Rajmachi - via Karjat - Lonavla

WO WO WO .... The best trek till now yaar!! Best because my K790i came back into life which was in coma after being washed with water (or else it would have cost me a bulk). It started as usual - starting right from the office after night shift directly towards Srikanths house;traversing through unknown paths;damped full day in heavy rains;going on wrong way for more than half hour n then tracking back the right one;streaming through knee-deep rivers;visting numerous waterfalls .... hussshhh - GOD so many things in one trek!

July 25th

I called up srikanth in the evening to chk for the plan. He was following up with people as I was in night shift.I was shocked to see that he chose the difficult one to trek. As I was goin to do it after night shift and didnt knew abt the people joining I was a bit worried. But then .....

July 26th

I reached Sri's house sharp at 4.30 a.m as promised. Sunil had ariived at his place last night itself. Soon we came to know the count for the trek is just 5 which was supposed to be 9. The list goes like this - Akhilesh boarding at Shivaji Nagar while me, Ashutosh,Srikanth n Sunil at Khadki. I took a nap while Sunil n Sri got ready. We boarded Sinhagadh express at 6.20 from Khadki. The environment seemed to be promising right from start. Ashu n Akhilesh started their photography while we three preferred to sleep. We reached Karjat at 8.10; had wadapav's n started for Karjat bus stand. We just missed the 8.15 bus to Kondivde village. Rather than wasting time took a rickshaw to the "Daiwaale bridge".From there we went till Kondivde by tum-tum. We preferred to walk till Kondane village - the base for Rajmachi rather than taking a tum-tum till there.

We did take views from the localites regarding the route as we didnt knew a bit n the path we had chsen was very strenous.Each of them suggested us to take a guide as the path was very misleading - even the arrows made by past trekkers were misleading. But we made unanimous decision to explore the terrains ourselves. The main reasons were - less number of people;all guys;n pretty used to types. We didnt had any such deadlines when to be back.

But soon ahead we found a Y. Luckily a cornwaala had his stall on one of the way. He suggested to follow the left path a it is less misleading and there are waterfalls too on the way.The path ahead was full of dense forest with muddy water flowing all the way. We started the way with full of enthusiasm as the nature was inviting us with her arms open.After some walk we found a patch of stretched land with a distinct path. This ensured us we r on a right path. As instructed we soon found the most awaited waterfall. All of us dived in it ... the force in it literally massaged us. As it was raining right from start we were already fully drenched. We marched forward towards the destination :-o with heavy heart. But soon we found one more waterfall. I was just observing it when Sri, Ashu n Akhilesh started the stunt to go towards it from base. My shoes were very slippery so didnt wanted to do it. But the waterfall was too much attractive. I too started n soon slipped as expected. My cell got drenched in water n it was gone :-(. I got upset very much. But took off again n started n it didnt end till there. My trek ant also got torn while stretching on the big rocks beneath the waterfall. :-(

Neways still made up the mind removed everything; put them in bag n went wild to enjoy. Will add pics to show you the limits. We soon found out that there was a better way to reach the proper base - alas - I lost my pant;my cell was in danger. Oh GOD.There was a cave above which was built by the Buddhist's as per a guide which we met there.After enjoying a lot we started again for the supposed destination - I prayed GOD not to give nemore waterfalls or else we will never reach the fort. But this time we did managed to march properly avoiding all the distractions. Soon ahead we found Ram kaka who accompanied us till the up. Also we did met a Hydrabad grp who were more than overwhelmed to find us.They had lost their way once and then managed to reach uptill there. There were many naive ones in their grp who were totally out for the climb. But soon we reached the top (Rajmachi village) and had some snacks at Ram kaka's house.

The most awaited destination - Rajmachi fort -

Getting some tips from Ramkaka n sons we started for the final point. But while observing the scenery and doing masti; greeting people on the way we forgot to take a immediate left turn which was supposed to be as soon as we start which we remembered when we found a distinct left turn around 2.5 kms ahead where we shd have taken it. Again we trailed back whr we started and this time on a proper path. To our relaxation the path ahead wasnt that much difficult. It was a cool drizzling on the way with a small path on the edge with mountain on one side n valley on other.
It was a nice view on top of the Rajmachi ... really -- Shivaji is Great. the path was not ending even when we kept walking to the top - maybe we were too tired of surprises so might be the case.Finally we reached the top;clicked some snaps there ;emptied 2 packets of Bourbon by bought by Ashu and then started the descend.

