Main Info
Rajmachi Tourism
Rajmachi is a quaint little town located amidst the mystical hills of Sahyadri Range in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Rajmachi is known for its historic fort which in turn comprises of two fortresses namely Manaranjan Fort and Shrivardhan Fort. The region lies in close proximity to the twin hills station of the State, Lonavala and Khandala.
A village named Udhewadi is nestled at the base of the fort which also serves as the starting point of Rajmachi Fort trek. The village has been under the reign of several rulers including Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb, Shahu Maharaj and the British Empire.
The surroundings around Rajmachi is a popular trekking destination among the trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. You can either start your trek from Kondhane Caves or the Udhewadi village. From Kondhane Caves it will take around 4-5 hours to complete the trek and on the other hand, it hardly takes 20-30 minutes to reach the top of the hill from Udhewadi village. The trek is simple and easy going and hence, can be carried out by an amateur person. The trek route is marked with signs thereby assisting the trekkers in navigating the route easily.
More on Rajmachi
Trek to Rajmachi Fort from Mumbai
Trek to Rajmachi can be undertaken from Kondhane Caves if you are travelling from Mumbai. This trek route is longer and it will take around 3-4 hours to complete the trek. The trail is not difficult and constitutes gentle slopes and well-defined steps, thus, making it easier for the beginners to navigate. Throughout the route, you will come across small arrows that indicate the direction to the Rajmachi Fort.
The region has good network connectivity and hence, you can make use of GPS in order to figure out the route to the fort. In fact, you can enter the following Google Map coordinates so as to mark the starting point of the trek- (18.8418316,73.3764473). You can park your car at this base location and with the help of GPS, you can return to the exact location without getting confused.
Trek to Rajmachi Fort from Pune
The trek route to Rajmachi from Pune is simpler and shorter in comparison to its counterpart. You can drive to the nearby village of Udhewadi from Lonavala. However, the road connecting this village with Lonavala is extremely in poor condition. It is recommended to cover this short journey in an SUV. Once to reach Udhewadi, the trek to the Rajmachi can be completed within 30 minutes. The uphill climb is smooth with gentle slopes. You can also make use of GPS in order to figure out the way to Rajmachi Fort.
Restaurants and Local Food in Rajmachi
There are a few restaurants run by the local people of Udhawadi village. The food here is simple and has a pure Marathi flavour. You can savour the local delicacies such as egg and chicken curry, also known as Usal, Dal, Rice and Bhakri. There are also various snacks available in the eateries including Bhajis, Pohe and Maggi. In addition to this, you can also opt for refreshing and mind soothing drinks such as neembu pani and Kokam Sharbat. You might be able to get Misal Pav and Vada Pav as well.
Note: There are no food stalls along the trek trail, therefore, it is advised to carry snacks and water supplies to stay full and hydrated during the journey. Moreover, do not litter the place.
One Day Travel Itinerary
Irrespective of the trek route you choose, trek to Rajmachi can be completed within a day. For those opting for Udhewadi trek route, you should reach the village by 9 or 10 am. Start your trek in the morning as the experience of trekking through the misty hills is unmatched. The weather during this time of the day is usually misty and the view of the surrounding is absolutely mind-boggling.
Once you reach the plateau that connects the two hills of Rajmachi, you can decide which hill you want to explore first. Trekking to both the hill forts of Rajmachi is a doable task in a day, so you need not worry about not being able to complete the trek. In fact, you will have enough time to visit the nearby temples as well. You can have packed lunch at one of the hill forts. As you start exploring the place, get ready to witness an astounding panoramic view of the surroundings. You can start your descend at 4 pm.
