Just like the name suggests, Rajgad is the king of forts. Because of the rich history and the fascinating architecture of the fort, it stands out among other forts in western ghats. It is situated at an altitude of 4,514 ft near Pune. Trek to the Rajgad offers to witness the beauty of the Sahyadris as well as the fort. The fortification of the 3 machis: Padmavati machi, Suvela machi, and Sanjivani machi define the architectural creativity of that time. There are many temples, water cisterns, and ashrams that are very rich in architecture.
It also offers a splendid view of other surrounding forts like Torna, Lingana, Raigad, Sinhagad, Mahabaleshwar mountain range, Pratapgad, Lohagad, Visapaur, and Tikona. There are many things on the Rajgad fort that define great architecture. There are long watchpoints(Machis) on the fort which is constructed like a snake. They were built using double fortified walls which is very interesting to see.
The trek can be started from Gunjavane village. The trek starts from the road behind the Hotel Suvela Garden. Once you cross this hotel after a 5-minute walk you get an entrance gate. Enter the gate to start the trek. The trail from here is fairly straight and chances are very low that you can get lost. The trail gradually climbs uphill after a walk of 10-15 mins. Now, you will be trekking parallel to the Suvela machi. After 20 minutes of trek, you reach a huge plateau. From here, you can see the Rajgad fort and Nedhe along with Suvela machi. And in the further accent, you have a proper trail till chordarwaza. Now, the trail connects you to the ridge that directly goes to the fort. Follow the trail until you see a final rock patch.
This section is pretty steep. Since it was the back door of the fort, there are no proper rock-cut steps. But now, to make the climb easier, there are railings till the entrance to Chor Darwaza. Once you exit the Chordarwaza, immediately there is a staircase that takes you to Padmavati machi. As soon as you climb up, a clear view of the Sahyadris welcomes you with mind-blowing views. Keep walking further till you reach Padmavati temple and lake. You can camp or stay in the temple. At the end of Padmavati machi, the trail splits into 3 sections. The trail in front of you takes you to Balekilla, the left one goes to Suvela machi and the right one goes to Sanjivani machi. There is a short descent to the exit point from Sanjivani machi from Rajgad that connects to Torna fort ridge.
Best time to visit:
Rajgad trek can be done in any season and it offers different views in different seasons.
On Day 1, we will board the Shatabdi Express from Hyderabad Railway Station. The train offers a comfortable journey as you head towards Pune. You will arrive in Pune around midnight.
After reaching Pune Railway Station early in the morning, you will be transferred to the base point of Rajgad Fort, which is approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive. Once at the base, you'll have a quick breakfast and some time to freshen up before starting the trek.
The trek begins towards Rajgad Fort, where you will explore the fort's impressive landmarks. First, you'll visit Nede, a beautiful spot with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Then, you’ll continue to Balekilla, the highest point of Rajgad Fort, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Sahyadri mountain range.
Next, you’ll head towards Suvela Machi, a peaceful plateau that offers a serene environment, perfect for a short break. Afterward, you'll explore Sanjeevani Machi, which provides stunning views of the fort and the valleys below.
Once the exploration is complete, you'll descend back to the base village for a well-deserved lunch. After the meal, you’ll begin your journey back to Pune.
In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Pune to board the return train for your journey back to Hyderabad.
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