Trekking to Karnala Fort in Karnala Bird Sanctuary near Panvel, Raigad in Maharashra during Monsoon Rains (Thumb Shaped Peak-Pinnacle)
Hi,
Trek to Karnala Fort is very enjoying and beautiful in monsoon and winter seasons.
We some friends from office planned to go for this so called Easy Trek. We visited in Monsoon in month of July.
Finally 4 of us made it to go for trek as many other declined due to lazyness or some other excuses or reasons. 4 are: Harish Patel(me) and my 3 friends Piyush Arora, Akshay Kokate and Rahul Date.
We (Piyush Arora, Akshay Kokate and I) started from Airoli at around 8am after being delayed by rains and lengthened sleep. We caught a local to reach to midway Vashi station from there we took another train to Panvel. Our 4th colleague Rahul Date joined us at Nerul station, to our company in the same coach.
Reached Panvel around 9am. We had breakfast outside Panvel station to make our stomach ready for the journey. Good tea inspired us further to start the trek.
We waited for a state transport bus for Karnala. In 15 mins, we were able to find and catch the bus. Buses moving towards Pen halt at Karnala Bird sanctuary entrance gate.
I boarded the bus while my all friends were not able to sit in that bus and got next bus just in 5 mins. Due to traffic in miday, somehow they reached the Bird Sanctuary earlier. It takes 20-30 mins to reach there.
Ticket charge for bus is Rs 15 per head, while if you wish to take auto or shared car they may charge you 200-250 or more. You have to bargain to make a good deal. I suggest to go by st bus.
My friends purchased the Sanctuary ticket, it costs 30/- per person. We clicked some photos at the entry point of trek.
It was exciting for me to enter a bird sanctuary first time, while at the same time I knew that there is not much for bird watching there as per online reviews.
We stared from the gate moving on the damar road ( tar coal road). Only few steps and there are cages where some birds ( including peacock, parrot) and rabbits are kept. There is a juction after 100meters where the sign board hints you to take the left side road for Karnala Fort.
The pakka road is not there for more time as the kachcha road starts soon. From now to the base of the peak, the way is of mud, stones or tree roots.
We found 4 resting points with shelter and some place to relax along the way. As we were trekking after many months we started feeling tired after only 20-30 minutes. We took necessary small pauses wherever felt. After some time the feeling of tiredness went away and cool breeze made us feel better.
There was small rainy stream was flowing through the path. We dipped our feet for getting refreshing feeling.
The water was very cold.
We were also clicking pics after regular intervals as the rain was not there. Due to rains some patches were slippery and we had to wait for other group people to carefully cross some steps without slip or fall.
After around 45 mins of journey start, we were able to catch glimpse of the Thump shaped peak which was seen located at other mountain.. it made us realize that the destination is very far from now also.
But that glimpse also strengthen your confidence for going up to reach to it.
After 3rd rest place, there is flat walk over mountains till the 4th rest place. The view of deep valley both sides is amazing. You can see the city of Pamvel from there. At right side Panvel-Pen Highway is visible, which has dropped us to Karnala Bird Sanctury gate.
On both sides other montains were visible with clouds wandering among and over them.
You can sit and relax on the flat path on stone surface. Close view of the pinnacle makes you awareness of happy.
Going towards the fourth rest point, stone steep staircase with iron railings are seen which are near to the peak.
Opposite to rest place, there is small temple of one Hindu Godess. Behind rest shelter, some details of forth are mentioned.
Goind ahead there are steps and one gate saying Pravesh Darwaja.
Above is Pravesh Darwaja.
After crossing Pravesh Darwaja, rains started so we took shelter beside the railing and ate fruits to get energy and to loose some weight from the bag.
Till here we four finished 2 bottles of water and we had no water left. :)
This is just near the base of peak and fort walls also visible nearby. Rain speeded itself and we opened our umbrellas for sometime.
....
Some snaps taken after reaching top and while coming down the trek are below. These shows bastions, fortification, ramparts and fort are on top and views from different locations.
