Harishchandragad is a hill fort in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. There are many routes to hike up to the fort. The most common ones are from Khireshwar, Belpada and Pachnai (which is also the easiest approach) . The views from the Taramati peak, which is the highest point on the fort are awe-inspiring If you are lucky enough you may even stop a Leopard in the forest that lies beyond this peak. Considered as one of the most beautiful trails, Harishchandragad is one of the most famous hill forts in the Western Ghats. With a massive cliff overlooking the Konkan side, the views are breathtaking and a gem for adventurists and nature lovers. Harishchandragad Trek is a perfect weekend trek for those in Mumbai and Pune who wish to venture into the world of hiking. Stay on this page for more information on the Harishchandragad Trek - FAQs, Itinerary, Facts, Inclusion and exclusion.
Pachnai Village to Kokankada
Arrive at Kasara Railway Station by 8am. Our vehicles will pick you up and drive to Pachnai which will take about 5 hours. Arrive at Pachnai by 1pm and have lunch. We will start the trek by 2pm and reach Kokankada by 5pm and break for tea. Settle in camp and have dinner. Overnight in tents.
Kokankada to Harishchandragad to Pachnai Village. Drive to Kasara railway station
We will have tea & breakfast and depart by 7:30am. Its a 2 hours easy hike to the top. Then we will explore the caves, Harishchandragad temple and Kedareshwar Shivling. After having some refreshments we will head back by 12pm. We will reach Pachnai by 2pm and have lunch. Our vehicles will pick you up and drop you at Kasara railway station by 8pm.
This trek can be done by beginners as well as experienced trekkers. The overall this trail is easy to cover with a few challenges and zig-zag paths.
There is no requirement of extreme fitness training for this trek. If you have basic physical fitness and knowledge of trekking you must undertake this trek.
Basic mountain mannerisms. Basics of knowledge of mountain ascending and descending techniques.
This trek can be done all around the year. But the monsoon season of July - September is when the scenery comes to life and makes it stunningly beautiful. The trek can be best enjoyed between the months of October to March when the temperature will be much cooler.
By Road: You can reach Pachnai Village by taking a local train from Mumbai to Kasara and a short cab ride after that. From Pune you can directly reach by car in a few hours.
The cellular network is available in several patches of the trek.
The main attraction here is the Konkan Kada which offers a spectacular view of Konkan. you will also visit the Temple of Harishchandreshwar, Kedareshwar Cave, Ganesh Gufa, Saptatirtha, Kedareshwar, and Taramatipeak.
Anyone who is new to the trekking and wants to venture into the experience could begin with Harishchandragad trek. This trek is easily accessible from Mumbai and Pune. The Western Ghats hosts some of the most spectacular hikes with stunning scenery. The Harishchandragad trek gives you a glimpse into the history and also throws some mesmerizing vistas at you.
Since it is a beginner’s trek, you need no special prior experience. Although one is required to have mental preparedness and stamina before he begins the trek. Running exercise is recommended.
1. Jog/Run for 3 Kms in 30 mins and
2. Hold your breath for 20 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
The best season to do the Harishchandragad trek would be from the beginning of monsoons in mid-June to end of winters, which is around the end of Feb. However, the trek and views of the surroundings are especially beautiful during monsoons, which is when this trek is most popular.
It is essential to pack a backpack with rain cover, waterproof shoes, trekking poles (optional), food and snacks, water bottles
The base of the trek Pachnai Village is easily accessible from Mumbai or Pune.
Intermittent cellular network during the trek.
Click here for text packing list.
The minimum age limit is 9 years. However, minors aged between 9 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Accommodation on trek days is in tents on a twin sharing basis.
We use four-season Gipfel tents and sleeping bags. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward, provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
There will be no snow on this trek.
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
You can rent the following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack
There ill be no snow on this trek.
Monsoon season will see a significant amount of rainfall with temperatures ranging from 30 to 20 degree celsius. Winter months will be much cooler with temperatures dropping down to as low as 10 to 15 degrees at night.
No, there is no option to offload your backpack.
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
No, trekking pole is not necessary.
It is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last-minute buying.
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
You will be picked up and dropped at Kasara Railway Station
Expect to reach Kasara Railway Station by evening.
There are no mandatory documents required for this trek.
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Sarthak Madan 21 May 2021
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will use while hiking.&n
Read More