By the time we reached the village Ramkaka had kept the lunch ready for us. We ate full to our level; promised to come back again;take their contact numbers and started on our way. The estimated time given by them was 3.5 hours.

We started the simple path enjoyingly. We tried to cover up the way asap as it was goin to be evening soon. It was around 5.15 p.m when we started. On the way we met lot of people who were coming for an overnight stay on Rajmachi. Everybody was giving their own opinion about the distance left to be covered. Soon we found a river with a water knee deep. It was a realy a nice surprise for us. Goin ahead it happened which I was fearing a long. My legs did answered and I started feeling the pressure. The unknown strenous trek that too after night shift had taken its effect. Now on it was very difficult for me to keep up the pace with all. I was very disappointed as it was such a nice climate - everybody was enjoying; with no hurry to go hme and it started. Soon I felt like I wanted to reach home asap.But my pace was affecting everyone but still I kept walking. Soon at the start of Lonavla boundary there were three bifurcation and this time we chose a wrong way. Lucky we that we got the watchmans on the round who guided us on right path.

We met several more people on the way and it was already dark. We managed to reach Lonavla city by around 9.05 p.m. On the way we got Waghole and Tungarli villages. Finally we took a rickshaw to catch the 9.45 bus as the station seemd to be 1 hr more. We got the train n I was in very much pain. We reached back at Sri's house at around 11.00. Akhilesh came to drop me at my home on my own bike ... such a pity on me.

But at the end Well ended is well done! I got well by next afternoon and my cell came to life after 2 days. Now I am feeling the trip worth enough .Really the nature,the water falls,the rain,the hills all were just awesome. Hadnt it been a bit strenous one I would have enjoyed even more.

Details:
Team : 05

Route: Route1 : Shivaji Nagar > Karjat > Khandpe > Kondividi > Kondane > Rajmachi village > Rajmachi fort [Relatively difficult] Route 2: Shivaji Nagar > Lonavala station > Tungarli > Pambola village >>Rajmachi

Distance: Route1: Karjat -> Kondividi:~15kms, Kondividi -> Kondana: ~2kms, Kondana->Rajmachi peak : ~14kms [Hill climb] Route 2: Lonavala -> Rajmachi : ~20kms [Simple]
Altitude: ~2100 FT above MSL

Endurance: Medium Difficulty : Low / Medium based on route
Time : Karjat-Kondividi : 20mins. [TumTum] , Kondividi - Rajmachi village : 3hrs [Excl. of time spent in Waterfalls n caves enroute], Rajmachi village - Rajmach fort: 0.5 hrs Rajmachi village - Lonavala station: 3.5hrs.

Transport: Shivaji nagar to Karjat : Train at 6:12 am. Buses at Karjat to kondividi: 8:15am , 9:45am. Or pick a TumTum to ‘Bridge’ from there another TumTum to Kondividi/ Kondane. Lonavala to Shivaji nagar: 9:45 pm, 11:00pm, Vehicles: Bikes / cars may be used to reach Rajmachi village during early monsoon - No tarred path.

Expenses: Rs 200 Approx.

Stay:One day / Overnight [ Accommodation available in base village - rajmachi ]

Suggested route: Simple: Lonavala- Rajmachi village - Rajmachi fort [ Flat path walk with shallow streams en-route to cross. To be careful at one particular spot about 2hrs from lonavala where river flow pace may increase at alarming rates all of a sudden]. Medium: Karjat - Kondividi - Kondane [ Scores of waterfalls and Kondona caves-Must see, Overnight camping possible here]
Best time to visit: Monsoon!

Accomodation / Food at Rajmachi village: Hotel Shirish [ Ram: 9881162648 Suresh: 9850104191 ]

Koraigad

Hmmm, back again with new one but with Koraigad this time n not Kalsubai as promised ... slight change in plans neways.

Americans are really gud yaar, Friday was a holiday so was frsh and sound for Saturday's trek. Earlier got a call that there are as many as 25 people for trek .... hmmm quite nice!