Trek to Karnala Fort is very enjoying and beautiful in monsoon and winter seasons.
We some friends from office planned to go for this so called Easy Trek. We visited in Monsoon in month of July.
Finally 4 of us made it to go for trek as many other declined due to lazyness or some other excuses or reasons. 4 are: Harish Patel(me) and my 3 friends Piyush Arora, Akshay Kokate and Rahul Date.
We (Piyush Arora, Akshay Kokate and I) started from Airoli at around 8am after being delayed by rains and lengthened sleep. We caught a local to reach to midway Vashi station from there we took another train to Panvel. Our 4th colleague Rahul Date joined us at Nerul station, to our company in the same coach.
Reached Panvel around 9am. We had breakfast outside Panvel station to make our stomach ready for the journey. Good tea inspired us further to start the trek.
We waited for a state transport bus for Karnala. In 15 mins, we were able to find and catch the bus. Buses moving towards Pen halt at Karnala Bird sanctuary entrance gate.
I boarded the bus while my all friends were not able to sit in that bus and got next bus just in 5 mins. Due to traffic in miday, somehow they reached the Bird Sanctuary earlier. It takes 20-30 mins to reach there.
Ticket charge for bus is Rs 15 per head, while if you wish to take auto or shared car they may charge you 200-250 or more. You have to bargain to make a good deal. I suggest to go by st bus.
My friends purchased the Sanctuary ticket, it costs 30/- per person. We clicked some photos at the entry point of trek.
It was exciting for me to enter a bird sanctuary first time, while at the same time I knew that there is not much for bird watching there as per online reviews.
We stared from the gate moving on the damar road ( tar coal road). Only few steps and there are cages where some birds ( including peacock, parrot) and rabbits are kept. There is a juction after 100meters where the sign board hints you to take the left side road for Karnala Fort.
The pakka road is not there for more time as the kachcha road starts soon. From now to the base of the peak, the way is of mud, stones or tree roots.
We found 4 resting points with shelter and some place to relax along the way. As we were trekking after many months we started feeling tired after only 20-30 minutes. We took necessary small pauses wherever felt. After some time the feeling of tiredness went away and cool breeze made us feel better.
There was small rainy stream was flowing through the path. We dipped our feet for getting refreshing feeling.
The water was very cold.
After around 45 mins of journey start, we were able to catch glimpse of the Thump shaped peak which was seen located at other mountain.. it made us realize that the destination is very far from now also.
But that glimpse also strengthen your confidence for going up to reach to it.
After 3rd rest place, there is flat walk over mountains till the 4th rest place. The view of deep valley both sides is amazing. You can see the city of Pamvel from there. At right side Panvel-Pen Highway is visible, which has dropped us to Karnala Bird Sanctury gate.
On both sides other montains were visible with clouds wandering among and over them.
You can sit and relax on the flat path on stone surface. Close view of the pinnacle makes you awareness of happy.
Going towards the fourth rest point, stone steep staircase with iron railings are seen which are near to the peak.
Opposite to rest place, there is small temple of one Hindu Godess. Behind rest shelter, some details of forth are mentioned.
Goind ahead there are steps and one gate saying Pravesh Darwaja.
After crossing Pravesh Darwaja, rains started so we took shelter beside the railing and ate fruits to get energy and to loose some weight from the bag.
Till here we four finished 2 bottles of water and we had no water left. :)
This is just near the base of peak and fort walls also visible nearby. Rain speeded itself and we opened our umbrellas for sometime.
....
Some snaps taken after reaching top and while coming down the trek are below. These shows bastions, fortification, ramparts and fort are on top and views from different locations.
Good one bro
ReplyDeleteThanks buddy...
DeleteGood details and nice pics!!
ReplyDeleteNice place, pics and description about the trip.
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog harish. You are multi talented and blogging is another feather in your cap.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot :)
DeleteNice pics and nature bro..
ReplyDeleteYeah Patel ..Superb!
ReplyDeleteNice post
ReplyDelete