and thus, from the top of the fort, a watch on these areas can be kept.



  
Nearby experiences: (Be an exploring traveler)

Lonavala is a good place to have your breakfast before you head for Lohgad for a trek and during the evening try the famous Chikki and Fudge at Lonavala market.

A drive from lonavala towards Ambi Valley (just few minutes' drive from here) will bring you across Lion Head Point or Tiger Valley / Tiger Leap that has an enchanting view from an altitude of over 3000 feet.

Driving further towards Khandala on the way back one can also stop over at Rajmachi View, to get a glimpse of Rajmachi Fort (Shrivardhan and Manranjan)


Exploring further away


Lohgad Boat club with Farm House Dhaba on banks of Pauna Lake is a cool experience to explore. Lohgad boat club is around 20 km from base village of Kathingad. One can get a majestic view of Kathingad from this boat club.

One can also drive on the other side of the hill to explore ancient Bhaja and Karla Caves.



Suggested Schedule for custom treks:


Pickup Points:
6:00 am Start from Mumbai / Pune around 6 am.
8:30 am Arrival at Lonavala (breakfast at Lonavala)
10:30 am expected arrival at Base of Tung Fort (Introduction / Induction at base of Tung Fort).
Trek to Tung
2:15 pm expected back at base village (carry packed lunch for the trek).


If you wish to be back to Lonavala for lunch then start the trek at the latest by around 7:30 am.

You may also want to explore some of our other links given below:


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