5th July Saturday:

Srikanth called me at 6:00a.m to wake me though I got up at 6:30. Got ready soon as we had to leave by 7:00 and then called Apeksha and to my surprise mam was still sleeping ...... Now what - as usual late! Started at 7:15 n somehow managed to reach by 7:50 for the train which was at 7:55 a.m. U know .. I always make it up :-).

The plan was to go to Lonavla by Local train and then take some transport till Shivpur village which forms the base for Koraigad. We reached Lonavla by around 9:30 a.m. We were soon greeted by light showers, had a heavy brkfast n marched for aranging some means for transport.Abhijeet,Rahul and Vaibhav with couple others tried deliberaltely with the drivers and managed to get 2 way journey for 25 people at 1.5K. Myself with Nikunj and Vaibhav enjoyed the elite ride of Sumo with the 7 girls as their caretakers :-D while the others hurled themselves in truck. Dont worry everybody got a chance for it later.

Stairway to Heaven
The base point is around 30 kms fom Lonavla- we reached there in less than hour. The way towards was just like Stairway To Heaven. The road is very nice but with n no. of U and S turns and full of clouds. You cant even see after a mere 4-5 feet distance. On the way we come across Bushi Dam, Tiger Point and Lions point. We have to take the way towards Amby Valley to reach the village. The site of the Koraigad seems to be difficult. I mean the mountain seems to be full rocky. But as we started the path was too simple. Even a primary kid can be able to do it. We reached the top in less than half hour and we were at approx. 3000 ft above MSL.

As soon as you reach the peak you will be awe struck to find a land fully stretched for about 1.5Km with 2-3 frsh water ponds which are not even minutely spoilt. The breeze over there was too strong which took away my cap right in one of the ponds. This was my first reason to enter in the water (cant go if u dont know the statistics). Soon Abhijeet n Shrikanth followed me with no reason and tried hard to dip me in but to no success. We then had a nice round along the borders of fort. The view which u get is just awesome. The rain droplets seems to come up (instead of down :-O), the clouds walk alongwith you. The walk continued till we saw a very tempting fresh water pond (tempting - in a sense to get in it). Abhijeet and Srikant went in it first this time. Rest of us soon joined - we did N number of tricks right from racing, forming pyramids,diving from each others head and so on....This was the best part of the trek. Swimming in ice-cold water with heavy rains from above was just the best.

When you go around the lines of fort - after reaching the opposite end you see a top-view of the Sahara Amby valley. the township is really nice to see - neatly planned small hut shaped houses with a lush green landscapes around, a flight runway nearby with a helipad etc. The whole area (about the peak) makes it a visit worthwhile.

WayBack:

At the base we had a quick tea session.Ya n this time I had the previlage to travel by truck. :-) This time again Abhijeet and Srikant took their standing seat :-O . We did halt at tiger point whr I exchanged the place with Srikant.We did halt at
Bushi Dam for some snacks. Most of us gave up the idea to visit the dam seeing the jammed pack crowd. We waited too long for others to come back I think coz by then our sumo had left us with no other option other than to climb the truck.As I said this time everybody got the honours to have the pleasant ride.

We just made in time for the 5:15 p.m train to Pune.But 8 of us(not me) had to remain down due to their sillyness. Some intelligent ones tore down their tickets thinking that it was one-way (it was a return journey tick). We had a nice time in train hearing some very old and some new one pj's by Bhavna,Nikunj and Vishal.

One incident I would like to narrate - NOM for Rahul. At a particular PJ Rahul went laughing so hard that he nearly fell down on a old lady's lap. She was very old and couldnt handle Rahul and abused him. But some of us due to language problem didnt understood the situation and continued to make fun of Rahul. The lady felt very humiliated. A couple of us who understood Marathi tried to sort it out. But felt really bad .. neways it happens.

All in all a short, simple and sweet trek? - OK picnic to enjoy natures beauty.

Details:
Team : 25
Route: Pune - Lonavala - Shivpur village - Koraigad
Distance: Approx 30kms from lonavala town
Time : Uphill: 30mins Downhill: 15minutes.
Transport: Preferably hire a cab
Expenses: Rs 150 - Rs 200
Best time to visit: Monsoon!
Endurance: low Difficulty : low